Dealing with a Sewer Backup

Information may not be reliable

Nobody wants to think about sewage, and they certainly don’t want to think about a sewer backup in their home. However, this is a very real issue, and it can and does happen. Those who find that they have this type of issue need to make sure they have a quality plumbing company that can come over to their house and set things right as soon as possible. Plumbing specialists have seen these sorts of things plenty of times before, and they have the tools, techniques, and the knowledge to help. They find that several different things are common reasons for these types of backups.

Clogs in the Line

It’s possible for the main sewer line that leads away from your home to become clogged. When this happens, the sewage has nowhere to go, and before long, it begins to back up into the home. When this happens in just one toilet in the house, or just one pipe line, chances are that it is actually just a clog in that particular line. However, when it happens to all of the toilets and sinks in the home, it means there is an issue with the main sewer line.

Clogs are often quite preventable, fortunately. With a bit of forethought, most homeowners can reduce the chance of getting a clog by following a few simple rules. First, make sure that you aren’t putting too much down the toilet. Things such as diapers, facial tissues, and other debris are common causes of clogs.

Also, be careful of the items you are putting down the garbage disposal. For example, you never want to pour grease down the drain. It can harden and begin collecting debris, which can cause a big clog in your pipes and further on down to the connection to the main sewer line.

It’s important to note that sometimes the clog is not your fault at all. Sometimes, the issue actually occurs further down in the municipal lines. They might have a blockage, and that could actually be what is sending the sewage back into your home.

Roots

This is something that can be difficult to handle, simply because roots seem to have a mind of their own. They can actually grow into the pipes, which can cause holes in them and then create blockages. It can also allow the sewage to go into the ground. They can even crush the pipes in some cases. Even when you don’t have trees in your yard, neighboring tree roots may actually creep beneath the ground and damage the pipes.

Too Much Water

Those who have sump pumps know that those pumps can only handle a certain amount of water before they overflow. This sometimes happens when there is too much rain, and in some cases, it can cause a sewer backup into your home.

Old Systems Could Be the Issue

Those who have very old plumbing systems may find they are at a higher risk of one of these backups than those who have newer systems. The old pipes can only stand up to so much before something gives. It might be time to consider replacing them.

What Should You Do?

These problems generally happen relatively slowly, so you should be able to realize that something is wrong before the issue becomes too bad.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your plumbing, it really is a good idea to get in touch with plumbing experts right away so they can check out the problem. However, sometimes you will find that the sewer backup can happen quite quickly. Regardless, you need to have help from the professionals as quickly as you can get it.

One of the biggest mistakes that many homeowners unfortunately make is ignoring the problem. They look for ways to reduce their expenses and feel that they can get rid of a clog with a little bit of Liquid Plumber. While that might help with some small clogs, it can give you a false sense of hope. You really do need to make sure you are working with professionals who have dealt with these kinds of backups before.

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