A sewage backup is one of the worst crises you can experience as a homeowner. As soon as wastewater starts pouring into your house, it’s essential to react immediately and minimize all the issues associated with sewage backups, such as large-scale structural damage and the associated health risks.
In the article below, you’ll learn how to address a sewer backup safely and immediately. You’ll also find out why backups occur and how a qualified provider of water damage repair services in Del Mar, CA, can help you mitigate the incident. Read on to learn more.
How do I stop sewage from backing up in my house?
A sewage backup is a serious plumbing issue. Like the wide variety of leaks you may face in your house (e.g., a slab leak that needs to be addressed urgently), you want to react as soon as possible. The first step is to stop sewage from backing up, and instead of trying to do so yourself, let a certified plumber take care of the work.
Once they arrive, they’ll determine and fix the cause of the problem. Below are several potential culprits:
Damaged or clogged sewer pipe
Your sewer pipes might be damaged for several reasons, such as earth movements. Sinkholes and earthquakes make your lines break or crack, resulting in a total or partial collapse that causes sewage backup.
In this case, your only option is to have your pipes replaced. Contact a plumber who knows how to remove old piping and install brand-new, more durable systems.
Likewise, many items can clog your sewer pipes:
- Soap buildup
- Hair
- Grease
If there’s a major blockage, sewage has nowhere to go but up and into your house. Thankfully, plumbers can use high-quality drain snakes – small boring tools that rotate slowly and push through clogs – to solve the issue quickly.
Old pipes
If you have outdated plumbing, it can no longer keep up with the demands of a modern household. Cast iron and clay pipes tend to break down and crack, leading to all kinds of problems, including sewage. Patching up an old pipe is only a temporary fix, so don’t take a chance; bring in a trusted plumber who can install a modern system that’s more resilient to backups.
Tree root intrusion
As tree roots grow, they may sometimes run into your home’s pipes. Attracted to the moist environment of your sewer lines, they can puncture the piping and prevent sewage from flowing away from your house.
Once again, hiring a professional plumber is your best bet here because they can remove roots with hydro jetting and perform trenchless sewer line replacement (if possible), to give you a reinforced plumbing system.
How do I clean my house after sewer backup?
Sewage contains dangerous microbes and substances, which is why you shouldn’t clean your house yourself after a backup. Get in touch with a seasoned plumber who can clean and restore your home using tried-and-true methods:
- Addressing the cause of the backup
- Removing water from the house
- Drying the place with industrial dehumidifiers
- Disinfecting walls, floors, and other affected surfaces
- Replacing severely damaged areas
Need top-tier water damage repair services in Del Mar, CA?
Fixing sewage backup isn’t something you should do on your own without proper training and equipment. You want to address the problem correctly the first time around, and the best way to do so is to bring in Risk Free Serv.
Whether you live near Powerhouse Park or elsewhere in Del Mar, give us a call as soon as you notice a backup. and we’ll give you a quick yet thorough emergency service to stop the backup and help prevent future incidents with a variety of methods, such as high-quality plugs.
We’re also available for many other services. For instance, if a recent flood has soaked and damaged your floors and the rest of your property, we’ll provide comprehensive restoration to help return your home to its former glory. Book the finest water damage repair team in the area!