What Exactly Is A Sewer Backup?
Every plumbing fixture and water-using appliance has a drain, and every drain pipe eventually empties into the sewer line. The sewer line carries raw sewage and wastewater from inside your home out to the public sewer or to the private septic system in rural homes that do not have access to a municipal sewer system.
Gravity is the force that pulls the waste material down the drain pipes and keeps the sewage from moving in only one direction. However, when the sewer line becomes overwhelmed by rainwater, tree roots, or other clogging materials, it can begin to fill up, and waste is prevented from naturally exiting your home. If the obstruction is too great, the waste will reverse direction and spew out of floor drains, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets.
This is known as a sewer line backup. Backups most commonly occur in the main sewer line, which is the section of the system that connects your home to the septic tank or municipal sewer system. Backups cause all kinds of issues, the worst being a contamination of your drinking water.
Common Causes Of A Sewer Line Backup
There are various reasons why a sewer line becomes incapable of working. Here we will examine the most common causes.
Aging Or Deteriorating Pipe Materials
Poorly maintained sewer lines or lines constructed of outdated materials can lead to sewer backups. As pipes age, they are prone to corrosion which forms on the interior lining of pipes. This accumulation of minerals will restrict water flow and narrow the pipe’s interior space causing an increase in blockages. A clogged line cannot properly carry waste products to the municipal sewer system.
Outdated pipes are also prone to rusting, cracking, and collapse, and these conditions encourage backups to occur.
Tree Root Intrusion
Trees and other plant materials located near sewer lines can be problematic. Roots naturally seek nutrients and water to support the growth of plants, and sewer lines contain both. Small cracks in sewer lines allow seepage, and here is where the trouble begins. Small thread-like roots quickly invade the pipe and, over time, can completely block pipe interiors with mature root systems.
These roots prevent waste from exiting the sewer line, and the waste has nowhere to go but back into the house.
Heavy Rainfall
The municipal sewer system is designed to accept a certain amount of waste from the communities they service. However, heavy rains can flood municipal systems with an excess of water, so entirely, there is no room left for the sewage they were built to remove.
As the sewage flows to an overwhelmed city sewage system, it remains in the drain pipe until, eventually, it backs up into areas it was never meant to go.
Municipal System Failures
Sometimes a sewer backup is unrelated to your plumbing system but results from conditions beyond your control. Large fatbergs may be the issue. These are enormous collections of grease and other waste matter, such as flushable wipes and other items not meant to be disposed of in the drain, that form cement-like obstructions.
When wastewater cannot move properly due to fatbergs, backups are a likely consequence.
Sump Pumps
Some homeowners tie their sump pump discharge lines directly into their sewer lines. Not only is this against the law in many areas, it will certainly lead to backups. Sump pumps move extraordinary amounts of unwanted water out of basement areas, and when sent to the sewer line, it will overwhelm the system. Sewer lines are not designed to accommodate the quantity of water sump pumps deliver.
Signs A Backup Is Inevitable
Backups from sewer lines are not daily occurrences, but when they happen, it will be a day you are not likely to forget. Here are some early signs your plumbing system may be prime for a sewage backup.
Slow Drains
A single slow drain is not something to be overly concerned about, but when multiple drains are continuously slow to empty, you should notice and act. As aforementioned, all drains eventually lead to the sewer line, and when that becomes compromised, all the drains in your home will suffer.
Foul Smells
A sign of a sewer line issue will be announced by bad smells. These smells will be apparent at the drain openings or, if there is a break in your sewer line, outside in your yard. Sewage smells are strong and easily recognizable by all.
Pooling In Yard
If the sewer line is cracked and this condition goes unnoticed, eventually, the leaking wastewater will be absorbed by the surrounding soil. Once fully saturated, it will begin pooling in the yard near the sewer line. This is an easily seen indicator of a serious sewer problem.
Gurgling Noises
As wastewater fills the drain pipes leading away from plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances, it will push back against the air that enters your plumbing system through vents. This air pressing against the water will create a gurgling sound that can be heard inside the plumbing pipes. A gurgling pipe is a warning sign a possible backup is on its way.
Floor Drain Activity
Lower-level rooms in your home, such as laundry areas or basement rec rooms, often are equipped with floor drains used to prevent flooding. Since these drains are closest to the sewer line, they are the first to show signs of a sewer backup. Inspect these drain openings regularly for wetness, as they will be affected first by a sewer problem.
