Charleston, SC · plumbing service
Sewer Backup Cleanup in Charleston, SC
King tides, heavy rain and hurricanes overwhelm low-lying drainage. Call to be connected with an independent, licensed plumber who handles sewer backup cleanup in Charleston; they diagnose the problem and quote the work before starting.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent plumbing contractor serving your area. Calls may be recorded for quality and training. The call and referral are free, and you are never obligated to hire.- Licensed local plumbers
- Free call and referral
- You approve the quote first
Common signs
- Sewage coming up through floor drains
- tubs or toilets
Sewer Backup Cleanup services in Charleston
- Sewer BackupSewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets.
- Drain CleaningSlow drains, recurring clogs and backed-up sinks, tubs and showers.
- Sewer Line RepairRecurring backups, sewer odors, slow fixtures or a damaged sewer line.
- Emergency PlumberBurst pipes, major leaks, sewage backups and no-water situations.
Problems sewer backup cleanup fixes
- Sewage coming up in a floor drain, tub or lowest toilet
- Backups during heavy rain
- Repeated backups after the line was cleared
- Water damage after a backup
Why sewer backup cleanup comes up in Charleston
King tides, heavy rain and hurricanes overwhelm low-lying drainage.
Charleston's median home was built in 1996 and 34% of homes predate 1980. Newer laterals are usually PVC or ABS, which resist roots far better than clay, so in newer areas sewer trouble more often comes from grease, wipes or a sag than from a broken pipe.
- Typical home built
- 1996
- Homes before 1980
- 34%
- Water hardness
- 3.4 gpg
- soft
- Winter freezes
- Occasional hard freezes
How the work is done
- 1Stop the flowStop using water and find whether the blockage is in your line or the public sewer.
- 2Clear the lineThe plumber clears the lateral and checks it with a camera.
- 3Clean up safelyContaminated water and porous materials are removed and the area disinfected.
- 4Prevent the next oneA backwater valve, cleanout or lateral repair, depending on the cause.
What affects the price
The plumbing company sets the price after seeing the job; ask for it in writing before work starts.
- Where the blockage is
- How much area was affected
- Whether a camera inspection or repair follows
- Backwater valve installation and any permit
- After-hours timing
Plumbing work we connect Charleston homeowners with
Sewer Backup Cleanup in Charleston: questions
Sewage is coming up in my Charleston bathtub. Who should I call?
Charleston Water System says to call CWS at (843) 727-6800 or a plumber immediately. The cause may be in your private line or in the main, and avoid contact with the wastewater.
What causes most sewer backups in Charleston homes?
Charleston Water System names flushable wipes and fats, oils and grease as the two biggest causes of sewer clogs. Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed. Put grease in the trash.
Why is sewer backup cleanup a common call in Charleston?
King tides, heavy rain and hurricanes overwhelm low-lying drainage.
How old are most homes in Charleston?
The median home in Charleston was built in 1996, and 34% of homes were built before 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey).
What should I do if sewage backs up in my Charleston home?
Stop using water, stay out of the affected area and call; the line needs clearing, the area needs cleaning, and the cause should be found so it doesn't repeat. In Charleston: king tides, heavy rain and hurricanes overwhelm low-lying drainage.
Who supplies water in Charleston?
Charleston Water System. Past the meter, plumbing is the owner's.
More plumbing services in Charleston
- Sewer Line Repair in Charleston, SCSewer Line Repair in Charleston, SC: old laterals in historic neighborhoods crack and settle.
- Water Heater Replacement in Charleston, SCWater Heater Replacement in Charleston, SC: newer suburban homes from the 1990s–2000s are replacing original heaters.
- Emergency Plumbing in Charleston, SCPlumbing emergency in Charleston, SC? Who to call (Charleston Water System or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Charleston homes.
- All plumbing services in CharlestonEvery plumbing service available to Charleston homes.
Local rules and details for Charleston
Charleston facts behind this page
- The median home in Charleston was built in 1996. [1]
- About 34% of Charleston's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [1]
- Charleston Water System tells customers who see wastewater backing up into drains or toilets to contact CWS at (843) 727-6800 or a plumber immediately. Back-ups can come from a blockage in private plumbing or in the CWS sewer main. Sewer overflows from manholes are most likely after heavy rain and should also be reported to (843) 727-6800, avoiding contact with the area. [2]
- Charleston Water System's What Not to Flush guidance says only pee, poo and toilet paper should be flushed. It names so-called flushable wipes and fats, oils and grease as the two biggest causes of sewer clogs, warning that wipes tangle into massive clogs and grease builds up as it cools. Its do-not-flush list also includes paper towels, cat litter and feminine products. [3]
Charleston rules and programs for sewer backup cleanup
- Charleston Water System tells customers who see wastewater backing up into drains or toilets to contact CWS at (843) 727-6800 or a plumber immediately. Back-ups can come from a blockage in private plumbing or in the CWS sewer main. Sewer overflows from manholes are most likely after heavy rain and should also be reported to (843) 727-6800, avoiding contact with the area. [2]
- Charleston Water System's What Not to Flush guidance says only pee, poo and toilet paper should be flushed. It names so-called flushable wipes and fats, oils and grease as the two biggest causes of sewer clogs, warning that wipes tangle into massive clogs and grease builds up as it cools. Its do-not-flush list also includes paper towels, cat litter and feminine products. [3]
Other common plumbing calls in Charleston
- Sewer Line Repair: old laterals in historic neighborhoods crack and settle.
- Water Heater Replacement: newer suburban homes from the 1990s–2000s are replacing original heaters.
Safety first
Keep people and pets away from sewage; stop running water.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Charleston Water System, Sewer Emergencies · checked 2026-10-20
- Charleston Water System, What Not to Flush · checked 2026-10-20