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Can A Plumber Help With Sewer Backups After Those Particularly Rainy Days? | Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach, SC, is no stranger to rainy weather. But when the rain falls particularly heavy or falls for several days on end, lots of property owners begin to worry about seepage, flooding, and whether the municipal sewer system can handle the influx of water. There are times when the public sewer system becomes overwhelmed. When that happens, water can seep up back through drains and into people’s houses. Are you concerned about this problem? Are you getting backed up when it rains or at other times? A plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach can help.
What Are the Signs of a Sewer Backup?
You might think that water is the only sign of a sewer line backup and, of course, it is proof of a problem with the sewer line or the public sewer system, but there may be other signs too. Here are a few signs of a sewer line issue that you should not ignore–whether it’s raining or not!
Gurgling Noises
If you hear gurgling noises coming from your plumbing system, it’s a good idea to call a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach right away. The gurgling often indicates a slow drain. Usually, you’ll hear these noises after flushing a toilet or using an appliance like a dishwasher or washing machine. A slow drain can be caused by a clog or a problem with your sewer line. Unfortunately, clogs don’t typically resolve themselves; they tend to get worse and require the services of a plumber. If you have tree roots in the line or there’s a damaged section of sewer pipe, you may hear those gurgling noises. The best thing to do to head off a backup of water is to contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach.
Unpleasant Odors
Another sign of a sewer line problem are unpleasant smells. When the sewer begins to back up through the system, it brings some decidedly bad odors with it. The odor emanates from standing wastewater that isn’t moving through the plumbing system as it should. If it gets stuck–blocked by a clog or a problem with the public sewer line, you may begin to smell those foul odors. Not only is that unpleasant; it’s unhealthy. We can send a skilled plumber to your Myrtle, Beach, SC, home to inspect the problem.
Slow Drains
A slow drain, as mentioned, often indicates a developing clog. However, it can also indicate that there’s a problem going on with the sewer system, especially if it has been overwhelmed by heavy rainfalls. Your lines may drain more slowly until the system can function optimally again. However, if the rain hasn’t been heavy and your drains are slow, you may need to contact a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach for our drain cleaning service.
Standing Water
Have you noticed standing water around your floor drains? Heavy rains can lead to this particular problem. Again, the public sewer system may become overwhelmed. When it does, your drains won’t drain properly into the sewer main. Until they can, you may experience slight backup resulting in puddles around your drains.
Major Sewer Line Backups
Unfortunately, sometimes the backup isn’t a mere puddle. There are times when the public sewer system can become so overwhelmed by rainwater and local flooding that the sewer water backs up into people’s houses. There are safeguards to prevent this that we’ll explore in just a bit. However, if this problem occurs due to heavy rainfall, it often is a municipal problem. Even so, these can lead to serious property damage. Plus, the bacteria from the wastewater require careful cleaning up.
Homeowners in Myrtle Beach, SC, should be aware that sewer line backups are not always caused by heavy rains or indicate that the municipal sewer system isn’t up to par. The public sewer system is designed with heavy rainfall in mind. It’s not common that it cannot handle typical patterns of rainfall that we experience. Sometimes, backups occur because of a clog in the portion of the sewer line that is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Sewer line problems can be caused by tree roots that infiltrate the underground sewer line where they can grow and cause a clog or damage to the pipes. A damaged pipe or collapsed pipe can also cause a serious sewer backup. In fact, each time someone flushes a toilet or showers, the wastewater can back up through the home’s drains. If you suspect a problem with your sewer line, you can contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach and we’ll send a plumber to your home to check it out.
Can I Prevent Sewer Backups?
If you’ve experienced backups in the past or want to prevent them, you can invite a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach to install check valves on your floor drains. These valves are safety features that allow water to flow through in the direction of the sewer line but not back up the drain. Think of them as a one-way door. If the public sewer system becomes overwhelmed, these valves can save you from a big mess and also prevent wastewater from backing back into your house if you have a sewer line problem.
Finally, be sure that your sump pump is working properly. If you don’t have a sump pump, a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach can install one. We can also help you select the ideal model for your home. A sump pump helps to prevent your home from flooding. It will remove excess water from around your home’s foundation, leaving the soil around it more stable. These are important home features; if yours isn’t working properly, contact a plumber from our team for help.
Storms and heavy rain may be commonplace for Myrtle Beach, SC, residents, but they sometimes cause unexpected backups. Let Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach help you protect your home from these backups. Contact us to learn more.