Sewer Line Backups: What You Need To Know
Posted on: 21 June 2016
When you flush your toilet, run water through a sink, or take a shower, all of the used water exits your home through a sewer line. However, when this line gets clogged, it can begin to back up. Learning about this problem will help you to understand the signs that it is happening, what you can do to prevent it, and what to do if it does happen to you. Here is some information everyone should know about sewer line back-ups.
What Are the Signs of a Sewer Line Back-Up?
If your sewer line begins to back up, you may notice water coming up your drains, instead of going down them. Your toilet may overflow or brown water may fill your sink or bathtub.
What Should You Do If a Sewer Line Back-Up Happens?
If you notice water coming up your drain, instead of down it, you will want to try to remove any clog that may be present. Often times, smaller clogs in the drain line can cause this problem. Use a plunger, plumbing snake or pour a pot of boiling hot water down the drain to attempt to loosen any small clogs that may be present. If the water drains after you do this, you have likely freed the clog.
However, if you are unable to free the clog, the clog may be further in your sewer line than you can reach. A sewer line back-up can also be caused by tree roots growing into the sewer line or a collapsed pipe. As such, you will want to call a 24 hour plumber to your home to determine what is causing the problem and to remove it. You should not use any of your sinks, toilets, or water appliances when there is a sewer line backup as the water will simply flow back into your home. This is why this is considered to be a plumbing emergency.
How Can You Prevent a Sewer Line Back-Up?
Unfortunately, you can't prevent all sewer line backups. Some backups occur when the pipes are old and collapse. And some clogs can form even if you do everything right. However, you can reduce the likelihood of your sewer line backing up by not flushing wipes or feminine hygiene products down the toilet, not pouring grease down your sink, and not placing fibrous foods down your garbage disposal. Having your drains professionally cleaned can also help to remove small clogs before they turn into large ones, which can help lessen the likelihood of this problem occurring in your home.
A large sewer line backup can flood parts of your home. Water can spill over a toilet or a small sink. Learning about this problem can help you learn how to lessen your chances of it happening to you. But if it does, you will know what actions to take.
For a 24-hour plumber, contact a company such as Wright Total Indoor Comfort.
Share