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.

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.