Responding to Sewer Line Backups
Sewer lines carry away all of the filth produced by a household. They are so gross that most homeowners don’t have the stomach to deal with them, and unless they are properly trained, they probably shouldn’t be dealing with them anyway. However, there are circumstances when being exposed to sewage is unavoidable.
When sewer lines back up, sewage may start flowing backward into the home, contaminating tubs and causing toilets to spill onto the floor. When this happens, homeowners need to know how to respond. Here is some advice from local experts to help with sewer line backups.
Why Do Sewer Line Backups Keep Happening?
Sometimes, a sewer clog may be a fluke, but in most cases, an underlying cause will lead to frequent sewer line clogs until it is dealt with. Sewer line clogs will happen repeatedly whenever the sewer line is compromised.
Some of the situations that will contribute to repeated clogging can include:
- Invasive tree roots penetrating and growing into the line
- Pipe damage or misalignment caused by shifting soils or being crushed under heavy loads at the surface
- Cracked or corroded pipes, especially if the pipes are clay or iron
- Collapsed pipes that impede the flow
If sewage backups are common, one of these is likely the culprit. Professional plumbers can assess the situation and determine the best way to alleviate the problem permanently.
Solutions Clogged Sewer Lines
The solution for chronically clogged sewer lines depends on the underlying cause. Plumbers often start by choosing the fastest and cheapest option to fix the problem.
In this case, hydrojetting cuts through clogs and tree roots so sewage can flow freely again. If the sewer line is clogged often, plumbers may take the opportunity to use sewer video inspection equipment after the line is clear to look for obstructions or problems.
If hydrojetting can’t fix the problem, plumbers must get more creative with their repairs. For minor pipe misalignments, plumbers may use traditional sewer line repair methods to repair or replace a segment of piping if the entire sewer line is compromised, as in the case of cracked metal or clay piping, trenchless pipe repair methods may be used to replace the entire line.
Preventing Clogged Sewer Lines
The best way to deal with a sewer line clog is never to get it in the first place. In most situations, this is a reasonable goal for the homeowner. To prevent sewer line clogs:
- Encourage people not to flush too much down the toilet at once
- Discard wipes and hygiene products in the garbage
- Throw food scraps and cooking grease in the trash
- Protect the path of underground piping by preventing heavy traffic over the top
Routine drain cleaning and hydrojetting are also great habits that can prevent sewer line clogs. By scheduling drain cleaning and hydrojetting every year or so, homeowners can prevent problems before they start. If problems still occur, calling a plumber at the first sign of trouble can prevent it from getting out of hand.
About Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc
Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc offers fast service for residential customers. Their teams quickly respond to most problems the same day and find permanent solutions. Call today for sewer line services in Seaside, CA.
