In Central Indiana, the summer months can bring high heat and humidity as well as intense storms accompanied by a heavy rain shower. Unfortunately, all this water can lead to a real issue with home sewer lines, overburdening the sewer systems and creating clogs and backups for unlucky homeowners.
When there is a sewage backup oozing from your drains, first contact your plumber to request sewer repair services, and fast! This unpleasant side effect of summer storms poses a hazard to your family, plus it could damage household pipes and drains.
Learn why a backup is possible after storms, rain, and flooding, and how to spot the signs your sewer system is on the verge of backing up. Mr. Plumber shares tips to help you prevent sewer lines from experiencing backup and informs you what to do if this problem does occur.
Sewer line backup refers to a reversal in the direction sewage flows from homes to shared community sewer systems or private septic tanks.
When the components of a sewer and drain system function correctly:
When backups occur, waste moves from downward in the sewer back up to the home. Depending on the severity of the blockage or cause of the backup, sewage can come out of drains throughout the home’s plumbing fixtures, from toilets to basement floor drains.
When a sewer line backs up, it is possible that areas of the home will be exposed to raw sewage and human waste. Exposure to this biohazard can be dangerous to a family or household. When sewage is present, particles may become airborne and vapors emanate from the waste. Gastroenteritis and respiratory symptoms much like asthma are often reported after exposure to sewage. A sewage backup can also bring harmful viruses and bacteria into the home which creates another exposure risk – these include hepatitis, coronavirus, Salmonella, and E. Coli.
Heavy rain from summer storms commonly causes flooding, so there is an excess of water runoff to eliminate. Runoff flows into the storm sewer and groundwater levels rise, which can impact sanitary sewer systems for human waste, too. Because the shared sewer system or private septic tank is so overwhelmed with water, there is no place for waste coming from the home to go – so it backs up into the home.
Summer storms also present a risk of backups due to another cause: fast-growing tree roots. Root systems can grow significantly when conditions are very wet, causing tree roots to spread. They are commonly attracted to buried sewer lines, as the waste moving through the pipes holds nutrients beneficial to the plant’s growth.
Once tree roots reach the location of a buried sewer line on a piece of property, the roots can bust right through the piping to access the waste and nutrients within. Once in the pipes, they continue to grow and fill up space until the roots eventually form a blockage and no waste can flow through.
While backups due to stormy weather are in a category of their own, many sewer backups develop from clogs in sewer lines. If addressed early on, a plumber can treat the clog so it does not develop into a total blockage of the line.
Signs you have a sewer clog forming and are in the early stages before a backup include:
Because a sewage backup is a true health risk, this plumbing issue should be addressed immediately once it is detected. Get your family out of the home and call your plumber to request emergency sewer repair service. If any clothing items come into contact with sewage in the home, remove them at once.
Do not use water or drains in the home until professional repair services are complete. Continuing to use water and add waste to drains can intensify the sewer problem. If water from flooding nears electrical outlets, shut off the home’s power. Also, turn off the gas supply to heating units, water heaters, and stoves.
Your plumber will first work to find the source causing the backup as well as other contributing factors. While heavy rain and excess groundwater are acts of nature that cannot be controlled, there may be issues with your sewer line that are contributing to clogs or a backup. In other cases, a sewer backup can be unrelated to the weather altogether and there will be system repairs to be made.
A plumber is able to use camera inspection equipment to look deep into a home’s sewer pipes to spot a clog or defect in the lines. The camera tells your plumbing professional exactly where the clog or damage sits and what causes it. Different repair methods can be used, depending on the issue discovered.
Because sewage exposure can be hazardous to family health, thorough cleaning must be performed after backups.
Backups also cause damage to the home, which must be repaired.
In the event of serious home or basement flooding or heavy sewage backup, many homeowners elect to contact a home remediation company. These specialists perform the cleanup steps above and more, working to thoroughly clean affected areas then restore the home through necessary repairs.
While backups caused by summer rain and weather are impossible to control, there are several factors within your control that can keep your sewer pipes in good condition to reduce the chance of backups.
Follow these tips to prevent sewer lines from backing up and protect the home plumbing system.
When you experience a backup involving your home sewer pipes, turn to a trusted plumber who will quickly tend to your needs. Mr. Plumber’s team of licensed Indiana plumbers perform comprehensive sewer line repair and replacement services throughout the Greater Indianapolis area. Contact us today to request a service appointment.