Sewer Backups
Sewer Backups | Emergency Plumbing | Plumbing | Hillsboro
When murky water starts rising in your basement or foul odors seep up through the drains, every second counts. Hillsboro homeowners know they can grab the phone and reach HEP for fast, dependable emergency plumbing help that tackles sewer backups at their messy source. Our licensed, background-checked technicians arrive in fully stocked vans—day or night—ready to contain the spill, clear the line, and keep your family safe from harmful bacteria and property damage.
Using high-definition camera inspections, powerful hydro-jetting equipment, and eco-friendly disinfectants, we restore normal flow while protecting your pipes and the environment. You’ll get upfront pricing, photo updates from the job, and a spotless workspace when we leave—plus the confidence that a local crew stands behind every repair. Don’t let a sewer surprise ruin your day; call HEP and we’ll be on the way in minutes.
FAQs
What should I do first if I experience a sewer backup emergency in my Hillsboro home?
Immediately stop using all plumbing fixtures—including toilets, sinks, showers, and washing machines—to avoid forcing more wastewater into an already backed-up line. If it is safe, shut off electricity to the affected area, keep children and pets away from contaminated water, and call our 24/7 Hillsboro emergency plumbing line. Our dispatcher will walk you through additional safety steps while sending a licensed technician to your location right away.
How fast can your emergency plumbers get to my Hillsboro property?
Because we keep on-call crews stationed across Washington County, our average response time within Hillsboro is 60 minutes or less, day or night. GPS-equipped service vans allow us to route the nearest team to your address, and you will receive real-time ETA updates via text or phone.
What are the most common causes of sewer backups in the Hillsboro area?
The leading culprits our technicians see include tree-root intrusion into aging clay or concrete pipes, grease and food waste buildup from kitchen drains, “flushable” wipes that don’t break down, collapsed or offset pipe joints due to ground movement, and heavy seasonal rains that overload the city’s combined sewer system. Older neighborhoods such as Orenco and Tualatin Valley Highway corridors often have original lateral lines that are especially vulnerable.
How do you diagnose and clear a sewer backup?
Upon arrival, we perform a camera inspection through the cleanout to pinpoint the blockage or line damage. Depending on what we find, we may use high-pressure hydro-jetting, mechanical augers, or root-cutting heads to restore flow. If the pipe is broken or severely offset, we can provide trenchless repairs such as pipe lining or pipe bursting to minimize excavation. Before we leave, we run a second camera pass to confirm the line is clear and structurally sound.
Will my homeowners insurance cover sewer backup cleanup and repair costs?
Standard homeowners policies in Oregon usually exclude damage from water that backs up through sewers or drains unless you added a specific sewer-backup rider. We can document the cause, provide photos, moisture readings, and a detailed invoice to support any claim you file. If coverage is in place, many insurers will pay for cleanup, decontamination, and pipe repair up to the policy limit, minus your deductible.
What preventive measures can Hillsboro residents take to avoid future sewer backups?
Schedule a professional sewer line inspection every 1–2 years, especially if your home was built before 1980. Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds, or starches like rice into drains. Flush only toilet paper—no wipes, feminine products, or paper towels. Install a backwater valve if your lateral line connects to the city’s combined sewer. Finally, consider annual hydro-jetting to keep roots and debris from accumulating inside the pipe.