Main line clogged: sewage in the tub, toilets that bubble
When the main line stops, water has nowhere to go but out of the lowest opening, often a basement shower, a tub or a floor drain. We answer 24/7 for that. While you wait, stop all water use, keep the washer off and move belongings away from the lowest drain.
Sewer line cleaning is the removal of a blockage from the large pipe that carries all of your home's wastewater out to the street connection. It is a different job from clearing one sink, since a single clog there affects one fixture and this one affects every fixture at once.
We aim for same-day appointments when the schedule allows, and the line is open after hours for backups.
Where the water shows up tells us where the clog sits
| What you see | Likely location | What it tells us |
|---|---|---|
| Only the kitchen sink is slow | Kitchen branch | Handle with ordinary drain cleaning. |
| Tub gurgles when the toilet flushes | Shared bathroom branch | A branch or the main may be partly blocked. |
| Basement tub or floor drain fills when the washer runs | Main line | Water takes the lowest exit. |
| Every drain is slow and a sewer smell lingers | Main line or the city connection | Check the cleanout and the public main. |
| A toilet flushes, then the shower floods | Downstream of both fixtures | The blockage is past the branch junction. |
Basement showers and floor drains give the first warning. If you notice a gurgle or smell near them after laundry day, schedule the line before it backs up on a holiday weekend. Our page on drain cleaning fits the single-fixture cases.
Finding the cleanout, and why you should not open it blind
A cleanout is a capped pipe that gives direct access to the sewer line. It is often outside near the foundation, in a basement wall, a utility room or a garage. Look for a round or square cap about 3 or 4 inches across.
If sewage is already backing up, do not unscrew the cap. A full line can push sewage out of an open cleanout. We open it carefully, with a plan for any overflow. If you cannot find one, say so on the call. Without a cleanout, we may need to pull a toilet or work through a vent.
- Look along the foundation near where the water line enters.
- Check the basement floor near the main drain and the laundry area.
- Snap a photo of the cap if you find it, or describe where it sits when you call.
Basement drain filling up?
Stop the washer and every tap, then call. We take sewer backups at any hour.
What to do while you wait for the crew
- Stop using every drain in the house, including the washer and the dishwasher.
- Do not run water to test whether the line is clear, because it adds to the backup.
- Keep children and pets out of any room with sewage on the floor.
- Wear gloves and boots if you must move belongings, then wash your hands well.
- Photograph the backup before cleanup for your insurance claim.
Early warnings before the line stops
A main line rarely fails without hints. Callers describe a toilet that gurgles when the tub drains, a sewer smell near the basement floor drain, or water that lingers in a shower for a minute after the laundry finishes. Each one means air and water are fighting for room in a narrowing pipe.
Roots, grease, wipes and heavy paper are the usual cause. A line that has been clearing slowly for weeks is cheaper to deal with than one that has backed up into a finished basement. If the signs show up on a Friday evening, call that night instead of waiting for Monday.
How the main line gets cleared
- Cable with a cutter head
A heavy-duty cable cuts through the blockage and restores flow quickly.
- Retrieve what is loose
We pull out wipes, grease balls and root clumps, not push them downstream.
- Jet if the wall is coated
When grease or scale remains, hydro jetting scours the pipe, so the stoppage does not return in weeks.
- Camera check
A camera shows whether the pipe is intact or needs sewer line repair. A stand-alone sewer camera inspection is also available.
Tree roots are the commonest cause of repeat main line stoppages. Cutting them gets water moving, but roots will return if the joint stays open, so we tell you what the camera shows. Wipes labeled flushable are a frequent culprit too, since they do not break up like toilet paper.
What changes the price, and what insurance covers
Access
A cleanout makes the work faster. Pulling a toilet to reach the line adds steps.
What is blocking
Paper and grease clear fast. Roots and objects take longer.
Length of the run
A long run to the street needs more cable.
Extra steps
Jetting and a camera pass are added when the clog keeps coming back.
Timing
Ask about after-hours when you call.
Homeowners insurance often pays for sudden accidental water damage, but it usually excludes wear and neglect, and may not cover the cleaning itself. Check your policy. Want your real number? Call (855) 575-2890. You get a clear price before work starts.
City main or your own lateral: who to call in Brigham City
The public sewer main belongs to the city. The pipe from your house to that connection is your responsibility. Ask Brigham City Public Works at (435) 734-6615 who owns which part, and tell them if neighbors have the same backup, since that points to the main.
Our crews serve Tremonton, about 20 miles north, as well as Brigham City. Gas smell or electrical hazards are not plumber tasks. Leave the building if you smell gas and call 911 or the gas utility, or call an electrician if water has reached outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Backups do not wait for business hours and neither does dispatch. The line is open 24/7, and same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows.
One slow fixture is usually a local clog. Several fixtures backing up together, or water rising in the lowest tub, points to the main.
Often yes. We can pull a toilet or work through a roof vent. A cleanout makes it faster, and installing one is worth discussing afterward.
No, it adds to the problem. Stop flushing and stop running water until the line is cleared.
It depends on the cause. A one-time object may never return. Roots and grease often do, and the camera helps us advise you honestly.
Call Public Works at (435) 734-6615. If your neighbors are backing up too, the main is the likely cause.
Sources and standards
- Plumbing codes in the UPC and IPC families set the rules for fixtures, venting and drains. Ask the Brigham City building office at (435) 734-6604 which edition and permit rules apply to your job.
- The Utah Division of Professional Licensing offers a public Verify a License tool for checking any plumber's license class.
- Blue Stakes of Utah asks you to call 811 at least 3 business days before any digging so buried lines get marked.
Written by Brigham City Pro Plumbing. Last updated October 29, 2026.