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What Is a Sewer Backup & How It’s Fixed
A sewer backup occurs when wastewater can’t flow to the main sewer line and instead pushes back into sinks, tubs, or toilets. Common causes include blockages from debris, tree roots, grease, or damaged pipes. Left untreated, backups can cause serious health hazards, foul odors, and costly water damage. Professional cleaning, hydro jetting, and pipe repair restore your system’s flow and safety.
8 Times You Shouldn’t Ignore a Sewer Backup:
- Visible damage or cracks in sewer pipes
- Previous backups keep returning
- Basement or lowest floor shows signs of flooding
- Water backs up after heavy rain
- Slow drainage in several fixtures at once
- Toilets gurgle or bubble when using other fixtures
- Strong sewer odor lingers indoors
- Sewage or dirty water appears in multiple drains
01. Keep Your Sewer Lines Clear & Safe
02. Act Fast to Prevent Health Risks
Need Emergency Sewer Backup Help? Call Us Now.
How Can We Help You Today?
What Is a Sewer Backup & How It’s Fixed
A sewer backup occurs when wastewater can’t flow to the main sewer line and instead pushes back into sinks, tubs, or toilets. Common causes include blockages from debris, tree roots, grease, or damaged pipes. Left untreated, backups can cause serious health hazards, foul odors, and costly water damage. Professional cleaning, hydro jetting, and pipe repair restore your system’s flow and safety.
8 Times You Shouldn’t Ignore a Sewer Backup:
- Sewage or dirty water appears in multiple drains
- Strong sewer odor lingers indoors
- Toilets gurgle or bubble when using other fixtures
- Slow drainage in several fixtures at once
- Water backs up after heavy rain
- Basement or lowest floor shows signs of flooding
- Previous backups keep returning
- Visible damage or cracks in sewer pipes
SYMPTOMS OF A Sewer Backup
Unpleasant Smells:The first sign of a potential sewer backup is often a foul odor emanating from your drains. This unpleasant smell is a clear indication that sewage is not properly draining from your home and may be accumulating in your sewer lines or septic system. It signals a blockage or break in the sewer line that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage.
Multiple Drains Clogging: Experiencing clogs in multiple drains simultaneously is a strong indicator of a significant blockage in your main sewer line. This condition suggests that the problem is not localized to one area of your home but affects the entire sewer system. It’s a clear sign that your home’s main sewer line, which connects to the municipal sewer system or your septic tank, is obstructed.
Bubbling Near Drains: Noticing air bubbles emerging from your drains is a symptom of sewer drain issues. These bubbles, often accompanied by gurgling sounds and foul odors, indicate that air is trapped by a clog in your sewer system, creating pressure and forcing air through the water in your drain traps.
Toilet Issues: Toilets that flush slowly or exhibit water levels higher than usual after flushing may indicate a backup in the sewer system. Such issues often precede more severe backups, making it crucial to address them as soon as they are noticed.
Unexplained Increase In Water Bill: An inexplicable rise in your water bill can signal a leak or backup in your sewer system. This increase suggests that water is escaping from your system or that excess water is being used to attempt to clear blockages, indicating underlying issues with your sewer lines or septic system.
Slow Draining Bathtubs And Laundry Lines: Bathtubs or laundry lines that drain slowly, despite attempts to clear them, may be symptomatic of a blockage in your main sewer line. This slow drainage indicates that wastewater is not efficiently moving through your system, pointing to potential obstructions in your home’s sewer pipes.
Water Backup In Other Drains: Observing water backup in lower drains when using other fixtures in your home (like sinks or toilets) indicates a blockage in your main sewer line. This phenomenon shows that wastewater is being redirected back into your home due to a blockage in the sewer system, preventing it from flowing to the municipal sewer or septic tank.
COMMON CAUSES OF SEWER BACKUPS | Prodigy Plumbing & HVAC
Understanding the common causes of sewer backups can help homeowners take proactive steps to prevent them. Here are some of the primary reasons why sewer backups occur:
Prevention Tips for Clogged Shower
Preventing sewer backups and maintaining a healthy sewer system are crucial for avoiding property damage, health hazards, and the inconvenience of dealing with raw sewage in your home. Here are some essential prevention and maintenance tips:
Regular Inspections: Regularly inspecting and maintaining sewer lines is vital for identifying potential issues before they escalate into serious problems. This includes professional inspections of both the interior and exterior sewer lines to check for signs of wear, damage, or blockages. Periodic camera inspections can help spot cracks, clogs, or tree root intrusions in underground pipes, allowing for timely repairs or cleaning.
Proper Disposal Practices: One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent sewer backups is by practicing proper disposal habits. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items such as wipes (even those labeled as flushable), diapers, sanitary products, and excessive toilet paper, as they can cause significant blockages. Similarly, never pour grease, fats, or oils down kitchen drains; these substances solidify in pipes, creating clogs that can lead to backups. Instead, dispose of grease in the trash and use mesh screens over drains to catch debris.
Addressing Tree Root Intrusion:
Tree roots seeking moisture can invade and damage sewer lines, leading to backups. To prevent or mitigate tree root intrusion, consider removing trees located near sewer lines or opting for slow-growing, less invasive species. If roots have already invaded your sewer lines, a plumber can use mechanical augers or root-killing chemicals to clear them. However, these methods should be applied cautiously to avoid damaging the pipes further.
Installing Backup Prevention Devices
Installing devices such as backwater valves and sump pumps can significantly reduce the risk of sewer backups. A backwater valve prevents sewage from flowing back into your home during a backup, while a sump pump removes excess water from your basement or crawl spaces, preventing overflow. These devices, especially when combined, offer an effective defense against the most common causes of sewer backups.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO SEWER BACKUPS
If you detect a sewer backup in your home, taking immediate action is crucial to minimize damage and health risks. Here’s what you should do:
Safety First: Avoid contact with sewage and the affected area. Sewage can contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants that pose serious health risks.
Stop Using Water: Cease using all water in your home to prevent further backup. Do not flush toilets, run faucets, use washing machines, or dishwashers.
Electrical Safety: If the backup involves standing water that may come into contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or your home’s electrical system, turn off the power at the breaker box if it’s safe to do so.
Document the Damage: Take photos or videos of the affected area and any damages for insurance purposes.
Ventilation: Open windows and doors to ventilate the area if possible, but avoid using your home’s HVAC system to prevent spreading contaminants.
Call a Pro When Needed
When You Should Contact Experts for Sewer Backup
Sewer backups pose serious health risks and require immediate professional attention. Our Long Beach plumbing crew locates the blockage, clears it using high-pressure equipment, and repairs damaged lines to stop future incidents. We work quickly to protect your property and restore safe drainage.
Sewer line inspection
Hydro jetting
Pipe and joint repairs
Preventive maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What usually causes a sewer backup?
Sewer backups often happen due to grease buildup, pipe blockages, collapsed lines, or heavy rainfall overwhelming the system.
How do I know if my sewer line is clogged?
Common signs include multiple drains backing up at once, foul odors indoors, and water pooling near floor drains.
Is a sewer backup dangerous for my health?
Yes. Raw sewage can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, so immediate cleanup and professional repair are essential.
Can sewer backups be prevented?
Regular drain cleaning, avoiding grease disposal in sinks, and scheduling annual inspections can greatly reduce the risk.
How quickly can you respond to a sewer backup?
We offer same-day and 24/7 emergency services in Long Beach and surrounding areas to handle backups before damage spreads.
