Sewer Backup: Problem Signs and How To Solve Them
CALL (206) 789-4944
Serving the Greater Seattle Area
Rated 5 stars by Casey Y. on Google
"We had the unfortunate experience of a sewer backup into our home’s basement. Bob Oates sent out a capable technician to clear the problem causing the clog. TJ, the sewer manager then arrived to go over our options in detail. He used sewer maps, video footage and a sewer locating device to point out our problem spots and provided multiple repair options designed to prevent this from being a recurring issue. I highly recommend Bob Oates for their attention to detail and customer service."
Rainy weather in the Greater Seattle area is nothing new, but all that moisture can have serious consequences on your plumbing system.
Extra water in the soil can encourage tree roots to invade your sewer pipes and force raw sewage and wastewater back up into your home or office.
Not only is this unhealthy, but it can also cause extensive and costly damage to your property.
The pros at Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter tackle sewer backups every day — let's quickly cover signs of a sewer backup, the benefits of trenchless sewer repair (as opposed to traditional excavation methods), and the steps we'll take to quickly get your life back to normal!
The Signs of a Sewer Backup on Your Property
If you notice any of the following, you could have a clog in your sewer line:
- Slow-draining fixtures or gurgling sounds
- Toilets not flushing like they should
- Persistent sewage odors near drains
- Lush patches of grass or pooling water in the yard
- Recurring sewer backups after temporary fixes

A sewer line failure is often visible as a lush green stripe cutting through an otherwise brown yard.
The Sewer Pipe Repair Process in Action
If you suspect that your sewer is backing up into your Seattle property, give us a call as soon as possible. We'll respond right away, and inspections are always free with an accessible outside cleanout.
Our sewer repair and sewer pipe lining services include:
- Sewer camera inspection. Our high-quality technicians can send a high-resolution camera through your pipes to diagnose the problem and offer the best solution for your needs.
- Cured-in-place pipe lining. One possible answer to get things up and running again is to create a new pipe within your existing pipe. After cleaning out your sewer pipeline, technicians can insert an epoxy-resin soaked wool sleeve into the pipes that will harden into a seamless new pipe over time.
- Pipe bursting. Another possible solution is pipe bursting, a trenchless process where our technicians use innovative equipment to blast through your underground pipes and pull new pipes into place.
The Benefits of Trenchless Technology in Washington
The sewer pipe inspection, repair, and replacement options that we offer utilize modern trenchless technology.
Trenchless sewer repair offer several benefits over traditional repair and replacement methods:
Saves you money
Traditional sewer line repair and replacement required extensive excavation through your property that could cause a lot of damage to your lawn, driveway, landscaping, foundation, and other property features.
With trenchless technology, digging is confined to a small access hole. Eliminating the need for a large crew to excavate and repair all the damage associated with that can greatly reduce your overall project costs.
Saves you time
Legacy excavating methods can shut down your property for weeks at a time, disrupting your personal and professional productivity and keeping you from enjoying life the way you're accustomed.
Trenchless sewer repair methods allows our technicians to complete the job within hours, so you can get back to normal much sooner.

On this trenchless sewer repair job, Bob Oates techs installed 70 feet of 4-inch liner using blue light curing — restoring service in hours with no digging required. Traditional methods can take up to 48 hours and involve major excavation.
Saves the environment
With much less digging required, trenchless pipe lining or pipe bursting means much less earth is moved, and, if digging through sidewalks or driveways, less concrete dust generated — cleaner air for everyone in the neighborhood.
The epoxy resin used in our cured-in-place pipe lining is also non-hazardous, so you can feel good about keeping your repairs environmentally friendly.

Contact The Pros at Bob Oates Today!
If you suspect a sewer backup, give us a call or schedule an appointment online anytime.
Trenchless sewer repair options can offer an affordable, convenient, minimally intrusive solution to get your property back up and running fast!
Our locally dispatched crews serve homes and businesses across King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties, including:
CALL (206) 789-4944
Serving the Greater Seattle Area
