Do this now
- Stop using water everywhere in the house — no flushing, laundry, dishwasher or showers.
- Keep children and pets away. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses; do not touch it without gloves and boots.
- If water has reached outlets or appliances, do not enter until power to the area is off.
- Call a plumber who does drain cleaning and camera inspection.
- If neighbors have the same problem, call your sewer authority — the blockage may be in the public main.
- Ventilate the area and photograph the damage for your insurer.
What usually causes it
- Tree roots growing into an old clay or cast-iron lateral
- A collapsed, cracked or sagging section of pipe
- Grease, wipes and other items that should not be flushed
- Heavy rain overloading the public sewer
What a professional will do
A plumber clears the line with a cable machine or water jetting and then runs a camera through it to see why it blocked. Roots and breaks can sometimes be repaired with a liner; a collapsed line is excavated and replaced, which requires utility marking and usually a permit. Contaminated areas need professional cleaning and disinfection.
How to prevent it
- Flush only toilet paper, and keep grease out of drains
- If you have large trees and an older home, have the lateral inspected by camera
- Ask about a backwater valve if your area has had sewer surcharges
- Know where your sewer cleanout is
Rules and paperwork in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most contractors who perform home improvements to register with the Attorney General’s office and to give you a written contract for any job over $500. The registration number belongs on the estimate and the contract — ask for it.
- Building permits in Pennsylvania are issued under the Uniform Construction Code by each municipality or the inspection agency it appoints, so the local building or codes office decides what needs a permit and an inspection.
- Pennsylvania law requires a call to 811 (PA One Call) at least three business days before digging, so buried utilities can be marked.
- Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Some municipalities register or license it locally, which is one reason to confirm requirements with your own municipality.
Sources: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code; Pennsylvania One Call System; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the agency and with your municipality.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for the sewer line — me or the town?
In most municipalities the homeowner owns the lateral from the house to the main, often including the section under the street. Your sewer authority can confirm.
Does insurance cover a sewer backup?
Usually only if you have a sewer or water backup endorsement. Standard policies commonly exclude it.
Can I clean it up myself?
A small spill on a hard surface can be cleaned with protective gear and disinfectant. Anything that has soaked carpet, drywall or stored items should be handled professionally.
Go deeper
Our full plumbing guide covers how the work is done, what affects the price, and what to ask before you hire, and there is more on drain cleaning.
Plumbing help by town
Related problems
This guide is general information, not a substitute for a professional assessing your home. If you are unsure whether something is safe, treat it as if it is not.