Fall To-Dos: Prevent A Winter Sewage Backup

Preventing Sewage Backups In Winter

Clear Sewer Vents
Make sure the sewer vent isn’t blocked by snow, ice, or debris. When the snow starts falling, ensure that you shovel it away from the sewer vent. Sewer vents are important for releasing gasses and if the vent gets blocked by snow or ice, these gasses can get backed up and go into your house. If you smell a foul odour in your house, contact a sewage backup company, as it is likely an issue with your sewer line.

Avoid Freezing
When water turns to ice, it expands. Ice can make the pipes split or any cracks to become larger. Frozen pipes can also lead to a buildup of pressure elsewhere in the pipe and cause a burst in a weak area of the pipe. A frozen clog  can cause blockages so sewage can’t get through. A frozen sewer line is an all-around bad situation that can easily lead to a sewage backup. To avoid this, take the time this fall to ensure your sewer line is properly insulated and that the pipe doesn’t have any cracks or weaknesses. This is important for all areas of your sewer line, but especially for parts of the sewage line that are most exposed to the cold.

Be Careful What You Put Down Pipes
Nothing should be flushed down your toilet other than human waste and toilet paper. Don’t try to flush anything else, including feminine products, diapers, paper towels, cotton pads, cotton swabs, grease, hair, or anything else that is not intendedto be disposed of down the toilet. This is a precaution you should take all year long and not just in winter, but it certainly is awful to have your bathroom out of commission in the winter and have no hot showers available all because of a sewage backup.

Work With Professionals
If you are worried about your sewer pipes freezing because you’ve had trouble in the past or because your home is older, you may want to call in a professional this fall to check that your pipes are in good condition, are insulated, and there are no developing clogs. You should call a professional to check on your sewage lines if you notice:

• Your toilet isn’t flushing well
• There are gurgling noises when water drains or toilets are flushed
• You smell sewage in your home
• Other pipes in your home have shown signs of cracking in the past

If it’s too late and a sewage backup has already occurred, called a restoration expert for proper sewage backup cleanup. Sewage water contains dangerous bacteria that pose health risks and you should not attempt to clean a sewage backup yourself. Instead, call a professional who is trained to work with sewage backups. A professional restoration company will have the equipment so their workers can safely clean the sewage backup and so they can remove all contaminated substances so your home doesn’t have any lingering dangerous bacteria or risk of mold growth. If you think a sewage backup is imminent, use these Tips To Maintain Your Plumbing And Avoid Sewage Backup.

Sewage Backup Cleanup In Calgary

Preparing your sewage pipe for winter is a great way to help prevent sewage backups, but even then accidents can happen. If you happen to have a sewage backup, 24/7 Restoration can clean it up safely and effectively. Whether your sewage backup is from a clogged toilet or a burst sewage pipe, our sewage backup cleanup services will restore your home and get it back to pre-sewage backup conditions. We will ensure that all potentially harmful bacteria are cleared from the home and that there is no risk of mold formation. To receive sewage backup cleanup services, call the 24/7 Restoration emergency line at 1-403-247-4365 for service any time, day or night. You can also contact 24/7 Restoration by filling out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: Can I use bleach to clean up a sewage backup by myself?
A: No. While bleach kills 99% of common household germs it DOES NOT remove or kill the contamination caused by black water. While bleach may clean the stains associated with a sewer backup the contamination left behind still poses significant health risks.

Q: What sort of sewer backup or water damage can 24/7 Restoration clean up?
A: The experienced 24/7 Restoration Sewage Backup Cleanup team is skilled at managing, cleaning, and treating dangerous sewage. We are equipped to handle all sewage issues, including hazardous Category 3 water contaminations.

Q: How quickly can mold start to grow if the water is not properly removed?
A: Mold can start growing within 72 hours of exposure to moisture.