What to do when the Sewer Backup into the my house?

It’s one thing to have a broken water heater, but to have the sewer backup into your house? Talk about disgusting.  We’re not suggesting sewage damage is the worst type of water malfunction, but it is the messiest. Contaminated water has no business flowing in open space. 

Unfortunately, we know better than anyone how often plumbing issues happen. If you find yourself in a situation where sewage backup cleanup is needed, check out the information below. 

What Is a Sewer Backup?

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In a nutshell, sewage backups are a backflow of sewage water that comes up through sinks, toilets, and showers. When operating properly, all wastewater flows down the central plumbing into the municipal sewage. But when waste and shared sewage water are overwhelmed, it causes the water to flow toward your home.

How Dangerous is Sewage?

Wastewater, whether from sewage or rain, is hazardous to your health. Human waste will emit physical and airborne contaminants into your living areas, and inhaling sewage fumes can cause gastroenteritis or asthma-like respiratory symptoms. In addition, sewage backflow exposes you and your loved ones to harmful bacteria and viruses, including E. coli, salmonella, and hepatitis.

Signs of a Clogged Sewer Pipe

If there’s a clog in your sewer line, you’ll notice one or more of the signs mentioned below:

  • Bubbling noises as you flush toilets or as the shower or sink drains
  • Slow draining showers, toilets, and sinks in the bathroom or kitchen
  • Smells of sewage backup, similar to rotten eggs or sulfur
  • Lush, green spots in the yard above broken pipes or the septic tank
  • Drains back up when you flush toilets

The worst thing you can do is ignore a sewage backup problem. If your sewer line backs up after a storm, plumbing damage, or large clog, you need professional help immediately. DriRite® provides emergency plumbing and sewer repair services for homeowners throughout Tampa. 

What to Do When You Have a Sewer Line Backup?

Call your local restoration company for emergency sewer services if you see sewage backup coming from any of the drains in your home. Then make sure you adhere to the following suggestions: 

  • Keep your family away from affected areas and avoid all contact. 
  • Shut off the water going to drains throughout your home. 
    • Do not use sinks or showers. 
    • Do not use washing machines and dishwashers.
    • Do not flush toilets. 
  • Avoid using any plumbing fixtures, drains, or appliances until a professional reverses the backups from your sewer pipes. 

Warning: If the sewage backup or water backup flows near electrical outlets, turn off the electricity to your home.

What Not to Do When You Have a Sewer Line Backup?

For slow drains, avoid using chemical drain cleaners. If there’s a physical blockage, liquid products may not clear the drain—especially if you have a damaged drain line or tree root blockage. If you’re not careful, the chemical solutions could cause further damage to the pipes or a plumber when they repair your system.

What Causes a Sewer Backup?

 

WHAT Causes a Sewer Backup?

While several things can cause plumbing blockages, the following are the most common reasons: 

Aging sewer systems 

Plumbing malfunctions are more likely when your home sewer lines or city sewage lines are more than 30 years old. 

Combined pipelines

When stormwater and raw sewage flow into the same pipeline, the system may not handle the volume of wastewater. 

Tree roots

Small roots of trees and shrubs seeking moisture will surround sewer lines and service pipe joints, causing extensive damage or blockages. Unfortunately, the clean-up cost will fall to the problem tree’s owner. 

Sanitary main blockages

An undetected blockage in a city sanitary main can flow back into homes and businesses through floor drains. Fortunately, this tends to happen slowly and usually indicates a problem early. 

Call DRIRITE® for Professional Sewage Backup Cleanup 

When the plumbing system of your home or business malfunctions and causes backflow, you need swift and immediate action. If your home or business has a cracked or broken sewage sewer pipe, call DRIRITE® right away. Exposure to extreme amounts of bacteria and toxins found in sewage waste can negatively impact your health and wellbeing. 

We provide innovative sewage restoration solutions in areas throughout Tampa. Our team of technicians is available 24/7 to provide emergency restoration solutions. Schedule your sewage cleanup service today.

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