Why does my main line back up every winter?

Saturated ground shifts older pipes and roots grow toward any crack. Clearing it in January without fixing the opening means the same call next January.

Does insurance cover sewer line replacement?

Usually not, and many policies exclude sewer backup damage unless you carry a specific endorsement. It is worth asking your agent before you need the answer.

What are the signs of a sewer line problem?

Several slow drains at once, gurgling toilets, sewage odors, or wet patches in the yard point at the main line rather than one fixture. Those signs are worth a camera look before they become a backup.

Does a damaged sewer line always mean digging up the yard?

Not always. Depending on what the camera shows, a spot repair at the damaged section can restore the line with far less excavation than replacing the whole run. The camera is what tells us which one it is.

My main line is backing up right now. What should I do before you get here?

Stop using water anywhere in the house, including the washing machine and the dishwasher, because everything that goes down adds to what is already coming up. Do not keep flushing a toilet that is not draining. If you know where your cleanout is, pull anything stacked on top of it so we can get straight to work, and lift what you can off the floor in the room that is backing up.

Sewer Cleaning & Repair

Professional sewer cleaning & repair across South Orange County.

About Sewer Cleaning & Repair

A main sewer line backup is the plumbing problem nobody can ignore, and it starts long before the backup does. Sewer cleaning and repair means finding out why the line carrying waste from your house to the city main stopped draining, then fixing that cause instead of clearing the same blockage every few months. In the older South Orange County neighborhoods, much of it built in the 1960s and 70s, it is usually root intrusion through a cracked joint, decades of scale inside cast iron, or a section of line that has settled. A camera inspection comes first, because seeing the pipe is what turns a guess into a plan. From there the work runs from hydro jetting on a maintenance schedule, to a spot repair at a damaged joint, to full replacement of the run. Hummel Plumbing is family owned, based in San Juan Capistrano, California license 1034213, open 24 hours for homes and businesses across South Orange County.

Key Benefits

Camera-first diagnosis before any repair quote

Hydro jetting, spot repair, lining, or replacement matched to the actual damage

The repair is scoped to the damaged section rather than the whole line where possible

Available 24 hours for active backups

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Sewer Cleaning & Repair?

Call or send a request. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call (949) 505-9828

What Customers Say

5.0 stars across 140+ Google reviews.

Joey B.

August 30, 2026

Jon was personable and knew exactly what to do to pull a new waterline for our refrigerator up from our crawl space. He was also very informative about differing water pressure throughout our house. It was obvious he took pride in his work. Communication from Sally was excellent. Stellar family team in the neighborhood. Nice to know we can trust them for our plumbing needs.

Cathy L.

July 24, 2026

Jon Hummel is always a pleasure to work with. He is knowledgeable and very trustworthy. Will always use him for any plumbing needs.

Jodie F.

April 3, 2026

Jon always does an amazing job! We've used his services for years. He's on time, his prices are fair and his work is reliable. We needed a full house repipe after a pipe burst. I knew exactly who I would call for this big job and who I could trust-Hummel plumbing!

Larry A.

April 3, 2025

As a retired plumbing contractor, I'd like to think that I can tell a good plumber, hard worker, and honest man after watching him work. I'm getting a little long in the tooth (and sore in the back) to do much of my own plumbing anymore and I call Jon when I need plumbing help. I have also referred him to my neighbors, who report that they have been very happy with him.

Alexandria G., San Clemente

May 5, 2026

We've used Jon with Hummel Plumbing a few times now here in San Clemente, and he's been great every single time. He previously installed our tankless water heater, and most recently fixed our outdoor shower and handled a few other items for us. Everything has always been done correctly the first time—no shortcuts. He's friendly, thorough, and clearly takes pride in doing things the right way. He was also able to come out quickly, which we really appreciated. It's honestly such a relief to have a plumber we trust. Highly recommend Jon and Hummel Plumbing!

Jamie

July 1, 2026

Super happy with Jon @ Hummel Plumbing, we will be definitely using their services again and recommending them to friends and neighbors, work was completed in a timely, professional clean manner. Truly a hard worker who knows his stuff, thanks again Jon. Talk soon

Joanne P.

March 18, 2026

Showed up earlier than expected, which was clearly communicated and great news. Polite and great work. Pricing up front.

Brad K.

February 20, 2026

Jon and his assistant were prompt, courteous, knowledgeable and fast. I will personally recommend Hummel to my friends and neighbors! Excellent company to deal with in today's world!

Related Services

Work that often comes up alongside sewer cleaning & repair.

Water HeatersDiagnosis, repair, maintenance, and replacement of tank water heaters for homes and businesses.Tankless Water HeatersInstallation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of tankless water heating systems.Drain CleaningClearing clogged or slow drains in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, and floor drains, with diagnosis of recurring problems.Sewer Camera InspectionsVideo inspection of sewer and drain lines to identify blockages, damage, root intrusion, and pipe condition.Leak Detection & RepairLocating and repairing plumbing leaks, including hidden leaks in walls, ceilings, floors, and under slabs.Water Line Repair & ReplacementRepair and replacement of damaged, leaking, or deteriorated water lines, from single lines to full distribution systems.