Emergency Sewer Repair — Raw Sewage Backup in Prince Frederick, MD
A Prince Frederick homeowner called on a Sunday evening with raw sewage backing up into the first-floor bathroom. We responded within 2 hours, camera-inspected the line, found a root ball completely blocking the sewer at 22 feet, hydro jetted the obstruction, and had the home draining by 10 PM.
The Problem
A homeowner in Prince Frederick called at 6:45 PM on a Sunday — raw sewage was backing up into the first-floor toilet and shower. The family had been using the upstairs bathroom, but that was now showing signs of slow drainage too. The home was a 1978 split-level with a cast iron sewer line. The homeowner had not had any previous sewer issues. They needed the problem resolved that evening — the home was not livable with sewage backing up into the living areas.
Our Diagnosis
We arrived by 8:45 PM. The main cleanout showed the line was completely blocked — no flow at all. We ran a sewer camera from the cleanout. At 22 feet from the foundation, we found a dense root mass completely filling the pipe. The roots had entered through a joint in the cast iron line and had been growing for years. The pipe itself was structurally intact — no collapse, no offset joints — just a complete root obstruction. This was a hydro jetting job, not an excavation.
The Repair Process
- 1Confirmed complete blockage at main cleanout — no flow
- 2Camera inspection located root mass at 22 feet — pipe structurally intact
- 3Set up hydro jetting equipment — 4,000 PSI, 18 GPM
- 4Jetted from the cleanout toward the street — root mass cleared after two passes
- 5Camera re-inspection confirmed full pipe diameter restored, no structural damage
- 6Ran water from all fixtures simultaneously — full flow confirmed
- 7Inspected the rest of the line to the street connection — no other obstructions or structural issues
- 8Documented the root entry point location for the homeowner's records
- 9Recommended annual camera inspection to monitor root regrowth at the entry point
The Outcome
Full sewer flow restored by 10:15 PM — the family had a functioning home the same evening. The camera inspection confirmed the pipe was structurally sound, so no excavation was needed. We provided the homeowner with a written report including the camera footage and the location of the root entry point. We recommended annual jetting to keep the line clear, since roots will regrow at the same entry point until the joint is repaired or lined.
Key Takeaway
Not every sewer blockage requires excavation. A complete root obstruction in a structurally intact pipe can often be cleared with hydro jetting in a single visit. Camera inspection before jetting is essential — it confirms the pipe is intact and locates the obstruction precisely, so you're not jetting blind.
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George Baker III
Annapolis, MD
May 2026
"We recently had Deep Dive Plumbing Maryland out to our home in Annapolis after we suddenly started noticing sewer flies throughout the house. They truly lived up to their name and performed a full "deep dive" diagnostic inspection instead of just treating the symptom. During their inspection they discovered our sewer pipe connected to the toilet had been leaking into the basement for quite some time. The team explained everything clearly, provided upfront pricing before starting any work, and even gave us a military discount which was greatly appreciated. They were professional, respectful, extremely knowledgeable, and took the time to make sure the repair was done correctly."
Angelis Reilly
Southern Maryland
June 2026
"TJ was great!! He answered our emergency call late evening hours. He was honest and gave us options to make a decision. Highly recommend!!"
Sally Ludwig
Dunkirk, MD
June 2026
"Great service with knowledgeable and neat professionals. Highly recommend! Deep Dive Plumbing helped with my bathroom project, including reinstalling a pedestal sink after new flooring was installed and addressing a toilet issue that had been causing constant clogs. The team was professional, courteous, and took the time to make sure everything was completed correctly. Their attention to detail and cleanliness really stood out. I am very happy with the results and would not hesitate to call them again."
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