What to Do After a Sewer Backup in Your Home

Written by Posted On Friday, 28 September 2018 04:04

Of all the things a homeowner has to deal with, a backed-up sewer is probably the worst. Aside from the stench, there are other health concerns to consider.

Sewage consists of both organic and inorganic matter, including water, human waste, garbage and mineral salts – an unpleasant combination.

Sewer backups can occur for a variety of reasons. It could be a cracked sewer line, a blockage in the pipe, or tree roots crushing or entering your sewer pipes. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to know what to do in these types of situations.

Call a Plumber

As soon as you notice the back-up, call an emergency plumber. A plumber will be able to determine where the problem is and can start making the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Typically, plumbers will use a special camera to inspect your pipes to find the source and location of the problem. The camera is connected to a rod that is inserted into the sewer line.

“The rod is flexible enough to move through sharp curves and bends in the pipe, providing our technicians will real-time visuals of the interior of your pipes,” Cole Plumbing explains. “Through the video footage, we can then pinpoint the exact location of the problem within your pipes and decide on the service that best fits your needs.”

Shut Off the Power and Block Off the Affected Areas

With sewer blockages, it’s common to have water back up into the basement. If there’s standing water in your basement, do not enter until you have shut off the power. Electrocution is a very real risk if you enter the room without first shutting off the power.

Make sure that you keep children and pets away from affected areas. This may mean locking doors or creating barriers to prevent entry. Depending on the severity of the back-up, you may need to leave the house.

If you can shut off the power safely, be sure to take a few precautions first. Wear a face mask, rubber boots and safety glasses. Avoid coming into contact with anything metallic that could conduct electricity. Wear rubber gloves or use a wooden stock to turn off the power.

Ensure There’s Adequate Ventilation

Sewage can cause odors and fumes that are unpleasant and hazardous to your health. Make sure that there’s adequate ventilation to prevent headaches respiratory issues and other health issues.

Open windows in the flooded area to allow fresh air to circulate through the space.

Begin the Cleaning Process

When the water has been safely cleared and the power shut off, it’s time to start the cleaning process.

Start by removing debris, dirt and soil from surfaces that have come in contact with the wastewater. Dispose of these items, as you do not want to reincorporate contaminated soil into your backyard.

Wash down all floors, walls and other surfaces that came in contact with the wastewater with hot, soapy water. Rinse with hot water. Sanitize these surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (8 tablespoons of laundry bleach per gallon of water).

Keep windows and/or doors open to ensure that there’s adequate ventilation, particularly when using bleach.

Take care not to track sewage and flood debris into other areas of your home.

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James Stevenson

Hi, My name is James and I've been involved in the property and real estate industry for 10 years now. I hope people will like to read about my thoughts and experiences in the industry and please contact me if you want to discuss my articles further!

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