The thick, dark water that creates sewage is a potential danger, as it features viruses and contaminants that could present a danger of severe illness if subjected to individuals or animals. In case you’ve got a sewage backup in your basement, then you’ll need to repair it quickly. Knowing the causes of sewer backups, however, can help you prevent a hazardous situation in your basement or home. Here is how to prevent and handle sewage backups on your plumbing:
Sewage Backup Causes
- Clogs — Sewage can back up into your home when your home’s drain pipes or main sewer line gets clogged. For instance, if one toilet creates a sewage backup, the drain attached to that bathroom will likely be clogged. But if all bathrooms or bathtubs on your home produce backflows, then there might be a clog from the primary sewer line or the sump pump failed. Clogs can consist of hair, grease, or other solid materials that wind up in the drains. Roots can grow to a pipe and cause openings or crush the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots in your yard aren’t the problem, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer line and harm it.
- Damaged Sewer Lines — In earlier times pipes were made from cast iron and clay piping that don’t last very long. Aging sewer systems may break down and crack, causing sewage backups and flooded basements. Cosmetic sewer lines have now become the norm.
- Heavy Rainfall — Can heavy rain cause sewer backup? Yes, considerable quantities of rain may overburden your town’s sewer lines. If the public sewer can not handle surplus rain, the water can make its way into connected sewer lines. This puts your home at risk of water backflows.
How to Prevent a Sewage Backup
- Don’t pour grease down the drain. Cooking oil can harden your pipes; it gradually prevents debris out of draining, creating a clog. To properly dispose of fat or grease, pour it into a heat-resistant container and then toss it in the trash after it melts.
- Eliminate newspaper products correctly. Flushing hygiene products such as paper towels, diapers, or womanly products down the toilet might quickly clog your sewer line. Save yourself some trouble and discard paper products in the trash.
- Install a brand new plastic pipe or cut tree roots. If tree roots still grow in your sewer lateral, then cut the roots sometimes.
- Put in a backwater prevention valve. This fixture allows sewage to leave but prevents it from backing up into your property. Backwater valves are generally installed to a sewer line and sometimes to a drain line in the basement. Ensure your sump pump does not sit on debris like silt or gravel, which might be sucked into the pump, destroying the motor. Instead, place it onto a steady flat brick. Additionally, ensure the sump basin includes a filter fabric around it to stop debris from coming from.
What You Can Do If You’ve Got a Sewer Backup
Calling a professional water restoration firm is your best method to take care of sewage backup in your basement. However, here’s what you can do to mitigate the damage in your home prior to the restoration staff arrives:
- Evacuate the flooded area. Sewage contaminates are hazardous to pets as well.
- Turn off electrical power in the calm area. Electrical appliances or wires might come in contact with standing water or wet materials.
- If the main circuit breaker is in the basement, be careful. If you can not safely turn off the power, do not go near electric devices.
- Shut off the valve for the primary water line of your home. Have a look at how to shut off utilities throughout a disaster.
- Inform your insurance carrier concerning the sewer backup. Bear in mind that sewer backups aren’t covered by standard homeowners insurance unless you’ve purchased extra endorsements for sewers and drains.
- Notify your municipal sewer or authority section if your home is connected to a public sewer.
- Do not use the water supply system in your house before the backup problem is repaired — do not flush toilets or drain tubs and sinks.
- Open windows or doors to allow fresh air in and ventilate the area.
- Insert some chlorine bleach to the position water to assist disinfect.
For Professional Sewage Cleanup, Telephone the PuroClean Water Damage Restoration Pros
If a sewage backup in the basement, call a restoration specialist immediately to remediate the black water damage. Managing the contaminated water can put you at risk of contracting diseases. Contact PuroClean Terre Haute for water damage restoration and mold remediation services.
