Typically, wastewater from your home will flow through your pipes and away from your home. Backflow, on the other hand, will come up through the drains of your sink, toilet, and shower drain, even when these are not in use. Consider the unfortunate scenario of discovering this issue while attempting to bathe! So, if you notice a foul odor or signs of wastewater backing up through your drain, call a plumber right away. This is an emergency that requires immediate attention.
What Exactly Is Drainage Backflow?
When your plumbing system works properly, water flows through each pipe only in one direction. This is an essential component of the design of your plumbing system that keeps your home and the water you use sanitary. Water from your faucets comes from the water main, and all wastewater leaves your home via drains and, eventually, the sewer line.
Consider: you wouldn’t want the clean water from your faucets to be carried through the same pipes as the waste you just flushed down the toilet.
Now that you know water is only supposed to flow forward through pipes, you can probably guess what we mean when we say “backflow.” This is known as backflow, when water flows in the wrong direction through a plumbing system. Backflow from various unsanitary sources, such as sinks, bathtubs, outdoor pools, sprinkler systems, and gutters, is collectively referred to as “sewage backflow.” The result is ugly.
What Are the Possible Causes of Backflow?
A Broken Backflow Preventer
Backflow prevention is an important part of your home’s wastewater disposal system. Most homes use gravity to transport sewage from the house to the municipal system, though those lower than the municipal sewer entrance will require a sewer ejector pump. The backflow preventer acts as a check valve, blocking potential sewage backflow. If the backflow preventer fails, you will experience backflow problems throughout your home. Broken backflow preventers are serious issues that must be addressed right away. Call professionals at any time of day or night to come out and handle the necessary replacements and repairs.
Sewer Line Damage
The sewer line that transports wastewater from your home to the municipal system can be damaged (especially if it is made of older material such as galvanized steel), causing sewage to flow back inside your home. This usually begins in your basement before it reaches your toilets and sinks, so keep an eye out for sewage leaking from basement drains and traces of foul odors. Professionals are needed for extensive sewer line replacement.
Municipal Source
Sometimes a backup in the city or local sanitation district’s system will cause water to back into homes, even if there’s nothing wrong with the plumbing. Although the utility provider is liable for repairs, you should still have a plumber come to your house to handle clean-up and prevent further damage to your pipes and home.
Conclusion
We must emphasize the seriousness of sewage backflow: it can cause significant damage to your home and necessitate extensive restoration work if not stopped quickly. Contact Scott’s Plumbing for emergency services at the first sign of backflow.