What Is a Backed-Up Sewer Line?
All of the drains in the home connect to the sewer line. The job of the sewer line is to take waste and used water to the municipal sewer lines so it can be treated and safely disposed of. However, clogs or issues can form in the process that cause wastewater to stop flowing through the line, leading to a sewage backup that causes wastewater to come back up through drains and toilets, creating a mess.
Learning how to deal with the problem and help prevent it before it happens can make the process easier. Here is a quick guide to backed-up sewer lines, including their causes, how they are fixed, and how they can be avoided so homeowners know how to respond properly.
Common Causes of Sewer Line Backups
The first step to understanding backed-up sewer lines is knowing what can cause them. Some of the sewer line problems that commonly cause sewage backups are:
- Blocked or clogged pipes
- Invasive tree roots
- Pipe damage from shifting soil
- Cracked, broken, or collapsed pipes due to age or other factors
Professional Fixes for Sewer Line Backups
How backed-up sewer lines will be fixed by plumbers depends on what caused them. Sewer lines are buried underground, so they are well-protected. However, this also makes it more difficult to diagnose the problem. So, the first thing a plumber will typically do is use sewer video inspection to get a clear look inside the line and find the cause of the backup without having to dig up the pipe.
Depending on the underlying cause of a sewer line backup, a plumber will decide the best course of action. In many cases, sewer line clogs are the cause of sewage backups, so plumbers will clear the clog with a plumber’s snake or hydrojetting to fix it.
If problems like damaged or broken pipes are the cause of a backup, plumbers will have to perform sewer line repair to fix the problem and stop backups. Depending on the extent of the damage, trenchless sewer repair methods may be used to fix the line without excavation. However, not all issues can be solved with trenchless repair, and the line may have to be dug up for repairs.
Protecting Sewer Lines and Preventing Backups
After dealing with a backed-up sewer line, most people want to know how to prevent the problem. Luckily, sticking to some good habits can help households avoid sewage backups. Some tips to help prevent backed-up sewer lines include:
- Discard food waste in the garbage instead of the kitchen sink
- Peel vegetables over a bowl instead of the sink and throw scraps in the trash
- Never pour cooking grease or oil down drains
- Only flush toilet paper down the home’s toilets
- Schedule routine plumbing maintenance and drain cleaning from plumbers
About Swick Home Services
Swick Home Services is a plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company with more than 40 years of expertise serving Marquette and the surrounding areas. They offer a price match guarantee, 24/7 support, and beneficial service plans. Call them today for sewer line services in Marquette, MI.
