HEAVY RAINS CAN A CAUSE SEWER BACKUP

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy Rains Can a Cause Sewer Backup

Many times, a year, North Texas receives heavy rains that can lead to sewer backups. While many of us were fortunate enough to make it without experiencing a sewer backup, we might not always be so lucky. That’s why it’s important to understand how sewer backups happen and how to prevent them.

How Does Heavy Rain Cause a Sewer Backup?

When there are heavy rains, an abundance of water and debris end up in municipal sewers, overloading the sewer system. If it's more water than the sewer system can handle, excess water can flow backward into your home's sewer line and consequently overflow into your home. If your neighborhood is prone to sewage backups, there are effective options for preventing this problem.

Common Signs of Sewer Backups

Risks can be mitigated by being aware of the early warning signs of sewer backup. An effective sewer drainage system relies on these signs.

• Awful Smells - Your drains might smell unpleasant if there is a sewer backup. An odor is caused by a lack of free movement of wastewater in your pipes. Rather, it gets stuck in one location for too long, releasing a foul odor that can be both bothersome and unhealthy to breathe. Just imagine how many bacteria are sitting in your pipes and being released into your home. The smell of sewage is unpleasant but allowing unknown bacteria into your home can be dangerous.
• Gurgling Noises - The gurgling sound might be a sign of a slow drain, as you may be aware. If you hear a toilet gurgling or bubbling while using an appliance, such as the washing machine, you may have a backup in the main sewer line. Water backs up into the shower when you run the bathroom sink. It is important to know that something is amiss even if you hear a slight gurgling after flushing the toilet. If there's a clog, you might be able to clear it yourself. If there's a backup, however, you might have to call your plumber.
• Water Drains Slowly - A blocked sewer line can lead to slow draining drains and toilets. Use another drain or toilet in the lowest level of the house to determine if the backup is a single drain line or the main line. It is most likely that the backup occurs in a single drain if that drain works properly. Your drain may be clogged in this case, and you can unclog it yourself. The main line most likely has problems if you see and hear slow draining. Using chemical drain cleaners can be dangerous and corrode your pipes, thereby increasing your chances of experiencing a backup in the future. To clear enough blockage, try plunging or snaking the drain first.

Keep you, your family, and your employees safe and let the experts at SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville handle the job of working with potentially contaminated backed up sewage.

Call (972)548-6044 for assistance with mold, storm, fire, or water-related incidents.