The safest route is to always call a professional such as a plumber, electrician, or water damage restoration company, to assist when you have a flooded basement and live circuit breakers or items like sump pumps, dehumidifiers, or other items that are always plugged in to help with excess water or the like during a
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- Only trained specialists should clean or repair septic tanks because tanks may contain dangerous gases. Contact your health department for a list of septic system contractors who work in your area. If sewage has backed up into the basement, clean the area and disinfect the floor.
How do you clean up a flooded sewer basement?
Drain all flood waters and/or sewage by natural draining or pumping. Remove dirt, soil and debris from surfaces that came in contact with flood waters. Wash down all walls, floors and surfaces that the flood water or sewage touched with clean, warm or hot water and a low suds detergent.
What to do if septic tank is full of water?
4 Things to Do When Your Septic Tank Is Flooded
- Check the Groundwater Level. Drainfields for septic tanks are normally between 2 to 4 feet from the top of the soil.
- Wait to Pump Until the Ground Dries.
- Reduce Water Sent Down the Drain.
- Make Changes to Help Your Newly Pumped Septic System.
How do you clean a basement after a septic backup?
Remove and clean any dirt, or debris from the surfaces that the sewage came into contact with. Properly wash any walls, floors, and other surfaces that the sewage water may have touched. Use a low-suds detergent and clean hot water. Rinse these surfaces with warm water after cleaning.
How do you get rid of sewer smell in basement after flood?
Use a Cleaning Solution One easy way to keep your pipes clear and odor-free is to pour a one-quarter cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Seal the drain, wait 30 minutes, and then flush the drain with hot water.
How do I stop my basement from flooding in heavy rain?
Tips To Prevent Basement Floods:
- Consult a professional for repairs and waterproofing.
- Inspect your lateral sewer lines for root intrusion and blockages.
- Snake your piping annually.
- Check basement walls for any cracks or weak spots.
- Seal basement window wells, vents, and exterior openings.
Who cleans up raw sewage?
A plumber will typically charge $150 to $300 to clear the line; City sewer workers – If you’re tied into a city sewer system, you need to call the sewage department as the backup in your home may be a part of a citywide problem.
Will a flooded septic tank fix itself?
Most septic tanks are not damaged by flooding since they are below ground and completely covered. However, septic tanks and pump chambers can fill with silt and debris, and must be professionally cleaned. If the soil absorption field is clogged with silt, a new system may have to be installed.
How do you fix a septic tank that backs up when it rains?
After a major rain event, the only way to relieve pressure on the system is by using it less. If possible, reduce or eliminate water going down the drains until the drainfield dries out. An emergency septic service cleaning can provide temporary relief, but this is often a futile exercise in battling mother nature.
What are the signs that your septic tank is full?
Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:
- Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
- Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
- Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
- You Hear Gurgling Water.
- You Have A Sewage Backup.
- How often should you empty your septic tank?
Why is there poop in my basement?
What Causes a Sewage Backup? Clogs, buildups in pipes from grease, or improperly flushed items, such as paper towels or single-use wipes, are common causes of sewage backup. Damage to the sewer lines can also cause a sewage backup because it prevents water from flowing correctly.
How do I stop my basement sewer from backing up?
How to Prevent Sewer Backups?
- Maintain your sewer lateral.
- Dispose of grease properly.
- Dispose of paper products properly.
- Consider plastic piping.
- Correct illegal plumbing connections.
- Consider a backwater prevention valve.
Why does my basement smell like sewage when it rains?
When it comes to a sewage smell in your home after rain, the most common culprits are cracked pipes and clogged drains. If you have trees in your yard, roots are a common cause of cracked or broken pipes. In addition, tree roots can also crack your septic tank.
How do I get the rotten egg smell out of my basement?
If the dry trap is to blame, the fix is simple: Just turn on the faucet a few seconds and let the water drain out. The water will fill the trap and effectively block sewer gases. If the smell is strongest in your basement, the floor drain trap may have dried out.
What is good to pour down a smelly drain?
Pour a 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Pour a 1/2 cup lemon juice down the drain as well. Plug the drain and let the solution work for one hour. Finish by running the hot tap water down the drain.
Septic Systems – What to Do after the Flood
The term “Septic As-Built” refers to a system that has already been constructed. It is a drawing of your Septic System that shows the location of the various septic system components in relation to the various structures on your property. It is customary for the SepticAsbuilt to be completed after the Septic System has been installed or repaired by the Septic Designer or Septic Installer. returning to the beginning of the page Can you tell me where my septic tank lids, as well as the location of the other components, are located?
The majority of the time, your local Health District will have an Asbuilt drawing available.
Utilize the resources provided to connect with the local Health Department in your county and then proceed as directed by the instructions to locate your Septic Affordability.
If there is no drawing on file, you can try starting from the crawl space to figure out which side of the house the pipe exits the foundation and working your way up from there.
- A radio transmitter that is flushed down the toilet can be used to locate the Septic Tank, and then we can follow the signal to find it.
- returning to the beginning of the page If I reduce the amount of water I use, will this benefit my septic tank?
- A specific amount of water is required for each septic system when it is first installed.
- returning to the beginning of the page How do I know which items should not be disposed of in my septic tank?
- Glycol, medications, paint, oils, gasoline, solvents (including feminine hygiene products), napkins, paper towels (including flushable wipes), and flushable cat litter are just a few of the items that fall into this category.
- Even though it is not recommended to use your garbage disposal, many newer homes are equipped with one as part of the construction process.
Because the use of a garbage disposal will cause the effluent filter to clog up more frequently, it is also recommended to ensure that you have an effluent filter installed and that you clean it on a regular basis returning to the beginning of the page It’s a mystery to me why my drains are running slowly.
- There can be a variety of problems with your septic system, the most common of which are a septic tank that needs to be pumped or a filter that needs to be cleaned.
- returning to the beginning of the page Why is my septic system backing up and what should I do about it?
- A backed-up septic system may be caused by one or more of the following problems: a clogged or broken main line, a clogged effluent filter, or even a failing drain field.
- returning to the beginning of the page My septic system is powered by a pump, so what should I do if the power goes out?
- The components of the system should include some form of storage capacity.
- Once power has been restored, it is not uncommon for an alarm to go off.
- In addition, depending on the type of system you have in your home, we can provide you with additional information on how to deal with the situation.
To be sure, a filter is strongly recommended for almost every type of system, including centralized systems.
returning to the beginning of the page If I have a septic tank, how frequently should I clean the filter?
In addition to the type of filter, household size, and personal hygiene habits, cleaning intervals can vary depending on a number of other variables.
returning to the beginning of the page It is possible for me to have the lids of my septic tank installed above ground.
