How to Fix Sewage Backup in Your Basement (5 Causes to Avoid)
Sewage backup in your basement is not just a nasty situation; it is potentially dangerous to your and your family’s health and can cause damages to your property and an essentially costly repair bill. Learning the primary causes of a sewage backup is critical to avoiding the problem again and retaining the health of your property. In the following two sections, you will learn how to repair sewage backup in your basement and five mistakes to avoid.
1. Clogged Sewer Lines
An obstruction in the sewer line is one of the main reasons why sewage backup occurs frequently. By and by, particles like grease, hair, soap scum, and other particles will stack up in your pipes, narrowing the water stream. This blockage process causes water to back up, mainly when there is a high water demand.
Fix: If you encounter a problem with a completely blocked sewer line, you should first use a plunger or a plumbing snake to unclog the system. Sometimes, the drain may be clogged severely, and a plumber will require high-pressure water to chase the drain or drain cleaning equipment to clean up the blockage.
Prevention: Never dispose of grease, oils, or fats through the drains. Clean drains often, and it could be helpful to install a drain cover to trap particles before they get washed down the pipes.
2. Tree Root Infiltration
Sewer lines can also be affected by tree roots due to the moisture and nutrients they find in them. Sewer gases can then infiltrate the house through drain openings, and over time, these roots can damage the pipes and cause blockage and sewage backflow.
Fix: If tree roots have gained access to your sewer system, a plumber must remove them using a mechanical drill or hydrojetting. Sometimes, the pipes have to be replaced entirely. Depending on what caused the spillage, a whole pipe could need to be removed.
Prevention: Do not plant trees near your sewer lines to control tree root intrusions. Root intrusion is one of the other signs that can be addressed by periodic check-ups.
3. Damaged Sewer Pipes
Another common cause of this problem is old, rusty, or poor-quality basement sewage backup pipework. As with any fixed facility, pipes may crack or even collapse due to shifting soil, excess traffic, or deterioration over time.
Fix: Sewer repair is sometimes possible to do yourself, but many times, it has to be done professionally. Depending on the severity of the problem, the type of repair work that can be done depends on trenchless repair, pipe lining, or replacement.
Prevention: If you live in an old house, it is always good practice to assess and service your sewer lines occasionally. Another measure that can be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future is replacing a material such as timber with a more resistant one, such as PVC.
4. Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
Rapid or heavy rains may cause municipal sewer systems to flood, and as a result, sewage may flow backward into homes, mainly if the home is in a basement. Still, this situation often lies beyond the person’s control, but there are ways of minimizing the hazard.
Fix: If your basement is flooded with sewerage water because of the rain, remove any remaining water and clean the area. If future flooding is expected, a sump pump will help control the situation.
Prevention: Ensure you have a backwater valve to prevent sewage from flowing into your house when it rains. Also, ensure that your sprinklers and gutters are clean and drain the water at the appropriate distance from your home.
5. Blocked or Poorly installed Plumbing Accessories
Faulty installation of plumbing fixtures like toilets, sinks, and showers can cause buildup if they are not well connected to the sewer system. Also, the pile-up of these fixtures hinders good sewage flow, making it a breeding ground for sewage backup.
Fix: When the specific fixture is responsible for the problem’s development, it might be necessary to dismantle and install it properly. If any obstruction is found in the fixtures’ pipes, it can also be washed to effectively solve the problem.
Prevention: A competent person should carry out all plumbing work. Fixtures can also be scheduled to prevent backups by frequently inspecting them for leaks and blockages.
How to Handle Sewage Backup in Your Basement
Sewage backup in the basement is very devastating, and it is crucial to respond as soon as possible:
- Protect yourself from getting wet in water contaminated with the virus. Incorrect. The power supply in the affected area should be switched off to avoid electric shock.
- One can call a professional plumber to diagnose and correct the problem. While waiting, wear protective clothing and attempt to minimize water spreading with towels or a wet vacuum cleaner. Finally, after the plumber has done their work, the area should be cleaned and disinfected to avoid mold and bacterial growth.
- Think of further prevention actions, such as the purchase of a backwater valve.
Causes and Solutions for Sewer Backup in Your Basement
Sewer backups in the basement occur when, for instance, something has clogged the wastewater that is expected to flow from the building to the main sewerage system. Some root causes include tree roots extending their way into the pipes, flushed items such as wipes and grease getting trapped in the drains, and, at times, the sewers getting flooded, particularly during a storm.
To remedy the situation, first, do not use any water in your home to avoid adding more sewage to the basement. Next, get a plumber if you don’t know how to clear the blockage on your own. You may also need to install a backwater valve to avoid such a problem in the future. Problems such as drain blockages can occur, but such problems can be prevented through periodic cleans and checkups.
Solutions for Preventing Sewage Backup in Your Basement
As a homeowner, you should always try to ensure that your basement does not have a problem with sewage backup, as this is an expensive and health hazard issue. It would help if you first got a backwater valve that prevents sewage from entering your home when there is a backup. Clean your sewer lines to eliminate any hindrance from the blockage within the system. Please do not attempt to flush wipes, diapers, or grease down the drains since they will block the pipes. Ensure that the gutters and downspouts are clean so that too much water does not flood your sewerage system. Last, a sump pump can cater to water table problems. The steps discussed below can go a long way in helping prevent invasion by sewage water.
Sewage Cleanup & Removal Services In St Charles
Sanitation services, which involve cleanup and sewage removal in St. Charles, are necessary to ensure that the homes are safe for inhabitants. The spiritual impact of sewer backup requires safety and health dangers exerted by bacteria and viruses. Sewage cleaning by professional cleaning firms is very efficient in cleaning the affected area, disinfecting it, and making the home habitable again. Such professionals have all the necessary equipment and accurate information to sort out the mess effectively and avoid additional harm to the property affected. When you call a sewage cleanup service in St. Charles, it will be done right and erase the threat of damage to your family and home.