Don’t Let Your Home Become a Sewage Nightmare: Essential Sewer Backup Prevention Every Homeowner Must Know
Sewer backups are among the most devastating and costly disasters that can strike a home. Backed up sewers can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, electrical systems, walls, furniture and other belongings, not to mention the serious health hazards posed by raw sewage exposure. Fortunately, most sewer backups are preventable with proper maintenance and proactive measures.
Understanding the Common Causes of Sewer Backups
Sewage backups in homes are most commonly caused by clogged pipes. Pouring grease down the drain and flushing non-flushable items lead to blockages. Grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes. The buildup of grease is the main cause of sewer backups and overflows. Other significant contributors include tree roots seeking moisture, small roots of trees and shrubs make their way into sewer line cracks and service pipe joints, and can cause extensive damage or blockages as they grow larger.
Aging sewer systems ‒ The American Society of Civil Engineers indicates that the nation’s 500,000-plus miles of sewer lines are on average over thirty years old. The increase in the number of homes connected to already aging sewage systems has also contributed to rapid increases in sanitary sewer backups, flooded basements and overflows.
Warning Signs Every Homeowner Should Recognize
Your best protection against sewage backups is prevention. However, if the unexpected happens, knowing the signs can help reduce the extent of the damage. Subtle signs like slow drains, gurgling noises and foul odors indicate sewer issues.
Key warning signs include:
- You may notice slow-moving drains. It may also take longer than usual to flush your toilet
- Run water to check your sinks and drains for bubbles, which indicate trapped air due to the water passing through clogged pipes. Bubbles may also appear in your toilets after flushing
- If your basement drains are overflowing, this is sometimes one of the first indicators of a clog in the sewer lateral or sanitary main
Essential Prevention Strategies
Proper Waste Disposal
The foundation of sewer backup prevention starts with what you put down your drains. Cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of properly after it cools off, not in the drain. Washing grease down the drain with hot water is unsatisfactory. As the grease cools off, it will solidify either in the drain, the property owner’s line, or in the main sewer causing the line to constrict and eventually clog.
Properly dispose of paper products. Paper towels, disposable (and cloth) diapers, hygienic wipes and feminine products do not deteriorate quickly and can cause a great deal of trouble in the property owner’s lateral as well as in the city main. Flushing solids other than toilet paper and human waste down the toilet is the second leading cause of clogged sewer lines and backups. Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down into tiny pieces when exposed to water and flushed. However, most other paper products and other solids will always remain intact as they travel through your pipes and can easily lead to a major clog.
Regular Maintenance and Inspections
We always recommend having your plumbing and sewer systems inspected every year just to ensure that there are no leaks and everything is working as it should. During the inspection, a plumber can use a camera to check the condition of your sewer line and ensure that there are no tree roots or anything else clogging the line. Have the sewer line that connects your home or building to the sewer main inspected and cleaned regularly by a licensed plumbing contractor.
For routine drain maintenance, pour ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes and follow this with boiling water. Pour boiling water down the drains weekly to prevent clogs. Use an enzyme cleaner once a month to keep your pipes clear and free-flowing. Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage your pipes and cause more significant problems down the line.
Tree Root Management
Periodically cut tree roots. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your lateral, you may have to regularly have the roots cut by a professional. Tree Planting: Be cautious about planting trees near sewer lines. Tree roots can infiltrate pipes, causing blockages and structural damage.
Installing Protective Equipment
Install a backwater prevention valve, which is a fixture installed into a sewer line (and sometimes into a drain line) in the basement of your home or business to prevent sewer backflows. A properly installed and maintained backwater valve allows sewage to go out, but not to come back in. A backwater valve is a crucial device designed to prevent sewage from backing up into your home. It allows wastewater to flow out of your house but prevents it from flowing back in. This is especially important during heavy rains or sewer line blockages. Installing a backwater valve can provide peace of mind, knowing that your home is protected from potential sewage backups.
Functionality: If your home has a sump pump, ensure it is regularly maintained and tested. A sump pump helps prevent basement flooding by pumping excess water away from your home’s foundation. Backup Power: Consider installing a battery backup for your sump pump to ensure it operates during power outages.
Professional Services and Expertise
When it comes to comprehensive sewer and drain maintenance, working with experienced professionals makes all the difference. For homeowners on Long Island, aaa sewer and drain cleaning services have been protecting Suffolk County properties for over 15 years. AAA Dependable cesspool is a local, full service, professional Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company, and the premier Long Island cesspool service. With over 15 years of professional drain cleaning and cesspool experience, AAA serves Suffolk County, regarding various cesspool pumping needs.
Our Nassau and Suffolk cesspool cleaning and septic repairs include cesspool maintenance as well, so you don’t have to wait until a significant problem occurs. The company provides fast and dependable emergency long island cesspool services. All of our Long Island cesspool repairs, septic pumping and septic tank services are provided at reasonable rates, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
Understanding Your Responsibilities
Most homeowners may not realize that they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their house or sewer lateral—that is, the pipeline between the city sanitary sewer main (which is usually located in the street) and the building. The sewer lateral is owned and maintained by the property owner and the homeowners responsibility includes any part of the lateral that extends into the street or public right of way.
When Prevention Fails: Emergency Response
Early Response: If you notice signs of a sewer backup (such as slow drains or gurgling noises), act promptly. Contact a plumber to investigate and resolve the issue before it escalates. A sewer backup can lead to disease, destruction of your valuables, damage to your house or business, and can even result in electrical malfunctions. Prompt cleanup of affected property can help minimize the inconvenience and prevent mold or further damage.
Conclusion
By understanding the causes, signs, and immediate actions to take, homeowners can better protect their homes and families. Prevention is key, and regular maintenance, proper waste disposal, and investing in protective measures can go a long way in avoiding future problems. By following these preventive measures and staying proactive, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of sewer backup and flooding in your home. Regular maintenance, proper waste disposal, and strategic installations like backwater valves and sump pumps are key investments.
Remember, sewer backup prevention is far more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a sewage disaster. Take action today to protect your home, your family’s health, and your financial well-being.