No one ever thinks twice about their sewer line. You are washing clothes or cooking dinner in the kitchen when suddenly you realize there are some odd noises emanating from the drain. There may not be anything else going on except for the smell of a foul odour filling up your house, which could be a sign of a sewer backing up in Vaughan.
The sewer backup doesn’t resolve itself; rather, it becomes more serious with time and has the potential to flood your basement with waste and bacteria-infested water. Through this blog, we explain everything that you need to know about it, right from the cause to its treatment.
Why Sewer Backups Happen More Than Homeowners Realize
Vaughan has old as well as new developments that each pose plumbing problems. Old houses may be fitted with clay or cast iron pipes that become cracked, shifted, or collapse over time. Even new houses can face such a problem if tree roots have grown through the lateral pipe linking the house to the main sewer pipe. These are the common causes:
- Roots from trees that extend into the crack/joint portion of the sewer pipe
- Fat, rags, or solids that accumulate inside the pipe and cause clogging
- Storm water or melting snow that exceeds the capacity of the municipal sewer system
- Aging, deteriorating pipes that bend or collapse
- Non-disposable items mistakenly disposed of in the toilet
In most cases, it is not just one particular thing. It tends to be more like a gradual accumulation process whereby the water finds no place else to go but back into your house.
Signs of a Sewer Drain Backup Before It Gets Worse
The only silver lining is that in Vaughan, sewage backup from a drain almost never takes you by surprise. Your plumbing systems will generally give you a heads-up days or even weeks prior to the actual backup. Be on the lookout for these:
- Slowly draining sinks, bathtubs or showers in more than one fixture
- Gurgling sound from toilets and drains
- Presence of a sewage smell from floor drains or the basement
- Water backup into the shower or bath while flushing the toilet
- Clogging of many drains at one time
When the issue is restricted to just one faucet, this clearly implies that there is a blockage in the localized area. But when there are several plumbing fixtures that give you trouble, then it becomes evident that your main pipe is having some sort of issue.
What to Do the Moment You Notice a Sewer Backup
Timing matters a lot here. The faster you react, the less damage you deal with later.
- Cease the use of water at once. No flushing, dishwashing, or washing clothes. Everything that goes through the drains will add to the already existing strain.
- If the problem appears too bad, switch off the main water valve in your house. This way, you’ll have some extra time, and water will stop filling the clogged pipe.
- Remove all valuables and furniture from the flooded area, if there already is one.
- Avoid all kinds of contact with the floodwater since they are contaminated and may have germs that can be harmful to you; thus, it is better if you keep your kids and pets away from it.
- Make sure to ventilate the basement by either opening the window or using an exhaust fan because of the quick accumulation of the sewage odour in a small room.
- You should not delay seeking assistance from a licensed plumber regarding the sewer backup problem in Vaughan.
Sewer Backup in Basement in Vaughan: Why It Causes So Much Damage
The basement refers to the bottom floor of the structure; hence, it is the part of the building that will accumulate water in case of a sewer line blockage. Backing up of sewage in the basement in Vaughan has the potential of causing damage to floors, drywall, insulation, and any other material stored in the basement. Sewage water is different from water in that it is referred to as black water.
Untreated sewage water, even after a day or two, can:
- Soak into drywall and insulation, causing mould to grow
- Damage flooring irreparably, especially carpets and laminate flooring
- Cause odours that cannot be easily eliminated
- Presents genuine health hazards for everyone in the house
How to Prevent a Sewer Backup Before It Starts
Prevention is definitely the easier way out rather than dealing with floods in your basement. Some basic measures can really bring about a huge change.
Inside the home
- Do not flush wet wipes, paper towels, or sanitary napkins, even when they state flushable
- Use a container for cooking fats rather than the sink
- Have your drains checked at least once a year, particularly in old houses
Outside the home
- Monitor any trees that you have planted near the sewer line
- Get a backwater valve installed to prevent the sewage from entering your house when there is heavy rainfall or municipal water overload
- Have your sump pump checked before the spring and rainy season
A backwater valve, especially, is one of the smartest investments a Vaughan homeowner can make, since the city does experience heavy storms that overload sewer systems from time to time.
Call Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer Before It Gets Worse
Your basement can flood faster than you think from a sump pump issue. For those dealing with a broken or outdated sump pump, or for a basement that has already flooded, let Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer assist you with the issue. We will diagnose the issue and get your sump pump running again.
Contact (647) 547-2440 now to book a sump pump repair or installation appointment for your basement’s safety.
Final Thoughts
Sewer backups are those sorts of issues that start out as seemingly insignificant until you realize it is anything but. It may mean the difference between an easy fix or being faced with several thousand dollars worth of repairs to your basement. All homes in Vaughan, no matter what year they were constructed, are equally vulnerable to sewer backups for the same reasons.
