A sewer backup is every homeowner’s nightmare. It’s messy and smelly and can cause extensive damage to your home. Knowing what causes sewer backups and how to prevent them will save you a lot of headaches and money.
This guide will walk you through understanding your home’s sewer system and dealing with a backup if it occurs.
Understanding Your Home’s Sewer System
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of sewer backups, it’s important to understand how a home’s sewer system works. This knowledge will help you better grasp the causes of backups, as well as how to prevent them.
How a Home Sewer System Works
A home’s sewer system is a complex network of pipes that carry wastewater away from the house. Here’s a breakdown of its main parts:
- P-traps: These U-shaped pipes under sinks and other drains always contain a small amount of water, which prevents sewer gasses from entering the home by blocking them with water seals.
- Vent pipes: These vertical pipes allow sewer gasses to escape through the roof, preventing pressure buildup in the system and promoting atmospheric pressure balance.
- Sewer lateral: This is the main pipe that connects your home’s plumbing to the municipal sewer line. It plays a significant role in directing wastewater away from the property efficiently.
- Sanitary main: This large pipe runs down the middle of the street and collects wastewater from multiple homes, serving as the community’s main artery for sewage disposal.
Common Causes of Sewer Backups
Sewer backups can occur for various reasons, from simple clogs to more complex issues with the main sewer line. Understanding these causes is essential because it can help you take preventive measures.
Flushing Inappropriate Items
One of the most common causes of sewer backups is flushing items that don’t belong in the toilet. While toilet paper is designed to break down easily, other items can create stubborn clogs. Personal care products pose a significant risk as many are not biodegradable, so they can form blockages.
Paper towels are another problematic item because, unlike toilet paper, they do not dissolve well and can build up rapidly in pipes. Baby wipes, though often marketed as flushable, do not decompose quickly and can cause major clogs in your sewer system.
Even toilet paper itself can become problematic if used in excessive amounts, leading to accumulation and potential blockages.
Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots are naturally drawn to water sources and can infiltrate sewer lines through small cracks or loose joints. Over time, these roots can grow and completely block the pipe, leading to backups.
Flooding and Heavy Rainfall
During heavy rains or floods, the municipal sewer system can become overwhelmed, which causes water to back up into homes through floor drains or other low-lying plumbing fixtures. This is especially common in areas with older drainage systems.
Infrastructure and Aging Systems
Older neighborhoods often suffer from aging sewer infrastructure, which can contribute to frequent backups. Deteriorating pipes made from outdated materials might have small cracks or breaks that allow blockages to form more easily. Additionally, older systems might not be designed to accommodate increased waste volume from growing urban populations.
Municipal Overflows
Communities experiencing rapid growth might find their sewer systems cannot handle the increased wastewater volume. This often results in municipal system overflows, causing sewage to back up into private properties.
Signs of a Sewer Backup
Recognizing the early signs of a sewer backup can help you address the issue before it becomes a major problem. Here are some telltale signs to watch out for:
- Multiple clogged drains: If several drains in the home are clogging simultaneously, it could indicate a problem with the main sewer line.
- Unusual sounds or odors: Gurgling noises from drains or foul smells can suggest a developing backup, emanating from the backlog of waste in the pipes.
- Water backing up in unexpected places: For example, water coming up in the shower when the toilet is flushed indicates a potential issue with drainage flow.
- Slow-draining fixtures: If sinks, tubs, or toilets are draining more slowly than usual, it could be a sign of a developing clog that is restricting proper wastewater evacuation.
Dealing with Sewer Backups
When faced with a sewer backup, quick action is important to minimize damage and health risks. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Stop using water: Turn off all faucets and avoid flushing toilets to prevent more water from entering and exacerbating the backup.
- Turn off electricity: If there’s standing water, shut off the power to avoid electrical hazards, ensuring safety for everyone involved.
- Evacuate the affected area: Sewage contains harmful bacteria, so it’s important to keep family members and pets away from contaminated areas to prevent health issues.
- Document the damage: Take photos and videos for insurance purposes before starting any cleanup to provide evidence of the extent of the issue.
Cleanup and Disinfection
Cleaning up after a sewer backup is not a DIY job. It requires professional equipment and expertise to ensure thorough disinfection. If you must start the cleanup process yourself, there are several critical steps to follow.
First, protect yourself by wearing proper safety gear, including rubber gloves, boots, and eye protection. Then remove standing water using a wet vacuum or pump to minimize water damage to your property.
Next, you’ll need to deal with dirty items. Carpets, furniture, and other soft materials that have come into contact with sewage should be thrown away, as they are very hard to disinfect well. Finally, thoroughly disinfect all surfaces using a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water to kill any remaining pathogens.
Prevention Methods
Preventing sewer backups is far easier and less costly than dealing with the aftermath, so here are some effective prevention methods you can implement:
Regular Maintenance
A maintenance routine is essential for preventing sewer backups. Start by scheduling regular inspections with a professional plumber because they can find possible problems.
Clean your drains often with natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar, as these cleaners help prevent build-up without hurting your pipes. Being mindful of what goes down your drains is equally important — limit flushing to toilet paper and human waste only to prevent unnecessary clogs and system strain.
Landscaping Considerations
Smart landscaping choices play a huge role in preventing sewer backups. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the location of your sewer lateral, as this knowledge will help you make informed decisions about tree placement and landscape design.
If you discover trees with invasive root systems growing near your sewer line, consider removing them to prevent future root intrusion. This proactive approach can save you from costly repairs and system failures down the line.
Install Preventive Devices
Installing protective devices can provide an additional layer of security against sewer backups. Backwater valves are particularly effective, as they prevent sewage from flowing back into your home.
Another important addition is a sump pump. It helps remove too much water from basements during heavy rains, which greatly reduces the risk of water damage and backup problems.
Is the City Responsible?
Usually, you are responsible for maintaining the portion of the sewer lateral that runs from your home to the property line. The municipality maintains the portion from the property line to the main sewer line. But duty can vary depending on local regulations.
If a backup occurs due to a problem in the city’s portion of the line, the municipality may be liable for damages, so check with the local government to understand their specific duties.
Sewer Backup Insurance
Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t usually cover sewer backups, but many insurance companies offer sewer backup coverage as an add-on to existing policies.
According to Angi, this coverage usually costs between $50 and $250 a year. It can be helpful for homes in flood-prone areas or older neighborhoods with old sewer systems.
Final Thoughts About Sewer Backups
Sewer backups are a serious issue that can cause significant damage and health risks if not addressed promptly. By understanding the causes and signs of backups, you can take proactive steps to prevent them. Regular maintenance, careful landscaping, and installing preventive devices can go a long way in protecting a home from sewer backups.
Remember, with sewer issues, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect a problem with your sewer system, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. Their expertise can save you from costly repairs.
