Sewer backup: what to do first
If sewage is coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet, stop using water, keep people and pets away and do not run the washing machine. Call our 24/7 line and a plumber will be dispatched for the diagnosis. If standing water reaches electrical outlets or appliances, leave the room and do not touch them.
Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must walk through it, and open windows for ventilation. Take photos of the damage before cleanup. Your insurer will want them.
Repair, reline or replace: the decision framework
A sewer line problem has several possible fixes, and the right one depends on what the camera shows. We lay out the options so you can see why one is recommended.
| Condition | Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One broken or offset joint | Spot repair by dig | Fast and low cost if the line is shallow |
| Long cracked or rooted section | Trenchless lining | Less digging, depends on pipe shape |
| Collapsed or bellied pipe | Replacement by trench or pipe bursting | Lining cannot fix a collapse |
| Pipe of failing material along its whole length | Full replacement | Fixes the cause, not the symptom |
Trenchless pipe lining: how it works and where it fits
A flexible liner soaked in resin is pulled into the old pipe and cured in place. It creates a new smooth pipe inside the old one without trenching across the lawn. It works well for cracks, root intrusion and some joints, as long as the pipe is mostly round and continuous.
It does not work on a completely collapsed section, a pipe with a severe offset or a line with heavy belly. The camera tells us which category you are in before we quote a method. Lining also reduces pipe diameter slightly, which is usually acceptable for residential lines.
Why older lines fail
Hingham dates to 1635, and houses of every era have been added to the town's lines. Older homes may have cast iron, clay tile or fiber conduit, all of which can crack, corrode or separate at joints. Roots find the joints and grow inside, and soil settlement can leave a low spot where waste collects.
Parts of Hingham use public sewer with pump stations such as Weir River, which also receives flows from Cohasset and Hull. A line on public sewer ends at the connection, and the town is responsible for the main. Homes on septic have their own line from the house to the tank, which falls under Title 5 inspection rules at sale.
Dig Safe, permits and digging in Hingham
Before any excavation, Massachusetts law requires a call to Dig Safe at 811 at least 72 business hours before digging. The contractor is responsible for the ticket, and it expires after 30 days. This protects underground gas, electric and water lines.
A sewer repair may also need a permit from the town. Hingham's building department lists underground plumbing at $60 for residential permits, and inspections are required. We ask the local department about any additional rules for your town.
What affects sewer repair cost
A fair estimate starts with the camera footage, not a guess from the street.
What moves the price
- Depth and lengthA shallow short repair costs less than a deep long run.
- MethodSpot dig, lining, pipe bursting and trench replacement have very different costs.
- Surface restorationDriveways, patios and landscaping affect the total.
- Utilities nearbyGas, water and electric lines add care and time.
- Permits and inspectionTown fees and scheduling are part of the job.
Standard homeowners policies often exclude sewer line repair itself, though some offer an endorsement for line coverage. Backup cleanup may be covered only with a separate endorsement.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
Sewer work in Hingham, Cohasset, Weymouth, Norwell and Hull
In Hull, where much of the land lies in a flood zone, high groundwater and tides can add water to sewer lines. Weymouth has four village centers, including Weymouth Landing and East Weymouth, and the longer-settled blocks tend to have older lines. We bring cameras to every sewer call so the repair fits the real condition.
Our service area includes ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188, 02189, 02190, 02191, 02061 and 02045. For a camera look at a line, see sewer inspection. If the line only needs cleaning, sewer line cleaning may be enough. For emergencies, call our 24/7 dispatch.
Digging for a sewer repair triggers a Dig Safe call to 811 at least 72 business hours ahead, and Hingham's fee schedule lists $60 for underground plumbing and gas inspection.
Questions homeowners ask
Repeated backups, gurgling drains, sewage smells, soggy spots in the yard or a sinkhole over the line are common signs. A camera confirms it.
Yes. We are available 24/7, including nights and weekends, for sewer backups and suspected line failures. Stop using water and call so a plumber can be dispatched.
It repairs or replaces a pipe with little excavation, using a resin liner or pipe bursting. It depends on the pipe condition.
The homeowner is generally responsible for the line from the house to the connection point. The town maintains its public main. Ask your local DPW where the boundary is.
Yes for any excavation. The contractor handles it, but you should know that it is required and takes at least 72 business hours.
Often not, unless you have a service line endorsement. Backup damage may be covered with a separate endorsement.
A spot repair can take a day. Lining or full replacement can take longer, depending on length and restoration.