All About Sewer Line Backups
Backed-up sewer lines get gross in a hurry. Sewer line backups mean water and sewage don’t move out of the house as they should but come back into the home through the toilets and drains. Plumbers can use multiple tools to diagnose the cause of a sewer line backup and fix sewer lines to get water and waste flowing again. Here is a quick guide to dealing with this irritating plumbing problem.
What Causes Sewage Backups?
A sewer line backup involves a clogged, damaged, or collapsed sewer line stopping water and waste from flowing like it usually does. The result can be wastewater and sewage returning to the home via drains and toilets. A backed-up sewer line occurs for two main reasons, but those reasons can have multiple causes:
- Blockage or clog: A clog and blockage is a common cause of backups. Blockages can form from many things that shouldn’t go down drains and toilets, like hair, grease, food scraps, and non-flushable materials. Additionally, tree roots can grow into and clog underground lines and cause a backup.
- Broken or damaged line: A broken or crushed pipe can also deter the water flow and force the water to have nowhere to go but back into the home. Pipes can suffer this damage due to factors like shifting soil, corrosion, age, and wear and tear.
How to Fix a Backed-Up Sewer Line
Thankfully, backed-up sewer lines can be fixed by a plumber. Plumbers can use sewer camera inspection to look into the line and determine the cause of the backup, which will influence how it should be fixed. Here are a few methods that may be used when fixing backed-up sewer lines, depending on what caused it:
- Hydro jet drain cleaning: Water is a powerful tool in the fight against clogs. With hydrojetting, water is sprayed into the pipe at high volume and pressure to clean out the inside of the lines and remove any clogs or buildups.
- Drain snaking: A drain snake or plumber’s snake is another tool used for clogs. It’s a long cable that goes into the pipe with an end that can break apart blockages.
- Trenchless sewer repair: When pipes are damaged or otherwise broken, it can cause sewer backups. Trenchless pipe repair can be used to repair or replace broken pipes by adding an interior epoxy pipe liner or using another trenchless repair method, which is done without major excavation. However, not all pipe damage can be solved this way.
Preventing Backups in Sewer Lines
Homeowners can also help prevent sewage backups and their messy effects. They should avoid disposing of food in the drains, not pour grease down drains, and avoid flushing anything down a toilet besides waste and toilet paper. These tips will help prevent a major cause of backups: a clogged sewer line.
Homeowners should also have their plumbing and piping inspected regularly as a part of plumbing maintenance. Much of the reason for regular inspections is to catch problems before they get worse and lead to worse issues like backed-up sewer lines. Routine inspections and maintenance give a better chance of finding problems early.
About The Meridian Company
The Meridian Company is a local family-owned business serving Lansing and the surrounding areas. They are always ready and offer fast response and financing. Call them today for sewer line repair services in Lansing, MI.
