Everything You Need To Know About Your Sewage Backup

Sewage Backup Causes and Effects

A sewage backup is the most dreaded plumbing issues that can occur in a home. When sewage backs up, it can cause a lot of damage and pose a health hazard. In this blog, we will discuss the causes and effects of sewage backups so that you can take steps to prevent them from happening in your home.

Causes of Sewage Backups

Clogged Drain: When your drain is clogged, it can prevent sewage and water from flowing through properly, which can cause a backup in your home.
Aging or Deteriorated Pipes: If your home’s plumbing system is old, it may have deteriorated over time which can lead to cracks and breaks, which can allow sewage to leak out and cause a backup.
Grease Buildup: If grease is poured down your drain, it can solidify and collect on the insides of pipes and build up over time, eventually leading to a blockage and subsequent backup.
Tree Roots: If you have trees on your property, their roots can grow into your plumbing system and cause damage through their invasive growth, leading to blockages and backups.
Heavy Rainfall: During heavy rainfall, the volume of water entering your plumbing system can overwhelm it and cause sewage to back up into your home.

Effects of Sewage Backups

Property Damage: Sewage backups can cause extensive damage to your home. Sewage can leak into walls, floors, and furniture, which can lead to mold, mildew, and structural damage.
Health Hazards: Sewage contains bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to your health. Contact with sewage can cause skin rashes, eye infections, and respiratory problems.
Foul Odor: When sewage backs up, it releases a foul odor that can permeate your home. This odor can linger and make it difficult to live in your home.

Why Is Sewage Backing Up in My House?

Sewage backing up into your house is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. The following are some of the reasons why sewage may be backing up in your home:

Clogged Sewer Line: The sewer line is the pipe that carries sewage away from your home. If the sewer line is clogged, sewage can back up into your home.
Broken Sewer Line: If the sewer line is broken, sewage can leak out and back up into your home.
Tree Roots: If tree roots have grown into the sewer line, they can crush or block the pipe, which can cause sewage to back up.
Septic Tank Failure: If your home has a septic tank, a septic tank failure can cause sewage to back up into your home.
Overwhelmed Sewer System: During heavy rainfall, the sewer system can become overwhelmed and cause sewage to back up into homes.

What to Do If Sewage Backs Up in My House?

If sewage backs up in your home, it is important to take action immediately. The following are some of the steps that you should take:

Contact a Sewage Cleanup Service: A Sewage Cleanup Service will be able to clean up the sewage and disinfect the affected area.
Call Your Insurance Company: If your home has been damaged by sewage, you may be able to file a claim with your insurance company.
Take Pictures of the Damage: Take pictures of the damage to your home so that you can document it for your insurance company.
Stay Out of the Affected Area: Do not enter the affected area until it has been cleaned and disinfected.

If you take these steps, you can help to minimize the damage and health hazards caused by a sewage backup.