Having a sewage backup can be a nightmare for your house’s plumbing. To prevent a major catastrophe with your plumbing you should always be alert and look for signs of a potential build up. Furthermore, there are a few small measures you can take to prevent this from ever becoming an issue.
Things you should not be draining
To prevent a sewage backup you’ll want to be aware of a few things:
The oil used in your cooking will surely end up in the drains. The more oil you use, the more oil will end up in the drains and there it is bound to be a build–up with time. So you’ll want to avoid too much oil going into the drain when cooking.
Another cause of sewage build-up in drains, is solids. There is a limited amount of household solids, that are actually safe for drains. For instance, drains are often clogged with an excessive amount of tissue papers and homes with kids have an added solid waste of wipes. This is also true for feminine products. Although there seems to be a lot of brands that pronounce themselves as safe for flushing, these also contribute to sewage backups.
Hair also seems to contribute heavily to clogged pipelines. Coincidentally, you’ll have a higher chance of sewage back up with longer hair lengths. A simple solution is to install a drain guard that catches the hair and impedes its drainage into the pipelines.
Are Trees Enemies to your plumbing system?
A little known cause of sewage backup involves the trees on your property; the trees’ roots to be precise. Trees growing near the plumbing will be in proximity of your pipes and its roots can grasp at your plumbing and could even grow through the pipes. If you have cause for concern, Papa’s Plumbing and Rooting services can arrange a thorough inspection and assess whether your plumbing is being interfered by your trees’ roots.
A routine check for the House’s plumbing system
Let’s face it, a sewage backup is the last thing you want to be facing; the smell, the damage, not to mention the cost! However, there are some preventive measures you could take to maintain the condition of your plumbing system and prevent such a disaster. The following is a list of preventive measures you could take to maintain your plumbing equipment and prevent small fixes from leading to major plumbing issues.
- Properly dispose of oils and grease. This may seem harmless, but once the oils cool they will solidify and eventually cause a backup in your pipes.
- Properly dispose of paper products, such as wipes and feminine products. Also try not to overload your toilets with tissue paper. Although toilet paper is designed to break down, an excess of anything in your drains can eventually cause a backup.
- Have a professional inspection of your property to ensure tree roots are not in danger of penetrating your line. If this becomes an issue, having a plastic pipe installed will prevent the roots from infiltrating your pipes.
- If you have an older home, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing meets today’s standards. Compliance with the new plumbing standards will assist you in preventing any future plumbing issues.
- Be aware of the signs of a sewage backup brewing. Some of the signs to be aware of are, a smell coming from the drains; drains at several places becoming clogged; bubbles starting to appear when the water is draining; and slow flushing in the toilets. If you notice any of these, it is probably time to call in the professionals.
Papa’s Plumbing and Rooter Inc. can help with all sorts of issues springing from your plumbing equipment. We have the relevant expertise and proper equipment to tackle any problem your plumbing throws at us. If you believe you may have a sewage backup, or would simply like to schedule a thorough inspection of your plumbing please do not hesitate to call us. A sewage backup should always be handled by professionals, as the water can contain harmful bacteria. Prompt clean up can help minimize damages, prevent mold, and assuage the inconvenience a sewage backup inevitably creates.