What should I do if my sewer line is backed up in my basement?
The simplest sewer trap back up to cure is when the trap itself is clogged. That is cured by opening the street side plug, then the house side plug. This is done to allow any sewer water backed up under the basement floor to escape over the trap itself. Then the belly of the trap (the bottom of the U shape of the trap) can be cleared out.
What does it mean when your basement is full of water?
It typically means the house drain under your basement floor is full of water. That can mean a rainstorm has surcharged the drain system, or even the public sewer system. If there hasn’t been a recent heavy rain, then there is probably a main line clog.
Why is my wash tub backing up in my basement?
It’s usually best to hire a pro for these “seemingly” easy chores. In some cases a wash tub basin back up is a sign of something more serious. If the basin is the lowest plumbing fixture in your basement, then it is the easiest way for backed up sewer water to escape.
Why is the basement called the Pittsburgh potty?
It’s often referred to as the “Pittsburgh potty” for the abundance of them in that city. Legend has it that the historically industrial town’s steelworkers and miners used them after a long day of work. They’d enter their basements to clean up before entering the main part of the house, to avoid tracking in grime.
Is there a servant staircase in an old house?
Servant Staircase Does your old home have a strange staircase? In old mansions, household servants—and pre-Civil War, possibly slaves—were often directed to stay out of sight. The solution was a separate staircase in the back just for the servants to use.
The simplest sewer trap back up to cure is when the trap itself is clogged. That is cured by opening the street side plug, then the house side plug. This is done to allow any sewer water backed up under the basement floor to escape over the trap itself. Then the belly of the trap (the bottom of the U shape of the trap) can be cleared out.
What can you do with a dumbwaiter in an old house?
Dumbwaiters were most often used to move dishes and food when the kitchen and dining room were on different levels of the house. If you have one in your old house, you could use it as a clothes chute. Check out this treehouse that comes with a dumbwaiter. Does your old home have a strange staircase?
