A main line blockage is an emergency in a house with a finished basement. Stop running water, do not flush and do not run the washing machine or dishwasher. Our 24/7 dispatch covers main line backups at night, on weekends and on holidays, and the first step is a plumber on site with a machine cable.
Signs the main line is blocked
- Several fixtures drain slowly at once
- A toilet bubbles when the washer drains
- Water rises in a basement floor drain or tub
- Sewage odor near a cleanout or in the basement
- The lowest fixture backs up first
The lowest drain in the house is the first to show a main blockage, because that is where the water finds the exit. That is why a floor drain or basement shower is often the first sign.
How we clear a main line
The plumber finds the main cleanout, usually in the basement near the foundation wall or in the yard. A machine cable with a cutting head goes in, and the clog is cleared by cutting and pulling the material back. When grease or scale is the cause, jetting follows.
We then run a camera to check the pipe. A clog that cleared is not always a clog that was only a clog. If there are roots, a break or a belly, you want to know before the next backup. See sewer line repair for what comes next if the line is damaged.
Why the main line blocks in coastal New England houses
| Cause | How it forms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Tree roots | Roots enter joints seeking moisture | Root cutting and camera checks |
| Grease | Cooking fat cools and hardens | Do not pour fats down drains |
| Wipes and hygiene products | Do not break down like paper | Put them in the trash |
| Belly or sag | Soil settlement leaves a low spot | Repair the section |
| Scale and old pipe | Rough walls trap debris | Periodic jetting |
Large mature trees around many Hingham, Cohasset and Norwell lots send roots toward clay and cast iron joints. Norwell has the North River along its eastern edge and the southern end of Wompatuck State Park inside its borders. If your main has been cleared more than once in a few years, ask about a root-control plan.
Town sewer, pump stations and what you control
If your house is on town sewer in Hingham, the town's public main and pump stations are the town's responsibility. A backup that only affects your house is usually in your lateral. A backup that affects neighbors too can be a municipal issue, so call the Hingham DPW as well.
Hull has a wastewater treatment plant and pump stations, and heavy tides and storms can strain the system. Houses on septic in Norwell are a different case. If a septic tank is full, a cable does not help, and you need pumping by a licensed hauler.
After the line is cleared
- Run water in every fixture to confirm the flow
- Disinfect the area where sewage came up
- Dry wet materials within a day or two
- Photograph damage for insurance
- Ask for the camera video
What main line cleaning costs
Cost depends on the line, the blockage and the time of day.
What moves the price
- AccessAn exterior cleanout saves time over pulling a toilet.
- Blockage typeRoots and heavy grease need more effort.
- EquipmentMachine cable, jetter and camera are priced differently.
- Line lengthA longer lateral takes more cable and time.
- After-hours workEmergency calls outside business hours are priced for that.
Standard homeowners policies often exclude sewer backup unless you have a water backup endorsement. Ask your agent before you need it.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
The service area covers ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188, 02189, 02190, 02191, 02061 and 02045. For regular maintenance, hydro jetting can keep the line clean. If you are not sure whether the line is damaged, book a camera inspection. For an active backup, call the 24/7 line.
Clearing a blocked line is a minor repair according to the Massachusetts plumbers and gas fitters consumer fact sheet, but a collapsed or cracked pipe found along the way moves the job into repair territory and may require a permit.
Questions homeowners ask
Roots, grease, wipes, a sag in the pipe or buildup in old pipe are common causes. A camera shows which one.
Yes. We dispatch 24/7 for main line backups, including nights, weekends and holidays. Stop using water and call.
Small clogs in a fixture sometimes respond to a plunger, but a main line needs a machine cable. Chemical openers can damage pipes and are not recommended.
Only as needed for most houses. A line with roots or grease may benefit from cleaning every year or two.
The town maintains the public main. The line from your house to the main is generally the homeowner's. Ask your DPW where the boundary is.
A full tank or failed leach field looks like a clog but a cable will not fix it. You need a septic hauler.