Don’t Flush Your Money Down the Drain!
How to Protect your Home From Expensive Damage
Have you ever thought about how the drainage system in your house works? Every sink, toilet, bathtub, shower, dishwasher and washing machine are all connected. Whatever you flush down meets at the end in the main sewer line, where it leaves your house.
But what happens if one of these drains get clogged? What if it is the main pipe leaving your house?
We all have experienced slow-draining sinks and toilets and we all remember the situation; when we flush the toilet, the water level starts to raise, your heart starts to pound and all you can think in this moment is: please do not overflow.
A slow draining sink can easily be fixed and a clogged toilet as well, but what happens if the main drain is clogged? A serious drain blockage may result in flooding and the really bad thing is, in most cases you will not notice it right away. The water and waste will back up and try to find an escape route and sewage will flood your basement.
If you notice sewage coming up from your drain, immediately stop using water and if possible, turn off the electricity in the affected area. Please be aware, that electrocution is a major concern when dealing with any flooding in your basement. Make sure you shut off the gas and electricity before entering a flooded basement. By simply stopping water usage may prevent the flooding from getting worse and give your pipes some time to slowly drain off until a plumber can come and diagnose the underlying problem.
What if the problem doesn’t correct itself when you stop using water? The sewage backup could be the result of a problem in the county sewer main. If this is the case, immediately call the municipality and/or a plumber. While waiting for help to arrive, try to rescue as many of your possessions before they are touched by sewage.
Cleaning Up the Mess
Once a plumber has the backup fixed and your drain is unclogged, you’ll need to clean the affected area.
Deep cleaning the affected areas of a clogged sewage drain is essential to making your home livable and safe again and I recommended hiring a professional contractor.
There are several health risks associated with sewage leaks including exposure to Dysentery, Salmonella, and Hepatitis A.
The pungent odor of sewer can also make you sick. Sewage contains toxic gases that can cause anything from skin irritation to organ damage and death.
Hiring a professional contractor will ensure that the affected area of your home is properly cleaned of any contaminants, but will also ensure that mold does not grow which is a whole other sets of problems you don’t want.
How to Stop Sewage Backup in the Future
The easiest and cheapest solution to do is adjust your family’s behavior to avoid clogging drains. Avoid flushing wet wipes (even ones that are labeled as flushable), paper towels, and feminine products down the toilet. Pour unused grease and left-over cooking oil into a disposable container and throw it into the garbage rather than washing it down the sink.
If your sink or shower starts to drain slowly, pour some boiling water down the drain. This is a good first step to take as the temperature of the water helps to break up soap scum and dirt built-up on the pipe walls, so it can be washed away.
If this does not help, try baking soda and vinegar.
This is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without using harsh chemicals and is environmentally friendly. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar. Give the mixture a few hours to do its magic and dissolve the blockage before flushing the drain with boiling water.
If this does not help, try baking soda and vinegar. This is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without using harsh chemicals and is environmentally friendly. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar. Give the mixture a few hours to do its magic and dissolve the blockage before flushing the drain with boiling water.
The third option is using drain-clearing chemicals. While this may seem to be the easiest and quickest solution to fix your clogged drain, the regular use of these caustic chemicals can cause damage to your pipes, be hazardous for your health, and will contaminate the environment. If hot water, baking soda and vinegar do not help, then it is probably time to call a professional.
by Andreas Leindecker, Realtor, 571.685.9831
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