Can Rain Cause Sewage Backup in the House?
Sewage backup in houses is one of the most common issues many people face. The issue can be mitigated by a service professional. Still, it’s also essential to know what causes this issue and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. The problem can be caused by particle buildup, tree roots, or even a large amount of grease.
Sewage backup or sewer backup is where sewage rises above the average drain water level. It can happen if there is a break in your plumbing that causes sewage to back up. The most significant concern during a sewage backup is whether raw sewage will reach your home’s ground-floor air vents and first-floor walls. The moisture from the raw sewage or contaminated water can seep into surrounding structures and become problematic.
Can Heavy Rain Cause Sewer Backup?
When the downspout is connected to a pipe extending to the ground, water from the downspout can get into it. It may cause rainwater to enter your house. If the drain does not go directly to a municipal sewer system, or if there is a crack in the pipe, groundwater can get into the gutter.
If heavy rains cause an excess of water and debris in municipal sanitary sewers, the sewer system may become overloaded. Excess water can flow backward into your home’s sewer line and overflow into your basement.
Before you can fix a sewer backup, you need to identify the problem. How do you know when your sewer has a backup? Here are some of the most common signs:
Strong Odor of Sewage in the Home
If you notice strong sewage or gutter smell in your bathroom, it could be a sign that your sewer line is clogged. If you suspect a sewer backup, call your plumber as soon as possible. The sewer will have a foul odor, and black water will overflow your sink or toilet drain.
Low Flow in Toilet Drains
Slow-draining drains and toilets indicate that a clog exists somewhere in your system. If the water in your toilet bowl and drains are low, it is most likely due to a backup of sewage; the drainage pipe is blocked behind the toilet bowl or clogged clean-out line.
Water Backing Up After Flushing Toilets
You might notice flooding in your basement or crawl space, total flooding of the bathroom floor, or an overabundance of water from the basement floor drain.
Stagnant Water
Basement, laundry room, and attached garage floor drains are often the first place where sewage backs up. Water accumulating at these drains indicates that wastewater isn’t flowing freely and is backing up.
Gurgling Sound
Gurgling noises in your toilet signal that you have a slow drain or that a sewer backup is occurring. If the gurgling is accompanied by water rising in your shower while you run the bathroom sink, there may be a backup in your main sewer line. If you hear gurgling even after flushing, this could mean that something is clogging your toilet’s drain pipe.
What Should You Do When There Is A Sewer Backup Due To Heavy Rain?
Heavy rains can cause sewer backups, and sudden downpours occur much more frequently. Sewer backups are common during and even after heavy rainfalls, and property owners can be left with inches, or even many feet, of wastewater in their basements.
- Safety First
To prevent injury or death, ensure there is no live electric current flowing through the water before you go near it. Also, if you see a pilot light go out for a gas appliance, shut off the gas immediately to prevent the buildup of dangerous gas fumes.
2. Wait For The Water To Subside
If the flood came from city sewer water, you could do little to remedy the problem other than wait it out. The rain will eventually stop; once it does, the water level should return to normal, and your home will drain. Of course, you’ll still need to deal with the cleanup after that happens.
3. Call For A Professional
When summer storms and rain cause a sewer backup, you need to call a plumber to fix the sewage issue. When summer storms and rain cause backups, there is often nothing that homeowners do to prevent this act of nature from messing with home sewer systems. Your plumber may inspect your main sewer line and determine that it is in poor condition or damaged. Plumbers can do a few repairs to prevent future issues from summer rains or otherwise.
4. Clean And Sanitize The Area
To keep your home safe and clean, don’t forget to sanitize and disinfect areas that have been contaminated by sewage. Also, when cleaning up sewage-contaminated items, wear a face mask and rubber boots or rubber-soled shoes, and remove all footwear and clothing once you finish.
How To Prevent Sewer Backups To Happen?
While it is impossible to prevent all heavy storms and flooding, you can take some precautions to help prevent your sewer systems from clogging.
- Avoid flushing diapers, feminine hygiene products, and disposable wipes down your toilet. These items can clog the pipes and cause problems.
- Keep the amount of food you send down your garbage disposal to a minimum to prevent waste accumulation in the drain lines, which can cause a clog.
- Having a plumber install a backflow preventer on your sewer is a good idea. This inexpensive device ensures water cannot flow back into your home through the primary drainpipe.
- If you plan to landscape your yard, mark the locations of buried utility lines before you plant trees or shrubs. Avoid species with fast-growing root systems that might cause a clog by running into sewer lines.
- Contact a plumber for drain cleaning or repair service when you first notice signs that your sewer system is backing up—such as slow drainage or standing water in your yard.
- Don’t wait until your sewer line breaks before you schedule a professional to install a new one. Old pipes are prone to damage which can lead to leaks.
Seek Professional Help For Sewer Backup
If your sewer line backs up following a storm this summer, or you suspect it is blocked by clogs or other damage, address these issues with professional plumbing services as soon as possible. When you experience a problem with your drains or plumbing system after a rainstorm, don’t hesitate to give our professional plumbers a call.