A sewer back-up is a dreaded nightmare for anyone who lives in a home with a sewer line. The likelihood of experiencing one is higher in areas with combined sewers or older homes with cast iron pipes. Sewer back-ups can be avoided by taking precautionary measures before the need arises. They are sudden, dangerous incidents that can also be prevented with the right knowledge and equipment. In the event of a sewer back-up, it is essential that you act fast and be well prepared. Here are tips on how to prevent a sewer line backup at home:- Plan a better route- Plan your work-routes accordingly- Check the condition of your sewer pipes, especially the most critical ones- Understand how sewage flows in your home- Use a back-up alarm to avoid becoming trapped- Don't flush anything smaller than a toilet paper- Don't open the lid of the toilet or lift a trap under the sink- Don't open the toilet tank lid if there's something inside- Don't flush anything other than toilet paper- Don't put anything down the toilet that isn’t supposed to be there- Don’t use chemicals to unclog a toilet- Don’t put anything down the sink that isn’t meant to go down the sewer pipe- Don’t use chemicals to clean your pipes- Don’t clean the clogged pipe with a shovel or a plunger- Don’t put a shovel or other sharp metal tool into the pipe to break up a clog- Don’t put anything into the toilet that isn’t supposed to go down the toilet - Don’t use the toilet as a container to dispose of things- Don’t leave tree roots or tree branches in the sewer- Don’t leave toys, diapers, feminine products or other biodegradable items that may clog the pipes- Don’t leave tools or debris on the ground around the house or in the gutter near the sewer line- Don’t use an outdoor toilet in the backyard without proper maintenance - Don't bury your dog in the backyard or leave pet waste in the yard either- And remember: all these advice are general guidelines that need to be followed at all times, regardless of your location or the type of house you live in
Before you attempt to prevent a sewer back-up, you need to know about your plumbing system. A sewer system consists of a network of pipes that carry waste and other liquids from your house to a nearby treatment plant. At the home, incoming water from the water main enters the home’s plumbing system and travels through the water distribution system. From there, it enters the sewage system and flows through the sewage main into a sewer lift station. From the lift station, it flows through the sewage pipes and eventually exits the system into a nearby treatment plant. If you are unsure about the type of system at your house, contact your local utility company or visit online to find out more about your plumbing system. Knowing the type of system will help you determine the best way to prevent a sewer line backup. Keep reading to know more about the different types of sewer systems.- Pipe-in-pipe system: This system consists of two pipes, one for sewage and one for storm water. In older houses, this is the most common system.- Pipe-in-soil system: This system consists of a pipe that goes directly into the ground.- Pipe-in-gravel system: This system consists of a pipe that goes into the ground, but is lined with gravel.- Piped flow-reduction system: This system consists of a pipe with a sump pump installed in it. The sump pump is used to divert flow away from the main line when it gets clogged.- Piped flow-reduction system with a sump pump and force main: This system consists of a pipe with a sump pump installed in it. The sump pump is used to divert flow away from the main line when it gets clogged. It also has a force main that can be used to reverse flow back into the main line.
- Plan a better route- Plan your work-routes accordingly- Check the condition of your sewer pipes, especially the most critical ones- Understand how sewage flows in your home- Use a back-up alarm to avoid becoming trapped- Don't flush anything smaller than a toilet paper- Don't open the lid of the toilet or lift a trap under the sink- Don't open the toilet tank lid if there's something inside- Don't flush anything other than toilet paper- Don't put anything down the toilet that isn’t supposed to be there- Don't use chemicals to unclog a toilet- Don't put anything down the sink that isn’t meant to go down the sewer pipe- Don't use chemicals to clean your pipes- Don't clean the clogged pipe with a shovel or a plunger- Don't put a shovel or other sharp metal tool into the pipe to break up a clog- Don't put anything into the toilet that isn’t supposed to go down the toilet - Don't use the toilet as a container to dispose of things- Don't put anything into the toilet that isn’t supposed to go down the toilet - Don't use the toilet as a toilet- Don't put anything down the sink that isn’t meant to go down the sewer pipe- Don't use an outdoor toilet in the backyard without proper maintenance - Don't bury your dog in the backyard or leave pet waste in the yard either- And remember: all these advice are general guidelines that need to be followed at all times, regardless of your location or the type of house you live in
- Install a sewer line protection device (SLPD): An SLPD is a device that is installed in the main sewer line to prevent a clogged line from backing up into the home. They come in many forms, but all work by preventing waste material from entering the home. They are helpful in areas with combined sewers, where there is a higher chance of a clogging.- Install a back-up prevention device: The best way to prevent a sewer line backup in a Pipe-in-soil system is to install a back-up prevention device. Back-up prevention devices are devices that are installed in the main sewer line to prevent a clogged line from back-flowing into the home. They come in many forms, but all work by preventing waste material from entering the home.- Install a back-up prevention device: The best way to prevent a sewer line backup in a Pipe-in-gravel system is to install a back-up prevention device. Back-up prevention devices are devices that are installed in the main sewer line to prevent a clogged line from back-flowing into the home.- Install a back-up prevention device: The best way to prevent a sewer line backup in a Pipelinedump system is to install a back-up prevention device. Back-up prevention devices are devices that are installed in the main sewer line to prevent a clogged line from back-flowing into the home.