Prevent sewer backups

A sewer backup happens when a waste line becomes clogged, allowing wastewater to back up into the home. In the United States of America:

According to the Association of California Water Agencies, over 500,000 sewer backups occur each year.
According to the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, sewer backups are increasing at a 3 percent annual rate.
According to EPA estimates, between 23,000 and 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows occur each year.

Sewer backup damage in the home is estimated to cost between $2,000 and $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. Actual costs can be much higher when personal property and dwelling damage are considered. (waterdamagedefense.com)

Properly dispose of household waste, install a backup water valve, inspect and trim tree roots growing near the sewer line, and add more water to ensure waste moves into your septic tank or city sewer line to prevent sewer backups in the home.

What is a sewer backup?

A sewage or sewer backup occurs when subsurface water enters your home through the sewer or drainage system, such as your toilet, sinks, or shower. A sewer backup can occur as a result of pipe deterioration, tree roots infiltrating the line, or improper disposal of sanitary products, toilet paper, rags, fat, grease, or oil.

Inadequately diverting downspouts, stormwater, or groundwater into the sewer system can also result in sewer backup into the home due to an excess of water overwhelming the drainage system. The private line on the property is frequently the source, but the sanitary sewer system can occasionally overflow and backfill into the public line and private homes.

When is the City Responsible for Sewer Lines?

The city's responsibility usually starts at the main sewer line, which is located beyond your private property lines. The sewer line on your property, including the upper and lower lateral lines, is usually your responsibility. Even if this line extends beyond your property, you are typically responsible for it until it connects to the main sewer line.

How to prevent a sewer backup

There are several steps that homeowners, renters, and property owners can take to avoid a sewer backup:

Flush only toilet paper.
Keep sewer lines clear of tree roots.
Do not plant trees or bushes near sewer lines or laterals.
Hire a professional to install an exterior cleanout.
Avoid putting fat, grease and oil down the drain.
Line or replace old pipes
Install a sewer backup valve.
Avoid connecting downspouts, french drains, sump pumps or flood control systems to the sanitary sewer line.
Hire a professional to inspect your plumbing and sewer lines.
Elevate the house drain

Main causes of sewer backups

The most common causes of sewer backups in the home are usually errors made by the homeowner or tenant. A sewer line backup is most commonly caused by:

Sanitary products, flushable wipes, diapers, and paper towels should all be flushed down the toilet.
Fat, oil, grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, and fibrous vegetables clog pipes.
Planting bushes and trees near sewer lines can cause root infiltration.
Rainwater is being diverted into sewer systems in excess.
Pipes deteriorate and age, resulting in a break or fracture in the sewer line.

According to the EPA, the average age of sewer lines in the United States is 33 years. Sewer backups into the home from the main sewer line can also be caused by aging infrastructure.

The dangers of sewer backup

Depending on the extent of the backup, sewer backups can cause damage to your home and belongings. Not only is the cleanup time-consuming and unpleasant, but replacing expensive bathroom and kitchen cabinets and fixtures can be costly.

Mold could grow in your home if the water is not cleaned up quickly and thoroughly. Wastewater can also contain bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other toxins that can cause serious illness in you and your family.

How expensive is a sewer backup?

Even if there is no damage to the home or belongings, repairing a sewer backup can be costly. Estimates for cleanup and restoration range from $2,000 to $10,000, and it can quickly become expensive if there is additional damage, such as:

If the cause is unknown, a plumber will need to perform a camera inspection, which will cost an average of $560.
If a tree root was discovered to be the source, the removal could cost around $600.
A sewer line replacement can cost between $50 and $200 per foot.
The cost of excavating the sewer line to replace it ranges between $6 and $15 per linear foot.
It will cost $6,000 or more to rip out and replace carpet, baseboards, and walls in a finished basement.

If all of these things occur, the sewer backup would cost at least $10,000, not including cleanup and restoration costs. Other types of damage are possible.

What does sewer backup insurance cover?

A home insurance policy's sewer backup coverage pays for accidental direct physical loss to your dwelling or personal property. Exact coverage limits vary by carrier, and almost all providers require this coverage to be added as an optional endorsement to your homeowners policy. When purchasing sewer backup insurance, consider the coverage limits, which limit how much the insurance company will pay in the event of a backup. Given the high cost of sewer backups, sewer backup insurance is probably worth investigating, especially if you live in an older home or area where the sewer lines are likely to be older as well.

What to do if you experience a sewer backup

If not cleaned up immediately, a sewer backup can cause damage to your home and belongings as well as mold and disease. There are some things you can have a professional do (or some you may be able to do yourself) to prevent further damage and disease exposure:

Shut off power to the affected areas of your home.
To remove liquids and solids, use a wet vac.
Disinfect solid floors and walls.
Carpets and wallboard should be removed and discarded.
Pipes and plumbing fixtures should be flushed and disinfected.
If necessary, clean the ductwork.

Clogged pipes from household materials, tree roots, or pipe failures are the most common causes of sewer backups. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and putting fats, oils, grease, and other clogging materials down drains. If a sewer backup occurs, photograph the damage to document it and begin cleanup as soon as possible to avoid illness and further damage.