Why Does My Sewer Keep Backing Up?

Clearing a backup once is a relief. Clearing the same backup three times a year is a message: something in your line is broken, not just blocked. Here's what's usually behind recurring sewer backups.

It's Rarely 'Just a Clog'

A one-time clog from flushed wipes is bad luck. A backup that keeps returning in the same spot means waste is catching on a physical defect — and until that defect is fixed, you'll keep paying to clear it.

The Usual Culprits

• A bellied (sagging) section of pipe that pools water and solids
• Root intrusion re-growing at a cracked joint
• Heavy scale inside old cast iron choking the diameter
• A partial pipe collapse acting as a permanent catch point
• Municipal main surcharge during heavy rain (a backwater valve problem)

End It With a Camera, Not a Guess

The fastest way to stop the cycle is a camera inspection. Once we see the defect, we can fix the actual cause — whether that's a spot repair, descaling, lining, or a backwater valve — so the backups stop for good.