Sewer Backups
Sewer Backups | Emergency Plumbing | Plumbing | Chattanooga
When wastewater starts surging back into your Chattanooga home, every minute matters. HEP’s certified technicians arrive fast with advanced rooter equipment, camera inspections, and powerful jetting to clear blockages, repair damaged lines, and sanitize affected areas before bigger hazards set in. We diagnose the cause on the spot—whether it’s invasive tree roots, collapsed pipes, or grease buildup—and lay out transparent options so you stay in control even during the chaos.
Available 24/7/365, our team treats sewer backups with the same urgency you do, because standing water and harmful bacteria can’t wait until morning. One call brings fully stocked trucks, courteous pros, and a workmanship guarantee that restores flow and peace of mind. For Chattanooga homeowners who won’t settle for less than rapid, reliable emergency plumbing solutions, HEP is the name to trust.
FAQs
What are the most common signs of a sewer backup in a Chattanooga home or business?
Typical warning signs include multiple drains backing up at the same time (toilets, tubs, floor drains), gurgling noises coming from fixtures, foul sewage odors near drains, water pooling around basement floor drains, and toilet water rising or bubbling when you run a sink or shower. If you notice any combination of these symptoms, call an emergency plumber right away to avoid health hazards and property damage.
What should I do immediately if I suspect a sewer backup emergency?
1) Stop using all plumbing fixtures to keep additional wastewater from entering the system. 2) If it is safe, shut off power to affected areas to reduce the risk of electrical shock. 3) Keep people and pets away from contaminated water, which can contain harmful bacteria. 4) Call a licensed Chattanooga emergency plumber—ideally one that offers 24/7 service and has specialized sewer-camera inspection and hydro-jetting equipment. 5) Contact your insurance company to report the incident and start a claim if coverage applies.
How fast can your Chattanooga emergency plumbing team arrive for a sewer backup?
Because sewer backups can escalate quickly, we have technicians on call 24/7, 365 days a year. For customers in Chattanooga and nearby communities such as East Ridge, Ooltewah, Hixson, and Red Bank, our average response time is 60 minutes or less. We dispatch the closest fully stocked service truck, so diagnostics and initial mitigation can begin as soon as we arrive.
What causes sewer backups in the Chattanooga area, and how can I prevent them?
Frequent causes include tree-root intrusion into older clay or cast-iron lines, grease and food waste buildup, flushing wipes or hygiene products, collapsed or offset pipes due to soil settling, and heavy stormwater inflow that overwhelms municipal mains. Prevention tips: schedule annual drain cleaning, install a mainline backwater valve, dispose of grease and wipes in the trash, replace deteriorated sewer laterals before they fail, and have a professional video inspection every 3–5 years to catch problems early.
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover sewer backup damage and repairs?
Standard policies usually exclude sewer backup unless you’ve added a specific sewer or water-backup endorsement. Even with the endorsement, coverage can vary—often limited to cleanup and restoration, while the cost to repair or replace the damaged sewer line itself may not be included. Review your policy or talk to your insurance agent; the relatively low cost of adding this rider can save thousands in the event of a backup.
How much does emergency sewer backup service typically cost in Chattanooga?
Costs depend on the severity and location of the blockage, the length and material of the sewer line, and whether excavation or pipe replacement is required. A simple after-hours augering might range from $200–$400, while hydro-jetting plus camera inspection could be $500–$900. If the line is collapsed and needs excavation or trenchless lining, repairs can run $3,000–$8,000 or more. We provide upfront, flat-rate pricing after a thorough on-site assessment, so you’ll know the total before work begins.