Does your sewer line need a backflow?
After a long plane flight, our clients returned to their home in San Jose to find an unpleasant surprise. While away, they had a sewer backup into the house (also called a sewer backflow). Drain backup, toilet backup…a terrible mess resulting in significant sewage cleanup costs and destruction of property. Our clients did not know their home was at risk for a sewer backflow and they found out in the worst way possible.
To resolve the problem for our clients, we performed a Sewer Line Inspection which is often the first step to diagnose sewer line problems. It revealed a common cause of sewer backup, root intrusion. The blockage was cleared but once roots find their way into a sewage pipe, they will return.
The long term solution to prevent another sewage backflow was to install a Backflow Valve. The backflow valve only allows sewage to flow in one direction thus protecting the home in case of a backup in the main or sewer lateral.
In addition to the backflow valve, we also installed a Property Line Cleanout. A property line cleanout will allow the City of San Jose to clear blockages between the property line cleanout and the main sewer line. Without a cleanout at the property line, most cities in our area will not clear a blockage, even if it exists on city property.
While our clients suffered through a terrible and costly mess, at least now they know they are protected against such a problem reocurring.