What Causes Sewer Backup? Reasons, Solutions, FAQs, And More 

Flooded house because of sewer backup
Publish at Jun 19, 2022 By: 704 Plumber
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Unless anything goes wrong in our house, we don't pay much consideration to sewers. Is your toilet not flushing properly? Is the kitchen sink cluttered? When you start experiencing problems like a blocked drain, you may wonder, "What causes sewer backup?"

Despite the simple purpose of a sewer, this sort of system is quite complicated. There are several benefits to a well-functioning ongoing sewage system in an urban area. As they transport sewage, they protect the environment from floods and aid in preventing the spread of illnesses transmitted by contaminated water. It is concerning if you have sewer line backups. 

For your convenience, we've gathered a list of the most common causes of sewage backups in the house and the most effective ways to fix them.

What Causes A Sewer Backup?

Sewage line backup occurs when your home's drainage system cannot handle the amount of waste that is generated. The buildup in your drainage pipes ultimately causes your home to get flooded.

Blockage In The Main Sewer Line

Many of us treat drains as if they were trash disposal units. Clogging your drain and causing a sewage line backup are possible outcomes of pouring the incorrect items down your drain. Fats, hair, food waste, and flushable tissues are the last things to flush down the drain.

Tree Root Blockage

Your sewage pipes might be in danger if tree roots get into or go through them. Blockage may happen even without trees since tree roots can traverse long distances. Roots may only be removed and the sewage pipe repaired or replaced if they have grown into the sewer pipes.

Decayed Sewer Lines

Depending on how old your house is, your sewage line might be built of clay, PVC, or Orangeburg. All of them are long-lasting, yet none of them are unbeatable. Orangeburg and Clay pipes, on the other hand, barely endure 30 to 60 years. Random cracks in main sewer lines are also possible. Aging sewage systems can also be a reason.

Sewers Route For Downspouts, Gutters, And A Sump Pump

Connecting a sanitary sewage line to a storm sewer system is perfectly safe, but doing so is dangerous and may even be unlawful. Sewage is the only thing your sewage pipes are designed to remove from your home. A backup may occur if your sewage line becomes overburdened by rain or melting snow. 

Clogged Municipal Sanitary Sewers

Wastewater may back up into houses via floor drains if a clog in the city sewer isn't spotted and rectified quickly. This issue tends to develop gradually, and there are no early warning indications to look out for. If you see any seepage around your floor pipes, you should contact a professional plumber. If water is entering swiftly in your basement, get in touch with the local national infrastructure office and file a complaint against your city's main sewer line

Signs That Your Sewer Lines Are Clogged

Sewer leakage indication when water starts to reach the floors

When a sewage backlog occurs, it may halt your daily routine. Know the warning signs of a sewage backlog before it happens. Identifying the problem as soon as possible allows you to solve it more quickly. You can identify whether your sewage is clogged by looking at these four signs:

There Is A Blockage In Many Drains

One plugged drain is rather usual. Things like these happen all the time, regardless of the medium. It's possible that more than one drain in your house is stuck, indicating that your whole sewer is jammed.

Bubbles In The Drain's Slope

Whenever water cannot clear a blocked drain, the air is drawn in. A sewage backup may cause bubbles to appear whenever you flush the toilets or while the sink is draining.

Failing To Flush A Toilet

Toilet problems are a frequent symptom of sewer drain blockage. If you realize that your bathroom's toilet isn't flushing properly and that a simple plunge doesn't appear to fix the problem, you may have a blocked sewer.

Backflow Of Water

While using a drain and if another drain nearby gurgles, you've likely got a sewer backup. Sewage backups may cause this sound in your bath or shower when you flush the toilet and the water tries to find a way out.

How Do You Stop Sewer Backflow?

Make Sure Your Sewage Pipes Are Clear

 It is recommended that sewer lines be cleaned ever3 to 5 years to avoid sewage backups. Typically, a giant vacuum cleaner is connected to the sewage line cleanout for this procedure. Clogs may be avoided with the help of the equipment, which clears the line of obstructions.

