Do you notice that there is a smell coming from your sink? Or is your drain not draining as it should be? Are drains backing up all over the house? If you are noticing any of these signs, you most likely have a sewer backup.

And this is a big problem.

It means you’ll risk water damage in your home, floods, sewage coming back into your home, damaging it, and exposing you and your family to harmful bacteria and germs. Therefore, it’s important to fix a sewer backup when it occurs.

But why does it happen? Knowing what causes sewer backups can help you prevent a hazardous situation while being proactive can risk the situation occurring in the first place.

Here is why sewer backups occur, how to prevent them and what to do if you have one.

Causes of Sewer Backups

Below are the main causes of sewer backups:

Clogs can occur when there is a build-up of waste in pipes, leading to a backup in the sewer line. This can include tree roots that have grown into sewer lines.
Heavy rainfall can also cause sewer lines to flood and go back up pipes.
Damaged or aged sewer lines can break down and crack, causing sewage backups and flooded households.
Blockages in city sanitary mains or inside the main plumbing system can result in backups.

How to Prevent Sewer Backups

You can prevent the outbreaks of sewer backups by following these tips:

Don’t pour cooking oil or grease down the drain.
If you have a clogged drain, it’s best to get professional drain cleaning services immediately than letting it continue to build up.
Don’t dispose of garbage or waste down the drain; make sure you correctly dispose of paper towels and waste in the trash.
Install a backwater prevention valve. This unique fixture allows sewage to leave your home through the drains, but if the water starts to flow backwards (a sign of a blockage), then the flap on the valve will activate and stop it.
Ensure you get frequent plumbing and sewage pump maintenance. Having a professional inspect your plumbing system and sewer lines means they can proactively stop any problems from occurring.

(What is a plumbing emergency? And does a sewer backup constitute one? Read our blog to find out!)

Call a Plumber Immediately

If you are experiencing a sewer backup, there is only one solution to your problem: calling an emergency plumber in Calgary.

Only a professional plumber with expertise and knowledge in sewer lines and plumbing systems can help you with this major problem. They will inspect your sewer line (through CCTV) to determine its condition and if you need repairs or replacement. If the damage is extensive, you might require renovations.

Before they arrive, there are some things you can do to mitigate the damage:

Evacuate and turn off the electrical power in the flooded area
Shut off the valve for the main water line of your home. If you are in an apartment building, speak to your landlord or property manager.
Don’t use the water supply system at all until the problem is fixed.
Stay away from the sewage water and if you wish to get closer to it, wear protection masks, eyeglasses, rubber boots and gloves before doing so
Open up doors and windows to allow ventilation through the house.
Contact your municipal authority or sewer department if your home is connected to a public sewer and if there is a problem.
Contact your insurance to confirm if you have coverage from sewer damage or not.

The quicker you act when you suspect a backup, the less damage there will be in your home. With sewer backups, don’t take the risk – take action as soon as possible!

Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.

Plumbing is something that most people take for granted.

It’s one of those major things that you don’t really notice until you finally need someone to come in and save the day. The modern lifestyle we currently enjoy can’t be possible without the experience, knowledge and skills of licenced plumbers in Calgary.

How Plumbers Help Your House

Being a plumber is a taxing, physically-demanding job that requires constant education to maintain their high-quality standards and assist people with their plumbing repairs. This can include a wide range that is not limited to:

Faucet Repairs & Replacement
Toilet Repairs & Replacement
Sink Replacement
Waterline Repairs
Boiler Repair & Replacement

As plumbing systems become more advanced and complex, plumbers need to ensure they can handle anything thrown at them. That’s why plumbers are experts in numerous other factors involving plumbing and heating products.

They can assist with furnace and water heater repairs and replacement, drain cleaning and sewer line repair and replacement. More importantly, they can handle plumbing emergencies that can damage the value and structure of your household, as well as carry out inspections and maintenance to ensure your plumbing is in proper working order.

