How Can I Prevent Sewage From Backing Up Into My Home?

If you have water damage to your home and are located in or around Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill please visit our water damage page today.

There are many different home emergencies that homeowners fear, but a sewer backup is potentially the scariest property disaster. In addition to the health hazards posed when families are exposed to harmful, bacteria-ridden waste, sewage floods can cost a lot of money to clean up, as well.

Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t think about this until there is a major issue, such as an overflowing toilet that’s covering the bathroom floor with sewage. Our hope is that with the advice below, more homeowners will be better prepared should their worst plumbing nightmares come true.

1. The first and most obvious bit of advice is to never use the toilet to dispose of anything other than what it’s meant for. Things that you should avoid flushing include disposable diapers, moist towelettes or baby wipes, cotton swabs and cotton balls, paper towels, cat litter, bandages, cigarette butts, or prescription medications. Many of these items don’t break down in water and can collect and form a clog, which backs up water and makes a mess on your bathroom floor.
2. Many people overestimate the capabilities of their under-sink garbage disposal units. It’s best not to dispose of large quantities of vegetable peelings or other food refuse, as, since that can overwhelm the machine and cause it to fail. The same goes for very hard materials, like coffee grounds and animal bones, which can dull or damage the blades. Fibrous foods such as corn husks and celery stalks can jam the disposal, as well as form a clog further down through the plumbing. Hot grease may be tempting to pour down the drain, but once it cools off and hardens it will form a solid plug, impeding proper drainage.
3. Over-the-counter drain cleaners should be used sparingly, and only under the right circumstances. These types of products can break up some types of clogs, they aren’t meant for all situations, and are made of harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes over time.
4. Older homes sometimes have sewer lines made of clay or cast iron, which degrade over time. Eventually, they may crack, and then collapse. This is even more likely if the underground pipes come in contact with tree roots, which can cause serious amounts of damage to underground plumbing. Homeowners that own older houses should have a sewer inspection performed every few years, potentially saving a lot of money by catching a problem before it gets too serious. Some people buying a new home get a sewer inspection.

If you ever experience a sewage back up in your home, it’s recommended that you contact PRS today. We’re available 24/7 through our emergency hot-line at 919-467-1991. Our trained and certified professionals will be able to determine the severity of the damage and work with your insurance company to keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum.