Sewer blockages that lead to sewage backups in your home can stem from four main causes, often resulting in the need for professional sewage removal. While some issues are preventable, others are hidden and difficult to detect until damage occurs.

1. Solid Flushes: The most common cause of sewage backups is blockages in the pipeline between your home and the city main. These blockages are often due to solid objects like diapers, garbage, toys, or other non-decomposable items clogging the sewage system.

2. Structural Defects: Over time, various structural defects can develop in a sewage system, leading to damage. Misaligned pipes, collapses, and cracks or holes in the line can cause sewage overflow, necessitating both sewage removal and sewer line repairs.

3. Root Infiltration: Tree roots can enter water pipelines at joints and spread, causing blockages. They can also crack and break pipes, creating additional structural issues and leading to sewage backups.

4. City Sewer Backup or Surge: If a backup occurs in the city’s sewage line, wastewater typically overflows from the lowest possible opening. In homes with basements, this overflow may exit through lower drains and toilets, leading to significant sewage damage.