Photo by Ivan Bandura

Originally Posted On: 6 Signs of a Sewage Backup and What You Should Do Next (hoggattrestoration.com)

Do you suspect there’s a sewage backup in your home? If so, then it’s imperative that you find out for sure.

Contact with raw sewage can cause any number of serious illnesses, including dysentery, cholera, hepatitis, and giardia. That’s not to mention the extensive damage it can do to your home.

Fortunately, you can prevent this disaster from happening to you if you learn to spot the signs of sewage backup early on. We’re going to help you do just that.

You’ll find the major warning signs of a possible sewage backup listed below. Use this checklist to determine if you need professional help.

1. Sewage Smell From Drains

The smell of sewage emanating from your drains is a sign that the sewage is starting to climb back up the drainpipes. Call a professional plumber before it backs up completely and spills into the home.

2. Toilets Are Draining Slowly

If you’ve used a plunger but your toilet’s still draining slowly, it could be a sign of a sewage backup. In any case, it’s a clog that your plunger can’t solve so you should call it in, anyway.

3. Clogged Drains Throughout Your House

It’s possible that a single clogged drain is just that: a drain that’s plugged up by some kind of blockage. But when all the drains in your house are draining slowly or not at all, call it in immediately. This is almost certainly a sign that sewage is about to back up and cause extensive damage to your home.

4. Bubbling Drains

Furthermore, any type of bubbling or gurgling coming from your drains is a sign of blockage. The bubbles come up when water attempts to trickle past the blockage. Eventually, pressure will build up beneath the blockage and the sewage will come back up the drain.

5. Sewage Flowing Out of the Clean-Out Pipe

The clean-out pipe is a capped pipe in your yard or basement that gives septic workers access to your septic tank. Obviously, sewage should not be flowing up out of this pipe. But this is another way that backed-up sewage will try to escape.

6. Old Trees on Your Property

Lastly, if you experience these or any other drainage problems, consider whether you have any large, old trees on your property. As trees grow, their roots are powerful enough to push through almost anything, including sewer pipes.

The warning signs on this list could be caused by a sewer pipe that was bent or ruptured by tree roots. In other words, these signs are twice as likely to be a sign of sewage backup if you have trees on your property, too.

Prevent Sewage Backup by Watching Out for These Signs

If you noticed any of these warning signs, call for professional help immediately. Also, continue to keep an eye out for these signs in order to prevent sewage backup.

On the other hand, if you’ve already suffered a sewage backup in your house, we can help with that, too. We provide the professional cleaning and water damage restoration services you need after such a disaster. Contact us right away so we can get started.