5 Leading Causes of Sewer Flooding

Sewer flooding is an unfortunate occurrence that happens when you least expect it, and it happens so suddenly that you wonder what could be the cause? Most times, sewage flooding is caused by items blocking water flow down the loo or sink. And in mild cases, you can take care of sewer flooding by clearing out affected areas.

Here are five major causes of sewer flooding:

1. Blocked Pipes

Your sewers are only for decomposable content from your toilet, sinks, showers, and baths. But sewer flooding is around the corner when you keep disposing of other waste in it. This is especially common by flushing different items down the toilet. Some of the typical household waste that blocks the pipes are:

• Sanitary pads and tampons
• Wet wipes
• Cooking leftovers
• Nappies
• Cooking oil, grease and fat, etc.

The blockage does not happen in a day. As you flush these items down the toilet, it gets stuck somewhere and builds up until the pipe passage gets blocked and interrupts the flow of water. You can prevent this by properly disposing of these items in the bin.

2. Damaged Pipes

The public sewer network is underground and can be fine for over a century until a tree root or soil movement breaks it. You can prevent blocked pipes by changing your activities, but damaged pipes are not due to your actions, so you can not stop them unless you regularly check with sewer cameras.

3. Urban Development

As the population of a state increases, so does the need for real estate and development. This means that underground pipes that have been installed for over a century might be affected through digging and building. Also, when concrete replaces grasses, it makes it harder for the soil to absorb the rain, which means that with less storage capacity for water, more floods are bound to happen.

4. Heavy Rain

When it rains consistently for an extended period, the sewer can no longer get rid of the waste and water efficiently, and a time comes when it gets full and floods the home. This is common in areas where it rains and consistently during extreme weather changes. If you constantly experience this, you should speak to your environment agency to get a long-term solution. And you can temporarily stop t by building flood gates in your home.

5. Inadequate Land Drainage

Flooding can also happen when you move into a place without sufficient drainage for your activities. This might not occur until there is a weather change, and the drainage can get rid of water from your actions and the environment simultaneously.

Also, if it happens after a while, it might be due to external blockage of one of the drainage systems. So, consistently clear your drainage system, and check if there is no waste blocking the water flow.

Conclusion

Whether the sewer flooding is due to your activities or not, you can prevent it by regular checks and being conscious of your actions and the environment. Do not hesitate to speak to a professional if you notice any signs of a blocked sewer. Preventing it saves you time and potential damage to your property.