Dealing With a Backed Up Sewer Line?

What Is a Backed-Up Sewer Line? 

When thinking about the plumbing in a home or business, the drainage system isn't always the first thing that comes to mind. But, anywhere there is freshwater service in a building or home, a drain connects to a sewer to allow the used water to drain away. When the drains meet the sewer main, the pipe is expected to handle large volumes of some of the foulest fluid imaginable. Unfortunately, when sewer line problems occur, this mess can back up into homes and businesses. 

Sewer line backups occur when a clog has formed in the sewer line. This prevents the effluent produced by the plumbing from flowing away, causing it to sit in the pipes. If the clog exists long enough, sewage will have nowhere to go but out of floor drains and toilets. Learning how to deal with this problem is something that every owner should know. Here are a few tips from local experts to help owners navigate this nasty situation. 

Why Do Sewer Lines Get Clogged?

Sewer lines are expected to handle everything that is thrown at them. This includes everything from human waste to food scraps washed down a sink. In addition to this challenge, sewer lines are also buried under the ground, subjecting them to forces that can seriously impede their ability to do their job. Some of the specific causes of sewer backups are: 

• Invasive tree roots growing in sewer pipes
• Cracked sewer lines
• Shifting soils 
• Poor drain and sewer habits 
• Lack of routine sewer line cleaning 
• Crushed sewer piping
• Blockages from waste that shouldn't have been discarded into the sewer

Fixing Sewer Line Back Ups 

Sewer line repairs are some of the most dreaded fixes for property owners. Not only is dealing with a sewage backup a mess but there is the added stress of losing plumbing service while also stressing about the cost and invasiveness of the sewer line repairs. The first step is not to stress!

Sewer line repairs start at the cheapest and simplest options and go from there. Most plumbers will start fixing a sewer line using hydro-jet drain cleaning or pipe augers to remove blockages. If problems persist, they will use a sewer video inspection rig to look for problems like collapsed pipes. If serious problems are found, then plumbers know the exact cause and location of the problem so they can quickly make repairs. Often, trenchless pipe lining can be used to cheaply repair serious sewer line problems without all the hassle. 

Preventing Sewer Line Problems 

Preventing sewer line problems is far easier than dealing with a sewage backup. Most of the preventative measures boil down to good habits for a property's drain and sewer system. To prevent sewer line problems, adopt habits like: 

• Discarding food waste in the garbage
• Installing hair screens on tubs and sinks
• Using the garbage disposal while rinsing dishes
• Not flushing non-flushable items
• Scheduling routine drain cleaning when drains start to run slowly 

About A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc. offers emergency services to those dealing with sewer issues. Their certified technicians can diagnose and repair any plumbing problem quickly. Call today for guaranteed plumbing service in Murphysboro, IL.

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