Everything to Know About Sewer Line Backups
Every house that doesn't have a septic tank has a sewer line that leads from the house to the municipal sewer system. Once the waste from the house goes through the sewer line, it's taken to a municipal treatment plant. Once it is in the municipal sewer system, it's no longer the homeowners' problem. But if that sewer line backs up — which is signaled by wastewater coming back into the home through one or more drains — then it is the homeowners' responsibility to fix the issue. Luckily, this doesn't have to be a week-long issue that costs an arm and a leg. Read on to learn all about sewer line backups and how to deal with one.
What Causes a Repeated Sewer Line Backup?
Sewer line backups can range in seriousness. Some backups may simply cause the drains in the home to slow down. Others can cause stoppages, preventing any wastewater from leaving the home's plumbing system. No matter the severity of the backup, it's important to deal with the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and an unsanitary situation in the home.
The cause of the backup could influence its severity. There are many possible causes for a sewer line backup. Since these sewer lines run under the ground from the home to under the street, ground shifts can cause breaks in the sewer line — especially if the pipe is old or corroded. Likewise, it's possible for a tree root to grow into the sewer line, breaking it and possibly infiltrating the line, causing the blockage. A sewer line backup can also come from inside the house, often when something inappropriate is flushed or put down a drain.
Ways to Fix a Backed-Up Sewer Line
The cause of the backed-up sewer line will dictate the method used to fix it. The first step involves diagnosing the problem with a sewer video inspection. This is when the plumber will insert a camera into the sewer line to locate the issue. Once the specifics of the issue are known, several methods can be used.
If there is no damage to the pipe and a blockage is the only problem, hydro jet drain cleaning could be the best option to clear the blockage and get things flowing correctly again. If there is damage to the sewer line or the pipe is old, trenchless sewer line repair could be the best option. Trenchless sewer repair is a method that's cheaper and more time-efficient than digging a trench to fix the issue. If the entire pipe needs to be replaced, the plumbers can use pipe bursting. Trenchless pipe lining may be appropriate if the pipe simply needs to be reinforced.
How Can Homeowners Prevent Their Sewer Line from Backing Up?
While not every sewer line backup will have a preventable cause, there are things homeowners can do to keep their sewer line clear. The first is to ensure nothing goes down the drain that shouldn't. This means ensuring that only waste and toilet paper get flushed in the bathroom. Even "flushable" wipes shouldn't be flushed, no matter what the packaging says. The same goes for other hygiene products. In the kitchen, it's important to avoid pouring grease down the drain because it can stick to the sides of the pipe and cause a backup.
Second, having the drains cleaned and the sewers inspected regularly is a good idea. Drain cleaning and sewer line inspection options should be discussed with a professional and trusted plumbing company.
About All Clear Plumbing
The professionals at All Clear Plumbing have been proudly serving Belleville, NJ, since 1952. They are A+ accredited by the BBB, and fully licensed and insured. They offer prompt, professional service and flat-rate pricing. Contact them today for sewer line repair in Belleville, NJ.
