Can I Protect My Home From Sewer System Backups?
A backed-up sewer is not only disgusting, but it can also result in thousands of dollars of damage to the rest of your plumbing system, your electrical system, your home’s walls and floors, your landscaping, and your furniture.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can protect your home from sewer system backups. We’ve compiled a handy guide to sewer system maintenance and care to help you look after your plumbing and avoid a stinky situation.
What Is A Sewer System Backup?
Your sewerage system is meant to drain wastewater from your home and transport it away for treatment. When this process malfunctions, it’s known as a sewer system backup. A backup can result in nasty smells, seepage, gurgling toilets, backed-up drains, and wastewater running into your shower, tub, sink, washing machine, or dishwasher.
What Causes Sewer System Backups?
When you understand the cause of something, you’re better prepared to prevent it. The two main causes of sewer backups that we’ve worked with are as follows:
1. Tree Root Invasion
Tree roots look for and grow towards water. In the search for any hint of moisture, small roots can work their way into sewer line cracks or service pipe joints. As they grow, they can cause major clogs and lead to a sewer system backup.
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to control how trees spread their roots–aside from removing them altogether. Since trees look pretty, are different to remove, and are good for the environment, we recommend leaving them alone and calling us if the roots give you any trouble!
2. Clogged Pipes
When you consider the amount of waste your pipes have to deal with, it makes sense that they can get clogged sometimes. Clogged pipes can be caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, grease, paper, or unflushable objects. In fact, the flushing of feminine products has caused a huge amount of pollution and damage.
Using your drains correctly is the best way to prevent clogged pipes. Below, we dive into the best ways to protect your sewer system.
How To Prevent Sewer System Backups
Most sewer system backups can be avoided with a routine professional cleaning and using your drains correctly. Use the following tips to keep your system in tiptop shape:
- Do not pour grease directly down the drain.
- Do not flush paper products (such as paper towels, disposable diapers, cloth diapers, and feminine products.)
- Do not throw coffee grounds, rice, pasta, or other solids down your drain.
- Do use drain guards for bathroom drains to prevent hair buildup.
- Do have your sewer lines inspected every 6-10 years.
- Do have your sewer lines professionally cleared every 3-5 years.
- Do restore or replace old sewer lines made from cast iron or clay.
Following this list is a great way to care for your sewer system and avoid frustrating backups and emergency repairs.
Look After Your Sewer System With Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning
Hopefully, you now see that looking after your sewer system isn’t as difficult as you may have believed! With consistent care and a small shift in your habits, you can protect your home from the damage a sewer system backup would cause.
Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning understands that sewer maintenance is a team effort. With years of experience and expert knowledge of all things behind the scenes, we know just how to look after your drains and keep them functioning for years.
If you’re dealing with a sewer emergency, or you’re overdue for a routine sewer line inspection or clearing, contact our friendly team at 1-833-470-2880 today. Whatever the issue, Art Can Fix It!
