Signs of Sewage Backup

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: The signs that indicate sewage backup are listed by SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem, and Whitehall.

Flooding can cause thousands of dollars of property damage to buildings. The cost of flood damage restoration depends on various factors. One such factor is the type of water causing the flood. Sewage water is contaminated and its removal and cleanup are more expensive compared to less contaminated water. It would be better if homeowners monitor and maintain the plumbing and sewage lines to prevent flooding from these as much as possible. This article lists the signs of sewage backup. With their experience in flood damage restoration, SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem, and Whitehall understand that preventing flooding if possible is best. In case of any flood damage, especially when the damage is severe, they provide exceptional water damage restoration services.

Sewer lines have a main line running from the house to the street. Secondary lines connect each drain to the main line. Sewage backup can occur due to blockage in the pipes. This can be due to different reasons like:

1. Oil or grease that is poured down kitchen sinks that build up and clog the drain.
2. Flushing anything not supposed to be flushed like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or toys.
3. Wear and tear of sewer lines over time.
4. Tree roots that grow and invade pipes.
5. Rainstorms can cause a backup in the public sewage system that leads to blockages and backup in sewage lines.

It is normal to ignore sewer lines until sewage backup occurs. Paying attention to the following signs can help to identify sewer backup, and rectify it before it causes flood damage.

Toilets That Flush Slowly

When the water swirls slowly down the toilet bowl after flushing it indicates a problem with the sewer. If normal plunging by the homeowner does not rectify this, it indicates the problem is with the main sewer line.

Several Clogged Drains

When multiple drains are clogged it indicates a problem with the sewage line. The lowest drains get blocked first. When rarely used drains are clogged it is of more concern.

Foul Smells

A properly working drain will not cause odor. A foul smell or stench from a drain indicates sewage blockage.

Water Backup in Other Drains

Water backing up in a drain when another is being used can be a sign of a clogged up sewer pipe. Gurgling from the shower when a toilet is used is such a situation.

Bubbling

A bubbling drain, after flushing a toilet or running the sink for instance, is easy to spot. It happens because air gets trapped and causes bubbles when wastewater is being pushed against a clog in the drain. If bubbling is noticed it must be checked. If bubbling happens repeatedly that means the sewage line has a block.

Tree Roots

Slow flowing drains and gurgling sounds from toilets can indicate tree roots are invading a sewer line. This is especially so in older homes with sewer lines made of clay or porous material. Surrounding tree roots can grow into the sewer pipes and expand to rupture the pipe.

Sewage in the Cleanout Pipe

A capped pipe that provides direct access to the sewage line is the cleanout pipe. It is usually located outside or in the basement. A backup in the sewer line pushes wastewater back up, and through the cleanout pipe. This accumulates in the cleanout pipe, and as backup builds it can spill out. Sewage water from the cleanout pipe in the basement or yard, or standing water in the cleanout pipe point to a problem with sewage backup. The cleanout pipe can be checked when other signs of a sewage backup are present. If there is a leak of sewage water in a basement it might need to be tackled by professional flood damage restoration services to limit the damage.

Flooding caused by a sewage backup is more complex to clean up as the water is contaminated. Preventing sewage backup is ideal. But in case of this happening a flood damage restoration service like SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem, and Whitehall can provide reliable and professional water damage restoration by trained and certified personnel. They can be contacted on (610) 559-9380. A professional company like SERVPRO will ensure that flood damage is handled quickly by professionals with expertise who use technologically advanced equipment. This means the flood damage is handled as safely and as efficiently as possible.