Why Does My Sewage Backups Get Worse During Fall?

Fall often brings more rain, which can saturate the ground and overwhelm municipal sewer systems. When the public sewer main cannot handle the volume, pressure builds. This pressure can force sewage back through the lowest available outlet, which is often a basement floor drain or a toilet in your home.

The excess water from rainstorms also infiltrates sewer lines through cracks. This inflow further burdens the system, reducing its capacity to carry waste away from your property. If your home's connection to the main sewer line has any weak points, this is when a backup is most likely to occur.

If sewage starts backing up, stop using all water immediately. Do not flush toilets, run sinks, or use appliances like washing machines. This prevents adding more volume to an already blocked system. Then, locate your main sewer cleanout access plug, usually found outside near the foundation.

If you can safely access the cleanout, you may carefully open it to relieve pressure, but be prepared for contaminated water to spill out. The safest action is to contact a plumber to address the blockage and local water damage pros for the hazardous cleanup. Avoid contact with the sewage, as it contains harmful bacteria and viruses.

• Stop all water use in the home.
• Do not attempt to plunge or drain-clean a main sewer clog.
• Wear rubber gloves, boots, and eye protection if near contaminated water.
• Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
• Ventilate the area by opening windows if it is safe to do so.
• Discard any porous materials, like cardboard or fabrics, that sewage touched.

Sewage contains dangerous pathogens like E. Coli, hepatitis, and parasites. After the plumber clears the line, the contaminated water and soiled materials require professional sanitation. Local water damage pros have the equipment and training to safely extract the hazardous water, disinfect the area, and protect your family's health.

They use industrial-grade disinfectants and air scrubbers to remove airborne contaminants. The process involves removing unsalvageable porous materials, deep-cleaning affected surfaces, and thoroughly drying the area to prevent mold growth. This specialized cleanup is critical and differs significantly from handling clean water from a broken pipe.