Sewer backups can be a serious issue, often leading to costly and time-consuming repairs. If you’re concerned about the possibility of a backup in your home, it's crucial to recognize the signs and understand the common causes behind these backups.
What Are Sewer Backups?
Sewer backups occur when an item or debris obstructs the normal flow of water from your house to the sewer system, causing sewage to back up into your home.
A clogged sewer drain can affect the plumbing throughout your entire home, resulting in significant damage and a major headache. In severe cases, raw sewage may even back up out of your drains.
Before reaching this point, you might notice warning signs:
- Your toilet won’t flush or flushes slowly.
- Bubbling occurs when flushing the toilet or draining the sink.
- Backup in one plumbing fixture causes issues in others.
- Seepage is detected at basement floor drains.
- Foul odors emanate from drains.
- Multiple drains are clogged simultaneously.
If any of these symptoms arise, consult our professional team at Pipelining Northwest for your free estimate.
Common Causes of Sewer Backups
Identifying the cause of a sewage backup is vital for effective resolution.
City Sewer Main Blockage: Municipalities are responsible for storm sewer systems and sanitary sewer systems. If blockages occur in these systems, the city handles remediation. However, homeowners are responsible for resolving issues within their own sewer lines.
Broken or Collapsed Sewer Lines: Aging or poorly maintained sewer pipes are prone to breaking or collapsing. Even new and well-maintained pipes can suffer from breakages due to misalignment or offsets.
Tree Roots in the Sewer Line: Tree roots naturally seek moisture and can infiltrate cracked or jointed sewage pipes, obstructing flow and potentially causing pipe damage.
Blockages in Your Home’s Plumbing: Flushing inappropriate items down the toilet or rinsing debris down the sink can lead to blockages within your home’s plumbing system.
Repairing Sewage Backup Issues
If you suspect a sewage backup in your home, contact us at Pipelining Northwest today. We specialize in promptly and efficiently resolving drainage and sewer issues. With over 60 years of combined industry experience, our family-owned business offers transparent upfront pricing for all services. Specializing in sewer and drain solutions, including cleanings and camera inspections, we provide same-day service scheduling and 24/7 emergency assistance. Serving Snohomish, King, & Pierce Counties, from Everett to Tacoma, and beyond.