When the main sewer line is backing up into the house
Sewage rising in the lowest drains, a gurgling toilet and several fixtures failing at once all point to the main. Call (855) 575-2890. We answer 24/7, and a main line backup rarely improves on its own.
- Stop all water use and do not flush.
- Keep family and pets away from affected floors.
- Do not use chemical openers in a full line.
- Open a window to ventilate if the smell is strong.
- Move belongings off the floor in the lowest bathroom or laundry area.
Sewer backup: what to do first and who to call
Start by checking the pattern. If only the tub in the lowest bathroom is backing up, the main is the likely culprit. If a single sink is slow, you probably have a branch clog instead.
Next, look outside. A cleanout cap in the yard that shows standing water or a cap that is wet suggests the blockage sits between the house and the street.
Ask neighbors whether they have backups too. If several homes are affected, the public main may be the cause, and the utility is the right call. Marana Water Reclamation, or Pima County RWRD at (520) 724-6609 in areas such as Continental Reserve, Hartman Vistas and Cortaro, handle the mains.
If it is only your house, the private lateral is yours to maintain, and we can clear it.
Main line clogged?
Call (855) 575-2890. We answer 24/7.
Main line cleaning: how we clear it
We work from the cleanout whenever possible, since it gives a straight path to the main. A large drum machine pushes a heavy cable with cutting heads through the blockage, and then we use a jetting hose or a retrieval tool to clear what is left.
For repeat blockages or heavy grease, hydro jetting scours the walls, which a cutting head does not. If the cable hits a hard stop each time, we pause and look with a camera before forcing anything. That decision protects the pipe and your yard.
Cleaning methods for a main sewer line
Different blockages call for different tools.
| Tool | Handles | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Cable with cutting head | Paper, roots, general stoppages | Can leave wall buildup and snag on damage |
| Hydro jetting | Grease, scale, fine roots | Wrong for cracked or collapsed pipe |
| Retrieval tool | Objects such as toys or wipes | Needs a camera to locate the item |
| Camera inspection | Finding the cause | Does not clear the line |
The camera work is covered in sewer camera inspection.
Monsoon runoff and your sewer line
Monsoon season officially runs June 15 to September 30. Heavy rain can wash silt, sand and leaves into open cleanouts and yard drains. Stormwater should never enter the sanitary sewer, but loose cleanout caps and damaged lines let it in.
Check that your cleanout cap is tight and the area around it drains away from the pipe before the season starts. After a big storm, look for standing water around the cap and clear the debris.
Storm drain cleaning
Storm drains carry rainwater and are separate from the sanitary sewer. Private yard, patio and driveway drains can clog with sand, leaves and trash, and we can clear them. Storm drains in public streets belong to the public agency, so ask the Town of Marana Development Services at (520) 382-2600 who handles yours.
Grease traps and restaurant lines
Commercial kitchens send fats, oils and grease into the line every day. A grease interceptor catches much of it, but it must be emptied on a schedule, usually by a licensed hauler. We clear the lines to and from the trap and can set up recurring cleaning for restaurants, which keeps a minor buildup from becoming a closure.
Main sewer cleaning for older lines and roots
Roots enter at joints and crack lines, and they grow back after clearing. A line that needs main sewer cleaning more than once or twice a year is telling you something. That is the point to inspect it and consider sewer line repair. Customers outside the Town, such as Picture Rocks, should confirm whether they are on public sewer or septic first.
Cleanouts and slope are part of what the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) asks for, and the Town of Marana has adopted it, so a line without an accessible cleanout may need one added before cleaning is done properly.
After the line is cleared
A few habits keep it open longer.
- Keep wipes, paper towels and feminine products out of the toilet, even if labeled flushable.
- Collect cooking grease in a can and trash it, not the sink.
- Keep the cleanout accessible and the cap on tight.
- Watch trees and shrubs planted near the lateral.
- Note any slow drains early and call before a full backup.
- Ask about a camera pass if clogs return within a few months.
What drives the cost of sewer line cleaning
Main line work depends on access and what is blocking the pipe.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Our emergency line is open 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call (855) 575-2890 when a main line is backing up.
The tub is usually the lowest fixture, so it shows a blocked main first. Water from the toilet or washer has nowhere else to go and rises there.
The homeowner maintains the private lateral. The Town is responsible for mains in its rights of way and easements. If neighbors also have backups, suspect the main and call your sewer provider.
Heavy rain can wash debris into open cleanouts and yard drains, and damaged lines or loose caps can let water in. Keep caps tight and cleanouts clear before the June 15 to September 30 season.
We clear the lines connected to a grease trap. The trap itself is usually emptied by a licensed hauler on a schedule.
Most newer Marana homes have the main under the slab. We reach it through a cleanout and use a camera if the cable cannot pass.
Sewage coming back up?
Call (855) 575-2890. We answer 24/7 for sewer emergencies in Marana.
Call (855) 575-2890