6 Tips for Preventing a Sewer Backup

In Canada, water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims. Water damage can take many forms, but a common problem comes when your sewer backs up and water begins to flow backwards into your home.

Sewer backups can be caused by too much snow or rain water flowing into the sewer at one time, blockages in your plumbing or the city sanitary mains, broken or deteriorated pipe infrastructure, aging sewer systems or the failure of your sump pump.

Here’s 6 tips for preventing sewer backups:

1. Install a backwater (or backflow) valve. This valve can help prevent water from flowing backwards through the pipes, but they are not suitable for all homes. Consult a plumbing professional.

2. Don’t flush anything other than human waste or toilet paper down your toilet. Other items can cause a blockage in your pipes.

3. Do not wash grease — or other items that can clog your pipes — down the sink.

4. Consider plastic piping that is impervious to tree roots.

5. Do not use water during heavy rainstorms.

6. Extend rainwater downspouts away from your home’s foundation.

The City of London also has some information on prevention and what the City is doing posted here.