What Causes a Sewer to Backup (And How to Prevent It)

When wastewater doesn’t flow away from your home like it is supposed to, that’s known as a sewer backup. This can be a real nuisance, costing you time and money. But what causes a sewer to backup? And, perhaps more importantly, how can you prevent it? In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the main causes and what you can do about them.

Flushing Non-Flushable Items

Flushing non-flushable items such as paper towels, cigarettes, dental floss, and feminine products down the toilet can cause a sewer to back up. When these items become stuck in the sewer line, they can block the wastewater flow and cause it to back into your home through the drains.

How to Prevent It: Only flush biodegradable items such as toilet paper, human waste, and water down the toilet. If you have any non-flushable items that need to be disposed of, please throw them in the trash.

Grease Buildup

Grease buildup is one of the most common reasons for sewer backups. Grease is sticky and clings to pipes, slowly building up over time. When enough grease has accumulated, it can start to block the water flow through the pipe. This can cause sewage to back into homes and businesses, leading to a costly and messy cleanup.

How to Prevent It: You’ll need to  properly dispose of grease in the trash rather than pouring it down the drain. In addition, a regular cleaning with hot water and soap can help to remove grease before it has a chance to build up. By taking these simple steps, you can help to keep your sewer system running smoothly and prevent costly backups.

Cracked or Collapsed Pipes

Cracked or collapsed pipes are a common cause of sewer backup. Cracks can occur in sewer and water lines due to age, corrosion, ground movement, or structural damage. Collapses can occur when the sewer line is crushed by heavy equipment, tree roots, or compacted soil. When either of these happens, sewage can no longer flow freely and can back into your home through toilets, drains, and fixtures.

How to Prevent It: One of the best things you can do is have a qualified professional inspect your sewer and water lines regularly. These inspections can identify potential problems before they cause serious damage. 

It is also important to avoid putting heavy objects on top of your sewer line and be careful not to damage the line when digging in your yard. These precautions can help prevent cracked or collapsed pipes from causing a sewer backup in your home.

Conclusion

Sewer backups can be a major inconvenience, not to mention a health hazard. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent them. By understanding what causes a sewer to back up and taking some simple steps to prevent these issues, you can help keep everything in good working condition.

Are you in need of sewer repair services? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with a member of the J Bond Construction team today.