If your basement drains are backing up, the result can be more than an unsightly mess: sewer water seeping into your home could pose health hazards to both you and your family. If this occurs, calling in a plumber immediately may be necessary – here are some factors and tips for prevention that might help determine why it happened in the first place.
One of the primary causes of basement drain backup is issues with municipal sanitary sewer lines. This usually happens during heavy rainfall or rapid snow melt, when too much water and debris enters municipal systems; when this exceeds their capacity, excess flows backward into homes’ sewer lines via basement drains as a means to escape – making installing a sump pump essential to ensuring excess water doesn’t enter your home through your basement.
Clogged basement drains can also cause back ups, often due to improper usage or something being flushed down the toilet unintentionally like toys or rubber rings that shouldn’t have been, or an old drain pipe deteriorating with age. Pour baking soda and hot water down your floor drain if there’s a clog; however if this fails call in professional plumber.
Install a backwater valve to automatically detect and divert wastewater flow in your sewer lines; clean your floor drain regularly, and ensure grass, trees and shrubs don’t block your sewer line.
Over time, your home’s pipes will begin to deteriorate and break down, creating holes, cracks and sagging which could result in basement drain backup. If you suspect this may be happening to your pipes it would be wise to hire a professional for an HD sewer camera inspection of your property as soon as possible.
Understand that quickly cleaning up a sewage backup is crucial to safeguarding both property and health, and to avoiding the expensive damage a backup can cause.
If your basement drains are clogged up, be sure to contact a licensed plumbing, drain, or sewer company. They’ll offer professional advice that can help solve the issue while preventing future complications from occurring.