Do you know what causes a sewer to backup in Lake Havasu?

When the wastewater flowing from your home or business to the city sewer system is blocked, the sewage starts to backup into your home or business. There are many reasons for blocked sewer lines, such as:

• Tree roots growing into the sewer lines
• Aging sewer pipes, especially older lines made or cast iron
• Too much melted snow or rain water entering the system all at one time
• City Sewer system mains blocked
• Sump Pump failure
• Collapsed or broken sewer lines
• Blocked pipes inside your building
• Cracked sewer line laterals

Preventing a sewer backup

Toilet paper and human waste are the ONLY things that should be flushed down your toilet! Paper towels, cigarette butts, diapers, personal hygiene products (even if they say flushable) and facial tissues will cause clogs.

Coffee grounds, grease and other food products should never go down your sink drains.

Backflow (backwater) valves can be useful to keep water from coming back in if it flows backwards. All homes aren’t suitable, so you need to check with a plumbing professional to see if your home qualifies.

Signs of a sewer backup

• There are signs that a potential sewer backup is in the way.
• Slow flushing toilets and plunging is not helping
• After you flush a toilet or empty a sink and bubbling occurs
• Clogged drains in your home
• Foul smells coming from your drains
• Your basement floor drains are backing up

Some or all of these signs could mean that a major sewer backup is on the way. If you experience any of these signs, it’s best to turn off your main water supply until it can be checked out. Check your city government website to see if the problem may lie in their main sewer lines to see if they want to send an inspector.