All water damage is not created equal. A leak from a dishwasher can cause significant damage, especially if it goes undetected over an extended period of time.
But when your sewer backs up in your basement after a heavy storm, that’s a whole different ballgame.
In the world of water damage, few events are as messy, disruptive, or distressing as a sewer backup. While there are several potential causes of sewer backups, heavy rain remains one of the most common triggers. How can homeowners protect their properties and peace of mind when the skies open up? And who should they call when disaster strikes?
Why Do Heavy Rains Cause Sewer Backups?
It’s important to understand the basic mechanics of your local sewer system. Most municipalities have sewer lines that carry wastewater from your home to a treatment facility. This system works well when managing everyday waste and water. But during heavy rainfall, the additional volume of water can overwhelm the sewer system.
That’s why most municipalities are trying to get away from a combined sewer system. A combined sewer system carries both rainwater runoff and sanitary sewage in the same pipe to the treatment plant.
When too much rainwater enters this system after a heavy storm, it can exceed capacity, causing a mix of stormwater and sewage to back up into homes, streets, and local waterways.
Even in a separate sewer system, where rainwater runoff is carried in different pipes from sanitary sewage, there’s still a risk of sewer backup during heavy rains if the ground becomes too saturated, and the runoff water has nowhere to go. This can leading to surface flooding and possible seepage into the sanitary sewer system.
When a sewer backup happens in your basement, it can cause significant damage. Not only can this event ruin personal property and your home’s structural elements, but it can also pose serious health risks due to the hazardous organisms in sewage.
Preventing Sewer Backups In Your Basement
How can you protect your home from sewer backups during heavy storms? Preventive measures vary depending on the type of sewer system and the specific location of your home, but they generally involve increasing the capacity of your home and the sewer system to handle excess water.
One of the most effective preventive measures is installing a backwater valve on the main sewer line of your home’s plumbing system. This valve is designed to close if sewage starts to back up in the pipe, protecting your home from damage.
Regular maintenance of your home’s plumbing and the sewer line can also help prevent backups to ensure that the system is free of blockages that could exacerbate a backup during heavy rainfall.
Being mindful of what goes down your drains can also make a difference. Avoid disposing of items such as fats, oils, and grease in your drain, which can congeal and block pipes.
While these preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of a sewer backup during heavy rain, they can’t eliminate it entirely. That’s where we come in.
As a water damage remediation company, we specialize in cleaning up the mess left behind by sewer backups, ensuring your home is safe, clean, and dry as quickly as possible.
Understanding the impact of heavy rains on sewer systems and the associated risk of sewer backups is the first step in safeguarding your home. By taking preventive action and having a remediation plan in place, you can weather any storm with confidence.
Peace Of Mind
The reason to hire a professional water damage restoration company when you have a sewer backup in your basement is for the peace of mind it provides. Dealing with sewer backup water damage can be stressful and overwhelming, and having a professional team on your side can alleviate some of that stress.
Knowing that your home is in good hands can provide peace of mind and help your family get back to your normal routine as soon as possible.
Hiring our professional water damage restoration company to clean up the mess after a sewer backup in your basement is the smartest decision you can make. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to handle the job quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of further damage and preventing future problems.
So, if you’re dealing with a sewer backup in your basement, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration. We will make sure the repair work is done right.