Dangers Associated with Sewer Backups
Two areas pose a danger when a backup occurs, health and property. Sewage and wastewater contain dangerous materials that can cause diseases, mold-related problems, and costly structural damage. Here we will look more closely at these dangers.
Health Issues
Sewage is dangerous to human health. It contains bacteria and viruses that can threaten your health and lead to serious diseases. Sewage exposure to your skin or by breathing in the fumes can cause people to develop Hepatitis A, Gastroenteritis, and E. coli. In lesser cases, germs may cause fever, upset stomachs, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches.
Property Damage
Sewage backups flood the surrounding floors as sewage is ejected from plumbing drains and toilets. This wastewater is quickly absorbed by the room’s drywall, insulation, carpets, and furnishings turning everything in its path into an unsanitary mess. This water will seep into the smallest crevices leaving behind an unmistakable odor and promoting the growth of dangerous mold. The cost of repairing a home following a sewage backup can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Prevention Is Key
Preventing a sewer backup is not as difficult as you might imagine, but it does take education and dedication. Here are the steps we recommend to all of our valued customers.
Fix Drainage Issues
Any drainage issues in your yard must be addressed so your sewer line is not overwhelmed. The water collected in gutters and French drains should be kept out of the sewer line, and the sump pump discharge should be directed to the street and not the sewer.
Maintenance
Sewer lines should receive ongoing maintenance. We recommend a sewer line inspection be done every 5 years, and the sewer line cleaned every 3-5. This attention to your sewer line will pay off with lesser chances of issues including backups.
Healthy Disposal Habits
Prevention is the best defense against sewer backups, and the best prevention is educating yourself about proper waste disposal. In the bathroom, install hair screens to keep hair out of drains and prevent clogging. Eliminate the use of oily bath products, such as bath bombs and bubble bath, and only flush toilet paper and human waste.
In the kitchen, the number one enemy of your sewer line is grease, fats, and oils, followed by coffee grounds, egg shells, and starchy food scraps. Set up your home for proper disposal, and be certain to inform your family and guests about your disposal rules.
Landscaping
Be mindful when selecting plant material for your front yard. For already established landscaping, hire a professional to contain tree root growth by trimming them or applying a root inhibitor.
Update Plumbing
If you do not already have one, consider installing a sewer line cleanout. This is a sealed opening along the plumbing line to create a convenient way to access plumbing pipes when cleaning or inspections are needed. If your home is on the larger size we recommend installing more than one sewer line cleanout.
Finally, any sewer line that has reached its estimated lifespan should be proactively replaced. Although not an inexpensive undertaking, avoiding sewer line backups and the inconveniences associated are well worth the investment.
What To Do If You Experience A Sewer Backup
If you never experienced this type of plumbing emergency, consider yourself blessed. Sewage-splattered walls and ceilings are a nightmare to clean up, and the potential hazards are many. Here is what you must do if you discover your sewer line has erupted.
Turn Off The Water And Electric Supply
Immediately turn off the main shut-off valve to your home. Refrain from using any plumbing fixtures or appliances until help arrives. You do not want to add any more waste to an already overloaded system.
Turn off the power to your entire home. Electricity and water are a deadly combination, so eliminate that risk immediately.
Be Mindful Of Your Health
Stay away from the sewage and wastewater until you properly dress for cleanup. Wear a face mask, eye protection, and rubber gloves, and cover all exposed body parts.
Open all the windows in your home to improve ventilation and methodically begin to remove heavily damaged items that most likely will need to be replaced. Dedicate an area of your yard to collect the contaminated items that can be cleaned and saved.
Call For Help
First, call your insurance company and report the damages. Be certain to take a lot of pictures and videos to document the damages before any recovery work takes place. Your insurance company will be able to inform you of the coverage your policy provides.
Next, call a professional plumber to investigate the cause of the backup and who can make the necessary repairs or replacements to get your system back in good working order.
Looking For Help With A Sewer Line Backup?
We are the professional plumber you need to call when faced with an unsanitary and overwhelming plumbing problem, such as a sewer line backup. We have the experience and expertise to get your problem fixed fast and right the first time.
We are licensed and insured and are concerned about the comfort and safety of all the residents in our service area. Call today for the very best service by the most reliable, dependable, and caring plumbers around!
