Signs of a sanitary sewer backup in a home are partly detective work and partly common sense. The most serious water problem in a home is a messy sanitary sewer flooding. This creates health and safety issues, and it also damages finished surfaces. Backups can occur when the municipal sewer system is overcharged during a heavy rain or when there’s a main sewer blockage downstream from the home. Backups may also occur on a routine basis. Specialized cleanup is necessary after a sanitary sewer backup.
Sewer Backup Signs
Typical signs of a sanitary sewer backup are water stains or damage (including horizontal water lines on surfaces) and freshly cleaned or refinished surfaces. Furthermore you might also find various mechanical clues indicating that a one-time or ongoing problem has been covered up. Other signs of flooding water may be moldy smells and usage of dehumidifiers in low spots of the home. Freshly painted walls and door trim, or simply finding a large water pump in the garage that looks recently used.
Stress to the system is a real issue, sometimes these backups cause great reverse pressure the plumbing system. Also solid waste return and or toxic water that enters a home can cause smells and fumes. Moreover, any wood damage and waviness to the walls are indicators. Also all other plumbing and electrical apparatus must be checked out and certified to be good. DVA Home Inspectors check all these investigative searches and hints of water damage and sewer back ups in our home inspections.
Storm Damage Records
Sometimes it’s as easy as check public records and Sewer company repair documentation to verify a flooding of an area. Public works companies make detailed records of such incidents. Storms, hurricanes and heavy rain fall could also over volume a sewer systems capacity very quickly.
A serious sewer back-up could cause big problems for a home.
Hire a professional home inspector for guidence.