In this article
Sewage coming up through the basement floor drain is one of the worst things a homeowner can walk into. It is also one of the most common emergency calls we get in Macomb County. Here is what to do first, what is probably causing it, and how to stop it happening again.
What to do in the first ten minutes
- Stop using water. No toilets, sinks, showers, dishwasher or washing machine. Every gallon you send down a drain comes back up in the basement.
- Stay out of the water. Sewage carries bacteria. If it is near outlets, appliances or the furnace, keep clear and shut off power to the basement only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water.
- Open the outside cleanout if you have one. Many homes have a capped pipe in the front yard or landscaping. Taking the cap off lets the sewage spill into the yard instead of your basement.
- Call a plumber. A main line backup does not clear on its own.
How to tell it is the main line
One slow sink is a local clog. A main sewer line problem looks different:
- More than one drain is slow or backing up at the same time
- Toilets gurgle when the washing machine drains or the shower runs
- Water comes up in the basement floor drain or the laundry tub when you flush upstairs
The floor drain is the lowest opening in the house, so that is where a blocked main line shows itself first.
The five most common causes
1. Tree roots
Roots find their way into the joints of older clay sewer pipe and grow into a mat that catches everything passing by. This is the most common cause in the older neighborhoods of Roseville, Warren and St. Clair Shores.
2. Grease
Grease goes down the kitchen drain as a liquid and hardens further along, narrowing the pipe a little more each time.
3. Wipes and paper products
Wipes labelled flushable do not break down the way toilet paper does. Neither do paper towels or feminine products. They snag on any rough spot and build a blockage.
4. A collapsed or sagging pipe
Old pipe can crack, shift or settle so that a section holds water and solids. Clearing the line helps for a while, but the backup returns until the damaged section is repaired.
5. The city sewer backing up
During very heavy rain the public sewer can fill and push water back toward houses. If the backup happens only in major storms, and your neighbors have it too, this is the likely cause. A backwater valve is the usual protection.
How a plumber fixes it
The first job is to open the line with a sewer machine so the house can drain. The second is to find out why it blocked, so you know whether this was a one-time clog or a pipe that needs repair. We explain what we found in plain words and give you a flat-rate price before any repair starts.
Common questions
Is a sewer backup an emergency?
Yes. It is a health hazard and it gets worse every time water is used. Our emergency line is answered 24 hours a day.
Can I use a chemical drain cleaner on a main line backup?
No. It will not reach or clear a main line blockage, and it leaves caustic water sitting in your pipes and in the basement.
Does homeowners insurance cover a sewer backup?
Often not, unless a sewer backup endorsement was added to the policy. It is worth a call to your agent before you need it.
Read more about our sewer repair service and 24-hour emergency plumbing, or call (586) 943-4158 now.
