12 October

Can I Prevent a Sewer Backup

A sewer backup is probably in the top five of a homeowner’s worst nightmare—it might even take the number one spot for some. There is nothing worse than imagining your home becoming flooded with contaminated water, or discovering that sewage is leaking into your bathtub. Find out what you can do to prevent a sewer backup from happening in your home with the help of plumbing services in Hamilton.

What Causes a Sewer Backup?

First, let’s explore what some of the likely causes of a sewer backup are. There are a number of reasons why you might find yourself dealing with one. The first is a clog in the main sewer line. When the main sewer line is blocked, what goes down your drains has no clear pathway out of your home. This can cause the water to travel back into your home.

Secondly, tree roots can be a major problem when it comes to your home’s sewer lines. Even the smallest of cracks in your lines can be the perfect entrance for a root to work its way inside. Eventually, it will grow big enough to completely clog the line, creating a sewer backup in your home. Part of our plumbing services in Hamilton includes rooter services to clear away problematic tree roots.

Additionally, outdated sewer systems in older homes can be the culprit of a sewer backup. The original way indoor plumbing was installed into homes was through cast iron or clay pipes. Some neighbourhoods still use these maters, which can be an issue as they are more likely to break or collapse over time, causing issues with your plumbing.

Finally, it is possible that Canada’s weather could be the reason for a sewer backup. Large amounts of rain or a hyperfast winter thaw can contribute to excess water finding its way into the sewer system, ultimately creating a backflow.

How to Recognize a Sewer Backup

Sometimes you aren’t able to spot the signs of a sewer backup until it’s too late, which will only result in higher expenses in order to repair it. To save yourself some money, here are some of the early signs of a sewer backup:

• Toilets don’t flush as they should and plunging doesn’t help
• There is a fetid smell coming from your drains
• Seepage in your basement floor drains
• You have multiple clogged drains in your home
• Continous blubbing when you flush a toilet or a sink is trying to drain

If you notice any of these signs, contact a company that offers professional plumbing services in Hamilton right away before it gets too late.

Of course, the most obvious sign that you’re dealing with a sewer backup is if sewage appears in places where it shouldn’t, including your bathtubs, sinks, showers, and other drains. If this happens, DIY drain cleaning is not an answer. You may require emergency plumbing services if this is the case.

What You Can Do to Prevent a Sewer Backup

Here are four really easy tips you can do in order to prevent a backup in your home’s sewer system:

Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Garbage Can

You should not be flushing anything down your toilet aside from toilet paper and human waste. This includes items such as diapers, wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and more. Even if a product is advertised as “flushable”, they do not belong down your toilet.

Be Careful What You Put down Your Sink

Similarly, be careful about what you put down your sink. Avoid pouring any clog-causing materials down your drains such as grease, oil, coffee grounds or other food waste. Specifically be wary of oil and grease as they can harden in your drains, creating blockages. These items belong in your garbage, not down your kitchen sink. You will require professional assistance to unclog these drains, as it is a myth that chemical drain cleaners work just as effectively.

Install a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump can be a great idea to prevent sewer backups. They work by removing groundwater from beneath your home, stopping floods from happening in your basement—which is the part of your home most vulnerable to flooding. Additionally, if you already have a sump pump installed, it is important to have it regularly serviced in order to maintain its effectiveness and efficiency.

Install a Backwater Valve

Sometimes better known as a backflow valve, a backwater valve reduces the possibility of sewage seeping into your basement in the event of a backup. Having one installed does not affect any water from your toilets, sinks, and tubs that flows out of your home. What it does is seal shut in the instance of water starting to flow backwards, stopping sewage in its tracks.

How Plumbing Services in Hamilton Can Help Prevent a Backup

Some of these tips require the help of a professional plumber—specifically the installation of a sump pump or backwater valve. Additionally, it is also a good idea to schedule regular cleanings of your drains in order to ensure they continue to work properly.

PlumbWize provides expert plumbing services in Hamilton to help you with all your plumbing needs. Find out exactly what we can do for you and your home in order to prevent sewer backups by contacting us today!

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