Moreover, they make cleaning the filter (if one is installed) in the Septic Tank a matter of minutes rather than hours.
returning to the beginning of the page The sound of my Septic Alarm indicates something is wrong.
An elevated water level in the pump chamber is often indicated by the Septic Alarm.
A low water level or a servicing issue with one or more of the installed components might also trigger an alert on certain modern systems.
To get your system back on track, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Inspections at the time of sale are subject to varying criteria depending on where you live and in which county you live.
A property sale or transfer in Snohomish County is not required to be inspected at the time of sale or transfer.
It is usually a good idea to have the inspection conducted far in advance of any closing date to ensure that if any repairs are required, they may be handled without jeopardizing the sale of your home.
a.
For reserves that have never been de-brushed, it is usually completely acceptable to retain them in their natural state.
Over time, plants and trees will become aware of the nutrient-rich effluent that is being released into your drain field and sprout roots either in the drain field or around its components, preventing the effluent from dispersing effectively.
returning to the beginning of the page Is it legal for me to drive or park in my drain field?
The majority of the time, there is no long-term harm to light automobiles in extremely restricted scenarios.
This depends on the components that were utilized in your system.
a.
Although the reserve area is not necessarily the only location where a replacement drain field may be installed, it is the area that was chosen as a result of a variety of circumstances at the time of the original design.
Using additives will not reduce the frequency with which you must do septic tank pumping.
Even though additives may be beneficial in certain circumstances, they are not usually required in most septic systems since there is sufficient bacteria present naturally.
Several factors, such as the size of the family, the size of the Septic Tank, the use of a trash disposal, the age of the Septic System, and occasionally other effects, might impact how frequently your Septic Tank has to be pumped.
returning to the beginning of the page Can you tell me how often I should drain my Pump Tank?
Generally speaking, the majority of families using Pump Tanks should pump their septic tanks every third or fourth time they do so.
returning to the beginning of the page In what range does a new sewage treatment system or a new drain field fall?
A typical range of septic system and drain field expenses may be found even if each system is custom-designed for its specific location.
The expenses might vary greatly depending on whether the property is an existing home in need of renovation or a bare piece of land.
New systems cost anywhere from $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the location and soil conditions where they are being built.
returning to the beginning of the page When it comes to drain fields and leach fields, what is the difference between them?
These two terms relate to the same thing: subsurface drains, which are where the wastewater from your house is channeled away from your property.
returning to the beginning of the page A septic designer might be found at your local library or online.
If you are looking for a suggestion for a septic designer, we would be happy to supply you with a list of many names to consider.
Depending on where you live and the circumstance you are in, there may be a designer who is more appropriate for your needs. Contact us if you would like to get a reference based on your specific situation. returning to the beginning of the page
- Drinking well water should be avoided until the water has been analyzed. Contact your local health department for further information. Do not use the sewage system until the water level in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level in the surrounding area of the home. If you feel that your septic tank has been damaged, you should get it professionally inspected and maintained. The presence of settling or an inability to take water are both signs of deterioration. Because most septic tanks are below ground and entirely covered, flooding does not usually do any harm to them. Septic tanks and pump chambers, on the other hand, can get clogged with silt and debris and must be properly cleaned. If the soil absorption field becomes blocked with silt, it may be necessary to build a completely new system. Septic tanks should only be cleaned or repaired by skilled professionals since they may contain potentially hazardous gases. Inquire with your local health agency for a list of septic system contractors who operate in your neighborhood. Cleaning and disinfecting the basement floor is necessary if sewage has backed up into the basement. To disinfect the area thoroughly, make a chlorine solution by mixing half a cup of chlorine bleach with each gallon of water. After a flood, pump out the septic system as quickly as possible to avoid contamination. Make careful you pump the tank as well as the lift station. This will clear any silt or debris that may have been washed into the system during the rainy season. It is not recommended to pump the tank while the drainfield is flooded or saturated. Pumping the tank is simply a short-term remedy at the best of times. Pumping it out might cause the tank to attempt to float out of the ground, resulting in damage to the inlet and outlet pipes. Do not compress the soil over the soil absorption field by driving or operating machinery in the vicinity of the soil absorption field. Soil that has been saturated is particularly prone to compaction, which can impair the ability of the soil absorption field to treat wastewater and ultimately result in system failure. Before reconnecting the electricity, check for any damage to all of the electrical connections. Examine to see that the manhole cover on the septic tank is securely fastened and that no inspection ports have been obstructed or damaged. Examine the plants surrounding your septic tank and soil absorption field for signs of disease. Damage caused by erosion should be repaired, and portions should be sodded or reseeded as needed to ensure turf grass cover.
Keep in mind that if the water table is high or your sewage system is threatened by floods, there is a possibility that sewage will back up into your residence. The only way to avoid this backup is to reduce the amount of strain placed on the system by utilizing it less frequently.
- What are some of the recommendations made by professionals for homes who have flooded septic systems
- And Make use of your common sense. If at all possible, avoid using the system if the earth has become saturated and inundated with water. It is unlikely that the wastewater will be cleansed, and it will instead become a source of pollution. Conserve as much water as possible when the system is re-establishing itself and the water table is depleted. Prevent silt from entering septic systems with pump chambers by installing a filter. The pump chambers have a propensity to fill with silt when they are inundated, and if the silt is not cleared, the chambers will clog and obstruct the drainfield. While the earth is still damp, it is not recommended to open the septic tank for pumping. Mud and silt may find their way into the tank and end up in the drain field. It’s also possible that emptying out a tank that’s been sitting in soggy soil can cause it to “pop out” of the earth. (Similarly, systems that have been recently installed may “pop out” of the ground more quickly than systems that have been in place for a longer period of time since the soil has not had enough time to settle and compress.)
- While the land is still wet or flooded, it is not recommended to dig into the tank or drainfield area. While the soil is still wet, it is best not to perform any heavy mechanical operations on or around the disposal area. These operations will have a negative impact on the soil conductivity. It is likely that flooding of the septic tank caused the floating crust of fats and grease in the tank to rise to the surface. Some of this scum may have floated to the surface and/or partially filled the outlet tee, but this is unlikely. If the septic system backs up into the home, first examine the tank for an obstruction in the outflow. Floodwaters from the home that are passed through or pumped through the septic tank will produce greater flows through the system. Clean up any floodwater in the house without dumping it into the sink or toilet, and give enough time for the water to recede. This may result in sediments being transferred from the septic tank to the drainfield, which will block the drainfield. Discover the location of any electrical or mechanical equipment in the system that may have been flooded and avoid coming into touch with them until they are dry and clean
- The presence of mud and silt has a propensity to block aerobic plants, upflow filters, trickling filters, and other media filters, among other things. Cleansing and raking of these systems will be required.
