Dealing with a Sewer Backup the Right Way

Dealing with a sewer backup in Los Altos Hills, CA, requires professional plumbing assistance. It is messy, difficult, and hazardous to your health.

Although preventable, oftentimes, it’s too late to address the root cause. You have to deal with its effects first. It’s important not to panic and address the situation the right way.

How To Handle A Sewer Backup Situation

Pipe blockages, broken sewer lines, or tree root intrusion are major causes of backups. When wastewater can’t flow down the sewer, it stalls until it can’t find any other exit except back to your drains, toilets, and sinks. Fast action minimizes the damage.

When wastewater reverses back into your home, immediate action is necessary. The first step is to stop using all water fixtures. If a simple plunger or drain vacuum doesn’t work, contact a professional plumber.

Professional Methods For Treating Backups

The plumbing technician will first identify the source of the sewage backup. Often, the blockage is within the main sewer line. They use video inspection to pinpoint the location and root cause. These are often stubborn blockages from grease, mineral deposits, garbage, and various debris. Worst-case scenarios include tree root intrusion and broken or collapsed piping.

Removing the mainline backup requires specialized equipment. Snaking devices can claw out tough clogs. Rooters remove tough, hardened blockages and tree roots. Pressurized water jet streams can blast away buildups throughout the pipe.

Any pipe damage that caused the backup is often repaired or replaced using trenchless methods. This keeps the repairs only within the pipe and prevents further disruptions.

Once done with the repair or blockage removal, professionals do a thorough sewage cleanup. Contaminated areas need thorough sanitization to avoid health risks and eliminate foul odors.

Hydro jetting thoroughly cleans all affected pipes and areas. Proper ventilation, removal of soaked materials, and use of antimicrobial agents are all part of a safe cleanup process.

Certified sewage cleanup companies are your lifeline when a backup happens in your home. Keep their numbers handy, but also practice proper drain use and get routine maintenance. Call EJ Home Services when it happens and before it happens.