Go Back

Common Causes of Sewer Back Ups and How to Fix Them

Nothing screams plumbing emergency quite like a sewer back up. And unfortunately, sewer problems do not fix themselves. If your sewer line is completely clogged and the flow is stopped, you are potentially facing a health hazard as well as an in depth cleaning job. Fixing or preventing the problem before it gets to that point is best. 

What Causes a Sewer Backup:

Some of the causes of a sewer backup are in your control and can be prevented, while others are completely out of your control. There are additional factors that play a role as well, such as whether you have a septic system or whether you connect to a municipal sewer. If you are connected to a municipal sewer and you start to notice all of your household drains moving slowly, take a look at the cleanout that is located closest to your house. If it is slow moving and full of water, the problem most likely lies with the city. If the cleanout is clean and running freely, then the problem lies between your house and the cleanout. 

3 reasons for sewer backups that are out of your control are:

  • Soil settlement – The soil surrounding and supporting the pipes can be washed out by heavy rains. When this happens, the drain lines can collapse, causing a blockage in flow. 
  • Flooding – If the storm drains merge with the local sewage system, the entire system can become overwhelmed during times of heavy rain and flooding. This can cause sewage waste to back up in your house. 
  • Clogs – City sewage systems can clog just like your house can. This cause is the most unlikely considering city drain lines are much larger than those used for your home. 

Fortunately, all of the above items are problems at the city level and should not require you to fix. 

4 reasons for sewer backups that are in your control:

  • Tree roots – This happens more in older septic systems. Tree roots grow into, or crush sewer lines. 
  • Dumping grease or oil down the drain – When grease, fats, and oils get cold, they solidify. Dumping them down the drain when they are a liquid does not mean they won’t solidify in your drain pipes. Never dump or flush these types of products if you want to keep your house draining properly. 
  • Flushing items other than toilet paper – Nothing should go down your toilet except for bodily waste and toilet paper. Sanitary napkins, tampons, paper towels, wet wipes (even if they claim to be flushable), and any other product should not be flushed. 
  • Age – Unfortunately, drain lines do not last forever. The age of the average American sewer system is 30 years, so this is often a factor when it comes to sewer problems. 

Watch for slow moving drains in your home to try and catch the problem early. If it’s just one drain that is draining slowly, the problem lies with that drain alone and not your entire sewer system. But if your whole house is draining slowly, you’re most likely looking at a sewer problem. 

What To Do When Your Sewer Backs Up:

So you’ve determined you have a sewer back up. Now what? First of all, don’t delay. Waiting to see if the problem remedies itself is only going to get you into a bigger mess, and one that will become an emergency really quickly. 

First, turn off your water supply. And if the wastewater is close to any electrical outlets, turn off all power to the house. If you’re aware of what breakers control the power in the affected rooms, you should be fine in just turning off power to those areas. 

While trying to tackle the problem yourself may be tempting, calling Ed Rike Plumbing will ensure your sewer repair gets done correctly and in a timely manner. If you choose to start the cleanup process yourself, remember that sewage water is highly contaminated, so don’t tackle the problem without proper gear. Depending on the level of damage, you may need a hazmat suit, goggles, boots, and gloves. And in rare cases, a respirator may be necessary to keep harmful airborne pollutants from entering your lungs. 

Sewage backups and repairs often require equipment that the average homeowner doesn’t have. That’s why calling in the professionals is usually your best bet. Our technicians are trained and prepared to handle any sewage backup, and our 24 hour emergency service ensures we are always prepared for the worst types of emergencies. 

As with any home maintenance, prevention is always best. Only flush toilet paper and bodily waste, make sure to plant your trees far away from drain lines, don’t dump fats or oils down the sink, and make sure your system is up to date. Following those simple measures may keep you from having an overwhelming problem on your hands.