Tips For Cleaning Up Sewer Backups In Your Home Basement Safely

Sewer backups are not very uncommon nowadays. People will flush things that shouldn't necessarily be flushed down the toilet, or even things could occur naturally to make a sewer backup. When your sewer backs up, do not panic! Just call your local utility department, and they will have someone out to your location shortly. If you think your sewer is backed up, there are a couple of steps you should take to make sure that it doesn't get backed up even more than it already is.

First, don't flush the toilet!! This will ensure that nothing else is going down into the sewer and that it is left as it is. Don't run the laundry, dishwasher, and/or shower. Also, do not turn on the water taps! Once a professional arrives at your location, make sure to let them know what has happened. The operator will also ask you a couple questions to try to narrow down the cause of the sewer back up. "When did you first notice the problem?" and, "Have you experienced a sewer backup before?" are examples of what the operator may ask you when trying to figure out the cause.

From there, the operator will then check the main sewer lines, both upstream and downstream. They will then inspect the line with a power ream and camera. You will be asked to sign an agreement and charges may apply since it is a private property. Any cleanouts that are smaller than four inches may not be eligible to be cleaned. This is because the size of the necessary equipment may be too large. From there on, the operator may try to unblock the pipe. If that doesn't work too well, then you may need to call in a plumber for further inspection. If the backup creates a bio hazard mess, then it would be advisable to hire a professional to remove the impacted materials and insure of proper cleanup. Raw sewage can lead to many potential health hazards and needs to be dealt with in an urgent manner.

There are many reasons that a sewer backup occurs, and it may not be your fault. Don't guilt yourself into thinking that you were the cause for the backup. Things like solids, and debris can backup your line. These can include fats, oils, grease, dirt, hair, bones and even things like diapers and broken dishware. Tree roots can even cause a backup to occur. They take advantage of leaks and breaks in the pipes and will infiltrate them, cause a blockage in the pipe. And also, it can be caused by offset and fault pipes. This means that the pipes could be misaligned and even offset, and that could definitely cause a backup in your sewer. Call a professional today if you are having a backup in your sewer.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com