Not much can inspire a feeling of dread in a homeowner faster than experiencing a sewage backup. The smell, moisture, and possible structural damage can increase anybody’s heart rate.
If your home has a clogged drain, or if you’re worried about sewage backing up, call Hoover today. Our skilled plumbers are experienced in drain cleaning and sewage services. The best time to clean your drains is before there’s an issue, but if you’re noticing slow draining or clogs, we’ll be there with courteous, professional service you can count on.
Understanding Sewage Backups
A sewage backup occurs when sewage or wastewater flows back into your home rather than out into the municipal lines that take it to the treatment plant. This causes sewage or “gray water” to flow back into your sinks, showers, toilets, or other household drains.
Common Causes of Sewage Backups
Here are some common causes of sewage backups and why they happen.
Clogged drains
Clogged drains happen for many reasons — soap and grease buildup, hair clogs, or foreign objects in drains. If the problem is a single clogged drain, you’ll notice a sewage backup in that part of your home. However, if it happens throughout your house, it’s likely an issue further down the line.
Tree root intrusion
While Michigan is home to marvelous maples and beautiful beech trees, the foliage that provides shade in the summertime may be damaging your sewage pipes below your feet. Tree root intrusion is one of the most common ways a sewer line becomes blocked.
Aging sewage system
The older the pipes in your home and yard, the more likely they are to break down, crack, and crumble. Nothing lasts forever, not even modern PVC pipes. If your sewage system is aging, look for signs of clogging and backups.
Heavy rain
The pipes in the public sewage system can only handle so much at once. If the rain or spring melt is too heavy, the ground may become saturated, causing flooding. Then, the system overloads and starts backing up in people’s homes.
Broken pipes
A broken pipe can happen in any home due to earthquakes, construction, or bad luck. A broken pipe creates a blocked sewer line because water has nowhere to flow except back up into the home.
Problems with municipal infrastructure
Even city-run sewer lines can get clogged with grease and fat or experience other problems that can cause a backup in your home. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do on your end other than contact the municipality immediately to minimize the damage to your property.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Some common warning signs of a sewage backup are:
- Bad odors near sinks, bathtubs, and drains
- Slow drains
- Gurgling noises
- Sinkholes or patches of bright green grass in the yard
- Water coming up from the drain
- Wet floor drains
Preventing Sewage Backups
In most cases, preventative drain cleaning or sewer cleaning helps avoid a backup from happening in your house. Some measures homeowners can take include:
- Line or replace old pipes, especially if they show signs of rust or damage.
- Avoid putting grease or excess soap down the drain.
- Keep hair, food, and other matter out of the pipes.
- Hire a contractor to remove tree roots near sewer lines.
- Avoid flushing anything but waste and toilet paper down the toilet.
- Clean drains often by flushing them with hot water, brushing them, and cleaning out the P-trap.
- Install a sewer backflow valve.
- Hire a plumber to inspect and clean your plumbing system as a preventative measure.
Preventing sewage backups helps you avoid property damage, exposure to disease, and mold growth in your home.
Drain Cleaning Solutions
You can try to clean your household drains yourself using DIY methods like vinegar and baking soda, but if that doesn’t work, call an expert. In most cases, professional drain cleaning is a better, long-term solution.
When you choose Hoover, our plumbers will come to your home, diagnose the cause of the issue using technologically advanced methods like drain cameras. You don’t always need a plumber to unclog your slow-draining toilet, but in many cases, it’s a problem beyond what the typical homeowner can handle.
Choosing a Plumbing Company
When choosing a plumbing company in the Troy area, it’s important to look for professional, insured plumbers. Choose a company that prioritizes customer satisfaction.
Hoover offers financing options, competitive pricing, and free estimates to ensure our customers can afford the help they need now. We understand the plumbing needs of the people in our community.
Contact Hoover for Sewage Backup Issues
If you have a sewage backup in your home, call Hoover! Our skilled plumbers will be there quickly to help you stop the flooding and fix the problem. You can count on the Hoover team for local, top-quality plumbing services you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if the sewage backup is coming from my home’s plumbing or the city sewer line?
You may have to call the city for clarification, as it’s difficult to tell. If it’s a small leak with minimal flow, contact a plumber to inspect the sewer line. If sewage rushes into your home, call your local municipality.
What are the health risks associated with a sewage backup?
If sewage enters your home, you risk coming in contact with harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. Avoid touching raw sewage or breathing it in. The presence of sewage can also cause mold growth, which may cause respiratory problems if not addressed.
How can I tell if tree roots are causing my sewer line problems?
If your yard (or your neighbor’s yard) has trees or bushes, there’s a chance tree roots are causing your sewer issues. Look for slow drains, sinkholes, wet soil, a sewage smell, or bright green patches in the grass.
