3 Tips to Stay Safe When You Have a Sewage Backup

Just the phrase “sewage backup” is enough to strike fear in the hearts of a homeowner. It conjures up images of gross matter in the tub or shower, in the basement or on residential flooring. So as a homeowner, what can you do when faced with a sewage backup?

Find the Cause

First, try to pinpoint the cause of the problem so that you can at least begin to take care of it even before the pros come in. It may be that your sewer line is clogged, causing backup into your sink, tub or toilet. Large trees with extensive roots can also create backup problems since the roots can grow into and around the pipes, causing holes and blockage. Or, especially if you live in an older house, your sewer lines were probably built from iron and clay, both of which break down and/or rust over time. Understanding the cause of your problem will help you help us hone in on our job.

What You Can Do Before the Pros Arrive

The best idea for cleaning up a sewage leak is to call in one of the professional sewage cleanup services in Utah. If you decide to tackle this before we arrive, there are several things you can do:

• Clean your floors as quickly as possible, but be prepared to replace flooring that has been deeply penetrated by the sewage.
• Use a small amount of non-ammonia dish detergent mixed with one part chlorine bleach to four parts water to wash down all affected surface.
• If area rugs are salvageable, wash and dry them well. Have carpeting that has been slightly affected cleaned by a professional, but discards any carpeting that has gotten soaked.
• If it is safe to turn off all your power, do so; if you aren’t sure, wait until a professional gives you the okay.
• Don't flush your toilets or drain your sinks or tubs, and this can just create more mess and more problems.
• Do not try to unclog the system using harsh chemical products that can make things worse by damaging your pipes.

How to Keep Safe

Be aware of the issues that sewage backup can cause - health hazards, fire hazards and extensive property damage - and know how to protect yourself:

• Wear protective gloves, goggles, boots and a face mask.
• Open windows in order to ventilate the area.
• Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
• Add a cup of chlorine bleach when washing any contaminated clothing or bedding.

Call the Professionals

No matter how much you know and how thorough you may be, in order to ensure that the cleanup process is completely successful call one of the sewage cleanup services in Utah. We here at Utah Flood Cleanup have the expertise and experience to deal with cleaning and repairing the damage, and we can make sure that there is nothing left over that might cause the growth of mildew, fungi, and bacteria, all of which can create future problems for you.


About the Author:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.


Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666