Sewage is backing up: what to do in the first ten minutes
Act in this order. Each step limits how far the problem spreads.
- 1
Stop all water use
No flushing, laundry, dishwasher or showers. Everything you run ends up in the same stopped line.
- 2
Keep people out
Raw sewage carries bacteria. Close the door to the wet room, and keep children and pets away.
- 3
Find the cleanout
It is usually a capped pipe in the yard or along an outside wall. Do not open it yourself, but note where it is.
- 4
Call and describe the signs
Tell the dispatcher which fixtures gurgle or overflow. That helps the plumber bring the right machine.
Why a sewer backup is not a normal clog
A kitchen sink clog affects one fixture. A sewer backup affects the lowest drain in the house first, usually a shower or tub on the ground floor, because that is where the water finds the exit. The blockage sits in the main line between your home and the connection, often in the lateral that runs under your yard.
Wipes sold as flushable, grease, tree roots and a sagging section of pipe are the usual causes. The cable machine for a main line has a longer, heavier cable and a cutter head, quite unlike the small hand tools used inside a sink.
If your property is on a septic system rather than village sewer, ask us when you call, because the approach differs.
Who handles which part of the sewer system
Knowing the boundary keeps you from calling the wrong party. This table is a general guide, so confirm the details with your utility.
| Where the problem is | Who to call first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Only your house drains, and the street is fine | A licensed plumber | The blockage is usually in your own line |
| Neighbors report backups or the street manhole overflows | Your wastewater utility | A utility main may be blocked |
| Wellington Utilities customer | The village after-hours line | The village maintains its sewer main and can check it |
| Address east of State Road 7 | Palm Beach County Utilities | The county, not the village, serves some of those homes |
| Yard cleanout shows standing waste | A licensed plumber | Your lateral needs cleaning, or a camera inspection |
Sewage in the tub?
Tub or floor drain overflowing? Dial (561) 448-8545 and say so first.
Village main or private lateral: which side is yours
Wellington Utilities runs the sewer mains for its service area, and its after-hours emergency line for sewer problems and outages is 561-791-4037. Indoor plumbing is ultimately the homeowner's responsibility, according to the village, and the line from your house toward the street is a common source of trouble. Ask your utility where its responsibility ends before you pay for work on a line that may not be yours.
Check your water bill to see which utility serves you. Addresses east of State Road 7 may be served by Palm Beach County Utilities instead, with its own emergency number.
Cable cleaning or something stronger
Most main line blockages open with a cable. Some do not.
Cable with cutter head
- Reaches through a long lateral
- Cuts through roots and paper plugs
- Fastest option for a first-time backup
- Leaves heavy grease on the pipe wall
Jetting or a camera plan
- Hydro jetting washes the whole pipe wall
- A camera shows breaks, bellies and root entries
- Best when the backup has returned
- Leads to repair if the pipe is broken
If the camera finds a crushed or offset pipe, the plan turns into sewer line repair. Heavy grease build-up is a case for hydro jetting.
How sewer cleaning is priced
Main line work depends on what is down there, so a number guessed over the phone would mislead you. The technician names the price after finding the problem and before the work starts.
Insurance may cover sudden sewage damage in some policies but often excludes backup unless you added a rider. Check before you assume.
While you wait for the plumber
Protect the floor
Lay towels at the base of the affected drain. Move rugs and electronics to dry ground.
Open the path
Clear the route to the cleanout in the yard and the area around the lowest drain.
Wash up
Use soap and warm water after touching anything wet with sewage, and wear boots and gloves if you must go in.
Main line cleaning versus sewer drain cleaning
Main line cleaning means opening the large pipe that carries every drain in the house out to the sewer. Compare that to our drain cleaning work, which targets a single fixture branch.
Questions homeowners ask
Yes. Our 24/7 line is open 24 hours every day, including nights and weekends. A licensed plumber is sent when one is available, and the price is explained before work starts.
If sewage is on the floor, say so first so the dispatcher can prioritize.
It can be. Raw sewage carries bacteria, so keep children and pets away and wash hands well. Porous items that were soaked, such as carpet padding, often need removal.
Rental machines exist, but a long cable can snag, cut a pipe or injure you. Most homeowners are better served by a licensed plumber with a camera.
The lowest drain in the house is the first exit when the main line is blocked. That makes it a reliable clue.
Do not flush wipes, even ones sold as flushable. Keep grease out of the sink. If roots caused it, a camera look shows whether a repair is needed.
If your property is on a septic system rather than village sewer, ask when you call.
Yes. See our Royal Palm Beach page for the ZIP codes covered.
Still have a question? Call (561) 448-8545