Colorado · typical $200–$600
Main sewer line clogs & backups
When several drains back up at once, or water rises out of the lowest drain in the house, the blockage is in the main sewer line: the single pipe that carries everything from the house to the city main. That needs a large cable machine from a cleanout, and it shouldn't wait.
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Sounds like this?
- Water or sewage coming up through a basement floor drain
- Several fixtures slow or backing up at the same time
- The toilet bubbling when the washing machine drains
- Water rising in the tub when a toilet is flushed
- A soggy, smelly patch of lawn over the sewer line
What to do right now
- Stop using water anywhere in the house: no flushing, laundry, dishwasher or showers. Everything you send down ends up in the basement.
- Keep people and pets away from any sewage on the floor. Turn off power to nearby outlets or appliances if water is near them.
- Find the sewer cleanout if you can. It's usually a 3 or 4 inch capped pipe in the basement near the front wall, or outside near the foundation. Don't open it if the line is full; it will spill.
- Call. Main line backups get worse with every fixture someone uses.
How a main line is cleared
- 01
Access the line
The plumber opens the main cleanout. If the house has none, they pull the lowest toilet and run the cable through the flange.
- 02
Run a sectional or drum machine
A 1/2 to 3/4 inch cable with a cutting head is run toward the street until the line opens and drains.
- 03
Confirm full flow
Water is run from upstairs fixtures to make sure the line drains at full speed, not just a trickle through a partial hole.
- 04
Look inside
A camera inspection after clearing shows whether it was a one-off (wipes, grease) or a structural problem like roots, a sag or a broken pipe.
Why Colorado main lines clog
Many homes built before the 1970s along the Front Range have vitrified clay sewer laterals. Clay pipe comes in short sections, and every joint is a place for roots to get in. Cottonwoods, silver maples and elms, all common street trees here, send roots toward those joints looking for water. Expansive clay soils that swell and shrink with the seasons can also shift pipes and open joints over time.
In most Front Range cities the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the city main, so problems along it are a private repair. If a line clogs repeatedly, the camera footage is what tells you whether it needs root cutting, jetting or a repair.
Common questions
How do I know if it's the main sewer line?+
If more than one fixture is affected, and especially if water comes up in the lowest drain in the house, it's almost always the main line rather than a single branch.
Is a sewer backup an emergency?+
Yes. Sewage is a health hazard and the backup gets worse every time water is used. Stop using water and call right away.
Who is responsible for the sewer line, me or the city?+
In most Colorado cities the homeowner owns the lateral from the house to the main. Check with your city's utility if the problem appears to be in the street.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backups?+
Standard policies often exclude sewer backup unless you've added a sewer backup rider. Check your policy before cleanup starts.
Will it happen again?+
If the cause was wipes or grease, maybe not. If roots or a sag caused it, it usually comes back unless the cause is treated. A camera inspection answers that.