Plumber Man With Tools In the bathroom. Plumbing And Renovation

All these services require a professional that is highly-trained, skilled and knows the various different types of plumbing appliances, systems and products.

But there are more ways that plumbers help households and homeowners:

Health and safety – plumbing mishaps can result in sewage coming up to your house, risking your family getting infected by diseases and germs. They also ensure you have clean and healthy water for showering, cleaning and drinking.
Waste removal – plumbing is also used to remove liquids and waste. This ensures that you can keep your clean water separate from harmful contaminants. If done poorly, contaminants can seep into major plumbing systems.
Prevents water wastage – Leaks and drips can result in you wasting water, costing you more in bills and in repairs. Plumbers can eliminate and help you save water.
Upgrading your plumbing system – New advanced plumbing systems are more secure and energy efficient. Plumbers can help you upgrade your outdated plumbing, so you can increase the value of your property while saving money.

(Want to know what a plumbing emergency is? Read our post here!)

The Importance of Hiring Experienced Plumbers

It’s important to ensure that if you require a Calgary plumber, consider the following:

The experience and knowledge of the fully certified specialists
Transparent pricing for all their services, including no hidden fees
A range of plumbing services ensuring you customers have everything they need
Immediately response to any emergencies and situations
Add value and quality to your house, while respecting your household
Establishing positive relationships with their customers

Take your time, do your research and look for a plumber that is really going to make a difference to your plumbing. As you know – you’re going to need them!

There is no shortage of plumbers in Calgary, but that doesn’t mean you should settle on anyone. You need to hire a plumber that is experienced, skilled, passionate with a high success rate. Most importantly, they have to be licenced.

Being licensed is a key component in the repertoire of a plumber, so if they don’t have it, you shouldn’t hire them.

Here is why you should only hire a licensed plumber.

Reasons Hire A Licensed Calgary Plumber

They are Backed by Local Organizations

If the Calgary plumber is licenced, their local and provincial association recognizes them for their quality of work, with the plumber inclined to follow the standards set by the organization.

Plumbers that aren’t licenced mean they don’t have to follow protocols or standards, which means a poorer quality of work.

It’s important because when you hire a licenced plumber, you’re getting a skilled, trained and certified specialist committed to delivering high-quality work for you.

(Here are some of the most common plumbing problems you should know about!)

Higher Quality Workmanship, Experience & Education

Bringing in an unlicensed plumber means that there is no guarantee of the work that they are doing. As we mentioned above, licenced plumbers must adhere to higher quality standards to maintain their licence and qualifications.

This also affects their training and education.

In Alberta, apprenticeships take four years (in 12-month periods), with an expectation that it includes a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year. And that’s before they even get to be recognized by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and Plumber Trade Regulation!

From there, the licenced plumber must go through continuous training to stay up-to-date with the latest methods, tools and techniques, ensuring they can deliver for their customers.

(Wondering how to find the best plumbers near you? We got the answers for you here!)

They are Insured for Their Work

A plumber must have liability insurance for their work. This means that if anything were to happen regarding them, you or the plumbing system, the insurance company would cover the incident.

This point is important as it highlights the professionalism of the plumber and their commitment to doing their job correctly.

They have a Health Track Record

Check out the reviews and ratings from Google, Facebook, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers have said about the plumber. Are the reviews sparkling and positive? Do the customers note down the plumber’s professionalism and experience?

A positive and healthy track record, stretching back a few years, showcases that they’re committed to delivering high-quality work regularly. It’s a huge point to keep in mind when considering their professionalism.

They’re Honest About their Services

One thing that licenced plumbers can’t do is promote services that they can’t actually do, as this can result in potential issues in the future. They have to be honest and transparent about what they can do and how they do it.

It can include everything from standard plumbing repairs and drain cleaning to furnace and water heater repairs. Check if the plumbers are certified by Red Seal to ensure that they can handle your furnace and water heater.

When the opportunity presents itself, always choose a licensed plumber in Calgary. You’ll get a guarantee of workmanship and quality, ensuring that your home is secure against any plumbing problems or mishaps.