Case Study: Cast-Iron Drain Cleaning in Remich (Camera + High Pressure)
Monday evening, call from a family in Remich: water backing up in the shower whenever the toilet flushed, persistent bad odours for 3 days. 1962 house, original cast-iron drains. Here's how we cleared it in 2h45.
Initial Assessment
Ground-floor bathroom — WC + shower + sink all connected on the same drain. Simple test: pour a bucket of water in the toilet → immediate backup in the shower tray. The blockage is downstream of all fixtures, on the main cast-iron line heading to the sewer.
Why Start with the Camera?
On old cast iron, going in with a snake blind risks puncturing a corroded pipe. We ran an inspection camera through the outside cleanout first.
- Internal diameter reduced by half from 30 years of scale + biofilm
- Fine roots entering through a joint at 4.2 m from the cleanout
- Several old branches in poor condition but still watertight
- No through-cracks (the pipe is still salvageable)
Strategy: Progressive Hydro-Jetting
A snake would just punch a hole through the blockage — it would work for 2 weeks before failing again. Decision: controlled-pressure hydro-jetting to gently strip scale + roots without attacking the cast iron.
- Pressure: start at 80 bar, gradually ramp to 150 bar max
- Special rotary root-cutting nozzle
- Back-and-forth on 8 metres, 3 passes
- Camera check between each pass
Result
Drain restored to full diameter, roots removed, all fixtures draining normally. We also installed a root barrier at the affected joint to prevent recurrence.
Total: €380 (camera inspection + hydro-jetting + root barrier).
Got a Slow or Blocked Drain?
Call +352 27 58 58 25 or WhatsApp. Same-day intervention across Luxembourg — see our drain cleaning page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a snake damage cast-iron drains?
Yes. Old cast iron weakened by corrosion can be punctured by aggressive snake use. We always camera-inspect first on pre-1980s installations.
How much does drain camera inspection cost in Luxembourg?
Around €120–€180 on its own, or included free when combined with a hydro-jetting intervention (€250–€450 depending on length and difficulty).
How often should old cast-iron drains be cleaned?
Every 2–3 years for preventive maintenance, especially in older houses (pre-1980) and properties with trees nearby. It's far cheaper than an emergency unblocking.