Sewer Backups in Reading, PA
A sewer backup is urgent. Right now, stop running water, do not flush, keep people and pets away from the sewage, and do not use chemical drain cleaners. Then call us. We clear the blockage and stop the backup.
Do This Right Now
While you wait for us to clear the line:
- !Stop running water. Turn off any running taps, appliances, and fixtures so no more water enters the backed-up line.
- !Do not flush. Flushing adds water and pressure to a line that has nowhere to drain, which makes the backup worse.
- !Keep people and pets away. Sewage can carry harmful bacteria. Keep everyone, including animals, away from the affected area.
- !Do not use chemical cleaners. Chemicals will not clear a main line blockage and can sit in the pipe or push back up. Let us handle the clearing.
What a Backup Means
A sewer backup means the line that carries wastewater out of your building is blocked, and the water has nowhere to go but back. It comes up through the lowest opening in the system, usually a basement floor drain, the lowest tub or shower, or a toilet on the ground floor. The water that comes up is sewage, which is why keeping people and pets away from it matters.
The fix is to clear the blockage so the line flows again. We cable or hydro jet the main line to the clog, break it up, and restore flow. Once the line is open, the backup stops. And because backups often point to an underlying problem, we follow up with a camera inspection to show you whether the line is damaged or just clogged.
You Have a Backup If
- Sewage or dirty water coming up in a floor drain
- Water backing up into the lowest tub or shower
- A toilet overflowing or bubbling
- Several fixtures backing up at the same time
- A gurgling sound from drains across the house
- A sewage smell in the basement or lowest level
What Blocks the Line
A main line clog from grease, sludge, or debris. Tree roots that have grown into the lateral. A sag or belly in the line where the ground settled and the pipe now collects water and debris. Or a collapsed or broken section of pipe. Any of these can stop the line and cause a backup. The camera tells us which one it is, and whether clearing will hold or the line needs more.
Stopping the Backup, Step by Step
- 1
We clear the blockage
We cable or hydro jet the main line to the clog, break it up, and restore flow so the backup stops.
- 2
We test the fixtures
We run water through the fixtures to confirm the line is open and wastewater is draining freely again.
- 3
We camera the line
We inspect the line to show you whether the clog was a simple blockage or a sign of damage like roots, a belly, or a collapsed section.
- 4
We tell you what is next
If the line is just clogged, you are clear. If there is damage, we tell you honestly so you can decide on a repair before the next backup.
At a Home
Residential backups usually show up in the basement floor drain or lowest tub. We clear the line and camera it to catch damage early.
At a Business
A commercial backup can shut down operations and create a health concern in a public space. We clear it fast and inspect for the underlying cause.
We Clear the Line. We Do Not Clean the Building.
We clear the blockage and stop the backup. If sewage has spilled into a basement, crawl space, or business space, the affected area needs a remediation approach to clean and dry it properly. We handle the drain and sewer side, and we will tell you honestly when the cleanup of the space is a separate step. We make no promise about hours, response time, or availability beyond our listed hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
After the Backup Stops
Backup Questions, Calmly Answered
What should I do right now while sewage is backing up?
Stop running any water in the house, do not flush any toilets, and keep people and pets away from the sewage. Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up line. Then call us so we can clear the blockage.
Why shouldn't I use chemical cleaners on a backup?
If the line is backed up, a chemical cleaner has nowhere to go and can sit in the pipe or push back up into the fixture. It is corrosive, it rarely clears a main line blockage, and it makes the sewage we are about to clear harder to handle safely.
Is a sewage backup dangerous to be near?
Sewage can carry harmful bacteria, so keep people and pets away from the affected area, avoid contact with the water, and wash thoroughly if any gets on skin. We focus on clearing the blockage; for cleanup of the affected area, a remediation approach is appropriate.
What causes a sewer backup?
The usual causes are a main line clog, tree roots, grease buildup, or a damaged or collapsed section of pipe. We clear the blockage to stop the backup, and a camera inspection can show whether the pipe has an underlying problem.
Can I keep using water once the backup stops?
Once we clear the line and confirm it is flowing, you can use your plumbing again. We test the fixtures and, on repeat backups, we recommend a camera inspection to check for damage that could cause the next one.
Sewage Backing Up Right Now?
Stop the water, keep people and pets away, do not use chemicals. Then call Drainmasters inc.
Call (610) 914-2564Areas we serve: Reading and Berks County. Outside our main area we serve the rest of Berks County with a trip charge.