Troubleshooting sewer backups & why they occur

Homeowners are often frustrated by sewer backups. There's no doubt that they're the most disgusting and messy things you've ever encountered. You should contact the city public works office to report the issue immediately if you notice water rapidly entering your basement.

Causes of Sewer Backups

Tree Roots

Sewer backups are also caused by plant roots. Roots of plants can sometimes find their way into pipes or even wrap around them. Especially if the lines were in poor condition, this would result in crushing. Invasion of roots is the term used to describe this process.

The main cause of root invasion is small cracks or holes in pipes transporting water. Plant roots can enter the lines through small cracks or holes when searching for moisture, resulting in blockages. Choosing the right tree for your home requires consideration of its roots.

Main Sanitary

When the city sanitary main becomes blocked, sewage may back up into your home through floor drains if not noticed in time. It takes time for this process to manifest, giving you time to consult a licensed plumber.

Clogging

When flushing the toilet, you hear gurgling noises or the water drains slower than usual. Your drain might be clogged if this is the case. It indicates that the drain is clogged due to abnormal functioning. Clogs in your home occur just like any other type of clog.

A clog builds over time and impedes the flow of liquid in drain pipes, affecting the operation of toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and sprinkler systems.

Sewer Mains Blockage

Sewer backups can also be caused by clogged main sewer lines. Eventually, the main sewer line becomes clogged due to clogs that build up over time.

A major cause of these problems is insufficient system capacity, especially in areas with heavy growth. Blockages may affect the entire plumbing system in your house rather than just one drain. A heavy cloth material that can soak up water should be used to cover the drain opening in this case.

Water Stuck in the Basement

A soil settlement adjacent to your home, if not corrected, may lead rainwater to flow toward your house. Sometimes, the sanitary sewer system isn't the cause of basement flooding. In the event of a house flood, water will enter the home through cracks in the floor slab or foundation. For this to be prevented, you should make sure that water drains away from your basement and seal it.

Sewer Backups Troubleshoot

Liquid Drain Cleaner Use

It would be helpful to use liquid drain cleaners if you want to unclog a bathtub or sink. Avoid using them to unclog toilets, though, as they eat through the wax seal on the bottom of the toilet, causing leaks.

Pressure Release

The first thing you need to do is look in your yard for a cleanout line: it is a short white pipe of 3 to 4 inches in diameter sealed with a screw-on cap. Your sewer line's pressure will decrease when you remove the cup, allowing any backed up water to drain.

Bleaching Powder Use

Tree roots can cause clogs in drains caused by chemical drain cleaners. In order to unclog toilets, it is highly recommended that tee killing foam containing herbicide dichlobenil is used. Once it is applied to a tree root, it kills it within hours.

Augers

You will get the best results if you use augers to clear the clog in your pipes. Their method involves twisting and cutting clogs that may be further down the line.

Plunger use

There is no easier way to open a drain than with a plunger. Usually, the first thing you should do when sewage backups in the toilet is to flush it. The usage of a plunger would be useful if the clogs were medium-sized. Whether it's for sinks or toilets, it provides a quick job.

Water Jet Method

Drains are moderately clogged, as well as those that are severely clogged can be cleaned using this method. Plant roots are blown down the sewer line by the high-pressure water jet.