What to Do When Sewage Backs Up | SERVPRO of Cookeville/Carthage/Smithville/Woodbury

5/17/2024 (Permalink)

Did you discover a sewage backup in your home? Our experienced team is here to help. Contact SERVPRO of Cookeville/Carthage/Smithville/Woodbury today.

As a homeowner, there are a lot of things that can damage your home. Storms, appliance failures or high wind might be a few of the things you find yourself worrying about regularly, but there are also disasters that many of us would rather not even consider. 

Sewage backup is certainly one of those disasters we all hope never happens, but it is a very real possibility for any home. It could happen slowly over time, or it could be a sudden disaster that stems from flooding or damage from a strong storm. 

Sewage is a biohazard, and therefore will require professional cleanup in order to be handled sanitarily. You can take some steps to find problems early, as well as respond appropriately after a situation occurs. 

Identify Problems

There are a few ways that sewage problems can happen all of a sudden, but most of the time a blockage in your sewer system will present signs ahead of a major disaster. When you know what to look for, you can take quick action to get things repaired and in good working order with little damage. 

Keep an eye on slow-moving drains that are not easily cleared. While most drain clogs occur pretty high up in pipes, one that returns often or isn’t easily resolved could be lower in your plumbing system. A drain snake can help clear it out before things get worse. If all of your drains start running slowly at the same time—you could be headed for sewage overflow. 

Take a look at puddles in your yard, and watch specifically for foul-smelling water coming up from the ground. These are early indicators that there is a problem with your sewer and a backup could be close to occurring. Even strong odors near your septic tank or the sewer lines are worth further investigation to stay ahead of possible disasters. 

Respond Appropriately

A sewage emergency is a biohazard situation, so your first priority should always be safety. Keep pets and children away from the mess and out of the fumes as much as possible. Protect your skin, eyes and lungs. 

Call our professional cleaners immediately. We will send a team out that will begin cleanup while simultaneously sanitizing and clearing out the hazards. 

While you wait for our team to get there, stay out of the flooded area if you are able. If you do have to step on flooded floors, put on tall rubber boots. 

Open windows around your home, and snap some photos for insurance purposes. Remove anything outside of the flooded area to avoid additional damage, and consider finding an alternate place to stay until your restoration is complete, especially if you have children or elderly adults who could be at risk for illness. 

Our team is ready to handle a sewage backup, 24/7. Our work isn’t complete until your home is sanitary, odor-free and exactly as it was before the event occurred. 

Sewage cleanup is not a DIY project. Rely on our highly trained team to get things taken care of so that you can keep your family safe. 

Are you concerned about a sewage problem? Contact us to get things handled quickly.