Why is my basement drain backing up?
A basement drain backs up when water can no longer drain away: a blockage in the pipe, roots growing into it, a stuck backwater valve or a municipal sewer overloaded by heavy rain. The water then rises through the lowest point in the house, the floor drain. The cause must be found before cleaning up.
What are the most common causes?
A backup is a symptom, not a disease. Either the pipe leading to the sewer is blocked somewhere, or sewer water is trying to get into your home. Knowing which of the two applies completely changes the repair.
- Grease, soap and debris buildup in the main line
- Tree roots growing into the joints of an old pipe
- A collapsed, cracked or crushed pipe
- A missing, stuck-open or clogged backwater valve
- Heavy rain or fast snowmelt overloading the municipal system
- Non-soluble items flushed down the toilet
What should I do immediately when it backs up?
Stop using water in the house: every flush, every load of laundry and every shower adds to the volume coming back up. Cut the power in the area if the water is getting close to outlets or an appliance.
Backup water is contaminated. Wear gloves and boots, keep children and pets away, and photograph the damage before cleaning: your insurer will need it.
Will it happen again?
Yes, if the cause is not corrected. A simple cleaning restores the flow, but roots grow back, a collapsed pipe keeps catching debris and a defective valve will let sewer water in again.
That is why we inspect the pipe after unclogging it. Seeing inside tells us whether the problem is solved for good or whether a repair should be planned. Our drain and sewer line unclogging service includes that inspection.
Can a backwater valve solve the problem?
A backwater valve prevents municipal sewer water from coming back into your home when the system is overloaded. It is the effective solution against backups caused by heavy rain, and several Outaouais municipalities offer financial assistance for the installation. See how we handle backwater valve installation.
However, a valve does nothing if the blockage is in your own pipe: the water from the house then stays trapped inside. It also needs maintenance, because a clogged valve eventually restricts the flow.
How can I prevent the next backup?
Prevention comes down to small habits and a periodic check of the main line, especially in older neighbourhoods with many mature trees. We do this work throughout Gatineau and Hull.
- Never pour cooking grease down the sink
- No wipes in the toilet, even the “flushable” kind
- Have the main line inspected if there are large trees near the property
- Check and clean the backwater valve once a year
- Make sure gutters discharge well away from the foundation
See our service: Drain and sewer line unclogging