What Constitutes a Sewer Emergency? 3 Things That Should Worry You

Sewer issues present a unique problem because they affect not only your home but also your community. When a sewer line is damaged, it can contaminate the water supply in your neighborhood, posing serious health risks. This is why every homeowner needs to identify and address sewer emergencies as soon as they catch them.

Discover three types of sewer emergencies you need to watch out for to protect yourself and those around you.

1. Sewage Backup

A sewer backup occurs when wastewater that should be flowing away from your home reverses its course and winds up flooding your property. This should be treated as an immediate emergency, not just for the unpleasantness it causes but due to several serious health and safety risks it poses.

Raw sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause illnesses ranging from mild gastroenteritis to severe conditions like Hepatitis A or Encephalitis. You'll need to take immediate action to prevent family members, pets, and even visitors from exposure to these harmful pathogens.

In addition to the obvious health risks, sewer backups pose a significant threat to your property. The water-soaked environment can lead to structural damage, including swelling, warping, or cracking of foundations, especially if the sewage reaches your basement and sits for a long time. You may have to budget for unplanned repairs if the damage is severe enough.

The damp conditions also promote mold growth, further exacerbating health issues. Mold is hazardous for people with respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies. It is also costly to remove and can significantly decrease your property's value if you need to sell your home.

2. Sinkholes or Indentations in Your Yard

Sinkholes or indentations in your yard are geographical anomalies that can occur when a sewer pipe underneath your property breaks and begins to leak. The escaping sewage erodes the surrounding soil, causing a void over time. As this void grows larger, the ground above it becomes unstable and eventually caves in, resulting in a sinkhole or indentation.

Besides being unsightly, these sinkholes pose a significant risk to your property and personal safety. Even a small sinkhole can rapidly evolve into a larger one, potentially damaging your home's foundation or turning your yard into a dangerous terrain riddled with hidden hazards.

A leaking sewer pipe that leads to a sinkhole doesn't just jeopardize your property. It also poses a serious environmental threat. The underground sewage leak can contaminate the local groundwater, affecting not only your household but also your neighbors and local wildlife. This will ultimately turn a household problem into a community-wide concern.

3. Sewer Gas Leaks

Sewer gas leaks are an often overlooked yet potentially dangerous sewer emergency that every homeowner should be wary of. These leaks occur when the waste decomposition process produces gases that escape from your sewer system into your home.

Sewer gases include methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and more, which are not only unpleasant to smell but also pose significant health and safety risks if inhaled.

From a health perspective, exposure to sewer gases can cause various symptoms ranging from minor to severe. In the initial stages, people may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritation to the eyes and respiratory system.

However, prolonged exposure can lead to more serious health concerns, such as loss of consciousness, damage to the nervous system, or even asphyxiation in extreme cases.

As for safety, some sewer gases like methane are highly combustible. Any spark, even from a simple act such as turning on a light switch, can trigger an explosion if the gas concentration is high enough. As such, always treat sewer gas smells with utmost urgency, even if you can't pinpoint the source.

Treating these sewer issues as emergencies isn't just about maintaining a comfortable living environment but also safeguarding your household's health and your home's structural integrity. Call us at Drain Right Services if you need help getting your life back on track after a sewer emergency. Remember, the earlier you address these problems, the less damage and expense they'll cause.