Does your older home perch atop a stinky secret? “Out of sight is out of mind when it comes to aging household sewage systems,” says Kevin Sullivan, President of Paul Davis of Northern Virginia. “We flush or shower or run the sink and don’t think much about the complex pipes that quietly funnel waste away.”Â
These crucial conduits get old just like home systems that are more visible, Sullivan advises. Turning a blind eye could mean a messy, odiferous emergency at a very inconvenient moment. Arming yourself with information, on the other hand, may prevent a sewer crisis. Handy FAQs can help you become better prepared.
Q: Which sewer system sections am I responsible for?
PD: In most municipalities, the homeowner’s responsibility extends from inside the dwelling, through the sewer lateral: the underground pipe carrying waste from your home that connects into the municipal sewer main. If something goes wrong before the lateral’s connection to the main, the homeowner must address it.
Q: What problems strike home sewage systems?Â
PD: Frequently, blockages occur inside the sewer lateral and force sewage back into the home’s lower levels, pushing noxious and dangerous overflow onto floors and other surfaces. Sometimes, the blockage creates foul, swampy areas in the yard along the sewer lateral’s path. Problems also may occur if municipalities combine their sewage and storm runoff handling systems. In heavy rains, water volume and flow may overwhelm sewer capacity, causing sewage backup into homes.
Q: Why are older homes more vulnerable to sewer backups?
PD: In older homes, laterals were often constructed of clay, cast iron, or in some cases, fiber – or “Orangeburg” – pipe. These materials can degrade, collapse, narrow or allow tree roots to infiltrate the pipe interior. You may notice warning signs that the sewer lateral is becoming clogged: slow draining, gurgling sounds or odors. Sadly, sewer backups often spew forth when the system is taxed more than usual: during gatherings and holidays, when sewage volume increases.
Q: What can I do during and after a sewer emergency?
PD: Cease all water use and if possible, shut off the main water supply, which ensures that leaky fixtures or automated appliance cycles completely stop discharging water to the sewer line. Carefully move unaffected items away from the overflowing sewage. Then call Paul Davis Restoration to manage cleanup and treatment. This is not a DIY job because sewage is a contaminated fluid filled with dangerous microbes, viruses and other harmful substances.Â
Q: How can I prevent sewer emergencies?
PD: Commercial sewer backup alarms, often wifi-enabled for remote monitoring, are now widely available. Many municipalities and companies offer cost-effective insurance programs for residential sewer systems.Â
“And as we always recommend, awareness and timely maintenance are key to preventing home sewer nightmares,” Sullivan concludes. “Act quickly if warning signs appear and if your home is older, it’s wise to retain a plumber or drain service to audit and update the system.” When things go wrong, we do what’s right.TM
