24/7 Emergency Service
“Snake” your Floor Drain or Pit to prevent backup sewage
7/30/2019 (Permalink)
Finished Basement’s floor drain or pit is about to be “snaked” or cleared out.
OH NO!
A few weeks ago, we received an emergency call from a home in Waterloo about a possible sewage problem after a rainstorm. The unfinished basement was filling up with water and the homeowners had no control over it. Apparently, the floor drain was so clogged up that it wasn’t only filling up with their sewage but the neighbor’s sewage was coming in as well. We know… What a nightmare! For this type of water, it is not safe for anyone who isn’t trained or have the equipment to have contact with it. It can be very dangerous especially for your health. This type of water is called “blackwater” and it can contain unsanitary agents and harmful bacteria. Our crew uses safety precaution when dealing with such a job. Needless to say, we completed the job quickly and successfully.
STAY AWAY FROM “BLACKWATER”!
A question that came up during this job is, why did this happen and how can it be prevented? Sewage pipes can get clogged with oils, food, hair, soap residue, and even tree roots. We recommend that you clear out or “snake” your floor drain with a professional! At least that is what one of our employees did as soon as she walked out of this job site. She said it was the best money she spent for some peace of mind. Her floor drain looked almost identical to the one on the sewage job so it really shocked her. Unlike that basement, her basement is finished so if an unexpected sewage disaster were to happen, it would mean more content to clean, dispose of and possibly more costly to fix the problem. So yes, think about snaking your floor drain.
Here are a few more things to do to prevent your drains from being clogged.
- Keep toilets, sinks, and drains clean.
- Do not flush feminine products, diapers, or wet wipes down the toilet.
- Use a mesh in a shower to trap the hair from going down the drain.
- Do not pour fats or coffee grounds down the sink.
- Do not put large food waste down your garbage disposal.
Make sure you direct the professional snaking your drain to clear it all the way to the street where it goes out into the public sewer system. And as a side note, find out if your Home Insurance has coverage for possible issues with your service line.