4 Causes of Sewer Backup in Basements

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Tree roots are one of the main causes of backups in basements

Here Are Four of The Main Causes

A flooded basement from a sewer backup can damage property and create safety issues. Understanding the causes of backups in basements can help you avoid them. 

1. Clogs
Hair, grease, and other debris can accumulate in sewage lines, causing clogs. If your home's mainline or drain pipes develop clogs, sewage may begin backing up in your basement. If you are noticing slow drains and clogs in multiple areas of your house, this can be a sign that your mainline has a clog that needs to be addressed. Contact a plumber in Carpentersville, IL, to inspect and unclog your pipes.

2. Heavy Rainfall
Heavy rainfall can be a double whammy because it can lead to a flooded basement and overwhelm your city's sewer lines, causing a backup. If you are expecting heavy rainfall, keep a close watch on your basement for flooding or sewage issues.

3. Tree Roots
Roots from trees that are too close to your lines can become entangled. This may cause holes in the lines or crush the lines completely. To avoid this problem, remove any trees on your property that are too close to the lines.

4. Damaged Lines
While modern sewer systems are made of long-lasting plastic pipes, older systems were constructed from cast iron and clay piping. As these older systems age, the pipes can crack and break, leading to sewage backups. If you suspect you have a damaged sewage line, contact the city water department to inspect and repair the line. If a damaged line has caused a flood in your basement, you may need a flood mitigation company to remove the water before it creates additional problems.
To avoid a flooded basement or sewage issue, you should familiarize yourself with these common causes of sewage backups. Have a plan in place to address each of these issues should they occur on your property.