Backup

Sewage backup is one of the most unpleasant and destructive things a homeowner can experience. When the main sewer line which runs from your plumbing to the municipal sanitary sewer is obstructed or damaged, this causes wastewater to fill your home’s sewer lines and drain pipes, and eventually overflow into your house. A clog, which is a buildup of a solid material in your sewer line, is the most common reason for sewage backup. A number of factors can contribute to a clog, including fat and cooking oil, toilet paper, soap, hair, coffee grounds, food waste, and anything else which doesn’t dissolve or break apart when it’s flushed down the sink or toilet. However, there can be other causes of clogged lines which aren’t homeowner related. Some of these include:

• Damaged sewer pipes.  Drain pipes in homes built before the 1960’s are often made of iron or steel, whereas those in newer homes are more likely to be made of copper or PVC (a durable, dense plastic with good tensile strength). Although each type of material has its pros and cons, none of them last forever. Pipes corrode, collapse, or deteriorate as they age.
• Tree roots.  Roots growing into pipes are a common problem, as roots can extend a considerable distance from a tree’s trunk. A tree with only a 6-inch diameter can have roots which stretch as far as 38 feet.
• Sump pumps, downspouts, and gutter flow. If your storm-water systems are routed to your sewer line, the drainage may be insufficient during heavy rain. To avoid flooding, rainwater should be routed to storm sewers when possible. 
• Municipal sewer problems.  Like pipes, municipal sewers are prone to decay and blockages, and when this is the source of the backup, the best thing to do is call a professional plumber for recommendations on how to proceed.

Call the Twin Home Experts today at (877) 941-1640 to receive a commitment free inspection. We proudly service the Los Angeles County area. 

The most effective measure against sewer backup is prevention. Flush nothing but toilet paper down the commode, and don’t put coffee grounds, oil, grease, or paint down sink drains. Paint coats the inside of pipes, shrinking their diameter and creating less space for particles to flow through freely.  Once a sewage backup occurs, it isn’t something you can manage over time or fix by yourself. Additionally, clogs and backups are very often caused by things over which you have no control.

If your sewer backs up, you must take some important steps to handle the emergency.

• Call a professional. Because of health risks and the extensive scope of the problem, you’ll need someone with commercial equipment, especially for water removal and excavating damaged pipes.
• Call the sewer department if you live within a municipality. If you own, or your home is connected to a private sewer, have your plumbing professional advise you on the best course of action.
• Protect yourself. Wear tall, waterproof boots, rubber gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear if you need to wade through the water. Don’t expose yourself to sewage.
• Shut off electricity. If you’re able to reach your electrical panel safely (it should be above and not touching the water line), turn off the main breaker.
• Turn off all household water. Unless the main valve is submerged in sewage water, shut it off.
• Don’t use any of your water-consuming appliances. 
• Open doors and windows for proper air ventilation.
• Add bleach to any standing water. Disinfecting the contaminated water will minimize some of the health risks until help arrives.
• Call your insurance company. Make sure to take pictures, especially of any damage that has occurred.

When it comes to your health and safety, the experienced plumbers at Twin Home Experts have the latest equipment to remove standing water quickly, repair drains and sanitation lines, and perform full remediation services for water damage resulting from the sewage backup. With Twin Home Experts, you’ll have access to 24/7 emergency plumbing services, which means we’ll be here for you when disaster strikes. Contact us today.