**What is a Sewage Backup?**

A sewage backup occurs when wastewater from your home’s plumbing system backs up into your home, usually through drains or toilets. This can be a messy and potentially hazardous situation, as sewage contains harmful bacteria and other contaminants.

**Causes of Sewage Backups**

There are several potential causes of sewage backups:

– **Clogged drains:** Grease, hair, soap scum, and other debris can build up in drains over time, eventually causing a clog.
– **Root intrusion:** Tree roots can grow into sewer lines and cause blockages.
– **Broken or damaged pipes:** Pipes can break or become damaged due to age, corrosion, or construction work.
– **Heavy rainfall:** If your sewer system is not equipped to handle heavy rainfall, it can lead to backups.
– **Septic tank failure:** If your home has a septic tank, a failure can cause sewage to backup into your home.

**Effects of Sewage Backups**

Sewage backups can have several negative effects, including:

– **Health hazards:** Sewage contains harmful bacteria and other contaminants that can cause illness if ingested or inhaled.
– **Property damage:** Sewage can damage floors, walls, furniture, and other belongings.
– **Unpleasant odors:** Sewage emits a foul odor that can make your home uncomfortable to live in.
– **Insurance claims:** Sewage backups can lead to costly insurance claims.

## How Does Sewage Backup Happen?

Sewage backup occurs when the flow of wastewater is obstructed, causing it to back up into your home. This can happen in several ways:

– **Clogged drains:** Drains can become clogged by grease, hair, soap scum, and other debris. This can prevent wastewater from flowing properly, causing it to back up into your home.
– **Root intrusion:** Tree roots can grow into sewer lines and cause blockages. Roots can break the pipes, or they can simply grow thick enough to block the flow of wastewater.
– **Broken or damaged pipes:** Pipes can break or become damaged due to age, corrosion, or construction work. This can create a hole in the pipe, allowing sewage to leak out and back up into your home.
– **Heavy rainfall:** If your sewer system is not equipped to handle heavy rainfall, it can lead to backups. This is especially common in older homes with smaller sewer pipes.
– **Septic tank failure:** If your home has a septic tank, a failure can cause sewage to backup into your home. This can happen if the septic tank is full, if it is not properly maintained, or if there is a problem with the drain field.