A clogged or malfunctioning sewer drain in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Whitehall, Holland, Coopersville, Allendale, and Twin Lake is a serious health issue, as well as a revolting prospect. The obvious signs of a problem are bad smells, a bubbling or blocked toilet, and waste-water appearing in sinks, tubs, or showers. Each of these is enough to alert everyone in the house not to use any plumbing fixtures and to call in West Michigan Septic Sewer and Drain Service, a licensed professional plumber/technician to see to the problem immediately.
Sewer back-up in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Whitehall, Holland, Coopersville, Allendale, and Twin Lake occurs when the drainage system overflows and sends water back through the pipes and into your home. This may happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common is a great deal of water from rainfall or snowmelt overwhelming the system. It can also be a result of a failure on the part of a sump pump or other system designed to deal with excess water. The water and sewage can come from various sources including a septic tank, sewer or storm drain.
Sewer back-up can result in a great deal of damage to homes, including the development of mold problems and of course bacteria from sewage that has entered the home. It requires immediate proper clean-up that stops the damage to carpets, walls, furniture and other personal property that will be costly to replace.
Avoiding Sewer Back-Up
Prevention is always better than dealing with damage. There are several things you can do to prevent sewer back-up from destroying your home and property: Have a full evaluation done by West Michigan Septic Sewer and Drain Service.
- Install sump pumps and check regularly to ensure they are in good working order
- Have backflow valves installed in your home
- Ensure that your property has good drainage – a slope that moves away from your home is best
- Have plugs ready for all drains and toilets
- Keep all of your eaves troughs and downspouts clean and clear to allow proper drainage
In some cases, especially extreme ones, back-up might not be preventable, but the damage can at the very least be minimized with these precautions.
A surprising number of homeowners are not aware that sewer back-up is not a standard part of a homeowner’s insurance policy. You must verify whether or not you have coverage right away, before finding out you do not have it when your home is filled with sewer water. You should also find out whether or not you live in a high-risk area. For these situations, it’s beneficial to know where your property’s main drain cleanout is. This will typically be around plastic pipe end cover in your front or back garden. If you can’t locate it, contact the home’s previous owner or the local town planner.
Call the professionals for help!
For public and private health and safety, sewage pipework can only be carried out by a licensed professional plumbing contractor like West Michigan Septic Sewer and Drain, so taking on any repairs or alterations on waste disposal such as is illegal as well as particularly unpleasant.
A small plumbing problem rectified at its earliest opportunity may well save a bigger and more costly sewer and drain repair job, later on, so be wary of the signs.
Our technicians in West Michigan Septic Sewer and Drain Service are experts in this system and are happy to explain more.
Visit our site and ask for a free quote now.