How to Prevent Sewage Backups During the Winter?
Due to heavy monsoon and floods in the late summers, water damage issues are becoming increasingly common every year. However, certain water damage issues are prevalent in the winter season. Sewage backup is one of them.
What is Sewage Backup?
Sewage backup is considered one of the worst water damage-related issues affecting both residential and commercial properties. A sewage backup happens when sewage water and waste from a private system or sanitary sewer overflows and makes its way into your house.
It is highly critical to prevent sewage backup at the earliest, or things can get worse. Sewer backup will not just damage your household items and furniture, but it’s also a serious health hazard.
Sewage water is highly contaminated and loaded with harmful toxins that can severely damage your health and cause issues like breathing, burning in the eyes, headaches, asthma, skin allergic reaction, clogged nose, irritation in eyes, etc.
What Causes Sewage Backup?
There are various reasons why sewage backup occurs. Flooding is amongst the most common causes of sewage backup. Apart from this, there are various reasons why sewage backup occurs.
Some of the most prominent ones are listed below:
- Sewage line blockage caused by widely spread-out tree roots
- Faulty structure of water lines
- Plumbing issues
- Faulty installation of sewage line
- Pipe leakage
- Waste line leakage
- Faulty septic system
- Freezing of septic waste material
- Clogged sewage vents
- Freezing of sewage vents
How to Prevent Sewage Line Backup?
There are several safety precautions you can take to avoid sewage line backup during the winter season. Here’s what they are:
Grease Disposal
When it comes to disposing of grease, be extra cautious, or else it could clog your sewage line and result in sewage backup.
Garbage Disposal
Make sure you always dispose of heaving items in chunks and break them down into smaller pieces. Your garbage disposal can easily get choked if you put any large items or trash into it, which could cause sewage backup.
Toilet Flushes
You must have read these warning signs on almost all public toilets, ‘Do not flush toilet paper or sanitary pads down the toilet.’
The same applies to your home. Flushing items like toilet paper, sanitary pads, tampons, etc., can easily block and choke your sewage line and cause real havoc in your home. Other items you should avoid dumping in your toilet include baby wipes, cotton pads, hair, plastic wrappers, etc.
Sump Pump
If you do not yet have a sump pump installed in your home, it is high time you get one right away.
Moreover, you should make sure that your sump pump is in proper working condition. Test it from time to time to avoid any mishaps in the future.
Sewer Vents
Maintenance of sewer vents is key when it comes to preventing sewage backup. Make sure that you regularly clean out your sewage vents and keep them in proper working condition.
Snow in winter can easily seep up in between the vents and clog them. Wipe away all the snow that piles up on top of the sewer vents.
This snow layer on the top can cause another health result. If your sewer vents get clogged because of the snow, toxic sewer gases can make their way to your house and cause several health concerns.
Another reason why your sewer vents can get backed up is if they freeze because of extreme cold temperatures. Experts recommend you install some insulation or heating system in your house to make sure your sewer vents do not freeze.
Drains Maintenance
Another precautionary step that helps with preventing sewage backup is the maintenance of drains. Wash out the drains using water so you can also prevent toxic sewage gases from entering your house.
It is recommended you water down the less frequently used drains from time to time to keep them in proper working condition.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Sewage Backup Problem
Sewage line issues are extremely harmful to both your health as well as your home. It could ruin your furniture, flooring, walls, and other household items. The best solution for preventing sewage backup is by winter-proofing your home with a professional sewer cleaning company.
If you are looking for a reliable and professional sewage cleaning company, then 911 Restoration of Las Vegas is an ideal choice. A professional sewage cleaning company like 911 Restoration of Las Vegas has the right set of tools, equipment, and skilled workers to inspect your home for any signs of sewages. They can assess your home thoroughly and provide relevant solutions and services to help avoid any sewage backup accidents.
If you’re in Las Vegas or any nearby region and dealing with sewage backup at home, call 911 Restoration of Las Vegas to seek experts help right away. 911 Restoration of Las Vegas has excellent customer care service and enjoys a swift service within 45 minutes of calling them.