Rainy days can be fun, but they also have the potential to wreak havoc on your home if you don’t have a properly working sewer system. When it rains heavily, a clogged sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home and surrounding property, potentially creating an unsanitary and unhealthy living environment for everyone in your home who must deal with the mess and smell. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent this from occurring or minimize damage if it happens to you. Keep reading to learn more about sewer backups and how to prevent and handle them if they happen to you. Once you know how to respond to a backed-up sewer line, you'll be better prepared to deal with them if and when they occur again in the future.
There are a number of reasons why your sewer may clog or backup. Some of these reasons include heavy rains, tree roots growing into the sewer, construction projects that block sewer pipes, and appliances (like washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) that don’t discharge properly into the sewer. If you have a sewage backup into your home, it’s likely you have a clogged sewer line and could benefit from sewer cleaning services to remove the clog and help prevent future backups. In addition to clogged sewer lines, other reasons for a sewage backup include a break in the sewer line (which is usually the result of a tree root growing into the sewer line), heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather conditions. If you have a backed-up sewer line, the best thing you can do is get it cleared as quickly as possible. If you have a sewer break that occurred due to natural causes, you should get it fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. If a sewage backup occurred due to your negligence, you may be liable for any damages brought on by the smell, smell cleanup, and cleanup cost.
The best way to tell if you have a backed-up sewer line is to keep an eye on the sewage gauge in your home. Unfortunately, you may not notice a sewage backup until it’s too late. If you suspect a backed-up sewer line, you should get out of your home as quickly as possible and call a sewer cleaning company. If you have a sewer break, you should shut off the main water and gas lines to prevent further damage or contamination. If a backed-up sewer line occurs in your home, you should open all the windows and use an outdoor air purifier to remove the sewage smell from your home. If you can, you should also open a window in a neighboring home and ask them to do the same.
If you suspect you have a clogged sewer line, there are a few things you can do to prevent a sewage backup and future repairs. First, add more water to your toilets. If you have a low-flow toilet, you may need to purchase an adapter that can be installed between your toilet and the sewer line. If you have a high-volume toilet, you may need to replace your toilet with a less-common model that has a lower water usage. Another way to prevent a clogged sewer line is to use biodegradable cleaning supplies. If you have a clogged sewer line, you should also be careful about what you flush and what you put down the garbage disposal. Finally, you can try to avoid root growth in the sewer line by keeping soil away from the sewer line with a barrier that is approved for that area.
If you have a backed-up sewer line, the best thing you can do is get it cleared as quickly as possible. If you have a broken sewer line, it will continue to back up until the break is fixed. Once the clog is cleared, you will likely need to install a new sewer line. Before you start digging, you should make sure you have the correct permit and have hired the right contractor. If you have a sewage backup into your home, it’s best not to eat, drink, or cook in your home until the sewage smell has been removed. It’s also a good idea to hire a professional to remove the sewage smell, clean your home, and deodorize it. Finally, you should document everything you’ve done during and after the cleanup in case you’re sued.
Rainy days are usually fun, but they can also cause serious issues around your home if you don’t have a properly working sewer system. When a clogged sewer line occurs, it can create a smelly mess that may require you to deal with a sewage cleanup. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent a backed-up sewer line or handle one if it occurs. Before you know how to handle a backed-up sewer line, you should first figure out if you have one. Once you know how to handle a backed-up sewer line, you can begin to clean up and deodorize the mess.