A sewer backup is one of the most unpleasant and expensive emergencies a homeowner can face. Raw sewage in your basement or ground-floor fixtures is a health hazard, a property damage event, and a deeply stressful experience. The good news is that most sewer backups are preventable with basic maintenance and awareness. This guide covers what to keep out of your drains, which cleaning methods work best, and why a small annual investment in inspection can save you thousands.
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The City of Boise's WaterShed program publishes guidelines on what should and should not go down your drains, and the list is more restrictive than most homeowners realize. The top offenders that cause sewer blockages include so-called flushable wipes (which are not truly flushable and account for a growing percentage of sewer clogs citywide), cooking grease and fats that solidify in pipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs and dental floss, cat litter (even the flushable variety), and paper towels.
The rule of thumb is simple: the only things that should go down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Everything else goes in the trash. In the kitchen, never pour grease down the drain—let it cool in a container and dispose of it in the garbage. Even small amounts of grease accumulate over time and combine with other debris to form blockages that restrict flow and eventually cause backups.
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Mechanical snaking uses a rotating cable with a cutting head to break through clogs and remove root masses. It is effective for clearing immediate blockages and is the faster, cheaper option for emergency situations. A professional snaking costs $150 to $350 in Boise. However, snaking only cuts a hole through the obstruction—it does not clean the pipe walls, and residual grease and debris remain behind to rebuild the clog.
Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water (typically 3,000 to 4,000 PSI) to scour the inside of the pipe, removing grease, scale, roots, and built-up debris completely. It costs $350 to $800 in Boise but provides a much more thorough cleaning. For maintenance purposes, hydro-jetting is the superior option because it resets the pipe to near-original condition. For older clay or cast iron pipes, your plumber should run a camera first to confirm the pipe can withstand the pressure without damage.
An annual or biennial camera inspection is the single best investment you can make in your sewer system. At $150 to $300, it costs less than a single emergency service call and gives you a complete picture of your pipe's condition. Regular inspections catch developing problems—root intrusions, grease buildup, joint separation, early-stage bellying—while they are still cheap to address. By the time these issues cause a backup, the repair cost has multiplied five to ten times.
Think of it like a dental checkup for your pipes. A cleaning and inspection once a year prevents the emergency root canal. Boise homeowners with older pipes (clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg) should inspect every 1 to 2 years. Homes with PVC installed after 1985 can extend the interval to every 3 to 5 years.
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Get the Free Checklist →For homes with older clay or cast iron pipes, annual cleaning is recommended. Homes with modern PVC can extend to every 2 to 3 years. If you have large trees near the line, annual maintenance is essential regardless of pipe material.
No. Despite marketing claims, flushable wipes do not break down like toilet paper and are a leading cause of sewer clogs in Boise. Always dispose of them in the trash.
It can if the pipe is severely deteriorated. A reputable plumber will always run a camera inspection before hydro-jetting older pipes to ensure they can withstand the pressure.
Never pour grease down the drain. Grease is the number-one contributor to residential sewer blockages because it solidifies in the pipe, catches other debris, and gradually restricts flow until the line backs up.
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