When S#it Happens: What to Do When Your Sewer Backs Up in Western Washington

It's a beautiful fall day. The leaves are turning multiple colors, and the air is fresh, crisp and clear. After a long, dry summer, the fall rains have returned, bringing that unmistakable ambiance that makes autumn in Western Washington special.

Then it happens.

To be precise, s#it.

More specifically, sewage starts backing up into your home. Sometimes, an unpleasant sewer smell is the first indication that something is wrong, appearing just minutes before sewage begins backing up into the lowest part of your house, such as a basement shower. And if you live in an older neighborhood with mature trees and aging sewer lines, the return of fall rains can bring an unwelcome seasonal surprise.

Why Tree Roots Cause Problems

After a dry summer, tree roots are thirsty. Roots that have worked their way into tiny cracks and joints in older sewer pipes can swell when moisture returns. What began as a small intrusion can become a substantial obstruction.

And it isn't necessarily just your home. Tree roots can cause problems in other sewer lines, often on the same block. If your neighbors are dealing with backups, too, you might assume the problem is in the city's main sewer line. But that's not always the case.

First Things First: Call Your City or Municipality

Before calling a plumber, contact your local sewer department. The city can check the public sewer main serving your property. In Seattle, that may include a dye test to make sure the line is flowing properly. Seattle's 24-hour sewer emergency number is 206-386-1800.

If the public main is clear, the problem is likely in your privately owned side sewer, and it's time to call a plumber.

Call an Emergency Plumber

Stop using water throughout the house—including toilets, sinks, showers, the dishwasher and washing machine. Keep people and pets away from sewage and contaminated areas.

A plumber usually can clear the immediate blockage by snaking the line. Ideally, the plumber will also perform a camera inspection to see what's happening inside the pipe. Local estimates for emergency sewer clearing range from $805 to $980, with the higher quote including a camera inspection. Add sales tax, and you're approaching — or possibly exceeding — $1,000.

Clearing the Roots—and Keeping Them Away

Once the immediate blockage is cleared, there are more thorough ways to remove root growth:

- Mechanical chain cutting uses rotating chains to cut through heavier root growth.

- Hydrojetting uses high-pressure water to clear roots and debris more thoroughly - think of it as giving the inside of the pipe a haircut.

Local estimates for hydrojetting and mechanical chain cutting range from $1,250 to $2,400.

Even thorough cleaning doesn't necessarily prevent roots from returning. If cracks in joints or other openings remain, roots can find their way back.

Longer-Term Solutions and Costs

A camera inspection helps determine whether the pipe is a good candidate for lining, which creates a new interior surface and can seal cracks and joints. Severely damaged or collapsed pipes may require replacement.

For lines with recurring root problems, plumbers may recommend preventive hydrojetting every 6, 12 or 24 months, depending on the pipe's condition and history.

One important detail is access. A cleanout provides an entry point for plumbing equipment. Some older homes have interior cleanouts, while others may need an exterior one. Installing exterior access can involve considerable excavation. Depending on the work required, adding access and clearing the line may cost $12,000 to $19,000 or more.

Ask your plumber about a cleanout and whether a backwater valve—which helps prevent sewage from flowing back into your home—makes sense for your property. They serve different purposes, but both are worth discussing.

Be Prepared Before S#it Happens

If you have an older home, especially one surrounded by mature trees, find out where your sewer cleanouts are and consider having the line inspected. If you've had root problems before, ask about a preventive maintenance schedule.

These steps won't guarantee you'll never have a sewer backup, but they'll put you in a better position to prevent one—or deal with it before s#it happens in your home.

Below: neighbor's sidewalk torn up so they can line their sewer pipe after sewage backup; remediation truck that fixes wet and smell; interior clean out.