Understanding Home Sewer Backflow
If your home has had a drain backup, you know the cost, complaints, and damage. Hopefully, by understanding more about the problem you can avoid it at home.
“Sewage flows by gravity, so it usually follows the natural slope of the ground. City-owned and maintained sewer mains are typically 8 to 15 feet deep, and some are much deeper. They are usually the city’s main sewer line. or blockages in the sewer lines of private Sewer Backup Toronto service lines owned and maintained by the building owner.”
(Facts about sewer backups)
Since you may not be able to figure out on your own what could be the cause of your sewer blockage, it is a good idea to contact a professional plumber as soon as the problem arises. But in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to reduce damage to your home.
How to deal with sewer backflow
The first thing to do is to close all drains and block sinks, bathtubs, and drains. For toilet bowls, you can slide a string mop into the opening. Close the drain in the sink. The pressure behind sewage backflow can actually damage the fragile ceramics of sinks, bathtubs, and toilet bowls.
Next, if sewage rises in the sink, don’t flush it down the drain. You may want to rinse everything out, but you don’t need to add water to your already backed-up system.
Lastly, ask around. If your neighborhood also has backups, the problem is likely in a section of city-owned sewerage. You must contact the city. However, if the problem is only at home, the backup may be on your property.
After calling the plumber
The first call, of course, is to the plumber. They will be able to determine where the sewer backup is and what needs to be done to fix the problem. You may need to call a cleaning company after clearing the blockage and making sure the drain is working properly. It’s not just that clogged sewage in your home causes flooding. It can also leave behind bacteria that are very dangerous to your health. A professional cleaner will be able to make your home safe again.
Sewer backflow can be a big problem for you, your home, and your family. It can cause massive damage to your home and even pose a health hazard. But if you act quickly when the sewage is causing a problem, you should be able to handle the problem properly. As far as possible, prevent the backflow of sewage into sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. Then contact your plumber ASAP and delete the backup as soon as possible.
