In Business Since 1993

Sewage Backup Service in Columbus, OH

Sewage in the basement is a health risk, not just a mess. Call us any time. We clear the line, find the cause on camera and help you stop the next one. From our office on West Goodale Boulevard.

Plumber feeding a cable into an outdoor drain pit to clear a sewage line backup
Backup Happening Now?

What to Do During a Sewage Backup

While we're on the way, these steps limit the damage:

1. Stop Using Water

No flushing, laundry or dishwasher. Every gallon down a drain comes back up in the basement.

2. Keep Everyone Away

Sewage carries bacteria. Keep kids and pets out of the area and don't clean it with bare hands.

3. Call Us, Any Hour

Our phone line is open 24/7. Tell us which drains are backing up and we'll take it from there.

614-547-6516
What Causes It

Why Sewage Backs Up Into Columbus Homes

The camera tells us which of these you're dealing with:

Heavy Rain in a Combined Sewer Area

Downtown, Victorian Village and German Village have combined sewers, where stormwater and wastewater share the same pipe. In a big storm, that pipe fills fast.

Rain Getting Into a Cracked Lateral

In the rest of the city, rainwater gets into cracked laterals and leaky joints. A damaged line fills up and backs up.

Grease, Wipes and Roots

Grease narrows the line, roots grow into old clay joints, and wipes catch on both until nothing gets through.

A Failed Ejector Pump

If a basement bathroom drains through an ejector pump, a dead pump backs up sewage even when the main line is clear.

Local Knowledge

Sewage Backups in Columbus Homes

Where your home sits in Columbus changes why a backup happens, and what stops the next one.

Older Neighborhoods, Older Systems

Homes near downtown can be on combined sewers and often have old clay laterals. During heavy rain, both work against you. A backflow valve or an overhead sewer system protects the basement.

Newer Neighborhoods, Different Causes

In newer areas with separate sewers, backups usually trace back to the lateral itself: roots, a sag, grease or a crack. The camera finds it.

Plumber First, Cleanup Second

If sewage is still coming in, cleanup won't hold. We stop the source first. Then a restoration company can clean and dry the space.

The J. Blanton Difference

What Happens When You Call J. Blanton

When sewage is in your basement, you need answers, not a sales pitch.

1. Clear It and Camera It

We open the line, then run a camera so you see what caused the backup.

2. Honest Options

Short-term and long-term fixes, explained side by side, with the one we'd pick for your line.

3. Flat Price First

You get a flat rate before any money changes hands.

614-547-6516
J. Blanton plumber in shoe covers on a home's front steps with a sewer camera
Customer Stories

Sewage Backup Reviews

4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.

"We had an emergency situation on a weekend when our sewer main broke in the basement, and this company was an absolute lifesaver! They responded quickly, offered very reasonable rates, and immediately sent someone out to diagnose the problem. Within no time, they had a crew on-site to tackle the issue."

Mike Robb
Verified Customer

"Updating to also call out Emanuel and Gio, who worked on lining our 110 year old sewer for the past two days. They were flexible, friendly, and professional. No one wants to deal with plumbing issues so we’re thanking for the people who do! 5 stars for Shane Waychoff! He rescued us from a small sewage issue in our basement. [...]"

Heidi Grace Bush
Verified Customer

"Zachary did a great job clearing out our sewer line after a clog. He was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him and J. Blanton Plumbing."

John Costouros
Verified Customer
Got Questions?

Sewage Backup Questions From Columbus Homeowners

A plumber first, to stop the source. Cleanup comes after.

Call a plumber first. If sewage is still coming in, the source has to be stopped before cleanup is worth doing. We clear the line, find the cause on camera and fix it. Then restoration can begin.

Rain overloads combined sewers or gets into cracked laterals. The camera shows which.

In combined sewer neighborhoods like German Village and Victorian Village, stormwater and wastewater share the same pipe, so heavy rain fills it fast. Elsewhere, rainwater gets in through cracked laterals. Either way, the water looks for the lowest exit, usually your floor drain. We'll show you which applies to your home and how to protect it.

Fix the cause: cleaning, a repair, a backflow valve or an overhead sewer.

It depends on the cause. Roots and grease call for hydro jetting and regular maintenance. A cracked lateral calls for a repair. Storm backups in older neighborhoods may need a backflow valve or an overhead sewer system. We'll tell you which fits.

It depends on the cause. You get a flat-rate price before any work begins.

It depends on what's causing it: a clog that clears with rodding is a different job than a broken line or a failed ejector pump. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins, so you know the cost going in.

Annual Protection Plan

Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection

Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.

  • Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
  • 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
  • 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
  • VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
Learn More About the No Drip Club
No Drip Club mascot: an illustrated J. Blanton plumber holding a red pipe wrench
What We Fix

Plumbing Services in Columbus

Plumber feeding a drain cleaning cable into an outdoor drain pit to clear a clogged line

Drain Cleaning

Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

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J. Blanton plumbers working a sewer lining machine connected to the cleanout at a residential sewer repair

Sewer Repair

Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.

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J. Blanton plumber checking the controls at the base of a basement water heater

Water Heaters

Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.

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J. Blanton plumber working on the wiring of a basement sump pump pit

Sump Pumps

Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.

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Water spraying from a split copper pipe along a basement foundation wall

Burst & Frozen Pipes

Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.

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J. Blanton plumber leaning over an open toilet tank to check the fill valve during a toilet repair

Toilets & Fixtures

Running toilets, leaky faucets and new fixture installs for kitchens and bathrooms.

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Local Office, 24/7 Phone

Sewage Backing Up? Call Us Now.

Our Columbus office is at 1387 W. Goodale Blvd, and our phone line is open 24/7.

We also serve Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Clintonville, Victorian Village, German Village, Bexley, Hilliard, Dublin and more.

Call Now: 614-547-6516
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