What Causes a Sewer Backup and What to Do First

What a Sewer Backup Is

A sewer backup is what happens when wastewater cannot flow out through the main sewer line and instead pushes backward into the home or business. It is one of the most urgent plumbing emergencies, because the wastewater is a health hazard and can damage the property. The backup shows up at the lowest fixtures first, such as a floor drain, a basement shower, or a bathtub, because the water seeks the lowest point as the line fills.

All Counties Plumbing, Inc. provides emergency sewer backup services for homeowners and businesses across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Our technicians respond around the clock to relieve the line pressure, clear the obstruction, and identify the cause. Understanding the common causes and the immediate steps helps a property owner protect their family and property while waiting for the response.

Common Causes of a Sewer Backup

A sewer backup has a few common causes, and understanding them helps a property owner recognize the risk factors for their property.

• A clog in the main sewer line, from grease, foreign objects, or a buildup of debris, can block the flow and cause a backup
• Tree root intrusion can fill the line and block the flow, particularly in older pipes with joints or cracks
• A collapsed or a broken pipe can stop the flow, which is more common in aging cast iron lines
• A full septic tank or a failing drain field can cause a backup for a property on septic, when the system cannot handle the wastewater
• A municipal sewer main backup, during a heavy rain or a system failure, can push wastewater back into the connected properties

What to Do First

When a sewer backup appears, the first steps protect the family and the property. Stop running all water immediately. Do not flush toilets, run dishwashers, or take showers, since any water use adds to the backup. If the water continues to overflow, turn off the main water shutoff valve to stop the flow.

Keep the family and the pets away from the contaminated area, since the wastewater is a health hazard. Do not attempt to clean the sewage yourself without the proper protective equipment, since the exposure is a health risk. Call our 24/7 emergency dispatch at (305) 303-0920 right away, since a backup is an emergency that requires a professional response.

What You Can Safely Observe Before Calling

You do not need to diagnose the backup, but a few safe observations help us prepare the right response. Note which fixtures are backing up, whether the backup affects the lowest fixtures, and when it started. If you have an exterior cleanout and it is safe to check, you can see whether it is overflowing, which can indicate whether the blockage is toward the street or toward the house.

Do not open a cleanout that is actively overflowing, since the sewage can be a health hazard. Do not attempt to clear the backup with harsh chemicals, which can damage the pipe and the environment. Describing what you see is enough for us to dispatch the right response.

Why a Backup Is an Emergency

A sewer backup is an emergency for two reasons. The first is the health hazard. The wastewater contains bacteria and pathogens that can cause illness, and the exposure is a risk to the family and the pets. The second is the property damage. The wastewater can damage the floors, the walls, and the belongings, and the longer it sits, the more damage it does.

The emergency response relieves the line pressure, clears the obstruction, and stops the backup. Once the immediate problem is resolved, we inspect the line with a camera to identify the cause, which prevents the backup from returning. The response is the first step, and the inspection is the follow-up that addresses the underlying condition.

What Happens After the Immediate Clearing

Once the backup is cleared and the flow is restored, we run a sewer camera through the line to identify the cause. The camera shows whether the backup was caused by a clog, a root intrusion, a collapsed pipe, or a failing septic system. Based on the inspection, we recommend the right follow-up service, whether that is a cleaning, a repair, or a replacement.

The follow-up is what prevents the backup from returning. A backup that is cleared but not diagnosed is likely to recur, since the underlying cause remains. We explain the cause and the options so the property owner can decide on the follow-up with real information.

When to Call All Counties Plumbing

Call right away for any sign of a sewer backup, since it is an emergency. For a backup that affects the lowest fixtures, for sewage odors with a slow drain, or for any sign of wastewater in the home, call our 24/7 emergency dispatch.

All Counties Plumbing serves homeowners and businesses across our confirmed Miami-Dade and Broward territory. Call (305) 303-0920 or submit a service request through our contact page for an emergency response.