It’s not something you want to think about, but if you’re a homeowner it’s definitely something you need to be prepared for. We’re talking about sewage backup. And it happens more often than you might think, thanks to all sorts of culprits including clogs, cracks in the foundation of your home, and from tree root infiltration. 

Sewage backup is never a DIY job. But, then, who would want it to be? Once you recognize one of the common signs of a sewage back up below, it’s time to call the plumber. Sure, it’s a dirty job but someone has to do it – and by someone we mean a professional plumber. 

Six signs you have a sewage backup in your home 

You can smell it. If you notice any foul smell, especially near or from your drains, you may have a sewage back up. This is usually the first indication of the problem, and it happens when the waste – which should be draining away from your home – gets clogged in the drain. 

Slow drains throughout the house. Often, when you have a sewage backup, more than one drain will work very slowly. It starts in the lowest levels of your home when the sewer line gets clogged. Then, as the clog persists and the block gets worse, it will affect drains on other floors of the home, too. So, as soon as you observe a slow drain in the basement – and especially if it’s accompanied by an odor – call the plumber. 

Your toilet or drain bubbles. Your drains have to eliminate wastewater, but when there’s a backup, you’ll likely see air bubbles in your drains or in the toilet. That’s because the water is becoming stagnant, and isn’t flowing out from the drains.  

Backups in different drains. Sometimes when you’ve got sewage backup in one drain, it will affect another. For example, you may experience sewage backup in the shower after you flush your toilet. That would be happening because there’s a backup in the toilet line somewhere. When this happens, a plumber should investigate every drain, to make sure they thoroughly treat the problem. 

Cleanout pipe problems. Your cleanout pipe is absolutely essential to flushing wastewater from your home. Located in your basement or outside of the house, the cleanout pipe connects with the sewer line. If you see any sewage in your yard – or in the basement – you could have a sewage backup. Additionally, if you see any standing water in your cleanout pipe, you may have a backup. 

Many drains are clogged at once. As soon as you detect a clog in one drain, it’s a good idea to check the others. A telltale sign of sewage backup are multiple drains clogging at the same time. 

Causes of sewage backup

How your sewage problem gets fixed really depends on what caused it in the first place. The most common culprit is a clogged pipe. Kitchen grease, soap scum, and even toilet paper can lead to clogs that can ultimately affect the sewage line. Additionally, older pipes can collapse, which can cause a sewage backup. 

It’s important to note that even without trees near your home, tree roots from nearby can grow underneath your property and infiltrate the sewer line. When that happens, your plumber will need to cut the pipes away from the drain, which will probably have to be replaced or repaired. 

Sewage backups stink (sorry, we couldn’t resist). If you think you’ve got one in your home, contact a plumber immediately. Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.