What Causes a Sewer Backup in Your House?

Much like other home systems, you never think about your sewer pipes until they stop working. When they do, you’ll quickly discover how much you rely on them every day to keep your home running smoothly and safely.

Sewer backups are not only a huge inconvenience, but they can also be a health hazard. If you experience a sewer backup in your home, it is important to determine the cause and take steps to prevent it from happening again. In this guide, we will discuss some of the most common causes of sewer backups and what you can do to protect your home.

Signs of Sewage Backup

If you experience any of the following signs, it is likely that you have a sewer backup:

Foul smell - The most common sign of a sewer backup is a bad smell coming from your drains or toilets.
Gurgling sounds - You may hear gurgling noises coming from your pipes when you flush the toilet or drain water down the sink. This could indicate an issue with air pressure in your plumbing system due to blockage caused by tree roots or other debris.
Water backing up - If water starts coming up through your drains or toilets, it is likely that you have a sewer backup.
Sewage on the ground - If there is sewage flowing out of your home's drain pipes and onto the ground, you definitely have a sewer backup!

Common Causes of a Sewer Backup

There are many different causes of sewer backups. Some of the most common include:

Tree Roots Growing Into Pipes

Trees need water to survive, but if there is a crack or leak in your pipes, they can grow into them and block off drainage flow. This usually happens near an older house with roots that have not been maintained properly.

Even though you may not have a tree near your house sewer lines, roots from nearby trees can still cause problems. If you have a sewer backup, it is important to call a plumber to remove the tree roots and fix any damage they may have caused.

What can you do?

To prevent tree roots from growing into your pipes, it is essential to have them properly maintained. You should also trim any branches that are hanging over your house or near the sewer line.

If you already have a sewer backup, there are root-killing chemicals that can be used to clear them out so that water can flow through again without any problems.

Old Sewer Systems

Aging sewage systems can break down and cause backups. This is especially common in older homes that were not built with updated sewer systems.

What can you do?

If your home falls into this category, it is important to have regular maintenance done on your sewer system to prevent any backups from happening. You should also contact your local city hall to see if they offer any assistance

Sanitary Sewer Overflows

Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) occur when there is too much waste in the pipes for them to handle. This can happen due to heavy rains or flooding. When an SSO occurs, sewage backs up into homes through toilets and drains, which poses both a health hazard as well as an environmental one because of all of the contaminated water.

What can you do?

There is not much that homeowners can do to prevent sanitary sewer overflows from happening, but there are some things that they can do to minimize the damage if it does happen. Be sure to have a sump pump installed in your basement in case of flooding, and keep all of your drains clear so they won’t get clogged and cause an overflow.

It is also crucial to keep your pipes clean by using a drain cleaner regularly, especially if there is any buildup on them from grease or food particles.

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems are one of the most common causes of sewer backups. This can be anything from a clog in the pipes to a broken pipe.

What can you do?

If you experience a plumbing problem, it is important to have it fixed as soon as possible. You should also keep an eye on your taps and toilets to make sure there are no leaks. If you do notice any leaks, be sure to have them fixed right away.

Blockage

Blockages are another common cause of sewer backups. This can be caused by something as simple as a clogged drain or toilet, which often happens when people flush things that don’t belong down there (like paper towels and cotton swabs). If the blockage is more severe than just one item getting stuck in your pipes, it could mean there is an issue with the main sewer line, and it needs to be replaced.

What can you do?

It is essential that you never flush anything down your toilet or drain other than human waste and toilet paper because even small items like cotton swabs can cause a backup if they get stuck somewhere along the way. Never pour grease down your drain, either, because it will harden over time and form a blockage.

Preventing a Sewer Backup in Your Home

There are many things that homeowners can do to prevent a sewer backup in their homes. Some of the most important include:

Trimming branches near your sewer line
Maintaining your pipes properly
Having a septic tank inspected every year
Using a drain cleaner regularly
Flushing human waste and toilet paper down the toilet only
Never pour grease down your drain

Preventing a sewer backup in your home can be as easy as following some simple tips. By being proactive and keeping your pipes clean, you will be able to prevent a disaster from happening.

The Dangers of Sewage Backup

A sewage backup is a problem that can cause severe damage to your home, as well as health risks for those who come into contact with it. If left untreated, the bacteria in raw sewage can lead to disease and even death.

There are many ways people might be exposed: through skin contact when cleaning up after an overflow or by ingesting contaminated water from washing dishes or showering.

Sewage backups can also cause structural damage, including rotting floors and walls due to moisture; mold growth on walls, ceilings, furniture – even clothes. A sewage backup will also attract rodents like rats who feed off of dead animals found in the waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix a sewer backup?

The best way to fix a sewer backup is to call a professional plumber. They will be able to diagnose the problem and repair it quickly and efficiently.

How do you clean out a sewer backup?

Cleaning up a sewer backup is a difficult and dirty job. It is important to wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from the bacteria in the raw sewage. You will also need to disinfect everything that has come into contact with the sewage – including your skin.

Can sewage back up into the washing machine?

Yes, sewage can back up into your washing machine. If this happens, then you will need to call a professional plumber immediately. The best way to prevent this type of backup is by having an annual inspection done on your pipes so that any issues are caught early before they become major problems in the future.

How do I know if my sewer line is backed up?

If you notice that your toilet is backing up, then there may be a problem with the main sewer line. You should call a professional plumber to come out and take care of this issue as soon as possible, so it doesn’t get worse. It’s always better safe than sorry when dealing with raw sewage in your home.

What happens if sewage backs up in the house?

If sewage backs up into your house, then you will need to call a professional plumber immediately. It can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time. In order to prevent this, schedule inspections every year.

How do you unclog a main sewer line?

If your toilet is backing up, then there may be a problem with the main sewer line. You should call a professional plumber to come out and take care of this issue as soon as possible, so it doesn’t get worse. It’s always better safe than sorry when dealing with raw sewage in your home.

How do you know if it's a sewer line or septic tank?

You can tell whether or not it’s a sewer line by the smell of the backup. If there is an odor coming from your drains, then this means that there might be something wrong with either one of those two things – either a clogged drain or something else entirely different, like a leaky pipe somewhere in your house.

Knowing the causes of sewer backups is the first step in prevention and treatment. There are many things that homeowners can do to prevent a sewer backup in their home, but if one does occur, it is essential to take action right away. Be sure to have a plan in place in case of an overflow and be aware of the dangers involved so you can keep your family safe.