What are Signs of Sewage Backup?
If you are a homeowner, it is important to be aware of the signs of sewage backup. This can be a costly and nasty problem to deal with, so it is best to nip it in the bud before it becomes a bigger issue.
In this guide, we will discuss some common signs of sewage backup so that you can be prepared in case this happens to your home. Stay safe and dry!
What Causes a Sewer Backup?
Sewer backups can be caused by a variety of reasons. Here are a few of the most common causes:
Clogs
This is the most common cause of sewer backups. Clogs can be caused by flushing things down your toilet that don’t belong there (i.e., diapers, baby wipes, paper towels) or pouring grease from cooking into your sink drain – both of which are very bad for your pipes and lead to costly repairs.
Tree Roots
Tree roots have a nasty habit of growing into sewer lines, eventually causing them to burst. If you have a tree near your home, it is important to keep an eye on the roots and make sure they are not damaging your sewer line.
Sewer Line Breakage
Sewer line breakages can happen for a variety of reasons (i.e., age, weather conditions) and are often difficult to detect. If you think there may be a problem with your sewer line, it is best to call a professional to take a look.
Severe Rainstorms
Severe rainstorms can cause sewer backups by overloading the sewage system. If your home is in an area that is prone to severe rainstorms, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of a backup.
10 Signs of Sewage Backup
Here are the top ten warning signs that you may have a sewage backup:
1
Nasty smells
Smells from backups are often the first sign that something is wrong. The smell of sewage can vary, but it usually smells like rotten eggs or a mixture of garbage and sewage water. When you notice this smell in your home, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
2
Multiple drains are clogged or slow to drain
If multiple drains in your home are clogged or draining slowly, it could be a sign of a sewage backup. This is because the backup will cause water and waste to back up into your drains, which can then cause them to become clogged.
When multiple drains become clogged, it is particularly important to take action immediately. The longer waste and water sit in your pipes, the greater the risk of a massive backup that could damage your home and belongings – not to mention, make you sick.
3
Toilet backing up or overflowing
If your toilet is backing up or overflowing, it is a clear sign of a sewage backup. Toilets are particularly susceptible to backups because they have such a small drain opening – this means that even the smallest amount of backed-up sewage can cause them to overflow.
If you notice that your toilet is constantly backed up or overflowing, it is important to take action right away to prevent a larger sewage backup from happening. You should never try to flush your toilet if it is overflowing or has sewage in the bowl.
4
Animals and insects
If you see animals or insects near your pipes, it could be a sign of a sewer backup. These critters are attracted to the smell of sewage and often seek it out for food sources like rats or cockroaches.
Animals can also burrow into pipe edges where they nest and leave droppings behind, which attract other pests such as roaches, rats, and fleas.
If you see animals or insects near your pipes, it is important to take action right away. This could be a sign that there is already a sewage backup happening, and you need to call a professional.
5
Slow drains
Slow draining pipes could be a sign of a sewage backup. If you notice that the water in your sink or tub is draining slower than usual, it might indicate there are some blockages upstream from where you are standing.
When this happens, small pieces start to clog up pipes – eventually causing backups and other plumbing issues.
Slow drains are often the first sign of a sewage backup and can easily be prevented by cleaning out pipes regularly with drain snakes or other tools that remove buildup from inside them.
6
Changes to your yard
If you start to notice changes in your yard, such as new mounds of dirt or excessively wet areas, it could be a sign that you have a sewage backup. This is because when sewage backups occur, the waste and water often flow out of the drains and onto the ground.
7
Cracks in your foundation
The pressure from a sewage backup can cause cracks in the foundation of your home. When this happens, it is important to take action right away because these cracks allow oxygen and water into your crawl space or basement, where mold loves to grow. In extreme cases, sewage backups can also cause cracks in walls and ceilings.
Your entire home is a great indicator of whether or not you have a sewage backup problem – if there are noticeable issues like wet carpets or musty smells, this could be caused by the buildup of wastewater inside your pipes over time.
8
Strange noises
If you begin to hear strange noises coming from your drains, it could be a sign of a sewage backup. This is because the waste and water that are backed up in pipes cause them to vibrate, which makes noises like gurgling or bubbling sounds while they’re running through their cycles – especially if there’s air trapped inside.
If you notice strange noises coming from your drains, it is important to take action right away. These noises are often the clearest sign of a sewage backup and should not be ignored.
This happens because as the backup starts to fill up the pipes, it can cause them to expand and even burst. When this happens, sewage water can quickly flood your home and damage your belongings.
9
Use of one fixture impacts another
When you use one fixture, such as the toilet or showerhead, another might start to back up. This is because there’s not enough room in your drain pipes for all of them at once, and they can’t handle being used simultaneously without causing a backup.
If this happens while using any type of fixture in your home, it could be due to a sewage backup, and you should take action immediately.
10
Water backing up in the tub
If you’re taking a bath and the water starts to back up into the tub, it could be because of a sewage backup. This is one of the clearest signs that something is wrong with your drains, and you should take action right away.
Water backing up in the tub can cause serious health problems if not addressed quickly. Not only does it increase the risk of infection from bacteria, but it also increases the chances of getting sick if you’re exposed to anything toxic in the water (such as lead pipes).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get sick from sewage backup?
When a sewage backup occurs, it can be difficult to determine exactly how long people have been exposed. This is because there are many factors that affect exposure time, including:
- How long the pipes were clogged for in total (longer than 12 hours) or shorter than four days means more likely you'll get sick from breathing toxic fumes.
- The types of microorganisms present.
- Which part of the body is exposed (breathing, skin contact, swallowing).
How do you clean up after sewer backup?
When a sewage backup happens, it’s important to take action right away to clean up the mess and prevent any further damage. This includes:
- Wearing gloves and protective clothing.
- Removing all soiled items, including furniture, rugs, bedding, etc.
- Cleaning and disinfecting everything with a detergent or bleach solution.
- Removing any standing water using pumps if necessary.
- Drying the affected area as quickly as possible before mold grows on wet surfaces or items left too long without air circulation (like under bedding).
How to prevent sewer backup?
The best way to prevent a sewage backup is by having regular inspections done on your plumbing system and making sure that everything is working properly. You can also take some steps to help prevent backups from happening.
Here are some tips for preventing sewage backups:
- Maintain trees near your sewer line - Make sure there are no tree roots growing into it or any other obstructions.
- Install a backflow prevention device - This is a device that helps keep sewage from flowing back into your home in case of an emergency.
- Be careful what you put down the drain - Avoid putting anything down the drain that might cause a clog, like grease, hair, or paper towels.
- Install a drainage system - If you want to prevent backups from happening, consider installing an electric eye or backwater valve. This can help save money on repairs if there is ever an issue with your sewer line, and it should be checked annually by plumbers.
- Sewer system - If you live near or have access to a sewer system, make sure that it's working properly. Sometimes leaks can occur in these lines, which will cause backups and flooding within the home.
- Piping materials - If your home has galvanized piping, it's at a higher risk for experiencing a water or sewage backup. This is because the zinc in the piping can corrode over time and cause blockages.
Knowing the signs of a sewage backup can help you take action quickly to prevent any furthest damage. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to call a professional plumber to come and take a look.