First, stop adding water
Do not run the washer, shower, dishwasher or toilets while sewage is coming up. Keep people and pets away from the affected area. If wastewater has reached electrical outlets or appliances, do not enter that area; seek qualified help.
One fixture or the main line?
A single slow sink can be a fixture clog. Several fixtures backing up at once, or sewage appearing in a tub or floor drain when a toilet flushes, points toward the main line. Start with our main-line backup guide and ask about a camera inspection if the problem repeats.
Check whether neighbors are affected
The City of Tempe says homeowners are generally responsible for the service line between the home and the city sewer main. If nearby homes are backing up at the same time, a city-main issue may be involved. Describe the pattern to the contractor and verify the current responsibility with the city or your utility provider.
After the blockage is cleared
Ask what was found and whether there is video evidence. Roots, grease, scale, a sag or a damaged pipe call for different approaches. Compare root removal, hydro jetting and belly repair only after the cause is identified.
Keep wastewater contained while you wait
Do not flush to test whether the problem has gone away. A washer drain or long shower can add enough water to push wastewater out of the lowest opening. Keep children and pets out of contaminated rooms. If water is near electrical equipment, do not enter it to unplug anything; use a qualified professional. Avoid contact with sewage and wash thoroughly if exposure occurs.
Take photos from a safe location and note when the backup began, what fixtures were used immediately beforehand and whether the flow changed after water use stopped. This timeline helps a contractor trace the blockage and helps with insurance documentation. Ask your insurer about any coverage or cleanup requirements instead of assuming a sewer backup is covered.
What to tell the person clearing the line
- Which fixture showed wastewater first? A tub, shower or floor drain may be the lowest outlet.
- Did toilets, sinks and laundry back up together, or is one fixture affected?
- Where is the outside cleanout, if you know, and has a line been repaired before?
- Are adjacent properties reporting the same problem? If so, contact the wastewater utility too.
Clearing a blockage and finding its cause are separate steps. After flow returns, a camera can sometimes document roots, scale, grease or a break. If the line is still full of water or blocked, the camera may not show the full run. Ask whether the proposed inspection reached the city-side connection.
After the immediate backup
Clean and dry affected areas according to appropriate sewage-cleanup guidance; absorbent materials and hidden cavities may require specialist attention. Save the cleaning invoice and any camera video. For a repeat backup, compare the dates and ask whether a specific location recurs. The answer may change whether cleaning alone is sensible or a repair needs evaluation.
Sources and scope
Source: City of Tempe service-line responsibility. This guide is general information, not an on-site diagnosis. Tempe Sewer Cleaning connects callers with independent contractors; confirm the findings, work, price and licensing with the contractor.