Sewage backups are probably every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
They not only cause extensive damage to your property but also pose several health risks since they release several air borne contaminants.
Inhaling sewage vapours can lead to stomach pains, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and nausea.
Sewage backups usually occur when a blockage or obstruction prevents the sewage water from draining away from your house.
They can also be caused by poor plumbing practices and lack of maintenance by the homeowner.
Given below are some ways to prevent sewage backup in your home.
Clean Your Drains Regularly
Many people don’t pay attention to cleaning their drains until they face a clog or any other plumbing issue.
Food and hair buildup in the drains can lead to a variety of plumbing problems including sewage backup if the situation gets out of hand.
You don’t have to use harsh chemical cleaners to clean your drains. You can follow simple practices like pouring a cup of boiling water or baking soda and vinegar solution down the drain to help loosen the debris and improve the flow rate.
If you are unsure about the condition of your drains, you can hire a plumber to clean and inspect your drains.
If you notice any signs of sewage backup like a foul smell or severely clogged drains, contact a 24 hour septic service who will take a look at the problem immediately.
Avoid Pouring Hot Grease And Oil Down The Drain
Discarding hot grease and oil down the drain will damage your plumbing pipes and create annoying blockages.
You might think it isn’t a huge problem since greases and oils are liquids.
But the fact is liquid grease and oil solidify once they cool down and adhere to the surface of the pipes. This can lead to severe clogs and backing up of sewer waste into your home.
In order to discard oil safely, wait for it to cool. Pour it into a disposable container and throw it in the trash once it has solidified.
Stop Flushing Unwanted Items Down The Toilet
Let us be clear here, the only items which are supposed to be flushed down the toilet are toilet paper and human waste.
Anything else can clog your drain and even cause a blockage in your sewer system which might lead to sewer backup in your home.
Many people make the mistake of flushing baby wipes and sanitary products down the toilet. Even if the wipes claim to be flushable, avoid flushing them since they don’t break down like toilet paper does.
If they cause a blockage within the septic tank, sewer backup will come into your home through the sinks, drains and other openings.
Install A Backwater Prevention Valve
A backwater prevention valve prevents outbound water from re-entering a home through the drain pipes.
It can be used as the last defence to prevent sewage in a blocked sewer line from backing up into the basement.
If you have a backwater prevention valve installed, it will detect the backflow of sewage and switch from an open position to a closed position to prevent the sewage from flowing back up the drain pipes.
You don’t have to worry about cost since backwater prevention valves are usually inexpensive and you can even install them yourself.
Maintain Your Lateral Sewer Line
The lateral sewer line is the line which connects your home plumbing to the main sewer line located in the city.
This sewer line can be located,
- Near the foundation of your house.
- Near the street where it connects to the larger communal pipe.
If the lateral sewer line is clogged or blocked, you might notice signs of sewage backup like pools of water in your lawn, pest infestation or slowly draining sinks.
In such situations, make sure to call a plumber immediately in order to examine the sewer line.
Since the lateral sewer line is the homeowner’s responsibility, you will have to take care of any issues which may arise due to improper sewer line maintenance.
So make sure you maintain your lateral sewer line by having it inspected every once in a while.
Conclusion
If you notice any signs of sewer backup, don’t hesitate to call a professional immediately and don’t try to fix it on your own. Follow safe plumbing practices in order to prevent the occurence of future sewage backups.
