What’s a Sewer Line Backup?
Sewer line backups can significantly disrupt a home’s day-to-day operations. Whether caused by tree root intrusion or aging infrastructure, it’s a problem no one wants to deal with. In a nutshell, it’s when wastewater can’t drain properly, so it backs up in the home’s drains and can cause a mess. Here is some basic information on sewage backups, including their common causes, fixes, and how homeowners can help avoid them.
Reasons for Sewer Line Backups
There are many possible reasons why a home may experience a sewer line backup, including:
- Obstructions: Sewer line clogs can disrupt water flow and cause it to back up into the drains since it can’t continue down the sewer line.
- Root intrusion: Tree roots can grow into sewer lines searching for nutrients and water, causing damage and blockages that can lead to a backup.
- Broken pipes: Backups can also occur due to damaged, broken, or crushed parts of the sewer line, which could be caused by things like corrosion, age, or shifting soil.
How a Professional May Fix a Backed-Up Sewer Line
When faced with a backed-up sewer line, a plumber may employ several techniques or methods to fix it, depending on the cause of the sewage backup and the severity. Typically, sewer video inspection will be done first, allowing plumbers to get a clear picture of the cause and extent of any damage.
If a clog or blockage is causing the backup, drain cleaning methods like hydrojetting or drain snaking can be used to clear the sewer line. If damage has occurred, sewer line repair or replacement will be needed. In some cases, plumbers may be able to use trenchless sewer repair methods, like pipe lining, that don’t require excavation.
How Can Homeowners Help Prevent Sewer Line Backups?
A homeowner can help prevent sewage backups by remembering to schedule routine plumbing maintenance, which allows plumbers to identify issues before they become worse problems for a home, like a sewer line backup. They can also help avoid sewage backups by preventing sewer line clogs. Some ways to help prevent a clogged sewer line are:
- Be mindful of what goes down the toilet. Nothing should be flushed besides toilet paper and human waste.
- Don’t pour grease or oil down the home’s drains, and avoid using the drain to dispose of food waste.
- Use mesh drain screens to catch things before they can enter the home’s drains and potentially cause a sewer line clog. Homeowners can place these affordable items into sink, shower, and bathtub drains.
About Sheely Plumbing Inc.
Sheely Plumbing Inc. has more than ten years of expertise serving Alto and the surrounding areas. They offer same or next-day service, flat rate pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for sewer line services in Alto, MI.
