Why it matters here
Sewer backups in Durham tend to happen during heavy summer storms and spring melts, when the sewers carry more water than they were designed for. Houses with basement floor drains below street level are at the most risk. Other backups come from inside the property: a main line plugged with roots, grease or wipes. Both are preventable to a large degree.
Step by step
- Know your system. Find the main cleanout, floor drains and any backwater valve.
- Install a backwater valve if you do not have one and your basement has fixtures.
- Disconnect downspouts from the sewer where allowed, directing water away from the house.
- Keep the sewer clear. No grease, wipes or hygiene products down the drain.
- Deal with roots. If you have big trees and an older line, get it checked.
- Grade the yard. Make sure soil slopes away from the foundation.
- Check insurance. Sewer backup coverage is often an add-on.
- During storms, limit water use and keep valuables off the floor.
Store items in the basement on shelves or in plastic bins, not cardboard boxes on the floor.
Mistakes to avoid
- Plugging a floor drain with a rubber cap, which can push water out elsewhere.
- Removing a backwater valve flap because it was slowing drainage.
- Pouring grease down the sink because the disposal will handle it.
- Ignoring gurgling toilets and slow drains.
When to call a plumber
Call if sewage comes up through any drain, or if drains are slow and gurgling. After clearing the line, we can check its condition and recommend changes. Hidden leaks and water use can be traced with leak detection, and an outdoor faucet upgrade helps with yard drainage control. For mature trees, read tree roots and your sewer line.