Safety first
- Keep children and pets out of the area.
- Stop running water, flushing toilets and using the washing machine. Every gallon you send down goes to the backup.
- Do not touch the water or wet items with bare skin.
- Turn off the furnace fan or air conditioning if the backup is near a return vent.
- Do not try to save carpet or soft goods that sewage has soaked.
What sewage backup cleanup involves
Sewage backup cleanup means removing contaminated water and solids, discarding porous materials it touched, cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, and drying the structure. Because the water contains bacteria and other pathogens, the work uses protective equipment and containment to keep it from spreading.
Why backups happen
- Tree roots growing into older clay or cast iron sewer laterals
- Blockages from grease, wipes and other items that do not break down
- Collapsed or sagging lines between the house and the street
- City main surcharges during heavy rain, pushing sewage back through the lowest drain
- Septic system problems on properties that are not on city sewer
The lowest fixture in the house is where it shows up: usually a basement floor drain, shower or toilet.
The cleanup process
1. Contain
The affected area is separated from the rest of the house so contamination is not tracked upstairs or pulled into the ductwork.
2. Remove water and solids
Contaminated water is extracted and waste is removed.
3. Remove porous materials
Carpet, pad, the wet portion of drywall, insulation, upholstered furniture and cardboard that touched sewage are bagged and discarded. These cannot be reliably cleaned.
4. Clean and disinfect
Concrete, framing and other hard surfaces are cleaned, then treated with a disinfectant.
5. Dry
Structural drying happens after cleaning, so contaminated moisture is not blown around the house.
What can and cannot be saved
| Usually discarded | Usually cleanable |
|---|---|
| Carpet and pad | Concrete floors |
| Drywall and insulation that got wet | Wood framing |
| Upholstered furniture, mattresses | Metal, glass and hard plastic items |
| Cardboard, books, paper | Ceramic tile |
Fixing the cause
Cleanup deals with the damage. A plumber or drain company needs to clear or repair the line, often after a camera inspection. If backups happen during storms, ask a plumber about a backwater valve.
For the difference between clean, gray and contaminated water, see water damage restoration. If the basement flooded with groundwater instead of sewage, see flooded basement cleanup.