Emergency Sewer Backup: Who to Call in the Twin Cities
A sewer backup is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate action. Here's who to call in the Twin Cities and what to do while you wait for help.
A Sewer Backup Is Not a 'Wait and See' Situation
If sewage is backing up into your home, you are dealing with a Category 3 water loss — the most serious type of water intrusion, per industry classification. Raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that are hazardous to your family's health. It damages flooring, drywall, subfloor, and any belongings it contacts. The longer it sits, the worse the damage becomes. This is not a situation to manage with a plunger and a mop. The first thing to do is stop using all water in the home — stop flushing toilets, running sinks, using the dishwasher or washing machine. Then call a professional.
Who to Call First
In the Twin Cities and surrounding metro counties, the sequence matters. If sewage is actively backing up, call a sewer service company with emergency response capability — not a general plumber. The issue is almost certainly in the sewer lateral (the pipe connecting your home to the city main or your septic tank) and requires specialized equipment: a camera to identify the blockage, and a high-pressure jetter or mechanical auger to clear it. A general plumber may not carry this equipment. Ask explicitly before dispatch: do you have a sewer camera and a water jetter? If the answer is no, call someone else.
Common Causes of Sewer Backups in the Twin Cities
The most frequent cause in Twin Cities neighborhoods is root intrusion. The metro area's mature tree canopy — beautiful on the surface — means roots from oaks, maples, elms, and other established trees are constantly probing underground for water. Sewer pipes provide exactly that, and roots will find any joint, crack, or opening. Over time, the root mass grows into a blockage. Grease accumulation is the second most common culprit, particularly in older homes and in properties connected to city sewers. Grease from cooking solidifies in the line and gradually narrows the pipe diameter until flow becomes severely restricted. Pipe collapse — from age, ground movement, or heavy surface loads — is the third major cause in the metro, particularly in homes with clay tile or Orangeburg pipe installed in the mid-20th century.
What to Do While You Wait for the Technician
Keep people and pets away from the affected areas. If sewage has reached finished areas of the home, open windows if weather permits to reduce odor and begin air circulation. Do not use fans to push air through the space — this spreads contaminated aerosols. Do not run HVAC fans. Do not attempt to clean up sewage yourself unless you have proper protective equipment including waterproof gloves, rubber boots, and eye protection. Document the damage with photos before any cleanup begins — you will need this for insurance purposes. Note the time the backup started and which fixtures were affected.
What the Technician Will Do
A properly equipped sewer technician will start with a camera inspection to locate and identify the blockage. This step matters because the approach differs depending on what's causing the backup. Root intrusion is cleared with a mechanical root cutter and then flushed with a high-pressure jetter. Grease blockages respond to hot water jetting. A partial pipe collapse requires a different response — it may clear temporarily but will recur, and the underlying pipe condition needs to be addressed with repair or lining. Once the line is clear, a second camera pass confirms the line is open and shows the overall condition of the pipe. You should receive a clear explanation of what was found and what options exist for addressing any underlying issues.
Insurance and Sewer Backup Coverage
Standard homeowner's insurance policies typically do not cover sewer backup damage. Sewer backup coverage is usually available as a rider or endorsement — if you don't have it, this is a good time to check your policy and add it. The average sewer backup claim in Minnesota runs well into the thousands of dollars once you factor in cleanup, remediation, and material replacement. Coverage is relatively inexpensive when added to an existing policy. Call your insurance agent after your immediate emergency is under control.
Need help now? Call Minnesota Sewer Pros at 612-816-8013. We serve the Twin Cities, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Dakota, Washington, Anoka, and Carver counties with emergency sewer response.