How To Clean Up After A Basement Flood
Any basement has the potential to flood. You were probably hoping for words of comfort in an article about basement flooding, and I understand why you were looking. The fact that they do not reside in a high-risk flood zone, or that they live in a state where there is little rainfall, does not necessarily imply that their basement is safe from flooding, as some homeowners believe. Basement flooding may be caused by a multitude of difficulties in the property, including plumbing and sewage leaks, according to the facts.
Our advice on what to do after a basement flood can be applied to any situation, whether you’ve accidentally discovered an in-ground pool in your basement that you didn’t realize you had installed or you’re simply interested in learning how to prepare for future flooding scenarios.
What Do You Do If Your Basement Floods?
It is recommended by Basement Systems that when your basement floods, the first thing you do is actually something you should avoid doing, which is walking into the standing water in your basement. According to Basement Systems, the second thing you should do is walk into the standing water in your basement. The water may include deadly germs if, for example, the flood was caused by a sewage break, but it may also contain exposed electrical wire, putting you at risk of electrocution or shock if there is any exposed wiring.
Depending on what caused the water, you may need to contact a number of different specialists once the electrician has finished his work.
Who Do You Call for a Flooded Basement?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the mystery of why basements flood. Plumbing leaks, severe rainfall, melting snow, leaking windows, or even a foundation leak in your basement might all be contributing to the water in your basement. Because water always flows from high to low ground, even the slightest fractures and defects in your foundation can allow water to seep into the lowest level of your home: your basement. Here is a look at the three most prevalent causes of basement leaks and who you should call to get the problem resolved.
For Plumbing Leaks
Plumbing leaks are caused by a burst or leaky pipe, waste line, washing machine supply hose, water tank, or water heater, among other things. Before contacting a professional, you may prevent the most of the damage by cutting off your water supply at the main shut-off valve. If your valve is buried in the ground, you may need to hire a professional plumber who will be able to turn it off using specialized equipment.
A plumber will also have access to a high-capacity pump that will be able to pump out all of the water from your basement before it has a chance to seep into your walls or carpets for an extended period of time.
For Sewage Leaks
Septic tank backups or blocked sewer lines are the most common causes of sewage leaks. You’ll want to begin the cleanup procedure as soon as possible by first shutting off your taps and refraining from flushing your toilets until the leak has been identified and repaired. When it comes to cleaning up sewage leaks, it is best to leave it to the specialists because sewage leaks may be dangerous if not dealt with swiftly and appropriately. A septic professional will be required in the case of a backed-up septic tank; however, if the leak originated from an outside city sewer service, you will need to contact your local sewage department to have the sewage lines in your area checked for obstructions.
For Foundation Leaks
Exceedingly high rainfall, poor yard drainage, and sewage backups can all contribute to basement foundation leaks, which result in water leaking into your basement through cracks in the foundation. A foundation contractor will be needed in this situation to evaluate your basement, determine the source of the flood, and provide a remedy for sealing your foundation against future leaks. The cost of cleaning up your basement will vary depending on the source of the flood and the professional you will need to employ to treat the flood.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean Up Your Basement?
The cost may vary depending on how much water entered your basement and how soon the water was treated and removed from the premises. The Angie’s List website estimates that a little flood with only a few inches of water may cost $10,000 to repair, while a big flood could cost anywhere between $25,000 and $50,000 to fix. However, there are methods to save money by handling the majority of the cleanup yourself, in a do-it-yourself fashion. Basement cleanup and restoration should be left to the specialists for some areas of the job, such as electrical work and hazardous septic waste removal.
Before we get into that, let’s talk about whether or not a flooded basement would be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Is a Flooded Basement Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
The presence or absence of flood insurance is the most essential predictor of whether or not your basement flood is covered by homeowners insurance. As soon as your electrician or professional plumber gives you the go-ahead to enter your basement, snap as many photographs or videos as you can of the damage — you’ll need to document everything for insurance purposes later on. According to Angie’s List, certain standard home insurance providers may not automatically cover floods as part of your insurance policy, and as a result, they may not cover any water-damaged things that have been ruined by flood water.
The insurance company should send out an adjuster to inspect the damage and then call and schedule an on-site visit with a water cleanup and repair firm if you do this and your basement floods.
How Do You DIY Fix a Flooded Basement?
As soon as you receive approval from an electrician or a professional plumber, the best course of action is to begin repairing the damage immediately. The sooner you take action, the less damage and repair expenditures you’ll have to deal with in the aftermath of the disaster. The following are the procedures you should take to mitigate the majority of the damage caused by a basement flooding.
Step 1: Put on Protective Gear
Even if your expert plumber or contractor may have eliminated the most of the risks from your basement, it is still a good idea to put on protective gear before traveling down the basement for any reason. This includes the following:
- Thick gloves
- Water-resistant boots (ideally rubber)
- A mouth mask (surgical mask) and goggles
- And protective clothing.
Wearing thick gloves, water-resistant boots (ideally rubber), a medical mask, and goggles are all recommended.
Step 2: Remove Water-Damaged Items
Standing water in your basement, whether it’s two inches deep or two feet deep, may do harm to not just any belongings you may have kept there, but also to the walls and carpets in the room. If you have carpet with padding, it’s likely that you’ll have to pull it out and install new carpet. Mold development in your basement is a possibility if you leave moist carpeting in place. When it’s wet, drywall functions like a sponge, so it’s better to tear it out and dispose of it immediately. Plaster walls can be preserved, but you must allow enough air to pass through them in order to dry the studs behind them.
Step 3: Disinfect Every Surface
Every single object that has been contaminated by water must be treated as soon as possible. The use of hot water, a heavy-duty cleanser (such bleach or detergent), and a scrub brush on your basement’s walls and floors will allow you to eliminate the majority of the germs and keep mold from growing there. Of course, the process of removing water-damaged things from the home and cleaning the surfaces may be time-consuming. To have a professional deal with the damage in your house, you can either seek a referral from your homeowners insurance company or call a water remediation/restoration agency that will take care of the cleanup for you.
Do you have any recommendations for cleaning up after a flood in your basement?
Cleaning Up the Mess After the Floor or Sewage Back-Up
The biggest hazard is not the possibility of contracting a disease, but the possibility of being electrocuted or exploding. Wait until the utility providers have turned off the gas and electric service before entering a flooded basement or lighting matches. If flood waters or sewage overflow into your basement, you must clean it thoroughly to avoid the risk of becoming ill or hurt yourself and your family. Please do not bring children into the flooded area while dean-up is taking place!
