How To Handle A Sewage Backup In Your Home
Posted in Sewer Line Repair, on March 18, 2021
As a homeowner, nothing can be more distressing than the unpleasant surprise of a sewage backup! It can be caused by clogged drains, pipe buildup, tree-root infiltration, or improper flushing of items that should not be flushed down your toilet/drain. If you find yourself facing an unfortunate sewage backup, don't panic! Skip the search online for a 'plumber near me' and just speed-dial a trustworthy plumbing company like Broward Plumbing.
Our plumbers in Boca Raton and Plumbers in Fort Lauderdale are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to clear & fix the mess. You must never try to clean up a sewage backup yourself, as it can be a potential health hazard. Sewage not only contains disease-causing bacteria and other pathogens but also emits dangerous gases that can be severely toxic.
How to Prevent Sewage Backup
One of the most straightforward and efficient steps to prevent sewage backups is to get annual sewer inspections of your home. Sewage backups are more likely to happen if drains aren't cleaned if there's grease buildup and cracks in the piping. Getting an inspection of your gutters, which can be done via a plumbing camera inspection, can point out different issues with your piping and help determine the repairs necessary to prevent a backup.
Additionally, the older the home is, the more likely that the piping in your home has worn out and is more susceptible to backups. A quick and inexpensive repair can go a long way in preventing sewage backups and expensive repairs.
Sewer Drain Vs. Storm Drain Backups
When inspecting your home's plumbing system, it's important to know the difference between sewer and storm drains. Sewer drains contain water discharged from kitchen sinks, toilets, laundry, etc. Storm drains have rainwater collected from risers, gutters, and other places. Depending on if the sewer or storm drain back ups, different cleaning strategies and repairs are recommended. For example, storm drain backups can likely be fixed without a plumber at all.
When doing a camera inspection or reviewing your home's plumbing infrastructure, ask the plumber to help you determine which ones are sewer drains and which are storm drains.
At Broward Plumbing, our team of emergency plumbers in Boca Raton can help you identify the drains in your home and walk you through the process of doing any repairs.
Types of Sewage Backup Emergencies & What to Do
Toilet Overflowing
When a toilet is overflowing, the most important step is to stop the flow of water. Start by locating the valve behind the toilet and turning it clockwise to shut the water off (remember the rule: righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). The toilet may continue to fill with water for a short amount of time after this, which can be prevented by removing the tank lid and lifting the float ball to stop the flow of water. With all water sources off, you can now attempt to plunge the toilet normally. If this cannot remove the clog, you will need to call a plumber for assistance.
Sink Overflowing
If a bathroom or kitchen sink is clogged and water cannot drain, start by trying to plunge the drain. First, plug any unclogged drains (in the case of a double sink) and block overflow holes before attempting to plunge. If the plunge is ineffective, you will need to call a plumber. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as this can weaken pipes over time.
Bathtub Overflowing
To unclog a bathtub drain, block the overflow plate and scoop some of the water out of the tub to prevent splashing. If plunging efforts are unsuccessful, you must seek professional help.
Trust a Professional Plumbing Company
A sewage backup must be treated by an experienced professional who can do a quick and thorough repair job. While you're waiting for the emergency plumber to arrive, you can take the following steps to mitigate the damage:
- Wear personal protective gear like boots and a facemask if you need to walk across the sewage water.
- Shut off the main water supply.
- Turn off the electric supply in the affected area; water & electricity is a dangerous combination!
- Meanwhile, do not use your toilets to prevent any toilet overflows and further backups.
- Open the windows and doors to ventilate the affected area.
- You can add some chlorine bleach to the water to help disinfect it.
- Do not try DIY solutions with chemicals to unclog the drain as the acids may cause further damage to the pipes and sewer lines.
- Keep the elderly, children, & pets away from the affected area.
- Inform your local sewage department.
Please remember that a sewage backup is an emergency and should be dealt with immediately by trained experts. A professional plumber will have the necessary experience and equipment, like drain cameras, to carry out a sewer camera inspection for a quick and effective solution.
The Top Sewer Backup Repair Plumbers Near You
Our licensed and trained professionals will quickly get to the bottom of your sewage backup woes and take necessary remedial action. We do a thorough job, complete with an environmental inspection, to ensure that your family and home are protected from associated sewage threats. Trust the Broward expertise—decades of experience, fair prices, and a professional workmanship guarantee. Our technicians are on call 24/7 for all routine jobs and plumbing emergencies, so contact us today!