A sewer system is a crucial component of urban infrastructure since it contributes to the preservation of a safe and healthy environment. They protect the environment from flooding and aid in halting the spread of water-borne illnesses by transporting sewage. Even, for a household to function properly, one of the most important issues to solve is a clogged sewer drain. As a result, minimizing sewer system backups are essential for safeguarding people as well as your property investment.
Even though eliminating wastewater is a sewer’s primary job, it is an intricate system. This is why a sewer backup in your home should be concerning. The worst thing that can happen to a homeowner is a sewer blockage. If it rains heavily, you can find that water that should flow from your gutter through your sewer line out of your home is instead forced back inside, finding its way into your toilets and other areas. Major property damages and serious mould and mildew issues might also result from it.
Knowing some of the typical reasons for sewage backups will help you take preventative actions, do some simple adjustments on your own, or know when to call a professional. Hence, we have put up a list of 4 typical causes of sewage backups in houses to assist you in determining the reasons for the clogged drain in your bathroom.
The most common reasons for sewer backups
1. Age of your plumbing system
If you are an owner of an age-old building, you have often experienced sewer backups due to obsolete plumbing. Clay pipes that connect your building’s exterior to the sewage main are susceptible to damage by tree roots, invading weeds, and shrub twigs. These kinds of organic growths find their way into clay pipes and slowly clog them. Once they do, solid particles might attach themselves to them and cause obstructions.
2. Damage caused to the structure
You may notice muddy or overly wet patches in your yard, poor water pressure, and a bad odour if the plumbing that is installed outside of your home has any structural damage. The only definite way to confirm the condition of your pipes in outdoor locations is to have a professional plumber conduct a video examination. The likelihood of structural damage or cracks in exterior pipes is higher when these structures are already quite old or when nearby landscaping has recently been done.
3. Tree Roots
The subsurface network of pipes, known as sewer lines can get damaged by underground objects like rocks and roots. Tree roots can spread out very far, so one might begin to move in the direction of a pipe that has a little leak. These roots can occasionally enter your pipes or even encircle them. The lines would be crushed as a result, especially if they were in bad shape.
4. Blockage in the pipe
Many folks think that pouring grease and edible oil into the drain is completely fine. However, grease and oil solidify when they are poured down the drain. This will result in a blockage in the main sewer system or the drain. Dense and sticky food items can also result in clogging. Never put paper towels, hygiene supplies, or disposable diapers into the toilet. These can clog the pipe and take a very long time to evaporate.
5. Heavy rainfall and storm
A sewer blockage may be caused by a period of heavy rain. It is common for the public sewer system to fill to capacity in a neighbourhood when there has been a lot of rain. If there is a sewer overflow, it may get to the domestic sewage lines that are connected to your house. A sewer backup in the main sewer system that is linked to your property is indicated by a backflow of water into your sink. Remember that even powerful storms have the potential to modify the state or performance of your external pipes due to soil settlement.
How to prevent sewer backup?
To ensure that you never experience a sewage backup in your home, you should take every precaution possible. The smell of raw sewage backing up in your house is abhorrent, and it puts your family’s health in grave danger. Your home may get infested with bacteria from the wastewater, which are challenging to eradicate. If a sewage backlog happens, you’ll probably need to engage a cleaning service to come out and clean your house. In addition, your walls might be harmed, and the floors would need to be replaced.
1. Yearly maintenance
The most crucial step in avoiding significant sewer backups and other significant plumbing issues is to schedule yearly whole-house plumbing inspections. Plumbers can identify and address minor problems during these visits before they become major ones. Install drain covers and ensure that proper drain maintenance is done.
2. Plastic plumbing network
Think about switching to plastic plumbing in place of your current pipes. This plastic is impenetrable to tree roots, resulting in a more secure sewer.
3. Backwater valve installation
Installing flood control devices with backwater prevention valves is something to think about. Sewage will be able to exit while being prevented from entering again. The best line of defence against sewage backup is this.
4. Replacement of old pipes
Maintain your landscape well, especially if your property’s outside features clay pipes, weed growth, or big trees. Make arrangements to replace old plumbing components. In most cases, replacing a pipe is significantly less expensive than dealing with property damage, burst pipes, and pipe encroachment.
What to do if a sewer backup occurs?
Sewer backups can damage your home and property, spread disease, and grow mould if they are not immediately cleaned up. There are a few things you should do right away to prevent more loss and disease exposure before you seek professional help.
- Turn off the electricity in the impacted areas of your home.
- Disconnect the drains’ water supply.
- Ensure the safety of your family and give them instructions to stay away from the impacted areas.
- Use a wet vac to remove dirt and liquid.
- Clean and sanitize the walls, floors, and furniture.
- Remove and dispose of the carpets and wallboards.
- Sanitise the pipelines and plumbing fixtures.
- Last but not least, call your plumber for quick sewer assistance.
If you notice a problem with your drains or the sewer system as a whole, don’t put it off any longer. Left ignored, the clog can grow in size, leading to sewage backup into your home and expensive repairs. As a result, it’s crucial to act promptly whenever a sewer backup issue occurs in order to avert any of these complications.