Sewer Backup Calgary

It's important that you know where your sewer cleanout is located, as it is essential for addressing emergency situations like a sewer backup. You may have an indoor cleanout or an outdoor cleanout. If you have an indoor cleanout, you can find it by tracing your drainage pipes from toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines. These particular pipes are usually constructed from ABS plastic, bronze, or cast iron. Your indoor cleanout may be shaped as a Y or a T. The cleanout will be on a T or Y-shaped pipe fitting with a threaded plug, and it is likely covered by a plastic cap.

Then, you can inspect common areas like bathrooms, garages, or utility rooms for the device. If you have a recently renovated home, the cleanout may be hidden, so you might have to use a flashlight if you're looking for it in dim areas. For outdoor cleanouts, you will want to walk towards the city sewer line or septic tank to locate it. There will be an S stamped into the concrete or in a manhole nearby.

Next, you can follow the direction of the drainage line from the septic or sewer system and trace it towards your home. Next, you will want to look for a protruding pipe. For septic systems, you'll see a plastic pipe sticking up from the lawn. For municipal systems, you can follow a path through the yard to find a white or black pipe with a threaded connection.

Then, you should see a pipe labelled as “cleanout.” In the face of a sewer backup, Calgary homeowners have to be able to see their cleanout. So if your outdoor cleanout is covered by foliage, furniture, or garden gnomes, move them around so you can see it.

If you're frantically searching online because you just discovered a sewer backup that's occurring right this minute, don't panic. Here are the immediate steps to follow:

1. Make sure people and pets are well out of harm's way.
2. If it's safe to do so, shut off your electricity at your circuit board and cut off your water supply at your building's main water valve. Do not wade into flooded areas, as water can get into electrical outlets and cause electrocution. If you can't reach the electricity and water shutoffs, call your utility companies and have them shut down remotely.
3. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary and let us know you need an experienced plumber as soon as possible to deal with an emergency sewer backup. Calgary plumbers will be on their way shortly.
4. If you can, take photos or video of the damage and save receipts from any services related to your sewer backup so that you can provide them to your home insurance company.
5. Get advice from a Calgary plumber on what needs to happen next to resolve the sewer backup. Calgary homeowners should know that it may be necessary to call a water damage restoration specialist to deal with the destructive aftermath of a sewage backup.

If you've experienced a sewage backup, contact us today to get the repairs necessary to minimize property damage.

There are a number of common reasons for a sewer backup in Calgary. There are uncontrollable factors, like heavy rains, tree root intrusion, and deterioration from old age. But the number one cause by far is homeowners rinsing or flushing stuff into their sewer pipes that really doesn't belong there. When you put something harmful down your drains or toilets, it can result in intense sewer line blockages. So, if the goal is to prevent a sewage backup, you should never flush down:

• Paper towel
• Baby wipes
• Feminine products
• Dental floss
• Cigarette butts
• Food waste
• Cooking oil
• Liquid grease or fat
• Cat litter

In fact, the only things that should really be in your drainage lines are wastewater and, in the case of your toilets, human waste and toilet paper. In Calgary, the typical service calls annually for a sewage backup are between 7,000 to 8,000 for your local emergency sewer service. The most common causes of sewage backups are cooking grease and fats, wet wipes, and tree root intrusion in your sewer main.

Since nobody ever wants to deal with a nasty, destructive sewer backup, we recommend preventative solutions, such as a backwater valve installation, also known as a backwater prevention valve or sewer backup valve. These devices are an effective solution that has actually been installed in all new homes in Canada since 1999. But if you have a house built before then, it's entirely possible that your system doesn't have one. Although there are currently no rebates or programs within Calgary, other cities in Alberta (e.g., Edmonton) do have periodic backwater valve rebate programs. To best protect your home and prevent sewage backups, check annually for updates on whether a rebate program has been implemented.

It's important that you know where your sewer cleanout is located, as it is essential for addressing emergency situations like a sewer backup. You may have an indoor cleanout or an outdoor cleanout. If you have an indoor cleanout, you can find it by tracing your drainage pipes from toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines. These particular pipes are usually constructed from ABS plastic, bronze, or cast iron. Your indoor cleanout may be shaped as a Y or a T. The cleanout will be on a T or Y-shaped pipe fitting with a threaded plug, and it is likely covered by a plastic cap.

Then, you can inspect common areas like bathrooms, garages, or utility rooms for the device. If you have a recently renovated home, the cleanout may be hidden, so you might have to use a flashlight if you're looking for it in dim areas. For outdoor cleanouts, you will want to walk towards the city sewer line or septic tank to locate it. There will be an S stamped into the concrete or in a manhole nearby.

Next, you can follow the direction of the drainage line from the septic or sewer system and trace it towards your home. Next, you will want to look for a protruding pipe. For septic systems, you'll see a plastic pipe sticking up from the lawn. For municipal systems, you can follow a path through the yard to find a white or black pipe with a threaded connection.

Then, you should see a pipe labelled as “cleanout.” In the face of a sewer backup, Calgary homeowners have to be able to see their cleanout. So if your outdoor cleanout is covered by foliage, furniture, or garden gnomes, move them around so you can see it.

Tip: Always keep access to the sewer cleanout clear of any clutter and ensure that all family members are aware of its location in the event of an unpleasant sewage backup in Calgary. Professional sewer plumbers and restoration experts will likely need to know the location if an emergency occurs.

If you've just been forced to deal with the hassle, stress, and expense of a sewer backup, you're likely keen to find out how you can stop it from ever happening again. Your sewage water disposal lines are built to last, but that doesn't mean they can keep operating perfectly forever without the occasional preventative maintenance care. Hydro jetting service from our licensed plumbers is our recommended way to accomplish that.

A simple drain cleaning appointment once or twice per year is sufficient to remove clog-causing material before it has a chance to form a blockage, and regular drain cleaning also extends the lifespan of your sewage lines, so you can avoid needing repair or replacement for longer. But another way to prevent a sewer backup is to pay attention to telltale signs that indicate they have a clogged sewer line. If you're experiencing:

• Slow drains
• Clogged drains across multiple fixtures
• Gurgling toilets and sinks when in use
• Sewage odours
• Sewer cleanout is leaking
• Wet or soggy patches on your lawn

If you're experiencing any of these issues, we encourage you to contact our plumbers promptly. Doing so could prevent costly water damage and extensive damage to your plumbing system.

That depends. If the blockage or problem is in the City's main line (which is beyond your home's property line), then the City will handle the necessary repairs. However, if the problem is on your side of the property line (meaning, the service line that runs from your home to the municipal lines), then it's on you—the homeowner—to handle any sewer backup cleaning and repair services.

Now, although the majority of sewage backups in Calgary affect private service lines, the City does still offer some assistance with an assessment, but they won't help with any repairs or sewage cleanup services needed to restore the affected areas.

Tip: If you're worried about whether it's your responsibility, contact your local plumber for a video camera inspection of your drain pipes. Doing so can help confirm whose responsibility the repair is, along with a better location of the problem. Your plumber will also be able to make better recommendations on targeted repairs to resolve the issue.

You can always count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary for help during a sewer backup. Our plumbers will be on the way, ready to restore your plumbing system to full functionality. Do you need the help of a qualified plumber for a sewer backup mitigation in Eagle Ridge, Forest Lawn, Altadore, or another community in Calgary? Count on the reliable, experienced plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for expert plumbing services and courteous, professional customer care.

If it's time to schedule an appointment for a sewer backup, Calgary residents can contact our exceptional customer service team today. Check out our customer reviews to see why we're the reliable choice for all things plumbing!