A sewer back-up is a common problem that almost everyone has experienced at one point in time. A clogged or broken sewer line can cause this issue by preventing water from escaping from a home or business’s plumbing system. A backed-up sewer can cause serious damage to your property and the surrounding neighborhood if it goes unchecked. Although every situation is different, here are some common causes of sewer back-ups and how to fix them:
The most common cause of a sewer line clog is food waste being poured into the main sewer line. Food waste is difficult to break down and can cause a build-up in the main line. This is why it is important to be careful about what you put down the disposal, especially with items like corn, potatoes, or eggshells that don’t break down easily.Another common problem is putting soap down the disposal without letting it break down long enough. This can cause a build-up in the main line, especially if the soap isn’t biodegradable.
The most common cause of a sewer line clog is leaves and other debris falling into the sewer line and blocking the flow of water. You might think that leaves will just rot away and fall to the ground, but they have a tendency to get stuck in small openings like drains and sewer lines. This can cause a backed-up sewer as the leaves and debris are too big to pass through.If you don’t clean out your sewer line and remove any large objects that could get caught in it, a backed-up sewer is likely to happen. You can either remove the objects manually or have a plumber come out and fix the problem.
Bad housekeeping and people who don’t clean out their drains on a regular basis can cause a sewer line clog. Anything from food to hair, makeup, and other materials can get caught in the sewer line and cause a clog. This is why it’s important to be diligent about cleaning out your drains and sewers, especially if you have a septic tank.In fact, if you have a septic tank, you should be cleaning out your drains on a regular basis and doing a thorough cleaning on your tank once a year.
If your home was built before 1950, the pipes will most likely be PVC or metal. If they are made out of PVC, they can be extremely brittle and break much easier than a metal pipe. This is why it is important to have your PVC pipes regularly inspected. If they are not in good shape and need replacement, a sewage backup is almost inevitable.
This is not a common cause of a sewer line clog, but it can happen if the city requires you to replace a sewer line due to age or damage. If this is the case, you will need to find a way to divert the water away from the old line while the new one is being installed.The other option is to have a company come out and dig up the existing line. This will be extremely disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood but could be the only option if the new line cannot be installed during an extended power outage.
A sewer line clog can cause a significant amount of damage, especially if it goes unchecked for a long period of time. However, there are ways to prevent this from happening and get your sewer line back in working condition. If you notice that the smell in your home is coming from the sewer line, it is an ideal time to get it checked out. If you are unsure whether or not you have a clog, you can use a plunger to try and force the water out. If this doesn’t work, it’s best to call a plumber.