As a homeowner, one of the worst plumbing disasters you can have is a sewage backup. It’s never good news to need plumbing services in Chatsworth, but a sewer backup is both hazardous and damaging. While there’s no way to guarantee you won’t ever experience this issue, there are a few things you can do to monitor your plumbing. If you look out for the right signs, you may be able to spot sewer trouble before too much damage occurs.
Why Advance Warning Matters
Imagine how different life would be if you could get a warning every time something bad was about to happen. Although life isn’t quite that simple, your plumbing system may be. Typically, you can spot signs of trouble before plumbing disasters happen. This is true of your sewer line, along with several other aspects of your plumbing.
By knowing when a sewage backup is imminent, you gain the upper hand. For one, you might be able to prevent the sewage from ever backing up into your home. You’re spared from the hazards that come with leaking sewage and foul odors.
Additionally, you save yourself money. If you have a sewage backup, you could experience significant property damage. Even a small backup could come with high repair costs. By calling a plumber before the backup occurs, you could save money and prevent a major headache. There’s no need to pay a high rate for an emergency plumbing service or deal with home repairs.
The longer you overlook your sewer woes, the worst the problem will be. Although it’s easy to ignore your issues, doing so comes at a high cost. Pay attention to your plumbing, and you’ll be rewarded with a lower repair bill.
The Signs of a Sewer Line Backup
If you want to prevent a major backup, know your plumbing system. Pay attention to it and be on the lookout for the following:
Bad Odors in Your Drain
Your drains probably don’t smell like flowers. However, they shouldn’t smell like sewage. If you’ve been noticing that your drains smell like a public toilet, you could have an issue with your sewer line.
Of course, it can be hard to tell what a drain should smell like. If you have debris in your pipes, it accumulates bacteria and emits an unpleasant odor. However, the smell does not resemble sewage. The smell of sewage is distinct, so try to differentiate the two odors.
As soon as you smell sewage, call a plumber. The unpleasant odor will persist, and it’s only a matter of time before the sewage seeps into your home. No amount of air fresheners will mask the scent. Likewise, a chemical drain cleaner won’t fix the issue.
Bubbling Toilet or Drain
A bubbling toilet or drain seems innocent enough. In fact, your kids might think it looks pretty cool. But bubbling drains and toilet bowls are an indication something bad is about to happen in your plumbing, and you should be ready to call an emergency plumbing service.
The bubbling is most likely a result of wastewater being unable to flow through the pipes. There could be a clog in the line, which prevents wastewater from leaving your system and going to the appropriate place. Over time, the sewage builds up in your pipes and will eventually back up into your home.
If the bubbling occurs first frequently, it may only be days before you’re in the midst of a hazardous situation. Call a plumber before it’s too late to take action.
Slow Drains in Multiple Areas
One slow drain in your home isn’t a sign of major trouble. Rather, it means you probably have a clog close to the drain. By using a drain snake, your plumber may be able to remove the clog. But when multiple drains are slow, the culprit could be a clog in the sewer line.
If something is blocking the sewer line, all of the drains that connect to the sewage system will be slow. It usually begins with the low drains, like the basement and first-floor drains. As time passes, it will spread to your other floors.
Your plumbing system is a large network of connections. When one thing is wrong, you notice changes along the route. A blockage in your sewer line can have widespread effects.
Multiple Clogs at Once
Are you fighting clogs in almost every room of your home? If so, you can stop blaming your spouse and start blaming the sewer line.
Once again, don’t sit idly by while your plumbing is waving a red flag. Drain cleaning products won’t touch a sewage blockage, so call the plumber right away. At the very least, they can confirm or deny a sewer line issue.
Sewage is in a Cleanout Pipe
The sewer cleanout pipe is a pipe with a cap on it. Designed to give a plumber direct access to the sewer line, this pipe should not have water or sewage coming out from it. You can usually find this pipe in the basement or in your yard.
If you notice sewage or a puddle around the cleanout pipe, there may be a backup in the sewer line. Instead of going through the plumbing, the sewage is pushed up the cleanout pipe.
What If It’s Too Late?
If you failed to notice the signs of a sewage leak, you need to be cautious. A severe sewer backup contaminates your home. First, shut off the water to your home. If the wastewater is near any electricity, shut off the power to your home as well.
Then, call the plumber. Don’t let anyone attempt to use the water in your home, and have everyone wait outside. If you want to use a shop vac to remove water, wear safety gear before you get started.
Call Us Now for Plumbing Services
If you have a sewer backup, you can count on us at Rooter Shark Plumbing. We can handle sewer backup prevention in Chatsworth as well as emergency situations. Call us for plumbing services and get the help you need.
