Dealing with sewage problems can be a frustrating experience. It affects your home and your immediate environment. In extreme cases, those affected may be unable to stay in the same building or environment. Sewage problems can arise for various reasons, including lack of proper maintenance. Although some sewage problems can be handled using DIY tips, in difficult cases, you’ll have to invite professionals to help you.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand the causes of sewage problems before you determine a proper solution. If you’re in Portland, and you have any reason to call professionals for your sewage problems, ensure the company serves all of Portland, OR for a better experience. Keep reading to discover the major causes of sewage problems and how to solve them.
Causes of Sewage Problems
Some common causes of sewage problems include;
Wastewater Overcapacity
There’s a limit to the amount of wastewater sewers can handle. However, many contractors may connect an additional sewage system to a sewer built for a different building. This can cause the sewer to overflow with time and may lead to diseases like typhoid, Hepatitis A, giardiasis, and gastroenteritis.
Improper Wastewater Handling
Industries are known for using a lot of water which is discharged as wastewater. To avoid sewage pollution, the wastewater is treated and reused. However, in areas without strict rules, industries discharge their wastewater into waterways without treating it. This affects homes and aquatic life in such environments.
Cooking Fats
Due to the accumulation of fats and oil from dishes and foods that go into the pipe, the diameter of the pipe system reduces, making it difficult to drain wastewater into the sewer. As this continues, the sewage system becomes completely clogged. This condition can be more serious than having a blocked toilet. It is also more expensive to fix as you may have to change your pipe system.
Flooding
Another major cause of sewage problems is flooding. It can occur due to weather conditions like rain. When flooding occurs, water leaks into the sewer and mixes with waste leading to more wastewater in the sewer. This can eventually lead to sewer pollution, especially if the volume of the sewer is small and unable to hold the wastewater.
The Use of Toilets As Garbage Cans
Many people have deviated from the original purpose of toilets. They have turned their toilets into a trashcan where they dispose of their waste products like papers, plastics, soap, and sanitary towels. Over time, these waste products can cause sewers that serve such toilets to overflow. This can also cause a foul odor in the home and eventually lead to the spread of harmful bacteria, which may be dangerous to your health.
Tree Roots
Tree roots can also be the cause of a clogged sewer. This happens mostly when there is a tree close to the sewer pipe. With time, tree roots grow into the sewer pipes and stop the flow of waste and water. Most times, you may have to replace the sewer pipe when this happens.
How to Prevent Sewer Problems
You can take the following steps to protect your property from sewer problems;
Inspect Risk Areas
Inspecting risk areas like the kitchen sink and toilet can help you prevent future sewer problems. A professional knows the state of the sewer pipes and drains and can use a smoke machine and a server camera to determine their condition.
Periodic Maintenance
Just like you must maintain your car regularly to get the best of it, it’s essential to have a professional sewer company maintain your sewer pipes. Periodic maintenance includes regular cleaning of the pipes. Although many believe periodic maintenance is for big industries, maintaining a good pipeline system should be the duty of everyone, including private individuals.
Inspect the Sewer System Before You Buy a New Home
If you’re going to buy a new home, ensure you seek the help of professionals to inspect and ensure that the sewer system is in good condition. You don’t want to move into a new house with pre-existing sewer problems. Therefore, you can save yourself money by doing your research before you commit to buying the house.
Use the Sewer Pipe Properly
To avoid occasional sewage problems, you must learn the proper use of sewer pipes. Ensure you don’t throw fat and oil residues in the sink. You must also avoid throwing plastics, sanitary towels, and such items in your toilet. This way, you can avoid blockage and enjoy your sewer line for a long time.
Now that you know the causes of sewage problems and possible solutions, ensure you do your best to ensure your sewer pipes are in good condition. While you may be able to handle certain sewage problems, ensure you call a sewage company in difficult cases.
