Sewage coming up through a tub, toilet, or floor drain is one of the most stressful plumbing problems a Schertz homeowner can face — and it's a genuine health hazard. Here's exactly what to do, in order.
Step 1: Stop all water use immediately
The moment you see sewage backing up, stop using every water source in the house. Every flush, every sink, every load of laundry adds to the backup. Tell everyone in the home to hold off until the line is cleared.
Step 2: Keep people and pets away
Sewage carries bacteria. Keep children and pets clear of the affected area, open windows for ventilation if the odor is strong, and don't try to plunge a main-line backup — that can push contamination into more of the house.
Step 3: Call for sewer backup help
Call our sewer backup cleanup team at (831) 290-4327. We treat backups as health-hazard emergencies and answer 24/7. We're minutes from Schertz, so we get there fast to clear the main and stop the contamination.
Why Schertz homes back up
Schertz has a mix of established neighborhoods like Northcliffe — where homes are now 30 to 40 years old — and newer subdivisions. In the older areas, aging sewer laterals collect grease, scale, and tree roots that eventually block the line. That's why we run a camera after clearing the backup: to see whether roots, a belly, or a break caused it, so we can fix the cause instead of just the symptom.
Stopping the next backup
Once we've cleared the line and inspected it, we'll recommend the right prevention — from routine drain cleaning and hydro jetting to sewer line repair if the camera reveals damage. Homeowners with recurring backups often find that lining or replacing a failed section ends the cycle for good.
Don't forget documentation
Sewer backup coverage is often a separate insurance endorsement, so check your policy. We document the event, the cause, and the affected areas so you can file with the records adjusters expect. Serving Schertz and the whole Metrocom, we're the number to call first: (831) 290-4327.
Why Backups Recur in Older Schertz Lines
In established Schertz neighborhoods like Northcliffe, the sewer laterals are old enough that a single snaking is a temporary fix. Three things bring the backup right back: tree roots that re-enter at pipe joints, a grease-and-scale layer that never fully cleared, and a 'belly' — a low spot where the line has settled and waste collects. A cable can punch through, but it leaves the cause in place.
That's why we camera the line after clearing it. The footage shows exactly which of those three you're dealing with and where, so you can decide between routine maintenance, hydro jetting, or a spot repair. Homeowners who skip the inspection often pay to snake the same line two or three times a year — more than the lasting fix would have cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — stop all water use immediately. Every flush, sink, shower, and washing-machine cycle adds to the backup and pushes more sewage into your home. Wait until the line is cleared and we confirm it's flowing before using water again.
Sewer backup coverage is often a separate endorsement, not part of a standard homeowners policy, so it depends on what you carry. We document the event, the cause, and the affected areas so you can file with the records adjusters expect — but check your specific policy.
It varies with how the line is cleared (cabling vs. hydro jetting), whether a camera inspection is needed, and the timing of the call. After-hours emergency labor runs about $140–$275/hr. We prioritize backups as health hazards and quote clearly before we start.
Cibolo Pro Plumbing
Licensed Texas plumbers (TX Master Plumber (TSBPE)) based in Cibolo, serving the Metrocom for 15+ years. Have a question about your home's plumbing? Call (831) 290-4327.
