Sewage coming up in a tub, shower or floor drain means the main sewer line is blocked. Stop using every toilet, sink, washer and shower, and call (855) 575-2890. We take emergency calls 24/7, so night and weekend backups are not left until Monday.
Do not open a cleanout cap while water is rising behind it. Keep people and pets out of the affected room, and leave the rest to the plumber.
What the main sewer line does
The sewer line, also called the main line or lateral, takes every drop of wastewater from the house and carries it to the street sewer or a private system. Every fixture connects to it, directly or through a branch.
That is why a main line blockage looks different from a single clogged sink. Several drains slow or stop together, and the lowest drain in the house tends to overflow first. A toilet that gurgles when the washer drains is a classic early sign.
What blocks a sewer line
Most main line blockages come from a short list of causes.
- Tree and shrub roots that enter through joints and grow into mats
- Grease that cools and builds up along the pipe walls
- Wipes and paper products that do not break down
- Sagging sections of pipe where waste settles instead of flowing
- Broken or offset joints that catch debris
- Items flushed or washed down that should not have been
Knowing the cause matters because it decides the fix. A clog that is only paper and wipes is cleared once. Roots and low spots come back unless the pipe itself is addressed.
How we clear a blocked sewer line
The plumber starts by locating the cleanout, the capped access pipe that gives a direct path into the line. If the house has no accessible cleanout, access may come through a toilet or another fixture opening, which takes more time.
From there, the plumber chooses between a cable machine with a cutting head and a hydro jet. Our hydro jetting page explains when the water-based method is better. After clearing, a camera look confirms the line is open and shows what caused the blockage.
Emergency or can it wait?
A blocked sewer line is an emergency when sewage is coming into the home or when no toilet in the house will flush. After-hours calls for slow drains with no overflow are better handled in the morning, though we are glad to talk through it and help you decide.
If you are unsure, call and describe what you see. We would rather answer a question at 2 a.m. than see you deal with a sewage flood at 3.
| Symptom | Likely meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water backs up in a tub or shower | Main line blockage | Stop all water use and call |
| Toilets bubble or gurgle | Partial blockage or venting issue | Call, avoid heavy water use |
| Every drain is slow | Main line narrowing | Schedule cleaning soon |
| Sewage smell in the yard | Possible crack or leak outdoors | Call and mention the smell |
| Wet or sunken patch in the lawn | Possible broken line | Call, avoid walking on it |
| Only one sink is slow | Local branch clog | See our drain cleaning page |
If the problem is limited to one fixture, our drain cleaning page covers sinks, tubs and toilets.
Why sewer lines clog again
A line that clogs twice in a year is telling you something. Roots enter through small gaps and keep growing. Grease sticks to rough pipe walls. Older pipe materials can scale or corrode inside. A sagging section holds a puddle of waste that never fully drains.
Repeated cleaning without a diagnosis can become a recurring expense. A camera inspection shows what is happening so the fix matches the cause. If the camera finds damage, sewer line repair is the next conversation.
What to do while you wait
Before the plumber arrives
- Stop using all water, including washers and dishwashers
- Keep children and pets out of any wet area
- Do not use chemical drain products on a backed-up line
- Move belongings off the floor near the affected drain
- Wear gloves and boots if you need to clean up contaminated water
- Note which fixtures are backing up and which are fine
Sewer service in Helena
Sewer service in Helena comes from the City of Helena Utilities Board, reached at (205) 663-1670. If a neighbor's home is also backed up, or the problem seems to be in the street, report it to the utility. If only your house is affected, the blockage is usually in your own lateral and we can clear it.
Helena's population grew from 3,918 in 1990 to 20,914 in 2020, so most laterals are newer than Old Town's. Newer lines still clog from roots, grease, and wipes. Older lines near Old Town may carry different pipe materials, and a camera look shows the condition. Check with the utility if you are unsure where your responsibility starts.
We also serve Pelham and Chelsea, where sewer providers differ, so ask the utility who handles your address.
What affects the cost of sewer line cleaning
- Access to the lineA working cleanout speeds things up
- Length of the runLonger lines take more time
- MethodCable cleaning and hydro jetting have different costs
- Cause of the blockageRoots and heavy buildup take longer than a single clog
- After-hours timingNight and weekend calls can carry different rates
You get a clear price before work starts. Ask your homeowner insurance provider whether a sewer backup is covered under your policy.
Want your real number? Call (855) 575-2890Sewer line cleaning questions
Yes. The emergency line runs 24/7. Call (855) 575-2890, describe what is backing up, and we will explain the next step.
It depends where the blockage is. If it is on your property, it is usually yours. If the street sewer is blocked, call the City of Helena Utilities Board at (205) 663-1670.
Look for a capped pipe near the house foundation or in the yard along the sewer path. If you cannot find one, tell the plumber.
Not always. If roots or damage caused the blockage, it can return. A camera look shows whether repair is needed.
We advise against it. It rarely reaches deep blockages and creates a hazard for whoever works on the line next.