There is not one single person in the world who wants to deal with a sewage backup. They are extremely messy, result in significant damage and are expensive to fix. The good news is that regular maintenance can play a critical role in preventing such situations, and best of all, this will save you thousands of dollars.
What Causes a Sewage Backup?
Sewage backups result when wastewater cannot flow from your home into the septic tank or municipal sewage system. When this happens, the sewage goes in the other direction and spills out in your house. There are many reasons this can occur. Some of the most common include clogged pipes, tree roots growing into the sewer line and heavy rain overwhelming the sewer system. When this takes place, sewage can come up through your drains or toilets, subjecting you to foul odors and serious health hazards.
Maintenance Tips for Preventing Sewage Backups
To keep sewage backups at bay, there are several things you can do to maintain your household plumbing. Here are the most common.
Watch What Goes Down the Drain
One of the easiest ways to keep a sewage backup from happening is to watch what you flush or allow to go down your drains. In the kitchen, don’t let grease go down your sink because when it cools off, it can harden and trap other debris along with it. Eventually, this will result in a blockage. Pour the grease into a pan, allow it to cool, and then dump it into the trash.
In the bathroom, don’t not flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down your toilets. Even products that are labeled as flushable are truly not because they take a long time to break down.
Schedule Regular Plumbing Inspections
When you schedule annual plumbing inspections, plumbers can spot and fix problems before they get out of control. They can go down into your sewer line with a camera to see if any tree roots or cracks are present, and they can discover blockages that may be forming. Inspections like these are critical, especially if your house is more than 20 years old.
Install a Backwater Valve
A backwater valve is a special device that stops sewage from flowing backward into your home. Many commercial establishments have these, and homeowners are acquiring them in increasing numbers because of the benefits they offer. These valves are critical in areas that receive a lot of rainfall.
Clean Your Sewer Line
Just as you clean your home, you need to clean your sewer line. You can keep this component of your plumbing system clean having a plumber perform a service such as hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to blast dirt and debris out of your sewer line. If any blockages are forming, they will be destroyed.
Maintenance now can save you a fortune later. So, do not wait for a sewage backup to occur. Stay ahead of the game and protect your California home by calling H & L Remediation Service for sewage cleanup and other essential plumbing services.