When it rains, your yard may end up looking like a mud pit. You might find your driveway and sidewalk are becoming waterlogged, or that basements and crawl spaces are flooded with sewage. These issues are often related to a home’s sewer drains. Unfortunately, there are many different types of sewer drains installed in residential buildings. This means that there is not one best solution for every single situation out there. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems when it comes to keeping your home healthy and clean. If your drains are not doing their job, they can pose a health risk to you and your family. It’s important to understand which drains are present in your house and understand how they work so that you can identify potential issues before they become a problem for your home. Here is what you should know about sewer drains in a home:

What is a sewage drain?

A sewage drain is essentially a pipe that takes sewage from your house and connects it with a nearby sewer main. There are many different types of sewage drains, but the most common types are the house main sewer connection (HMCS) and the building sewer connection (BSC). The former is used to connect a home’s plumbing fixtures directly to the main sewage line, while the latter is used to connect the plumbing fixtures to a secondary sewage line that branches off from the main line and leads to the building’s sewage tank.The main difference between these two types of sewage drains is the distance the sewage travels from the house to the sewage tank.

Conditions that can cause issues with sewer drains

- Heavy rain/snowfall - This can cause the water in your sewer pipes to rise, which can lead to sewer backups. - A buildup of debris in the drains - This can cause the sewage to back up into the home. - A pipe that is too small - This can cause sewage to come back up into the house. - Clogged pipes - This can lead to sewage backups.

The house main sewer connection (HMCS)

The house main sewer connection is an in-line sewage line that connects the house’s plumbing fixtures directly with the main sewage line. This type of sewage drain is generally installed during the initial construction of a home. It is generally installed as high as possible in the ground and is often made of PVC or metal. Some houses have both a HMCS and a BSC, but many only have one. The main difference between these two types of sewage drains is that the BSC generally has a higher flow rate.

The building sewer connection (BSC)

The building sewer connection is a secondary sewage line that branches off from the main line and leads to the building’s sewage tank. This type of sewage drain is generally installed as part of a home improvement project, and is commonly made of metal or cast iron. The BSC is often installed in crawl spaces or basements, and is used to take sewage from the house’s plumbing fixtures and direct it to a sewage tank. Generally, the BSC is smaller than the HMCS, and is often installed in crawl spaces where there is limited space for the sewage to travel.

Conclusion

It’s important to understand the various types of sewage drains and conditions that can cause issues with sewer drains, as these can lead to problems with your home. If your drains are not doing their job, they can pose a health risk to you and your family. It’s important to understand which drains are present in your house and understand how they work so that you can identify potential issues before they become a problem for your home.If you are in need of plumbing service in Connecticut, contact All City Plumbing today. We offer a wide range of plumbing services to residents and businesses in the Greater Hartford Area.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Loosen the cap on the drain pipe
  • Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain
  • Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain
  • Run the auger until the clog is broken up
  • Hose out leftover debris
  • Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain
A good general rule is to have your home's sewer lines cleaned out every 18 to 22 months. That may be difficult to remember, but think of it as a year and a half to slightly less than two years
Consider using a sewer jetter to clean and remove dirt, sand, and yard debris that clog the foundation perimeter drain tile outside your home. A sewer jetter that's powered by your pressure washer can help you flush away the silt and debris so fewer clogs come back.
Perimeter drains or weeping tiles can last for decades. If properly installed, you can expect to have a problem free basement for a very long time. Older clay weeping tiles tended to deteriorate, and become clogged with soil and tree roots, but even these systems lasted for many years.