How To Prevent A Sewer Disaster
Apr 9th, 2011 Doug Simons
How to prevent a sewer back up that could turn into a financial disaster. A backup occurs when waste or debris has obstructed a home's plumbing system or lateral, resulting in clogged or slow-moving drains or toilets.
A backup occurs on the homeowner's property and the expense and responsibility for cleanup and repair lies with the homeowner. If the plumber finds out that the problem is not in your sewer line, call your local sewer or sanitation district, located in the phone book under "
Government" listings for waste water utility services. A backup usually will not cause damage if you stop using the backed-up sink, tub or toilet until the system is cleared. Just turn off the water. While a backup can cause inconvenience, it is unlikely to cost a homeowner more than a plumber's call.
A back flow is much less common than a backup. It happens when water or waste materials come up through a sink or bathtub drain or toilet when the home's plumbing system is not being used. This may mean that the city main is blocked and waste water is backing up into your lateral line and home. If you experience a back flow, call your local sewer or sanitation district immediately. Even if the cause of the back flow damage lies with the city or sanitation district, the homeowner must act quickly to manage the cleanup. Unlike a backup, a back flow can inflict serious damage, including flooding a room or an entire home. Sometimes, homeowners must move off the property during restoration.
The cost of restoration after flooding and the hassle of dealing with insurance can be a major headache for homeowners. Methods to keep these nightmares away that were mentioned above would be to simply follow the tips below. Wipe down greasy pots and pans with a dry paper towel and dispose of it in your kitchen scrap recycling or garbage. Do not pour FOG down the garbage disposal or sink drain. Do not use hot water to wash the grease down the drain. Pour cooled oil, fats and grease into a can with a tight lid (coffee can) and dispose of it in the garbage. Talk to your friends about the problem with grease in the sewer system. Ways to prevent a sewer backup in your home is outlined below.
The back flow prevention device or BPD is a device that allows water and materials that back up to escape from the clean out rather than flowing into the home. Many backup prevention devices can be installed by the homeowner or a plumber. If not already installed, these items will be required if you remodel or add a bathroom to your home. A sewer BPD is often a mushroom shaped metal device in the yard near the house or a spring-loaded or weighted cover on a sewer line clean out near the house and installed on your lateral connection to the sewer main.
Sanitary sewer systems are designed to handle three types of waste products: Used water, Human body waste, &Toilet paper. Follow these simple Do's and Don't s to help prevent sewer backups and avoid expensive plumbing and cleanup bills. DO: Collect grease in a container and throw it in the garbage. DO: Put food scraps in your compost bin or the garbage disposal with solid waste.
DO: Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of items such as disposable diapers and personal hygiene products. DO: Use a back flow prevention devise. DON'T: Pour grease, fats and oils from cooking down the drain. DON'T: Use the sewer to dispose of food scraps.
DON'T: Use the toilet as a wastebasket for garbage or chemicals. These items can kill "good" bacteria used for sewage treatment, cost much more to treat, and can enter the Bay. DON'T: Plant trees with shallow, spreading root systems near your sewer lateral. Tree roots seek water sources, such as cracked sewer lines. Once the roots have penetrated the line through cracks, the roots can create a dense mat and trap materials. These simple tips will ensure your system is running smooth throughout the year.
About the Author:
Douglas Simons A & S Plumbing info@atlantaplumbing1.com Atlanta Plumbing
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