Common Sewer Backup Causes & Quick Fixes Recommended by Plumbers Newport Gwent

A clogged sewer drain, which can be fixed by Plumbers Newport Gwent, is one of the most aggravating plumbing issues for homeowners. It’s also one of the most important issues to resolve in order to keep a household running smoothly.

Plumbing workers are part of the “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce,” which was established during the COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrating how critical plumbing is to keeping our communities well-maintained and safe during an emergency.

However, a clogged sewer does not always have to be an emergency. An ounce of prevention is said to be worth a pound of cure. Once you’ve identified a few of the most common causes of sewer backups, you can help prevent them by taking preventative measures, performing a few quick fixes yourself, or knowing when to call in a professional.

Clogs

If you notice that it takes longer for water to drain from your sink or that you hear gurgling noises when you flush the toilet, this could be the beginning of a clogged drain.

Clogs form over time when something blocks the free flow of liquid out of a drain pipe, affecting the plumbing throughout your entire home. Sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines, and even sprinkler systems will be affected. If the clog is severe, raw sewage from the septic tank or main sewer lines may back up into your drainpipes and into your plumbing fixtures. It could turn into a shambles.

Drain clogs, in our experience, can be caused by the accumulation of common objects such as:

1. Grease that has hardened
2. Baby wipes and feminine hygiene products
3. Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues that are extra-thick
4. Cotton swabs and dental floss
5. Products with the label “non-flushable”

Keep in mind that sewer pipes are about six inches in diameter, so clogging them takes a lot of material buildup. When in doubt, don’t flush it down the toilet. Put it in the trash.

Roots of plants

When tree and plant roots infiltrate your sewage system, they grow right through plumbing pipes or wrap around and crush them in search of the water that flows inside.

This happens naturally over time and can be accelerated if your pipes are in poor condition, with cracks or holes that allow roots to enter the drain.

Plan for a tree’s root growth when deciding where to plant new trees on your property to prevent tree or plant roots from causing damage to your sewer pipes.

Main Sewer Line Obstructions

A sewer main blockage occurs in the piping system owned and maintained by your city, town, or district. A clog similar to a household clog can cause the blockage. It can also be caused by insufficient system capacity if your neighborhood is experiencing rapid growth. This type of issue becomes apparent if a community experiences sewer problems following heavy rainfall.

A sewer main blockage will affect most or all of your plumbing throughout the house at the same time, rather than just one drain. To minimize damage, turn off all water supplies in your home and try to cover drain openings with absorbent material.

Sewer Backup Repairs in a Hurry

Use a plunger – the simplest and most widely available drain opener. Plungers are useful for clearing small to medium-sized clogs in most drains, including toilets and sinks.

Purchase a Liquid Drain Cleaner if you need to unclog a sink or bathtub. However, do not use them on toilets.
Liquid drain cleaners will eat through a toilet’s wax seal on the bottom, causing leaks.

Release pressure by first turning off the main water supply. Locate the sewer cleanout line in your yard. It’s a short, white pipe that’s three to four inches round and has a screw-on cap. After you remove the cap, the pressure in the sewer line should be released, causing any water that has backed up into your home to drain.

Chemical Drain Cleaning – aids in the removal of tree roots that have become clogged. Some recommend flushing copper sulfate down the toilet several times to kill tree roots, but copper sulfate is not safe for septic systems and is prohibited in some municipalities. Try flushing down the toilet a root-killing foam containing the herbicide dichlobenil. The foam adheres to the pipes and kills the tree roots in a matter of hours. It may, however, take several months for dead roots to be completely flushed from your sewage system.

Cleaning with an auger or a water jet will assist in clearing medium to severely clogged drains. An auger is used to clear clogs further down the pipe. Plant roots and other debris are blown down the sewer line by a high-pressure water jet.

Contact a Plumbers Newport Gwent Professional

Sewer and Drain Cleaning, Camera Inspection, Leak Detection, Laundry Line Rooting, Kitchen Sink Rooting, Bathtub Rooting, Shower Rooting, Bathroom Sink Rooting, Floor Drain Rooting, and Toilet Rooting are all services provided by Plumbers Newport Gwent. We only hire the most skilled and experienced technicians in the industry, and our work is guaranteed to be 100 percent satisfactory. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We are available around the clock.