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If multiple drains in your home are blocked, or you see bubbles after flushing the toilet, you might be dealing with a sewer backup. While a clogged drain will only affect one area of your home, a clogged sewer pipe can cause backups in every drain in your house.

More than just being annoying, sewer backups are expensive to fix and can damage more than just your home. One sewer pipe blockage can influence the whole public water system, affecting everyone in your neighborhood, which is why vigilance, effective prevention tactics and quick repairs by experts are essential.

Most Common Forms of Sewer Backups

Clogged Pipes

Accumulated debris, grease, hair, soap or foreign objects can obstruct sewer pipes, leading to backups.

Tree Root Infiltration

Surprisingly, tree roots are one of the most prevalent causes of sewer backups. Tree roots  seeking water and nutrients can invade sewer lines, causing blockages and damage to the pipes. Once inside, they will continue to expand, cracking and bursting the sewer line and even your home’s foundation if left unchecked.

Structural Damage

Old or damaged pipes are more susceptible to blockages. Aging or deteriorated sewer pipes can collapse, crack or shift, impeding the flow and resulting in backups. Older sewer systems are usually comprised of cast iron and clay pipes, which are especially vulnerable to cracks due to their shorter lifespans.

Heavy Rain and Flooding

Excessive rainfall can overwhelm the sewer system, especially over the summer in Maryland. When water cannot drain properly, the drains and sewers are at risk for backups.

Why It’s Essential to Fix Clogged Pipes Immediately

A clogged pipe isn’t something you can ignore. The longer a sewer backup persists, the higher the chance of damage to your property's foundation, walls and flooring, potentially compromising the structural integrity of your home and forcing you to pay for costly repairs.

The longer the problem persists, the greater the damage and the more challenging the cleanup process. Untreated sewer backups can also put excessive strain on your plumbing system, possibly leading to further damage, including burst pipes and leaks. These ruptures can ruin personal belongings, furniture, carpets and other valuables.

Not only can delayed repairs exacerbate the damage to your home and possessions, but it can also put you and your family’s health in danger. Sewer backups can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites into your living space, potentially spreading serious diseases throughout your household, such as Hepatitis A and E. Coli.

A sewer pipe blockage is also a prime environment for mold and mildew growth. These funguses don’t just cause property damage, they can also cause serious illnesses, including flu-like symptoms, wheezing and sometimes even memory deficits. The threat of mold growth is even more pronounced if someone in your household is allergic to mold spores. 

Because a clogged pipe is a severe health risk to you and your family, responding to the problem quickly and thoroughly is critical.

How to Prevent Sewer Backups

There are many ways you can reduce the risk of a sewer backup, including:

• Landscape carefully. Plant trees at a safe distance from your sewer pipes.

• Have an Expert Inspect Your Sewer Line. A plumbing professional can examine and clean your sewer line if you're concerned about potential damage or blockages. Home Air Services can inspect sewers for you using video equipment to inspect the interior of your pipes and identify any potential problems.

• Only Flush Toilet Paper. Sanitary objects, paper towels and baby wipes can cause clogs and sewer backups.

• Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain. Cooled grease will stick to the inside of your pipes, building up over time before becoming a complete blockage.

• Replace Old Sewer Pipes. If your sewer line is made with cast iron or clay pipes, consider replacing them with CPVC piping, which has a longer lifespan.

What To Do If You Have a Sewer Backup

If you suspect you have a sewer backup, the first thing you should do is ensure the safety of everyone in your home. Avoid contact with standing water or sewage and turn off the electricity in affected areas to prevent electrical hazards.

You will need to limit your home’s water usage. While inconvenient, it will help prevent further backups and potential overflow. You should also take photos or videos documenting the damage before it’s fixed to strengthen your insurance claim.

The most crucial step is to reach out to a licensed and experienced plumber with a reputation for properly fixing sewer backups.

Rockville, MD – We’ll Give You Fast and Thorough Assistance During Any Plumbing Emergency

If you’re experiencing a sewer backup, Home Air Serves can provide immediate assistance. Our experts are available 24/7. Even if your emergency happens after hours, we’ll be there to help. Call (301) 585-8100 or visit us online for a free estimate on your home’s plumbing.