Prevention

Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent Sewage Backup Into My Home?

  • Avoid putting grease down your garbage disposal or household drain. It can solidify, collect debris and accumulate in City lines, or build up in your own system.
  • Never flush disposable diapers, sanitary napkins or paper towels down the toilet. They could stop up your drains and may damage your plumbing system.
  • If the lateral line in your older home has a jointed pipe system, consider whether the roots of large trees or shrubs near the line could invade and break pipes. It is a good idea to know the location of your lateral lines. You can call Ogden City Public Ways and Parks for assistance in locating your lateral lines.
  • If the lowest level of your home is below ground level, such as a basement floor drain, it may one day be affected by a backup. One way to prevent sewage backup through such below ground areas is to install a "back-flow valve" on the lowest drain. You can also use a plumber's test plug to close these drains when not in use.
  • For further information about preventative measures, contact a plumber or plumbing supply dealer.

What Does Ogden City Do to Prevent This Problem?

  • Every attempt is made to prevent backups in the public wastewater in the public wastewater system before they occur. Sewer lines are specially designed to prevent accumulation and stoppages.
  • In addition, we have maintenance crews that are devoted to inspecting and cleaning wastewater lines throughout the City on a regular schedule.
  • Even with our maintenance schedule, however, backups are often beyond the City's control. Most that do occur are confined to the sewage pipeline, rather than backing up into a home.