If you encounter a sewage backup, it is essential that you use a restoration company that has received professional training. As an alternative to hiring a professional, the following advice on how to clean up after a flood or sewage problem may be done on your own time and budget.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
- All flood waters and/or sewage should be drained via natural drainage or pumps
- Remove any dirt, soil, or debris from surfaces that have come into touch with floodwaters
- And Clean and disinfect all walls, floors, and surfaces that have been contaminated by flood water or sewage with clean, warm, or hot water and a low suds detergent. Rinse with warm or hot water a second time. Sanitize by washing walls, floors, and other surfaces with one of the following combinations to remove contaminants:
- Lysol/Pine Sol (212 teaspoons (tb) per gallon of water used), or 8 tablespoons (tb) of laundry blean (i.e., Clorox or Roman Cleanser) per gallon of water used
- By opening windows or employing fans, you may help to ventilate the space. Make sure that flood debris and sewage do not get tracked into clean regions.
Utilities
It is recommended that you follow the following recommendations when visiting a flooded region where there is gas and/or electricity present:
- Request that the gas and electricity be turned off by the utility providers. Do not touch the fuse box or any wires or appliances that are plugged in until the electricity has been turned off. If the motor or controls of an electrical appliance are immersed in water, do not use the appliance until you have spoken with the dealer or service company. Do not turn on any appliances until the gas company has inspected them. Before re-igniting the burners, double-check that all pilot lights are lit. It is not safe to ignite matches until the gas has been switched off. When a gas leak occurs, it has the potential to produce an explosion.
Clothing and Bedding
Clothing, carpets, furniture, toys, and/or bedding should be disposed of unless they have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being reused. Movable things might be taken outside to be cleaned and dried in the sunshine if the weather permits. Discarded clothes should be placed in a container with a tight-fitting lid until it is picked up or disposed of. After the cleanup is completed, make sure that all clothes and body parts that came into touch with floodwaters and sewage are completely cleansed and disinfected.
Individuals who are involved in cleaning activities should pay close attention to their personal hygiene requirements.
It is recommended that people refrain from smoking at this period since unclean fingers can transfer illness germs to the cigarette and then to the mouth.
Foods
Foods that have been contaminated can make you and your family sick and even cause death. Ideally, they should be dealt with in the following fashion:
- Immediately destroy and discard any tainted bottled or packaged foods
- And Canned products (including home canned jars) can be maintained if they have been well cleaned before use. Containers should be cleaned as follows:
- Using soap and water, scrub the area. The rims of home canned jars should be cleaned with a brush.
- Immerse in chlorinated water for 15 minutes (1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water)
- Rinse well. To avoid rusting, allow the metal to air dry.
- After losing electricity, food placed in a freezer will stay for 2 days (or 1 day if the freezer is half-full) if it is not opened
- If the freezer is not half-full, it will keep for 3 days. If your freezer cannot be started within a day or two, consider storing food in the freezer of a friend or relative. Meat that has ice crystals in it can be re-frozen without risk of spoiling. For “cool-feeling” foods, it is preferable to cook them and then re-freeze them afterward. Depending on how warm the ambient temperature is, food stored in a refrigerator will remain fresh for 4-6 hours after power has been restored. If it is not absolutely required, avoid opening the refrigerator. If you know that the refrigerator will be switched on soon, you may want to put some ice in it. Any perishable food that has an odd color or order, or that is above 45° F inside, should be thrown out. Place unwanted food in a container with a tight-fitting lid until it is picked up or disposed of.
Note: The information in this database was gathered from a variety of state and municipal health departments. Despite the fact that this outline may be sufficient for the needs of your community, you should consult your local health department for further ideas.
Flooding – What to Do
- Use caution while using the sinks and toilets if the soil surrounding your home and septic system has been wet and flooded. Your septic system will not function properly
- Plug all of the drains in the basement and dramatically restrict your water consumption until the system has had time to heal. If you are cleaning up floodwaters in your house or basement, do not put the water down the sink or toilet
- Instead, use a bucket. While the earth is still soggy, it is not recommended to open the septic tank or have it pumped out. Water may enter the tank, and mud and silt may accumulate in the drain field. It is possible that pumping out a tank that is buried in saturated soil will cause it to “pop out” of the earth. You should avoid digging in the drain field area if the earth is still moist or if it has been flooded. Whenever possible, avoid working on or around the disposal field with heavy machinery while the soil is still moist. If you have any electrical or mechanical equipment in your septic system that have flooded, avoid touching them in the days after the accident. When electrical components are dry and clean, they should not be touched or handled. Before re-establishing electrical service, examine (or have them inspected) all electrical connections for damage. Examine to see that the manhole cover on the septic tank is securely fastened and that no inspection ports have been obstructed or damaged. If you (or your small business) has dumped caustic or toxic chemicals into your septic tank in the past and your system has backed up into your basement or drain field, you should take extra precautions to protect your eyes, skin, and lungs from the fumes. If you have any questions, please contact us. In order to discuss clean-up, you may need to contact your local DHEC Environmental Health office. Be mindful that flooding the septic tank causes the scum layer to rise to the surface, where it may have floated and/or partially stopped the outlet tee, resulting in sewage backing up into the home. Other issues that you may notice after flooding include the tank settling and the tank’s inability to receive water from the water source. Having your septic tank professionally examined and maintained as soon as possible is recommended. Because most septic tanks are below ground and entirely covered, flooding does not usually do any harm to them. Septic tanks and pump chambers, on the other hand, can get clogged with silt and debris and must be properly cleaned. If the drain field becomes clogged with silt, it may be necessary to install a whole new system. Cleaning and disinfecting the basement floor is necessary if sewage has backed up into the basement. To disinfect the area thoroughly, make a chlorine solution by mixing half a cup of chlorine bleach with each gallon of water. In the next weeks, take a look at the vegetation that has grown around your septic tank and soil absorption area. Remove and replace any erosion damage, then sod or reseed the area as needed to ensure turf grass coverage
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What to Do After Sewage Backup – How to Clean Up Sewage Backup
Sewer backup is a troublesome incident that causes a great deal of inconvenience and disruption to daily life – it may not be as destructive as a fire or a tornado, but it poses a variety of health risks and sanitation issues, and it has the potential to cause significant property damage and serious personal injury. In order to avoid further damage, sewage backup must be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible. In the event of a sewage spill in your home, you must evacuate everyone and shut down the power and water supplies to the building, as well as call a plumber and a cleanup specialist to correct the situation.
Keep in mind, however, that sewage cleaning is a time-consuming and sometimes hazardous operation, and you should avoid taking on the chore unless the spill is tiny and readily handled.
