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Sewage Backup FAQ

General

1. What is raw sewage?
2. What are the health risks related to exposure to sewage?
3. What causes the blockage in my sewer?

General

Q: What is raw sewage?
A: Raw sewage is mainly gray or black water. It often contains the organic waste and wastewater produced by household and industrial sources. It can contain everything from soap to solid waste, human excrement, industrial effluent, and debris.

Related Guide: The hazards of sewage backup

Q: What are the health risks related to exposure to sewage?
A: Exposure to sewage or its products may result in diseases such as: Gastroenteritis, Hepatitis, Occupational asthma, Weil's disease, Allergic Alveolitis. In extreme cases exposure to sewage can cause fatal damage to the liver, kidneys and blood, and infection of the skin or eyes.

Related Guide: The Hazards of Sewage Backup

Q: What causes the blockage in my sewer?
A: There are three main causes for pipes and sewer blockages:

1. Solid Flushes
   The most common cause of sewage backup is a blockage of the lateral service pipe between the home and the city main. This is usually caused by solid objects, accidentally flushed down a household drain.
2. Structural Defects
   Different structural defects can develop overtime and eventually cause a major damage to the system, leading to a serious overflow that will require a complete reconstruction of sewer lines.
3. Root infiltration
   Tree roots are a major cause of backups. Tree roots can enter the service pipe at joints and travel a long way, causing blockages along the way.

Related Guide: The Causes of Sewage Backup