Popular Causes of Sewage Damage

Let’s face it, sewage damage is never fun. However, you can be ahead of the game by staying aware of the signs to look for when damage does occur, and by being aware of the possible causes of sewage damage. For our readers wondering what some of the more popular causes of sewage damage are, we have written the following post.

City Main Blockage:
One of the more common ways for sewage damage to occur is for the lateral service pipe between your home and your cities main line to become blocked. This can be caused by large objects being flushed, or even just a build up of smaller objects like hair and dirt. Often the problem is closer to your system than the cities, and you will have to deal with it yourself. Turn off the water in your home as soon as possible to prevent further leakage.

Tree Root Interference:
Although this is less common than some sewage damage sources, tree roots can interfere with your pipes when growing near or deep in your lands soil. The roots could enter your pipes at some sectors, or even just break or damage them by pushing past as they grow.

Sewer Overflow:
If it is raining hard out or a nearby creek or river has overflowed, the sewers could get backed up quite easily. This may in turn overflow your sewage system, making it hard for everyone. If this does happen, be sure to contact local officials to inform them of the sewage back up. In most cases, the city can contract someone to take care of the bigger problem.

Large Object Blockage:
Perhaps the most common sewage blockage situation occurs from large objects being flushed or washed down a household drain. In some cases, this is an easy fix requiring not much more than some plumbing liquid or a plunger. However, if you have tried everything you have and still have a blockage, you may want to call a plumber or water damage specialist.

Pipe Deterioration:
Old pipes and sewage systems that are not being closely monitored can easily deteriorate to the point of sewage damage. If an old pipe breaks behind your walls, you may not know until your utilities bill is up the roof and you have an interior mold problem. This is why it is essential to do routine checks on your plumbing, hiring an expert to do the job for you if you need.

Toilet Seepage:
Sewage damage can easily occur if the wax rings at the base of your toilet, or connecting hoses are damaged. Be sure to make checking these parts of your toilets a semi-annual routine, at the least. A quick check could save you hundreds or thousands of damage later on.

Citywide Stoppages:
If you cannot find any local problem causing sewage back up in your home, it may be a city-wide problem. Often this is due to a vandal stuffing items down manholes or a local flooded river. Be sure to call or visit your neighbors in town and see what their situation is, and then call city sewer/public works or the sewer district if it is a spreading problem.

No matter what causes your sewage damage, the same rules apply for being around sewage back up. Where appropriate gear (gloves, boots, a mask) and keep children and pets away from the area. Never come in direct contact with sewage back up, for any reason. Call a water cleanup specialist if the damage is severe. Do not allow or neglect sewage overflow going outside of your home, you could be liable for cleanup responsibilities from the city, and possibly even a fine.