- Take precautions to keep children, the elderly, and pets away from the damaged area until it has been restored to a safe condition
- Contact the utility companies that provide service to your region and request that they turn off the power, gas, and water to your home and property. It is possible to switch off the power and water supply yourself if the spill is modest and there is no danger to you (but only if the power distribution panel and main water valve are both safely above water!) — just make sure you are wearing adequate personal protective equipment! Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate
- Remove any dry, uncontaminated things from the area
- Small amounts of chlorine bleach should be added to standing water to provide some disinfection and to prevent bacteria from spreading
- Before beginning the cleanup process, notify your insurance company that there has been a sewage backup in your house and be sure to take multiple images of the spill, as well as the water-damaged goods and structural materials (you will need these as proof for your insurance claim)
At this time, do not attempt to unclog drains since the sewage water must be evacuated before the source of the leak can be identified and corrected.
If you determine that you can manage the problem on your own, begin the cleanup process as soon as possible:
How to Clean Up Sewage Backup
As previously said, clearing up a sewer backlog is a laborious, unpleasant, and even dangerous chore. It is strongly advised that you hire expert cleaners. Please keep in mind that you should only try DIY sewage backup cleaning if you have a tiny spill that is contained to a limited section of your home (bathroom, portion of a kitchen, etc.) and that happened relatively recently (within the last few days). Major spills necessitate the assistance of an expert. You must be aware of exactly what you must do in order to deal with the situation safely:
- Wear personal protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, rubber boots, protective glasses, and a facemask, to keep yourself safe. As sewage spills include toxins that can cause serious diseases, avoid coming into close touch with the wastewater (or any contaminated goods). Close the doors between the contaminated area and the other rooms in your house to prevent sewage water and debris from being tracked into clean areas and to guarantee that airborne sewage-infected dust is not blown into other rooms
After a sewage backup, check to see that your property has been adequately cleaned.
- Use a pump to remove the sewage water as quickly as possible, or a wet-dry vacuum with a suitable filter device if the spill is little
- Dirt, soil, and debris should be shoveled into sturdy plastic bags and disposed of as soon as possible
- Remove all objects from the affected area and place them in an isolated spot with a concrete or tiled floor that can be readily sterilized later. Keep them there until the plumbing problem has been resolved and you can deal with the items in a more appropriate manner. Anything that has been drenched in polluted water should be thrown away immediately
- Remove any wet carpets, flooring, insulation, wall paneling, baseboards, and other materials from the room and dispose of them in a safe and proper way
- Hot water and adequate bactericidal disinfectants should be used to thoroughly clean all of the walls, floors, and other surfaces in the afflicted area. After that, do a thorough cleaning with a high-quality home detergent and plenty of fresh water. When cleaning the floors, use particular caution – scrub them well with a brush dipped in a solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water before mopping them up. Using clean water, completely rinse the product
- Remove any surplus water and let the space to dry naturally (open windows if the weather is dry and sunny, or use dehumidifiers in the room if it is chilly or raining outside). Please keep in mind that drying off the wet area within 24-48 hours of the accident is critical in order to prevent the danger of mold formation
- Make a visual inspection of your property for signs of mold development. In the case of a sewage backup, the increased level of indoor moisture may result in mold growth throughout your home, even on surfaces that have not been in touch with the wastewater. If you discover any visible mold, use mold cleansers that have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency to destroy the spores and disinfect all nearby surfaces. If the mold damage is serious, contact mold remediation professionals. Take the following precautions with the affected items: Any edible things (foods, beverages and spices), as well as porous materials (rugs, curtains, upholstery and mattresses), that have come into direct touch with sewage water should be discarded
- Have contaminated items of high sentimental or monetary value professionally inspected – the experts will be able to sanitize and restore any salvageable belongings you own because they will have advanced equipment, specialized cleaning products, and years of experience dealing with contaminated content
- Make arrangements to have upholstered furniture and carpets that have only been marginally contaminated by the wastewater cleaned properly
- Antibacterial cleaning chemicals should be used on all damaged things (including furniture and appliances), and they should be allowed to dry outside in the sunlight
- When washing garments and linen that have had only limited contact with the contaminated water, add one cup of chlorine bleach to the water. Remove everything from the contaminated area and let it outside to air out
- Obtain a professional inspection and repair of the electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances that have been exposed to the polluted environment
These measures will guarantee that your house has been adequately sterilized and has been returned to a safe living environment for your family.
When to Call for Professional Help
While professional sewage backup cleaning is always the preferable option, it is definitely essential if any of the following conditions exist:
- Moreover, the spill is not limited to a single room in your house. It is more than 24 hours since the backlog happened (or it has been sitting for an unknown number of hours) – germs and viruses will have already spread by this stage, causing serious health risks to you and making it extremely dangerous to deal with the sewage
- The blockage in a sewage or septic tank is the cause of the spill
- You should be aware of the risk that sewage water may have gotten into touch with your house’s air-conditioning system (in which case expert duct cleaning will be necessary to guarantee that the air quality in your home is satisfactory)
- Whether you or a member of your family suffers from a medical condition that might be exacerbated by the pollutants in the wastewater
Moreover, the spill is not contained to a single room of your residence. This means that germs and viruses have already spread, causing serious health risks to you and making it extremely dangerous to deal with the sewage; the backup happened more than 24 hours ago (or has been sitting for an unknown number of hours); A blockage in a sewage or septic tank is responsible for the spill; In the event that sewage water has gotten into touch with your house’s air-conditioning system (in which case expert duct cleaning will be necessary to guarantee that the air quality in your home is satisfactory); Whether you or a member of your family suffers from a health condition that might be exacerbated by the pollutants in wastewater;
- Health risks– As previously said, sewage spills include toxins that may cause serious sickness, therefore you must address the issue as soon as possible before germs and viruses spread throughout your home and endanger your safety. Sewage cleaning, on the other hand, necessitates the handling of infectious waste, making it potentially hazardous to your health. However, even if you are wearing personal protective equipment, it is unlikely to be enough to ensure your safety. This is especially true if sewage has contaminated large areas of your home (and cannot be dealt with quickly enough), difficult to clean spaces or equipment, such as your air-conditioning system (and cannot be dealt with efficiently enough), or has been trapped inside for several hours (and harmful bacteria has already spread). In these situations, you will require expert assistance
- Infliction of property damage– A sewage leak may cause extensive water damage to your property, as well as the formation of mildew in the affected area. Water damage to structural materials (flooring, baseboards, drywall, insulation, and other household goods) and household products (furniture, appliances, and other items) may need the repair or replacement of these items, as well as the remediation of a mold problem. (In addition, mold can cause more damage to your property as well as health problems for you and your family.)
