Sewer Line Repair / Emergency Sewer Line Repair
Emergency sewer line repair in Beverly, MA
A sewer backup, a collapsed line or sewage in your yard is an emergency. Stop using water, then call. We tell you what to do next and how to get the line fixed.
What to do during a sewer backup
Stop all water use first. Every flush, shower and load of laundry sends more water into a line that cannot take it.
- Stop using water. Do not flush, run sinks, shower or use the washer or dishwasher.
- Keep people and pets out of the backed up area. Sewage carries germs.
- Stay out of standing water near outlets, appliances and the electrical panel.
- Call us. Tell us what you see and where the water is coming from.
- Take photos of the damage and call your insurance company.
Sewer emergencies we handle
Collapsed sewer line
A collapsed line stops waste from leaving your house. Signs are repeated backups, drains that fail all at once and sunken ground along the line. A camera shows where the pipe failed. Then we repair the section, line it or replace the pipe.
Sewer backup in the basement
Waste or water coming up through a basement floor drain, shower or toilet means the line is blocked or broken. Heavy rain makes it worse. We find the cause with a camera and fix the line, not just the clog.
Why heavy rain causes sewer backups in Beverly
Heavy rain adds water to sewers and soaks the soil around old pipes. In May 2006, a storm dropped more than 17 inches of rain in three days and caused sewer backups in Beverly.
Nor’easters and spring storms can do the same. Cracked joints let groundwater into the line, and a full line backs up into low basements. North Beverly, near North Beverly Brook, has a record of flooding during storms.
If your basement backs up in every big storm, the line likely has damage. A camera inspection shows where.
Is a sewer backup the city's problem or mine?
It depends where the problem is. The homeowner is responsible from the building to the street line. The city handles the main from the street line out. A camera shows which side the problem is on. See our guide to who is responsible.
What are the signs of a collapsed sewer line?
Repeated backups, several drains failing at once, a strong sewage smell and sunken or wet ground along the pipe path.
Can I use my plumbing while I wait?
No. Keep water use to a minimum until the line is checked. More water on a blocked or broken line can push waste back into your home.
Will insurance pay for a sewer backup?
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you added coverage. Call your insurance company and ask. Photos of the damage help.
Sewer line trouble in Beverly? Call Harborline.
Tell us what you see. We start with a camera so you know what is wrong before you decide on a fix.