Sewer backup: what to do first
When sewage rises in a floor drain, tub or toilet, the main line is blocked or broken somewhere between your house and the connection. Stop running water, do not flush and do not use the dishwasher or washing machine.
Keep children and pets away from the area, wear gloves and boots if you must go in, and do not mix cleaning chemicals. Call us and say whether it is one fixture or several, since that shows how deep the problem sits.
A clear backup can sometimes be cleared by a cable first, which is covered under sewer line cleaning. If the camera shows damage, repair is the lasting answer.
How we diagnose a sewer line problem
A camera on a flexible cable runs through the cleanout or a pulled toilet and shows the pipe from the inside. We look for roots, cracks, offset joints, bellies where water pools, scale and collapsed sections, and we show you the footage on site.
A locator marks the position and depth of the problem from above, so you know exactly where a repair would happen. This is the same approach used in a pre-purchase sewer inspection, with repair planning added.
Repair options compared
| Option | Best when | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One damaged section in sound pipe | Needs a small excavation at the spot |
| Cured-in-place liner | Cracks or joint leaks in otherwise straight pipe | Cannot fix a belly or a collapsed pipe |
| Pipe bursting | Old pipe that cannot be lined | Needs entry and exit pits, and the path must be clear |
| Full replacement | Severe damage, collapse or poor slope | Most disruptive, and the longest-lasting fix |
Sewage backing up into the house?
Stop using water and call. The 24/7 line is open, and a crew can come inspect the line.
Sewer lines in Wilsonville: roots, dig rules and responsibility
Roots are the first suspect wherever a mature tree stands near a lateral. Wilsonville has 15 parks on more than 200 acres, including the Graham Oaks and Rivergreen nature parks, so look at your own yard for large trees along the line. A camera shows whether roots entered at a joint or whether the pipe is already cracked.
Before anyone digs, call 811 so underground utilities are marked. Which part of the sewer lateral belongs to you and which to the city depends on where the line connects, so ask Wilsonville Public Works before you plan a repair.
Older homes in Charbonneau, which began in 1972, may have pipe materials that behave differently from a newer build in Villebois or Frog Pond. A camera look settles what you have, and permits for sewer work run through the city's online portal, so ask the building division how it applies to your job.
Signs your sewer line needs repair
- More than one drain backing up at the same time.
- Gurgling from toilets or tubs when another fixture drains.
- A sewage smell in the yard or basement.
- Soft, sunken or unusually green patches over the line.
- Repeat clogs soon after a cable cleaning.
What affects the price of sewer line repair
A clear price comes before work starts. These are the details behind it.
Related plumbing services
Backups that clear after a cable usually mean a lighter fix, covered under drain cleaning, while a belly or heavy scale may be better handled with hydro jetting. We also repair sewer lines in Sherwood and across the corridor.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A sewer backup is dispatched first on the 24/7 line. We cable or inspect the line, then tell you what repair, if any, is needed.
A clog usually clears and stays clear. A broken or collapsed line returns quickly after cleaning, and a camera inspection shows which it is.
Often yes. Lining and pipe bursting reduce digging, but they do not fit every pipe, and the camera inspection tells us which options apply.
It depends on where the line connects and the city's rules, so ask Wilsonville Public Works. We can mark the damaged section so you know where the repair sits.
Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Wilsonville building division. The city runs an online portal for permits.
Calling 811 gets underground utilities marked so a crew does not strike a gas, electric or water line. We confirm the problem spot first so any excavation is as small as possible.