Using expert sewage cleanup services can assist you in avoiding all of the aforementioned dangers and restoring your property to its pre-accident condition as soon as possible. A sewage cleanup company will respond to your problem in a timely and effective manner since they have the specialized cleaning materials, cutting-edge equipment, and technical know-how to do the following:
- Wastewater and solid trash should be removed safely and appropriately
- Clean and sterilize the area (and, if required, disinfect the entire house)
Cleaning up the sewage from the bathroom
- Dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and/or grade air movers should be used to ventilate and dry the space
- Water damage restoration should be carried out throughout the house, as well as any essential repair work
- Clean carpeting and upholstery utilizing steam cleaners or cleaning chemicals that are suited for the job
- Restore the condition of recoverable content to its original state
- Mold must be removed and any mold damage must be mitigated (if necessary), and/or effective steps must be taken to avoid mold development in the future.
Depending on the size of the sewage spill (and the extent of the damage), sewage cleanup services can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 each incident. sewage cleaning professionals can totally clean, disinfect, and restore your property since they provide not only water extraction but also quality repair works, odor removal, and content cleansing. This makes them your best option in the case of a significant sewage spill in your home. However, you may also require the assistance of:
- Drain cleaning services from a septic specialist– If the spill was caused by an overflowing septic tank, you’ll need a septic specialist (either the same company that regularly emptyes the tank or a plumber who specializes in emergency drain cleaning services) to repair the tank and prevent future sewage backups in your home. Septic tanks may only require pumping and cleaning, or they may require new pipes or a complete replacement of the tank. Septic tank pumping costs around $250, however tank repairs can cost anything from $150 (to replace a pipe) to $5,000 (to rebuild the entire tank)
- Plumbers– If the spill was caused by a clogged sewer line, you will require the services of a drain cleaning professional to resolve the issue. A plumber will normally charge between $150 and $300 to unclog the drain
- City sewer workers– If your home is connected to the city sewer system, you should contact the sewage department immediately since the blockage in your home might be a symptom of a larger citywide problem. If this is the case, the city will deal with it.
However, the prompt and fast involvement of experienced specialists will save you a great deal of time and effort while also delivering the most appropriate, safe, and cost-effective solution to the problem. The professionals will rapidly return your property to its pre-crisis condition, preventing additional problems and assisting you in getting your life back on track as fast as possible.
And you may not even be required to pay for their services – in the case of a sewage blockage, insurance companies frequently cover the expense of retaining expert assistance.
AboutLuke Armstrong
Expert in emergency fire and water restoration services, as well as fire cleanup and water damage cleanup, mold removal, and carpet and upholstery cleaning services, among other services. As a contributor to a number of cleaning and restoration blogs, Tags:sewage backup, sewage backup sewage removal and treatment sewage removal and cleanup removing water from a building cleaning up after water damage
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Rain, rain, please leave us alone. There are also sewage backups. As well as busted pipes. All of you are welcome to GO. AWAY. Particularly if they transform your wet bar into a soakingwetbar and your ping-pong table into an island. Every homeowner who has a basement may imagine the misery of that situation. Regardless of how much you want to, if your basement floods, don’t curl up on your sofa and wish for a miracle. Instead, take action to prevent the flood from happening again. You’ll be able to deal with the sloppy mess.
4 Things to Do Right Away
If you’re experiencing sorrow, don’t wait until you’ve reached the fifth stage to confront aflood. A quick response can help to reduce the severity of a rising-rank scenario — as well as the amount of money it will cost to repair it. 1.According to Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, the first thing to do is a big “don’t.” Never, ever put your foot in any standing basement water. “You run the risk of being shocked or electrocuted,” he explains. After all, who wants to get their hands dirty in such a muddle?
2.
The method you use will vary depending on the source:
Water Source | What to Do |
Broken or malfunctioning pipes | Turn off your water’s shut-off valve. If you don’t know where that is, scope it out now — before the worst happens. Some valves are buried in the ground and require special tools to turn off. |
Sewage backup | Stop flushing toilets and running faucets. Your local sewage authority may offer pumping services or let you submit a reimbursement claim. If you have a septic system, though, it’s on you. Call the septic company to have your tank pumped ASAP. |
Groundwater | Sorry, that’s bad news. You can’t turn off Mother Nature. The good news: Groundwater flooding might not stink as badly as sewage. Get references for a waterproofing pro or a structural engineer because you could have a foundation problem. |
When Nancy Friedman and her husband’s home in St. Louis flooded in 2014, groundwater was found to be the source of the problem. Their basement had a little wet patch, which Nancy Friedman admits they were aware of, but “didn’t give it much thought,” she adds. For her and her husband, who both travel extensively, “going downstairs is not something that we do on a regular basis,” she explains. It only took a little leak to turn into a full-blown flood in their basement, resulting in thousands of dollars in carpet damage — not to mention the cost of repairing the structural problem that allowed the water to seep in in the first place.
- Locate a plumber who possesses a high-capacity pump.
- It has to be completed as soon as possible.
- “The longer water remains, and the longer your drywall is submerged, the more long-term damage it will do,” Gallas explains.
- 4.
- You ensure that you have images and video for insurance purposes, make sure to back them up on a cloud-based storage service.
DIY Some of the Basement Flood Cleanup to Save Money
Once the water has been drained out, the rest of the work may be completed by the homeowner.
Just make sure you take the following precautions:
- Gloves, rubber boots, and eye protection are all recommended. A mask (particularly if you’re dealing with a sewage backup)
- Protective clothing
- And gloves. If the odor is really offensive, use a nasal plug.
Then, using a wet-dry vacuum, vacuum up any leftover filth. Additionally, paper towels and plastic bags in sufficient quantities will be required to clean up the messes. Because rugs, carpets, and upholstery can absorb pollutants and bacteria from floodwater regardless of the source of the flood, you’ll have to say goodbye to them all. (Items that are really sentimental may be able to be restored by a professional, but don’t get your expectations up.) Friedman experienced something similar. As soon as we arrived, we began removing the floor covering.
- Open all windows and doors, then turn on huge fans and dehumidifiers to help relieve the heat. Wipe out walls, floors, cabinetry, and hardware that have been contaminated by water using a soapy solution. Re-open the windows and doors. Pour one gallon of water and mix it with 1.5 cups of bleach and a few drops of liquid soap to make a bactericide. Spray the walls with water and allow them to dry.
But Don’t Feel Like a Wimp if You Want to Hire a Pro
In fact, both Gallas and Friedman recommend that you engage a restoration service, as long as the firm you choose is reputable and reasonable in its pricing structure. Depending on the size of the flood, it might cost as little as $500 to pump out and dry, while a huge flood could cost as much as $10,000. According to Gallas, “a lot of firms out there put a person in a truck and assume a high-powered fan is adequate to dry a basement. That’s not the case.” The use of ineffective techniques, such as neglecting to allow the property to dry for an adequate amount of time or failing to properly treat drywall, puts your home at risk for mold or mildew growth in addition to flooding damage.
