What Causes the Sewer Line to Back Up?

If you’re having trouble with water backing up from the toilet or sink, you might be facing a problem in your main sewer line. Understanding what causes this problem can help you prevent it in the future.

Sewage backups are a serious plumbing issue that should be addressed quickly. They can pose several health risks and cause severe property damage.

Clogged Pipes

There are a lot of reasons why the main sewer line in your home can back up. A lot of it is beyond your control, but there are a few things you can do to prevent this problem from happening.

First, you should be sure to avoid sending waste down your drains in the first place. Toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, sanitary products and other bulky items can cause clogs and blockages in your pipes.

You should also stay away from fats, oils and grease. They can easily become congealed and stuck to your sewer lines as they cool.

Another way to help prevent clogs is to only use water in your sinks, tubs and showers when it’s needed. This means you should only run cold tap water if you need to use it for cleaning purposes or if you’re washing clothes or dishes.

Once you know what causes a clogged pipe to back up, you can make a decision whether or not to take action on the problem yourself or call a plumber. While there are a few simple do-it-yourself solutions, such as pouring baking soda down the pipes and running hot water through them, a full sewer scope inspection is typically necessary to get to the root of the problem and fix it. We at Rooter Man of NJ offer camera inspections, we can come out and inspect your main line and see exactly what is going on.

The best way to determine the location of the clog is to have an expert inspect it using a sewer camera. This can identify the exact location and help remove any debris that might be blocking the sewer pipe.

Finally, if you notice foul odors coming from any of your drains, it could be a sign that the water is slowly backing up in your sewer drain pipe. This can be a result of tree roots, organic build-up or simply a clog that is holding back the flow of water in your drain pipes.

A backed up sewer line can be dangerous for your family and property, so it’s essential that you call a plumbing professional such as Rooter Man of NJ right away. They’ll be able to locate the blockage and get it fixed quickly so that you can enjoy clean, safe drains once again.

Tree Roots

Roots are a tree’s most important part, serving several functions including anchoring the tree in the soil, uptake of water and nutrients, and preventing erosion. They also provide a source of oxygen for the leaves of the tree, which is essential for their health and energy production.

Root systems are primarily composed of larger, woody roots, which serve as an anchor and store water and carbohydrates for the tree. The rest of a tree’s root system is comprised of smaller, feeder roots that absorb surface water and minerals from the soil.

These small, lateral roots grow outward from the base of the tree, often two or three times further. They also extend up and around the branches of the tree.

As a result, trees are able to detect the presence of small leaks and pockets of moisture and nutrients in underground sewer lines. The roots grow towards the spots where these leaks occur and eventually invade the sewer line.

There are a few different ways to prevent this, but one of the most common is to have an annual plumbing inspection done by a professional plumber. This way, any problems can be fixed before they get out of hand and cause a sewage backup.

If you suspect that your sewer line is backed up, call your local Rooter Man of NJ as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. They will have the tools needed to clear the pipes, and they can give you advice about what to do afterward to make sure the problem doesn’t come back in the future.

Tree roots are a major cause of clogged and damaged sewer lines, so it’s important to keep them out of the pipeline as much as possible. This will protect your home from sinkholes, slow drains, and gurgling toilets that can lead to expensive repair bills.

Damaged Pipes

A sewer backup occurs when waste, like human feces and toilet paper, backs up into your home. It is caused by clogs or blockages in the main sewer line, which carries wastewater from your home to the city sewage system.

Your house’s sewer pipes are located under your foundation, and they are designed to carry water, waste and sewage away from your home. You should always make sure that your piping is in good condition. This will help prevent any problems from occurring in the future.

Having routine checkups and cleanings can help to catch any potential issues before they become serious. It’s also a great way to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Old pipes are more likely to break and cause a sewage backup. In the past, cast iron and clay piping were used, but these are not as durable as modern plastic piping.

If you have an older home, it’s important to have your plumbing checked on a regular basis. In addition, you should make sure that your drains are not blocked.

Tree roots are another common problem that can cause damage to your sewer pipe. They grow long and intertwine with the pipe, causing cracks that lead to blockages or even holes.

It’s important to have your pipes inspected and cleaned regularly. This will help to avoid any problems in the future and ensure that your sewage lines are safe for you and your family.

If you have a sewage backup in your home, it’s best to call Rooter Man of NJ right away. They have the experience and equipment necessary to clear a sewage backup quickly and efficiently.

Other signs that your sewage pipes are damaged include slow-moving drains, gurgling noises, and water backing up from your tub or shower.

Heavy Rain

Heavy rains, whether during summer storms or winter snowmelts, can cause a lot of problems for your plumbing system and home. They can clog drains and sewer pipes, lead to flooding, and cause power outages.

While public sewer systems can handle a certain amount of water at once, too much water in the system can overwhelm them and lead to backups. This is particularly common during periods of heavy rainfall or after a flood in your area.

The excess water from heavy rain can clog the main sewer line in your community, which connects homes to shared sewer lines and private septic tanks. When this occurs, sewage backs up into your basement or bathroom sinks.

A main sewer line can also be plugged by tree roots, breaks in pipes, or saturated ground. This usually occurs with older or fragile piping that is more susceptible to cracks.

Another issue that causes sewer lines to back up is due to shifting soil and sand after rains. This causes the underground pipes to bend in a strange way and adds additional stress that can break them.

If you have an older home, you may want to consider having your sewer lines inspected. This will prevent a main sewer line from experiencing a blockage and causing a backup in the future.

In addition, many homeowners in rain-prone areas purchase sewer backup coverage as an additional product or as an added premium to their home insurance policy. This coverage will help you cover the costs of repairing or replacing your sewer lines when they break down.

Sewer backups can be a serious health risk for families, as raw sewage and human waste can contaminate homes. This can lead to respiratory symptoms such as asthma, gastrointestinal issues, and other health conditions.

If your sewer line backs up, it is important to call a plumber right away. We at Rooter Man of NJ are always available for those unexpected emergencies. Having the problem fixed quickly can ensure that there is no damage to your property or your health, and that you are not at risk for contracting any diseases from raw sewage or other household chemicals.