Imagine coming home only to be greeted by the smell of sewage. Unfortunately, sometimes it can happen for reasons beyond your control, such as problems with the city sewage line or trees. A sewage back up can be a nasty waste hazard that can wreak havoc on your property and air quality. Here are four common reasons you may have a sewer back up.

1. Improper Flushing

Be mindful of what you flush down your toilet or drain. According to The Spruce, main sewer drain pipes usually measure about four inches or wider in diameter. While these pipes are prepared to take on your liquid and solid waste matter, that doesn't mean they should take on just about everything under the sun, such as food and oil. When cooking in your kitchen, avoid discarding cooking oils down the sink as they'll congeal in your pipes and turn solid. Your bathroom toilet is meant to flush toilet paper, and even that can cause clogs when you don't use the right one. Paper towels, sanitary napkins, and wipes should also go in the trash can instead of your toilet drain.

2. Tree Roots

Trees bring a lot of benefits to any property. However, as certain trees age, they may develop overgrown tree roots that can puncture sewer lines. If a tree root punctures through your sewage line, it could create a clog. It'll become harder to properly flush things and before you know it, you'll need a sewer back up repair.

3. Old Age

Don't forget to schedule regular sewer line inspections from drain cleaning experts. This becomes especially important with older sewer systems. We've seen that many older systems are comprised of clay and cast iron piping, which eventually breaks down. Depending on how old the sewer line is, it may end up cracking, breaking, or collapsing entirely. Even homes that use PVC piping can fall victim to the sands of time. If your lines need to be replaced, an inspection from professionals will bring this to light.

4. Excessive Rain

Stay cautious during excessive rain storms in your area. After all, excessive rain is capable of flooding tunnel systems and underground pipes, especially when they're not maintained. When any sanitary sewer system floods, it can cause sewer back ups in connected houses.

A sewer back up can cause property destruction or an environmental hazard. That's why it's essential to keep up with plumbing and septic issues. For regular plumbing, maintenance, and septic repairs, contact Morgal Plumbing Industries, LLC anytime. As experts in sump pump and drain cleaning services, we'd be happy to assist you.