Be Aware Of What You Pour Into the Drain

Don't flush fats, coffee grinds, oils, grains, pasta, or other solids through your kitchen sink drain. In a heat-resistant storage container, store waste cooking oil when it has cooled down. It is possible to get a blockage in the drain if you throw oil down.

Paper towels, sanitary napkins, wet wipes, and other non-breakable items should not be flushed. The usage of a hair collector in your bathroom will also assist.

Make Proper Use of Gutters, Drains, And Submersible Pumps

Regular sewage lines should never be entered by downspouts, gutters, or sump pumps. As a precaution, ensure that they are instead linked to storm drains. At least 6 feet away from the base is preferable for a release of storm sewers when there are no storm sewers within your region.

Remove And Dispose Of Old Sewer Lines

Plumbers utilized clay pipes or cast iron to be more fragile than current plastic plumbing. Tree roots more easily penetrate these materials like cast iron and are more easily cracked by changing the soil. If your sewage pipes are outdated and need replacement, think about having them replaced.

Take Care Of Drainage Problems

An examination of your drainage system by a qualified specialist can ensure appropriately secured drainage. Basement flooding may be avoided if problems with drain connections are addressed, as can the risk of facing a sewer backup. If you ever want to put your house up for sale, these issues must be addressed first.

How Do You Unclog A Main Sewer Line Without A Snake?

To begin unclogging a blocked main sewage line, identify the source of the obstruction. There are a variety of possible causes for blockage. To decide on the ideal approach, you must first identify the root cause.

A Power Washer

To clear a blockage in the main sewage, use a power washer. Remove the screw-on cover from the cleanout pipe first. This is typically found in the basement and near drainage pipes in your house.

Hot Water

Wait a few minutes before flushing your toilet with hot water. To remove any stored oils, grease, or other coatings from the drains, you can use water. This may be the quickest and most efficient technique to clear the main sewage line.

Using The Plunger Technique

Using a pressure plunger instead of a plumbing snake is the simplest way to unclog your sewage. These plungers are superior to cup-type plungers since they allow you to press harder on the pipe to remove any clogs that may be present.

Soda

A natural solution is using baking soda, as it has greater power to unblock your main sewage lines. It is a better unclogging technique than hot water since it yields more significant results, especially when you face more persistent blockages that won't budge.

Consult With An Experienced Plumber

The best solution here is to hire a professional plumber to guarantee that the work is done to the highest standards. If anything goes poorly, it might save you money in the long run.

FAQs

Can a sewer line unclog itself?

Answer: Because of this, it's very unusual for a sewage pipe to unclog.

What causes sewage backup in the basement?

Answer: Sewage backup in basements may be caused by grease down the drain, clogs, or inappropriate flushing of objects like single-use wipes or paper towels.

Call 704 plumber If You Need Help Cleaning Up!

We Provide The Following Products And Services:

  1. Drain cleaning
  2. Faucet repair & installation
  3. Garbage disposal repair
  4. Toilet repair and installation
  5. Water heater repair
  6. Leak detection and repair services
  7. Sewer line services
  8. 24-hour services

Commercial And Household Services Are Available In These Areas:

  1. Charlotte, NC
  2. Concord, NC
  3. Gastonia, NC
  4. Huntersville, NC
  5. Kannapolis, NC
  6. Matthews, NC
  7. Mooresville, NC
  8. Rock Hill, NC
  9. Salisbury, NC
Calling for professional help

704 PLUMBER has provided plumbing services to a wide range of clients in the 201 McCullough Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262 area. Additionally, we can handle all of your plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and other needs. Our professional plumbers can fix water heaters, leaky faucets, clogged sinks, persistent blockages, sewage lines, and plumbing issues. "704.PLUMBER is a company specializing in high-quality plumbing services at a competitive price. Call us at 704-313-8982 any time of day or night, seven days a week, for emergency plumbing assistance! 

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