What Causes a Sewer Backup in Your Home?

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Knowing the causes of sewer backup in your home can ensure you are treating the problem correctly.

Just like many other functions in your home, when your sewer lines are working properly you often never give them a second thought. However, as soon as one of the pipes become obstructed and blocked, major damage to your home can occur. The dark liquid that forms as sewage can contain toxic waste and chemicals that are a major health hazard to humans or animals.

Knowing the causes of sewer backup in your home can ensure you are treating the problem correctly.

What are the main causes of sewer backup?

Clogs

Clogs within the main sewer line or pipes are one of the most common causes of sewer backup. This can be a result of anything that goes down into the pipes, such as toilet paper, hair, soap scum and grease. If there is only one toilet that is presenting an issue, it is probably just a clogged drain. However, if there is sewage backup every time you flush, you are probably dealing with some blockage within the main sewer line.

The easiest way to prevent this is to be cautious of the items that are being flushed down the toilet or the garbage disposal. Avoid putting napkins, diapers, and feminine hygiene products that could all risk clogging the pipes in your toilet.

Tree Roots

Another very common cause of sewer backup are tree roots interfering with pipes. Especially within older homes, it is possible for tree roots to cause a hole in the pipe by crashing into it or even crush the pipe itself by growing around it. Even if you don’t see any trees immediately nearby, it is possible that the tree roots have crossed property lines underground and may be located far away from the trunk itself.

If you can hear gurgling noises from your toilet or your drain is slow to flush, these can both be clues that tree roots are the source of the issue. If this the problem, the tree roots will need to be killed and the pipes replaces

Damaged Sewer Lines

Before plastic sewer lines became the norm, pipes were often constructed from iron and clay piping which were susceptible to lots of wear and tear over time. Old and damaged sewer pipes are another common cause of sewer backup.

Heavy Rainfall

Additionally, if there are large amounts of rainfall and flooding near your home, the sewer lines in your city can become overburdened and the water can head into the connected sewer lines.

With any sign of sewer backup, it is important to seek help immediately, no matter the cause!