Never Be up That Creek Without a Paddle: What Causes Sewage Backups in the Basement?

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded basement is never fun but being aware of the causes can help you plan preventative steps to limit the likelihood that it'll happen again.

A flooded basement can be a nightmare, but when you add the concern for contamination and possible infection from sewage that nightmare reaches new cataclysmic heights. There are several causes of sewage backups, and, while many of them are preventable with routine maintenance, the top four are as follows:

1. Roots Obstructing the Line

Trees and shrubs are the leading cause of blockages in sewer lines because, as they seek moisture, the roots invade the pipes through compromised areas. It is this buildup of roots as well as the breakdown of older clay pipes that combine to create blockages, which leads to flooding and backups.

2. Improperly Flushed Items

A flooded basement can also be the result of improperly disposed of or flushed items. Grease, like cooking oil, and paper products, like paper towels, diapers, and feminine products, form blockages in waste lines, preventing the free flow of water and causing it to back up into the nearest open drain.

3. Intentional Vandalism

For world travelers, or anyone with a toddler, vandalism, whether intentional or not, can lead to floods and sewer issues. Rebellious teens or vagrants may find a way of crashing a vacant house and purposely cause damage by clogging the drains. Your toddler, on the other hand, may only be curious to see if his/her binky can survive a good flushing

4. Municipal Sanitary Main

While there are many preventative steps you can take against possible floodings, like updating your old clay pipes to prevent root infestation, properly disposing of items, or updating security, some things aren’t under your control. The city sewer main is one of those things. While this is rare, storms, flash floods, or mechanical errors can cause disruptions of the free flow of water, resulting in your floor drains backing up.

A flooded basement is never fun but being aware of the causes can help you plan preventative steps to limit the likelihood that you’ll ever have to experience such a disaster. However, despite the best planning, if you experience flooding in the Glendale, AZ, area there are several restoration specialists who can help you figure out your next steps.