Sewer Systems
Sewer Systems
First, know that sanitary sewers are a small part of a larger treatment system for waste. That means the underground carriage system transports the sewage from your house to a treatment facility for disposal. In some areas, the sanitary sewers are separate and may be treated on the spot and disposed of within the same land area of the neighborhood.
Sewers are usually gravity powered, but some may use pumps. The pumps may cause problems when the electricity goes out, where the gravity powered is just that: works off of gravity.
When the sewers fail, the system can overflow spilling raw sewage into basements or into streams before it can be treated.
What makes sewers overflow? Overflow problems may arise when one or more of the following conditions occurs:
1. Heavy rainfall or melting snow that seeps down into the ground and finds its way to a sewer line with holes or cracks. Once the rain seeps in, it fills up the sewer beyond capacity and overflows.
2. If you have a pump on your sewer and the pump goes out, then the sewer can back up and drain back into your pipes. This is the advantage over the gravity powered sewer. Also, the pump may be too small to handle the amount coming from your house.
3. The pipes may be cracked, broken, or blocked. Blockage can occur from within the pipe such as too much toilet paper trying to be flushed or paper towels/sanitary napkins are being flushed. Blockage can also occur from outward items such as a tree root which can grow in and around the pipes, leaving them damaged and not functioning properly.
4. The pipes may shift over time with the settling of the earth which can cause cracking and breakage.
5. The system may just be old and need to be replaced.
How can you reduce or prevent your sewer from overflowing? Here are just a few very important tips:
1. Clean and maintain your system.
2. Repair cracked or broken pipes.
3. Upgrading to the appropriate size system/pump. If you put on a new addition or add a bathroom, you may want to consider upgrading your sewer system as well.
And know that some overflow issues are completely unavoidable such as those from vandalism, heavy rainstorms, or earthquakes. But if you take our tips, the problem may not be as grave.
Popularity: 15% [?]
About the Author: Allison Levy is an expert in the Environmental Field having over 15 years of experience working with government agencies and private industries. She graduated from the University of Maryland University College with a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management. Allison has worked in the field by conducting environmental, health and safety surveys/inspections on underground storage tanks, air quality, hazardous material, and the like.
