Prevent Nasty Backups and Clogs with Sewer Cleaning
Everett, Washington, has stunning homes that are nestled among scenic backdrops. However, even these gorgeous architectural masterpieces can be completely wrecked by a backed-up sewer system. Sewer lines can become backed up for several reasons. 
Top Reasons Why Sewer Lines Back Up
Tree Roots
The roots of trees and shrubs reach deep into the ground looking for water. They find plenty of it in your home’s drain (sewer) lines. Tough roots penetrate sewer lines and grow inside the pipes. They eventually outgrow the space and cause blockages that lead to backups.
Pipe Deterioration
When pipes wear out, they are more vulnerable to damage. A damaged sewer line can let in various organic materials that can cause clogs and subsequent backups.
Owner Actions
Armed with a kitchen garbage disposal, many homeowners believe that they have the green light to rinse any material down the drain. This includes cooking grease and hair that can create clogs that are difficult to remove with do-it-yourself methods.
Dangers of Sewer Backups
The main risk of sewer backups is the exposure of you and your family to toxic human wastes. These waste products contain many viruses, bacteria, and fungi that can cause a host of diseases when they are mishandled or inhaled.
When sewage backs up into your home, it often floods the floors, surrounding walls, and fixtures with toxic fluids. This ruins the furnishings, but it also can be a breeding ground for mold. Backups often happen at the most inopportune times. If the sewage spill isn’t promptly cleaned, then you may need mold remediation services in addition to standard sewage cleanup.
The horror stories of sewage backups keep piling up. A homeowner in the Pacific Northwest went away on vacation for several weeks. Sewage backed up into his home because of a blocked sewer line. His $265,000 home that he and his wife had just purchased a few months prior was ruined. New furniture, irreplaceable family photos and keepsakes, and important documents were buried under several feet of sewage.
Like many property owners, this homeowner tried to cover all of his risks with insurance. He even purchased a rider to cover sewage backups. However, the rider was capped at $10,000 worth of coverage for sewage backup damage. His home sustained substantially more than $10,000 worth of damage. According to insurance industry experts, the average sewage backup claim costs over $30,000.
Benefits of Regular Sewer Cleaning
Regular sewer cleaning helps to ensure that no debris will clog your sewer lines and cause long-term damage. This extends the useful life of your sewer lines, which saves you money.
No one wants to experience the nightmare of coming home to a sewage backup. When you have your sewage pipes cleaned regularly, you significantly reduce the risk that a clogged pipe will cause sewage to back up into your home. Many homeowners find this peace of mind very valuable, especially those who travel a lot or use their homes as short-term rentals.
Signs That Your Sewer Lines Need Cleaning
While a sewer backup is a bad problem to have, it usually doesn’t happen without warning. If your home’s sewer lines need cleaning, you’ll likely experience several unmistakable smells, sounds, and sights.
Here are five of them.
#1 The Smell of Sewage Coming From Drains
Clogged drains trap raw sewage in plumbing lines, which causes a toxic smell to fill the air.
#2 Strange Gurgling Noises From Drains
You’ll hear this sound when the sewage is forcing its way through clogged pipes.
#3 Water Pooling Around Toilets
Your toilet has a seal at its base. When a backup occurs, the seal often breaks, and water leaks around the toilet.
#4 Slow Emptying Drains
#5 The Presence of Fruit Flies Near Kitchen Drains
What to Expect From a Professional Sewer Cleaning
Professional sewer cleaning services such as Apollo Plumbing provides begin with a comprehensive inspection of your sewer lines. Today’s plumbing contractors don’t rely on hunches and intuition. We use cameras that give us a first-hand look at the condition of your pipes. After evaluating the situation, we pursue the most cost-effective option.
Hydro-jetting is a technique that professional plumbers use to clear clogged sewer lines quickly. It involves using an industrial-grade machine that sprays water through sewer lines at high pressure. Many plumbing professionals prefer this line-clearing method because lines stay cleaner for extended periods when scoured clean with a hydrojet machine.
Some line-cleaning jobs can be accomplished with a chemical, organic material dissolver.
How Can I Prevent a Sewer Backup
There are many actions that you can take to reduce your risk of a sewer backup. The main thing that you want to do is to protect your drains. Foods such as pasta, bread crumbs, and raw meat cause clogs. Protect your drains from these items by installing a drain strainer.
The roots of trees and shrubs are big problems for sewer lines. If you decide to plant new trees and shrubs, we recommend planting them far away from sewer lines.
Preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid a sewer backup. Placing your home’s sewer line on a regular cleaning schedule with a licensed plumber gives you clean lines and an early warning about potential issues that can grow into more significant problems later.
Properties at High Risk for Sewer Backups
While every homeowner should invest in annual sewer line cleaning, some properties require more care than others. Homes with a shared or common sewer line and homes built near coastal areas such as those around the Puget Sound, the Snohomish River, and Silver Lake are often more susceptible to sewer backups.
Call us today to schedule a sewer cleaning service.
