Clogged Main Lines
Clogged Main Lines | Emergency Plumbing | Plumbing | Hixson
When the main sewer line in your Hixson home shuts down, every sink, shower, and toilet soon follows. One minute you’re enjoying a normal day, the next you’re ankle-deep in backed-up water, chasing foul odors and fearing costly damage. That’s when HEP’s seasoned team steps in. Armed with high-resolution cameras, powerful hydro-jetting rigs, and decades of local know-how, we pinpoint the blockage—whether it’s tree roots, grease buildup, or a mystery clog—then clear it fast so your household can flow freely again.
We treat every clogged main line like a true emergency plumbing situation, because waiting can turn a simple obstruction into a ruptured pipe or raw-sewage spill. Call us any hour, any day, and a certified HEP technician will be on the way, ready to protect your property and restore peace of mind. Reliable, responsive, and right here in Hixson—that’s the HEP promise.
FAQs
What are the most common signs that my main sewer line is clogged?
Typical indicators include multiple drains backing up at the same time, gurgling sounds coming from toilets or tub drains, sewage odors indoors or in the yard, water pooling around floor drains, and toilets that won’t flush despite plunging. If you notice two or more of these symptoms together, there’s a high probability the clog is in the main line, not an individual fixture.
What should I do first if my main line backs up after hours?
Turn off the water supply to fixtures that are feeding the backup, avoid using sinks, showers, or toilets, and keep children and pets away from any standing wastewater for health reasons. Then call an emergency plumbing service immediately. In Hixson, our on-call technicians answer 24/7 and can often provide guidance by phone while we’re en route, such as shutting off the home’s main water valve if sewage is actively overflowing.
How quickly can your emergency plumbers reach my home in Hixson?
Because we station technicians throughout the greater Chattanooga area, including Hixson, our average arrival time for emergency calls is 60 minutes or less. We dispatch the closest available crew the moment your call is logged, and our trucks are fully stocked so we can begin clearing the clog or performing camera inspections as soon as we arrive—no waiting for parts or extra equipment trips.
What techniques do you use to clear a clogged main sewer line?
Our plumbers start with a video camera inspection to pinpoint the blockage and assess pipe condition. Depending on what we find, we may use motorized drain augers, high-pressure hydro-jetting, or sectional cable machines to break up roots, grease, or debris. If the pipe is damaged or collapsed, we discuss repair options on the spot, including trenchless pipe lining or sectional replacement, to restore full flow quickly.
Will emergency main line service damage my yard or landscaping?
In most cases, no. Modern clearing methods such as hydro-jetting and camera access use the existing clean-out or a small access point inside the house, so no digging is required. If a physical repair is needed, we prioritize trenchless solutions that only need one or two small entry pits, preserving lawns, flower beds, and hardscaping. We walk you through the plan before any excavation so you know exactly what to expect.
How can I prevent future main line clogs once the emergency is resolved?
Have the line professionally hydro-jetted every one to two years to keep grease, scale, and small roots from accumulating. Avoid flushing wipes, paper towels, feminine products, or large food scraps. If trees are near the sewer lateral, consider a yearly root-kill treatment. Finally, install a backwater valve; it prevents municipal sewer surges from forcing wastewater back into your home during heavy rains—an extra layer of protection for Hixson’s frequent downpours.