Filled with bacteria and viruses, sewage water can be quite harmful if it seeps into your property. In addition to smelling bad, sewage water can lead to disease making those coming into contact with it quite ill. While leaks and flooding from freshwater sources can cause a great deal of damage, sewage water raises the stakes. To respond to the damage, instead of drying the area and tending to the risk for mold and mildew as you would with a clean water source, sewage water destruction may be irreversible. Padding, carpet, furniture, and other household possessions may need to be replaced if not able to be adequately cleaned, and this can make the cost of repairs quite costly. To avoid sewage damage in your home, understanding the potential causes and tending to them may be the best strategy for prevention.
Living in contemporary society means light comes with the flip of a switch and running water comes with the turn of a faucet handle. Unless it’s your area of expertise, you likely don’t give much thought to how these modern conveniences work in your daily life. However, to truly grasp why a sewage backup happens, a quick primer on your plumbing system may be helpful.
There are three main parts to your plumbing system: the water supply, a drain system, and the appliances and fixtures. The water supply is connected to either your city municipal line or to a well, depending on where you live. This line carries fresh, potable water into your home. Once in your home, the water travels through different pipes for different reasons. For example, cold water lines run to toilets and exterior faucets, while hot water lines lead to hot water tanks and then to showers, faucets, and appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines. Wastewater, or water that is no longer potable or used, leaves your home via the drain system. The drain system uses gravity to send water downhill through a series of pipes, with U-pipes and traps helping to prevent sewer gases from escaping into your home. When a blockage or structural problem occurs in the plumbing system, the water can’t flow freely, and thus a sewage backup occurs. This can lead to hazardous sewage water backing up into your yard or flooding your home, or both.
There are many reasons why sewage damage occurs, but the following are among the most common.
Work with a professional to make sure your plumbing system is in working order, addressing any repairs needed to avoid future damage. Should a sewage backup happen, call a trusted, reliable sewage cleanup service pro, such as Lamunyon, to help you deal with this potentially dangerous situation.
When you call Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair of Manhattan, Clay Center, Salina, Junction City, McPherson, Great Bend, Topeka, and surrounding Kansas areas, to handle your sewage damage cleanup, we will handle cleaning and disinfecting, as well as the removal and disposal of contaminated carpet, drywall and other items. For expert cleaning of sewer backup problems, give Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair a call for prompt service.