3 Reasons Your Sewer May Back Up After a Storm

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Sewage damage in Asheville can require from an expert.

What Causes A Sewage Backup? 

You may not associate heavy waters with a sewer backup. Usually, this type of problem is caused by bad plumbing or blockages in your sewer lines. However, when your Swannanoa, NC, commercial building is filled with sewage after a big storm, you may start to wonder what caused this issue.

1. Overwhelmed Sewer Systems: When lots of water enters the ground all over the city, the city sewer system may become overloaded with water. When this reservoir is full, the liquid has to flow someplace else. This can mean the rainwater pushes the sewage back up into your building. Installing a backflow preventer can help you avoid this unsanitary problem.

2. Storm-Caused Damage: Storms can cause trees to fall down and other major damage. While this destruction doesn't seem to have anything to do with your sewer backup, it could in fact be the cause. If a downed tree were to break a sewer line, it could cause the dirty water to seep back into your building. Line breaks are a major cause of sewage loss. Having your system inspected regularly can help you spot and fix weakened areas before they become a problem.

3. Rain-Induced Clogs: Blackwater can carry foreign objects into your sewer line. Heavy rain, for example, could pick up rocks, twigs and lawn ornaments. As the water flows to the nearest drain, the items it carries end up getting stuck in sewer drains and lines. These clogs cause the sewage to start to flow backward back into your building. It can be hard to prevent this type of issue.

No matter what causes a sewer backup, it is never a fun problem to have. The unsanitary conditions of the water require you to call in a commercial restoration specialist who has dealt with sewage problems in the past. Without help from an expert, you may be unable to completely resolve the problem.