A blocked main sewer line backs up the whole house
The main sewer line carries everything from every fixture. When it blocks, the lowest drain in the house, usually a basement floor drain or a tub, is where the water appears. If you see sewage, stop using every fixture, keep people away from it, and call.
Our 24/7 line takes main line backups at any hour. The plumber uses the cleanout to reach the blockage directly, which is faster than working from a fixture.
Steps to take while help is on the way
These steps prevent the backup from getting worse.
Stop all water use.
No flushing, no laundry, no dishwasher, no showers. Every gallon has nowhere to go.
Locate your cleanout.
It is a capped pipe, often in the basement, a crawlspace or outside near the foundation. Clear access to it.
Protect the area.
Lift belongings off the floor and keep children and pets away from the water.
Photograph for insurance.
Photos of affected areas help if you file a claim.
Sewage coming up a drain?
Stop using water and call. A plumber can start the diagnosis today.
How a main line is cleared
Clearing a main line is a short sequence with a clear end point.
- 1
Access the line.
The plumber opens the cleanout. If there is none, the toilet may be pulled to reach the line.
- 2
Cable the line.
A heavy-duty cable cuts through the blockage. Cutting heads handle roots, and retrievers pull out solids.
- 3
Run a camera when needed.
If the cause is not clear, a camera locates the problem. See sewer inspection.
- 4
Test the flow.
Water is run and the cleanout is watched to confirm a steady flow.
Typical causes and what comes next
The cause shapes the follow-up.
Cleaning is likely enough when
- A wad of paper or wipes caused the plug.
- Grease built up over a long period.
- The line is sound on camera.
- No roots are present.
Further work is likely when
- Roots keep returning.
- The camera shows a crack, offset or belly.
- The line is old clay or cast iron.
- The clog returns within weeks.
Why older Roy lines hold roots and debris
Roy grew quickly from the 1940s through the 1990s, and many homes still rely on the sewer laterals installed at that time. Clay tile joints and old cast iron are the most common places roots enter, and roots grow toward water, which is why a fine hair can become a plug.
Sewer connection details vary by address. If a blockage appears to be in the public main instead of your own lateral, the plumber can tell you and help you report it to the right agency.
Keep your lateral clear
A few habits help the line stay open between visits. They cost almost nothing and they remove the most common causes of a main line backup.
- Do not flush wipes, even those labeled flushable.
- Keep fats and oils out of the drain.
- Know where the cleanout is and keep it accessible.
- Watch for slow drains in the lowest fixtures first.
- Consider periodic cleaning if you have mature trees near the line.
What decides the price of sewer line cleaning
Insurance may cover backup damage only with the right endorsement. Photograph affected areas and ask your insurer.
Where we clear main lines
We clear main lines across Roy and in West Haven, where long lateral runs are common. Nearby Layton has its own page with local details.
Questions about sewer line cleaning
If more than one fixture is slow or backed up, or if the lowest drain in the house backs up when you use a fixture above it, the main line is the likely cause.
The homeowner is generally responsible for the lateral from the house to the connection with the sewer main. If the blockage is in the main, the plumber can help you contact the right agency.
Many are cleared in a single visit after the plumber arrives. Time depends on access and the cause. The plumber explains the plan once the line is open.
Not if the cause was a one-time plug. If roots, grease or a damaged pipe caused it, the clog is likely to return unless that is addressed. See sewer line repair.