7 Signs of Sewage Backup and How to Prevent It From Happening

Among common plumbing issues, sewage backup is definitely one of the worst. It happens when a problem occurs in your drainage system, often caused by clogged drains, tree roots damaging your pipes, heavy rainfall, or municipal sewer issues. Any of these can result in wastewater backing up into your home through your toilets, sinks, or drains. In addition to causing a mess and foul odours in your home, it can also lead to health problems as the sewage backup may contaminate your clean water supply. 

Before the worst of it happens to your home, here are some warning signs of a sewage backup you may want to look out for so you can address them promptly.

1. Slow Drainage

Are you starting to notice that water from your sink or bathtub is taking much longer than usual to go down the drain? There’s a good chance your pipes may be clogged. If left unattended, that blockage can eventually worsen until wastewater inevitably backs up into your home. In such cases, don’t hesitate to call for Dunedin plumbing professionals like Mains Plumbers to inspect your pipes and get the problem fixed before it leads to a nasty sewage backup.

2. Foul Odours

A persistent smell of mould or waste in your home can also be a sign that there’s something wrong with your sewer pipes. Your plumbing system should be able to lead wastewater, along with any foul smells that come with it, away from your house. If it’s not doing that, then there must be a blockage or issue in your pipes that needs fixing right away. Not only are they uncomfortable, but foul odours can also cling onto your clothes and furniture. Make sure to contact a plumbing professional to determine its cause and have the issue fixed right away.

3. Gurgling or Bubbling Noises

Unusual noises such as gurgling or bubbling coming from your sink, toilet, or bathtub are another telltale sign that there may be a blockage in your plumbing system. These noises are caused by air pockets inside due to a blockage or damage in your pipes. While it may seem harmless, ignoring it can easily lead to worse plumbing issues, such as ruptured pipes or sewage backup.

4. Frequent Clogging or Overflowing of Plumbing Fixtures

It’s quite common to encounter the occasional clogged sink or toilet, but you might want to look more into it if the issue happens frequently. This goes double if the clogging is starting to cause your sinks and toilets to overflow. Clogging and overflowing are most likely signs of a larger issue in your sewer line and a prelude to sewage backup. Call a trusted plumber to get your drains fixed and avoid having to clean up spilt wastewater on your bathroom or kitchen floor.

5. Pooling Water Within Property

Have you seen any strange pools of water—often accompanied by a foul smell—in your garden, backyard, or other parts of your home? This could be a sign that a sewer line had been damaged or ruptured, thus leading to wastewater leakage that’s pooling to the surface. This issue can cause moulds, property damage, and even put the structural integrity of your home in jeopardy as the excessive soil moisture can weaken foundations. Cleaning the pooled water will most likely be in vain unless you target the main cause of the problem. 

In such cases, it would be wise to arrange for emergency plumbing services right away to determine where the damages are and facilitate pipe replacements before it escalates into a sewage backup.

6. Unexpected Lush Spots

In relation to the previous point, sewer pipe leakages can also lead to sudden plant growth in some parts of your garden or backyard. While it’s not good for humans to be exposed to wastewater, it can provide plants with plenty of moisture and nourishment. This can cause certain sports in your garden to grow much faster and healthier than the others.

This may seem harmless at first, but it’s actually a sign of a larger issue and should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid more costly plumbing repairs in the future. The lush spots can also be a health hazard, so make sure humans or pets don’t approach the area until your plumber has settled the issue.

7. Insect Infestation

Insects like flies and mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water—more so stagnant wastewater. As such, if you happen to notice insects crowding near your drains, it could be another sign of a sewage backup. As you can imagine, having insects flock in or around your home is a big inconvenience and can also pose various health problems as well. Before these pests start laying eggs in the standing water and infest your home, make sure you get your faulty sewage fixed.

Sewage backup can be incredibly stressful to deal with, so it’s better to catch the signs early on to prevent the issue from worsening. If you notice any of the signs discussed above, don’t hesitate to call on the professionals at Mains Plumbers and we’ll surely get the job done to save you from the trouble a sewage backup can cause. You can reach us at 03-488-6000 or 027-436-6058 or through email via office@mainsplumbers.co.nz.