Understanding and Protecting Yourself from Sewage Backups
As the weather warms, we are seeing more instances of water damage from sewage or septic backups in the home. Not only is this a very unpleasant source of damage, but it is also extremely hazardous due to the contaminants in the water coming back from your septic system or sewage lines. Since this is a very undesirable situation, read on to learn more about how to protect your home from this type of loss and what to do if it does happen to you.
There are quite a few common causes of sewage backups. Grease, soap, hair, and food debris can build up in your drains over time, restricting the flow of wastewater. Flushing inappropriate materials like paper towels, baby wipes, or sanitary products can also cause clogs. Tree roots are drawn to the moisture inside sewer lines. If there's a crack or gap in your sewer line, roots may infiltrate and create a blockage. Sewer pipes can become cracked, broken, or collapsed due to shifting soil, earthquakes, or general wear and tear. During heavy rainstorms, the municipal sewer system can become overwhelmed, which can cause excess water to flow back into your home through the sewer line. Older homes may have outdated sewer systems that are more prone to problems. Blockages or failures in the public sewer system also can cause wastewater to back up into your home.
To protect your home from these common problems, practice the following tips for sewage health in your home. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent buildup. Do not plant trees or bushes near your sewage lines or septic drain field. Be aware of how far tree roots can grow from the base of the tree. Some very large trees can have roots extending 2-3 times the radius of the tree’s canopy. That means if your tree’s branches spread 30 feet wide, the tree roots may extend 30-45 feet from the base of the tree. If your sewage lines or septic field are closer than that range, you may need professional help removing roots that are potentially able to damage your pipes or septic lines. To protect your home from sewer overflows due to heavy rainfall or damaged pipes, install check valves in your sewage lines. Check valves only allow water (and other materials) to flow one way which will let the wastewater go down into the sewage system but will not let it come back up through your drains. Only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Dispose of grease in a container instead of the sewer. Have your sewer line professionally inspected every few years.
Watch for the warning signs that a sewage backup may be coming. A foul odor that persists when the drains appear clear is the most common sign. This smell, often described as musty, earthy, or like rotten eggs, will emanate from your drains, especially in bathrooms and the basement. The next sign to watch for is called slow drains. Drains that take longer than usual to empty are a red flag. This could indicate a partial blockage in the sewer line, restricting the flow of wastewater. If sinks, showers, and toilets are all draining sluggishly, it's a strong sign of a developing backup. Toilets that overflow or back up regularly are a clear indication of a problem. This is a messy and unsanitary sign that a blockage is preventing waste from flowing away. Plunging a toilet that backs up regularly could make the issue worse if the source is a clog or blockage further down the line. If water rises in your shower or sink when you flush the toilet or run the washing machine, it means wastewater is backing up into the plumbing system. Strange gurgling or bubbling sounds coming from your drains are a telltale sign. These noises occur due to air pockets in the sewer line as wastewater struggles to pass through a blockage. Unusually lush or green patches in your yard near sewer lines can indicate a leak or seepage from a damaged pipe. The excess moisture and nutrients from wastewater can cause these areas to thrive. If you are seeing or hearing these signs, get a plumber or septic professional out right away to address the damage before you have a sewage backup in your home.
If you do have a sewage backup, there are a few steps that are crucial to protect yourself and your family. First, stop all water use immediately! Stop any appliances running wash cycles, stop all family members from using any sinks, tubs, showers or toilets. Putting more water into the sewage lines will simply cause more backup into other areas of the home, most commonly the lowest drains in the home. As soon as the water is cut off, call a professional plumber immediately to repair whatever is causing the backup, so you are not exposed to additional contamination. These issues never fix themselves so fixing the source is crucial to stopping the backup from dumping more wastewater in your home. While you are waiting for the repair to be completed, wear protective gear including gloves and boots if you must be in the affected area to avoid contact with the contaminated water. Open doors and windows as much as possible to air out the home and help reduce the spread of contaminants inside the home. Remove any personal items that are not affected to a safe area to prevent contamination during the repair and clean-up of the affected areas. Once the source of the backup is repaired, you are left with the cleanup process which should be completed by professionals with the tools and training to safely clean and dry the affected areas. Resist the urge to clean up the sewage yourself. Improper cleanup can spread contamination and expose you to health risks. A professional cleanup is essential to ensure all bacteria and pathogens are eliminated. Consult your insurance carrier once you have the situation stabilized. Many homeowner's insurance policies cover sewage backups, but coverage can vary. Take photos and videos of the affected area before any cleanup begins. This documentation will be helpful when filing your insurance claim.
ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points can effectively handle the clean-up tasks while protecting you from the health risks presented by biohazards in the wastewater. Porous materials like carpets, drywall, and insulation that have been contaminated with sewage must be removed and replaced. ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points will handle this process according to safety guidelines. We remove all water and sewage with specialty equipment. We dry out the affected areas and disinfect flooring and other surfaces that have been contaminated by the sewage. We are on programs with most insurance carriers so we can help you get your home cleaned up and dried out while coordinating with your claim adjuster, helping you to recover from this disaster more quickly and easily.