Don’t Assume Insurance Will Cover Your Repairs
When Friedman’s basement flooded, the first thing she did was phone her insurance company. The police officers informed Friedman, “You don’t have flood insurance,” he claims. “I was under the impression that everyone had flood insurance!” Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover all forms of floods, particularly those caused by groundwater. “If I could give a lecture on floods, it would be this: Do you know right now, without a doubt, whether or not you have flood insurance?” Friedman expresses himself.
The best-case scenario, on the other hand, is that there is no flood at all.
5 Things To Do So You’ll Never, Ever Flood Again
- Install a leak detector and a high-water alarm in your home or business. These little gadgets alert you before a minor leak turns into a major calamity, either by an audible alarm or a text message. Insulate the pipes in your home. Water seeping into basements is one of the most common causes of basement flooding. Keep your backwater valve in good working order. There is no way for sewage to leak from the septic or sewer system into your home because of this. Consider the use of a sump pump. Every basement should be equipped with one of these flood-prevention devices. “I believe that sump pumps should be given as wedding gifts,” Friedman believes. Caution should be exercised when flushing and dumping. Anything other than garbage and toilet paper should not be flushed down the toilet or down the drain – this includes everything from tampons to grease. These clog the system and cause backups to occur.
Home maintenance for people who have more important things to do is related to
Fact Sheet: Cleaning up After Flood & Sewer Backups
Bacteria, fecal debris, viruses, and other organisms linked with sewage water backups have the potential to cause illness. Make use of the information provided here to preserve your health and ward off sickness.
How do sewer backups occur?
- Flooding of sanitary sewers as a result of heavy rain Blockage in a private sewage line (at a residence or in an apartment building)
- Blockage in a public sanitary sewer line difficulties with plumbing, such as clogged gutters/down spouts or sump pumps that are attached to sanitary sewers
How do I clean up after floods and sewer backups?
- The smells emanating from sewage backups are unpleasant, but they are not hazardous. It is critical to remove and clean up sewage water. Wash infected surfaces/objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach/water solution (one cap of 5.25 percent chlorine bleach per one gallon water) to remove any remaining contamination. Remove infected things from the environment, or wash and disinfect them adequately if they are still usable. Wearing rubber boots and gloves throughout the removal and cleanup is recommended.
How do I prevent disease during floods and sewer backups?
- Avoid contact with sewage water on your skin, especially if you have wounds or sores. Maintain their cleanliness and protection
- Allowing children to play in hazardous locations due to sewage overflow is strictly prohibited. Avoid consuming or drinking anything that has been exposed to sewage water. Maintain a safe distance between infected items, water, and hands and mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, and nose)
- Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the toilet and before eating anything, and immediately after coming into touch with sewage water or infected objects or surfaces.
When disinfecting contaminated objects…
- When using bleach, read and follow the directions on the label. Cleaning products should never be mixed. Ammonia should not be used.
Additional cleanup recommendations and precautions
For bleach, make sure to read and follow the directions on the package. Cleaning products should never be combined. Ammonia should not be used;
Power
Main power switches should be turned off. Before using any appliances or electrical outlets that have been exposed to water, make sure they are completely dry. If you have fuel oil or gas systems, make certain that the tanks are safe and that none of the lines are broken.
Carpets and rugs
Keeping carpets in situ and washing them with a mild detergent will help you save money on carpet replacement expenses. Carpets that have been cleaned after removal almost invariably shrink beyond repair. Carpets and rugs that have been exposed to a lot of water must be removed in order to be professionally cleaned.
Remove any silt that has developed on your carpet liner. It is usually necessary to remove the carpet liner since it cannot be cleaned well enough. If you want, you may hire a trustworthy carpet cleaning company.
Floors, drapes andfurniture
All items in your home, including clothes, that have been exposed to flood waters should be scrubbed and washed. Utilize the city water supply if it is available; it has been properly chlorinated to give moderate disinfection. Use cold tap water with soap instead of boiling the water, as heating the water will remove the chlorine content. Floors and other flood-affected surfaces should be cleansed with a chlorine solution manufactured from household bleach before being resurfaced. Prepare the solution by combining one heaping tablespoon of bleach (5.25 percent) with every four gallons of water in a large container.
General
Open all of the windows to allow for proper drying and ventilation. Make use of electric fans.
Food and water safety
Food that has been exposed to floodwaters should be thrown away. If floodwaters have infiltrated refrigerators and/or freezers, throw away any food that has been kept there. In the event that no flood water reached these appliances but power was out long enough for meals to thaw, discard any partially thawed items unless they are going to be cooked right away. Milk, cheese, and other items that are prone to deterioration should be thrown away. Meats and vegetables that have been completely thawed should be tossed without hesitation.
If at all possible, keep floodwaters away from your mouth, nose, eyes, and skin.
Children should not be allowed to play in the water.
Questions
More information may be obtained by calling the Hamilton County Public Health Department at 513-946-7800. This fact sheet is also available in a printable version by clicking here.
250 William Howard Taft Road2nd Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45219Phone 513.946.7800 Fax 513.946.7890hamiltoncountyhealth.org |
4 Things to Do When Your Septic Tank Is Flooded
If your neighborhood has recently been flooded or has been subjected to strong rains, you may discover that your toilet isn’t flushing properly and that your drains are draining more slowly than usual. It is possible that raw sewage will back up into your tub and sink drains. Drains that are slow or clogged may signal that the water table has risen over the level of your septic field and septic tank. If you believe that your septic system has been flooded, there are four things you should do immediately.
- Check the level of groundwater in your area.
- Septic tanks are typically located a few feet below the surface of the earth.
- If you are aware of the location of your septic tank and drainfield, you should check the water level in the area to ensure that flooding is not a concern.
- When there isn’t any evident standing water in the area, use a probe to check the water level or an auger to dig deep into the earth to find out how much water is there.
- If your tests reveal that the water level is higher than the top of the septic tank, you should immediately cease utilizing the tank.
- 2.
- Until the Ground Becomes Dry When you believe that your septic system has been flooded, contact a septic pumping specialist immediately; however, you must wait until the earth has become less soggy before having your tank drained.
- If a septic tank is pumped out when the earth is saturated, it may potentially float out of its location.
- Following a decrease in the water table level, it is necessary to pump your system as quickly as feasible.
- 3.
- Approximately 70 gallons of water are flushed down the toilet per person every day in the average home.
