How To Handle Sewage Backup?

Sometimes sewage from sewer pipes can back up and flow into homes through drain pipes. This is a potential hazard and is difficult and more expensive. 

Causes of Sewage Backup

• Clogs in the drainage pipes of a home or the main sewer line. Blockage can be due to grease, hair, or solid debris that ends up in drains.
• Damaged sewer lines can cause sewage backups resulting in flood damage. 
• Especially if the pipes are old, and made of cast iron or clay piping they can get cracks or break down easily. Now plastic sewer lines are used.
• Heavy rain can overburden the sewer system of a region. When a public sewer system gets overburdened water can flow into connected sewer lines and homes are at risk of water backflows.
• If tree roots grow into a pipe creating holes or exert pressure on a sewer pipe by growing around it, they can cause sewage backup.

Signs Of Sewage Backup

• Sinks that drain slowly.
• Bumps on the driveway or cracks on the sideway may indicate the presence of tree roots that can damage sewage pipes.
• Wet patches on the lawn when it is not raining can be a sign of leaking from sewage pipes.
• The odor of sewage in or around the house.
  

A professional water damage restoration company must be contacted to handle sewage backup. There are a few things homeowners can do to mitigate the damage before the restoration specialists reach. 

The area that is flooded by suspected sewage water must be evacuated.

 The electrical supply to the affected area should be switched off. Electrical wires or appliances pose a safety threat when there is water damage. 

When the circuit breaker is in an affected area it is better that trained personnel turn off the power. Till then the household members must stay away from electrical devices. 

If there is a chance of being exposed to the sewage water protective clothing, facemask, boots, gloves, etc must be used.

Until the sewage backup is fixed, the water supply system must not be used. The homeowner must refrain from flushing toilets or draining tubs and sinks.

The valve of the main water line to the flooded home can be shut off. 

The area can be kept ventilated by opening doors and windows if possible.