What is considered sewer backup?
A sewer backup occurs when something blocks the normal flow of wastewater from your house to the city’s sanitary sewer, and the sewage starts to back up into your home. A cracked or deteriorated sewer lateral (the pipeline between the city’s sanitary sewer main and your home) Tree roots entering sewer lines.
How often do sewer backups happen?
What Causes Sewer Backup? Due to the age of the nation’s plumbing system and the increasing number of homes, sewer line backups are rising at 3 percent each year.
How do I stop sewer backup in my house?
How to prevent backups in your sewer lateral and in the city main
- Properly dispose of grease.
- Properly dispose of paper products.
- Periodically cut tree roots.
- Replace your line with new plastic pipe.
- Correct illegal plumbing connections.
Can you get sick from sewage backup?
Sewage backup releases physical, air-borne contaminants. Inhaling these vapors can lead to a variety of symptoms, including cramping, vomiting, fever, and severe forms of gastroenteritis. If left untreated, inhaling sewage backup for long periods of time may lead to death.
What usually causes a sewer backup?
it might not be draining properly.
How do you clean up after a sewer backup?
Spray down the area with fresh water from a garden hose if sludge from the sewer backup remains on the walls. Remove the water again if necessary using the wet/dry vacuum or pump. Clean solids off the floor using a broom and dustpan.
How to deal with a sewer backup?
The first thing to do is to try and find the blockage. Check the toilets and sinks for signs of a blockage.
How to protect yourself from sewer backup?
or other hygiene products.