The first step is to check for leaks in all of your fixtures. An inoperable toilet flapper or fill mechanism can leak up to 200 gallons per day, creating a backup of water that your flooded septic system doesn’t have room for. Other suggestions for keeping water out of the drains are as follows:
- Prepare meals that don’t require cooking, such as sandwiches. Disposable flatware, such as paper plates and paper cups, should be used. Showers are preferable to baths because they are shorter. Save the rinse water and put it to good use on the plants. Only flush the toilet when absolutely essential
If your clothes washing machine drains into your main sewage line, it can cause a significant amount of water to be discharged into your septic system. Wash your garments at the laundry until the water table begins to fall below the surface. In the event that you must use the washing machine, wash only modest loads and wait a few hours between each load of laundry. 4. Make modifications to your septic system to make it more efficient. After your septic tank has been drained and your house drainage system has been restored to working order, you should make certain modifications to your system in order to minimize flooding problems in the future.
During a septic emergency, the backflow preventer prevents waste water from entering your home or building.
Also, check to be that your yard’s storm drainage does not overflow into your septic field and storage tank area.
When your septic system is inundated, call Eckmayer Inc right away.
What To Do After a Sewer Backup Occurs In Your Home
Septic system backups occur when wastewater flows in the incorrect direction via the sewer system—when sewage backs up into your home and into the sewer system through your drains, sinks, and toilets instead of flowing down them. There has to be a place for all of the waste water from your plumbing fixtures. In some areas, your home may be connected to either a municipal sewer system or to a private septic system, depending on your location. Water treatment specialist Jeanie Lentz of Lentz Wastewater Management Inc.
“Septic systems are similar to a private micro sewer system in that effluent enters a septic tank, where solids are separated from liquids and wastewater is treated before exiting the system.
Neither sort of system is impervious to the possibility of sewage blockage.
What causes sewer backups?
However, we can divide them into two categories: either something is preventing the sewage from flowing, or there is simply too much wastewater for the system to handle. There are several factors that can cause a sewer backup, but we can divide them into two basic categories: either something is preventing the sewage from flowing, or there is simply too much wastewater for the system to handle. It doesn’t matter if a house is connected to the city sewer system or to a private sewer system; the first category can harm any residence.
- If something becomes stuck in that pipe or otherwise keeps wastewater from flowing, it will ultimately back up into the drains in your home and cause flooding.
- ‘Sewer backups can be triggered by flushing objects that should not be flushed,’ explains Lentz.
- ” Instead of a sewer system, you may experience the same problems that result in sewer backups.” Heavy rains can also result in sewer backups, which are particularly problematic for residences that are linked to public sewer systems.
- The term “combined sewer system” refers to a sewer system that transports both rainwater and sewage at the same time.
- As a result, there is a sewer backlog in certain residences.
- Some residences, however, are equipped with affluent pumps, which transport wastewater to where it is needed.
- In the event that this is the source of your problem, an alarm should sound.
Alternatively, if you don’t hear an alarm, check to see if the red light is illuminated. This would indicate that you do have a problem with your pump, even though your audible alarm did not activate.” Now that we’ve seen some of the causes of sewer backups, let’s turn to prevention.
How to prevent a sewer backup
As a homeowner, you understandably want to avoid the filthy sewer backups that might occur in your property. Preventing sewer backups is not difficult for homeowners, which is a welcome relief. To begin, installing a backwater valve, also known as a sewer backup valve or a backflow prevention device, can be as simple as turning on a water supply. In this case, it is installed between your home and the municipal sewer main. A backwater valve restricts the flow of wastewater to one direction: away from your home or business.
It is possible, however, that the backwater valve will not be of use if you have pipe clogs on your property.
The following are the most typical causes of obstruction in a house sewage system:
- Fat or oil slicks on the ground
- Roots of plants invading into subterranean pipelines
- Products that are not flushable
- Pipes that are drooping or have fully collapsed
Of course, you won’t be able to see anything that could be obstructing your wastewater pipes because any obstructions would be hidden beneath your basement floor or beneath your grass. However, you may always contact a plumber to inspect your sewage lines with a special camera if you have any concerns. Every couple of years, or as soon as you discover any problems with your wastewater drainage system, you should have a professional do this service.
What to do during a sewer backup
Sewer backups are disgusting—having a mixture of water, human waste, mineral salts, and debris flow into your home is the last thing you want to see on your doorstep in the morning. Organic debris in raw sewage creates odorous fumes and includes bacteria that are detrimental to human health. If your sewer backups into your basement—or anywhere else—you must get it cleaned up as soon as possible. The following are the actions you should take if your sewer is backing up:
1. Diagnose and clear blockages
Check all of your sinks, toilets, and wastewater lines to see if there are any obstructions as soon as you detect there is a backup of water in your home. Try not to use your sinks or toilets until the obstruction has been removed. “Determine if the problem is confined to a single drain or toilet, or whether it is affecting all of the drains and toilets in your home,” Lentz advises. ” “If you are encountering troubles with only one drain, it is likely that you have a plumbing problem.” Perhaps you can address the problem yourself using a plunger or some other equipment to alleviate the situation.
“If you’re experiencing issues with more than one drain or toilet, the problem is most likely a sewage line leaving your home or a mainline connecting to the city.” If you are unable to locate a little obstruction that may be readily cleared, you may have a more serious problem on your hands.
“Determine if the problem occurs simply when the water is flowing or whether it occurs regardless of whether the water is running,” adds Lentz.
“If the backlog happens while there is no running water, it is likely that the problem was caused by the city’s water pipes.” “Get in touch with your city right now.”
2. Take some safety precautions
If you’re experiencing a large-scale backup, there are a few things you can do to keep things safer while you wait for expert assistance. First and foremost, electricity and water are a lethal combination. Wait until the electricity has been turned off before entering your basement if there is any standing water present. If you must visit the basement in order to turn off the electricity (as is frequently the case), take the following measures first:
- Rubber boots, safety glasses, and a face mask should be used. Keep an eye out for anything metallic that might conduct electricity when you’re out and about. Protect your hands with latex gloves or a wooden stick when turning off the electricity.
Open several windows in the flooded area to allow fresh air to enter the rooms while also allowing odors to escape from the building. You may also sterilize any standing water by adding a few drops of bleach to it to disinfect the area. Make sure that children and pets are kept away from the contaminated area at all times.
3. Document what happened
Take pictures of the damage using your cellphone or digital camera to prove that it happened. “Make certain that you also verify with your insurance carrier,” Lentz advises. “They are frequently called in to deal with difficulties caused by sewer blockages.” It is important to be able to demonstrate the nature of the problem and the extent of the damage if your home insurance policy includes coverage for water backup. As soon as you’ve gotten a grasp on the matter, contact your insurance provider for assistance.
Call us from Monday through Saturday.
to 6:00 p.m., 1-855-331-6933 Square One Insurance Services is the company that sells the insurance (1410-650 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N8).
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