Prevent Backups

Preventing Sewer Backups

The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District does all it can to maintain the sewer main. We use a variety of methods including dyeing, cross-flooding, and smoke testing to identify the weakest areas in the main, and we prioritize those areas first. You'll see us doing extensive work to reline or replace areas of the main every summer.

Don't Flush That!

Most sewer backups are caused by blockages in the private sewer line connecting your building to the sewer main. Keeping that pipe clear and in good repair is the responsibility of the property owner.

Remember, your service lateral is only 4 to 6 inches in diameter. When you flush anything that doesn’t dissolve quickly in water, you risk creating a blockage.

Garbage

Before flushing things like diapers, food, or dirt, ask yourself: is the convenience of flushing this worth the risk of paying a plumber or sewer rodder to fish it out later?

Even wipes and sanitary products marked “flushable” can cause a blockage if you flush too many at once. “Flushable” items do dissolve in water, but not as quickly as waste and toilet paper. A clog of partially dissolved material can prevent sewage from flowing through the pipe to the sewer main.

Grease

Grease is one of the most common causes of blocked pipes. It may be liquid when you pour it down the drain, but as it cools, it quickly congeals into a solid plug. Collect used grease in cans or jars and throw it away.

Use strainers in every sink to catch small bits of trash that shouldn’t go down the drain, and run plenty of cold water when you use the garbage disposal to flush away particles.

Hazardous Waste

Don't pour household hazardous waste down ANY drain. Call DeKalb County Solid Waste at (815) 758-6673 to find out when the next local hazardous waste collection event will take place. If no collection event is scheduled, you can dispose of household chemicals at one of the long-term hazardous waste collection facilities approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Waste the should never be poured down a drain includes:

• Gasoline or any automotive fluid (oil, transmission fluid, battery fluid, antifreeze, etc.)
• Degreasers
• Furniture polish or wax
• Oven cleaner
• Spot or stain remover
• Solvents, paint thinners, or paint strippers
• Oil-based paint
• Varnish or wood stain
• Pesticides or rodent poisons
• Fungus or weed killers
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Fingernail polish or nail polish remover
• Acids of any kind
• Biologically active substances

Don't Plant Trees Over Sewer Lines

Removing trees that have grown over the path of the service lateral can prevent a lot of problems. Tree roots reaching for water can grow into and through pipes, blocking or even crushing them.

The first sign of encroaching tree roots is often a washing machine or dishwasher that won’t drain properly. Because the clog caused by tree roots allows some water through, it’s only when your appliances flush a large amount of water at once that you’ll notice water backing up.

Repair Crumbling Pipes

Lateral pipes sometimes deteriorate because of age or substandard building materials. If your building is old or you have had other problems with poor building materials, have a plumber evaluate the condition of your pipe before it causes problems.

IF REPAIRS ARE NEEDED, WE CAN HELP YOU DEFRAY THE COSTS