Sewer backflow problems can be frustrating and disgusting. Waking up one morning to find raw sewage flowing in your basement or bathroom can be a terrifying experience. Additionally, situations like this can cause toxic black mold growth that can be a major health risk. It’s important to know what to do when you have backwater in your home and how to prevent it.
Step 1: Dealing with issues expeditiously
Stop all water use inside or outside your home immediately. If you have children, you might want to shut off the water supply to toilets and sinks to avoid accidentally adding to the problem. If absolutely necessary, ask to use neighboring facilities. However, do not continue to use the water line as the clogged water line will stop the flow of water, and further damage to the Sewer Backup Toronto will continue.
Find out the phone number of your local emergency services department and call it. This number is not 911 but a local number that you can call for publicly funded emergency services that will generally help find the cause of problems listed under the Department of Public Works. If you are not sure of the phone number, call your local government office and they will direct you to that office.
Most homeowners automatically assume that sewage backwater problems are a problem with local authorities, but this isn’t always the case. Call local government services as described above, and an attendant will arrive to determine if the problem is with the homeowner’s sewer or the city. If the problem is a municipal sewer problem, the staff may be able to clear the blocked line, but if not, you will need to contact a plumber directly to fix the problem. In either case, don’t wait while the problem continues to get worse.
Step 2: Prevention
This is an important step when recovering from a backup or wanting to know how to avoid sewer backup problems. The best way to fix a problem is to prevent it from happening or, in some cases, prevent it from happening again. Consult a plumber or sewer repair company for simple ways to improve your system and reduce the risk of problems.
A few lifestyle tips will also help prevent sewer problems. The first is that you have to be smart about putting it down the drain. Do not flush or drain items such as diapers, grease, or paper products, as these will only cause clogging problems. Also, when planting new trees or installing landscaping, keep in mind the location of sewer pipes. Plant uprooting is a common problem with pipe breakage, which can be easily prevented by carefully thinking through installation and planting.
It is also important to know where to clean the drain. Some older properties do not have cleaning facilities installed, but they are often necessary, and it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that the roof is covered and that it is easily accessible. It can be frustrating when the sewer company asks where your cleaning is and have to pay extra to find them.
If you experience a sewage backflow, quick thinking and action can greatly reduce property damage. Acting quickly to resolve a problem can reduce the stress of such situations and give the appropriate repair specialists the time needed to respond. In the recovery phase, change the habits that caused the problem first to prevent further problems. This is also good advice for the average homeowner as prevention is the best way to solve problems. As always, contact your local repairman, seek professional advice in any situation, and do your research to find the product that best suits your personal needs.
