According to the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, the rate of sewer backup incidents is currently increasing at a rate of three percent a year. A sewage backup is a perennial problem that many households are facing. It occurs when water comes up or is pushed into your home through the pipes from your sewer or drainage system. Not only does it damage your personal property, but it can also impact the health of the household members. As you can see, sewage backup is a type of water damage involving dirty water from the sewer that is unsanitary.
One common problem is when your basement drain backs up, which commonly happens when you flush the toilet or when it rains. If this occurs, you have to first determine the root cause of the problem so that you can address it properly.
In this article, we will share with you three common causes of basement sewage backup. Keep on reading to know what to do as well.
Common causes of basement sewage backup
- Sewer line clog: When your basement drains start to back up, it’s more likely that your main sewer line is clogged. As a result, it blocks or entirely stops the passage of wastewater from your home to the city sewer line.
- Sewer line damage: When a basement backup occurs along with other plumbing problems, such as clogs in various fixtures, the sewer lines may become damaged. They may be cracked or broken due to the infiltration of tree roots. As a result, damaged sewer lines hinder the proper flow of wastewater.
- Extreme weather conditions: Sewage backups in a basement may even occur during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rains, flooding, or storms. When there’s too much water in the city sewer system, it can no longer take the water, causing the basement sewage to back up.
Tips to address basement sewage backup
When sewage backup in your basement occurs, there are a few helpful tips that you can do to address the problem. Here are some of them:
- Clean the backup standing water immediately and never let it sit.
- Wear protective gear, such as boots, pants, long sleeves, gloves, eye protection, and a ventilator when cleaning.
- Use a shop vacuum to remove puddles.
- Use old towels or throwaway sheets to soak up the wastewater.
- Dispose of solid waste, including the soaking sheets you use.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the remaining moisture.
- Disinfect everything once the basement is dry.
Conclusion
These wage backups in your basement aren’t only dirty and nasty, but they can also present health hazards among the family members. When it’s time to clean up, ensure that the space is thoroughly sanitized and that you aren’t exposed to any harmful parasites, bacteria, or substances.
When it comes to addressing the root cause of the problem, it’s best to have a plumbing repair service to handle the job. Whether it’s a clogged or damaged sewer line, these expert plumbers will fix the problem and ensure that no basement sewage backup will occur again.
We focus on professionalism, integrity, and commitment to delivering plumbing services, repair, and sewer drain cleaning. If you’re looking for plumbing services in San Diego, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
