If you’ve ever experienced a sewer backup in your home, you know it can be messy and unpleasant. From foul odors to water damage, the consequences of a sewer backup can be costly.

To help you prevent this from happening, consider some of the common causes of sewer backups in your home.

Tree Roots

One of the most common causes of sewer backups is tree roots growing into pipes and blocking them up. Trees are always looking for water sources and nutrients, so they often grow their roots toward sewer lines because there is plenty of water there. In addition, many older homes have clay pipes that are easily broken by tree roots. If tree roots block your pipes, the only solution involves digging up the lines and replacing them with newer materials, such as PVC or copper.

Fats, Oils, & Grease

Another common cause of sewer backups is an accumulation of fats, oils, and grease—also known as FOG. These substances can clog up your pipes if they aren’t disposed of properly. When cooking food with oil or grease, it’s important to pour these substances into a container instead of down your drain. By doing so, you will prevent any buildup in your pipes that could lead to a sewer backup. It’s important to note that there are also certain foods you should avoid putting down the garbage disposal to prevent blockages.

Non-flushable Items

Flushing objects such as paper towels, sanitary napkins, and baby wipes down the toilet can also cause blockages in your plumbing system. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and should never be flushed down the toilet—even if it says “flushable” on the package! Make sure everyone in your household knows not to flush anything other than toilet paper to avoid unnecessary problems with your plumbing system.

While there are a few common causes of sewer backups, you can prevent them by following some simple steps. Keep trees away from your home’s sewage line; dispose of fats, oils, and grease properly; and never flush anything other than toilet paper. These tips will help keep your plumbing system running smoothly so you can avoid nasty sewer backups in your home.