How Can I Prevent Sewage Backup?

Your sewer mainline is the largest drain in your home. This drain is large and in charge, but it’s difficult to see, so it’s nerve wracking when there’s an issue with it. One of the scariest issues a homeowner may experience is a sewage backup.

Don’t worry; there are ways to keep this from happening and ways to minimize the damage if you do experience one. Your home’s plumbing will usually give you clues of the issue brewing underneath, so if you know what to look for, you can avoid a sewage backup in your home.

Learn what causes sewage backups, tips for preventing sewage backups, and what to do if it happens to you.

What Causes Sewage Backups

A sewage backup occurs when there is a clog in the sewer mainline. When the sewage hits the clog, it’s forced back up the pipes and into your home. Problems with your sewer mainline can be brought about by a number of things.

Sewer Mainline Clog Causes

• Tree roots penetrating your pipes
• Old or aging pipes
• Loose soil around your pipe
• Grease build-up in your pipes

These clogs develop deep within your home’s plumbing system and are sometimes out of reach. If you think there may be a clog developing in your sewer mainline, you should call for professional help.

How to Prevent Sewage Backups

You can take action to prevent a mainline sewer clog and keep sewage backups from happening. The first and best way is to have a plumber come professionally clean your mainline about once a year. This professional cleaning will ensure the lines are clear and be able to catch any other issues quickly.

You can prevent these clogs from happening and sending sewage back into your home. Here are three other prevention tips that you can follow to keep your mainline clear and flowing.

Prevent Sewer Mainline Clogs

• Never pour grease down any drain
• Only flush toilet paper down the toilet
• Ensure all plumbing connections are done right

If You Experience Sewage Back-Up

Usually, your sewer will start to show symptoms of a backup before starting to spit sewage back into your home. Be aware of the signs a backup is forming so you can take quick action steps to call for help before it starts backing up.

Signs a Sewage Backup is Forming

• You smell sewage
• You see soggy patches on your lawn
• Your pipes make a gurgling sound
• You notice water backs up into your shower after you flush the toilet
• You see water coming up from your basement floor drain

If you do experience signs of a sewage backup start, call for professional help right away.

A sewer mainline clog is not one size fits all. We have the right experience skills to tackle any clog and make sure it’s gone for good. One Hour Rooter is your trusted plumber in the Twin Cities Metro area. Call us at 612-354-8984 if you need help with any plumbing.