10 Tips to Handle Sewage Backup in a Basement

Aside from spending time and money to fix a sewage backup problem, sewage flooding also presents serious health hazards. Sewage contains contaminants like bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses, which makes dealing with the flooding yourself a health risk.

While DIY sewage clean up is possible for small, contained areas, remember that sewage is a biohazard! In addition, moisture may hide behind walls, and further problems like mold growth can follow.

Calling a professional restoration company is the best way to deal with a sewage flood in your basement. However, here’s what you can do to mitigate the damage in your basement before the restoration team arrives:

1. Evacuate the flooded area. Remember, sewage backups contain a high level of contaminants. Do not enter the basement unless you are in protective shoes and clothing; even then, only do so to retrieve must-have items. Sewage contaminants are hazardous to pets as well, so be sure to keep those fur babies out of the area.
2. Turn off electrical power in the area that experienced the sewage backup. Electrical wires or appliances might come in contact with standing water or wet materials. If you are unable to disconnect items safely, stay out of standing water and contact a licensed electrician.
3. If the main circuit breaker is in the basement, be careful. If you can’t safely turn off the power, don’t go near electrical devices.
4. Wear protective clothing like a facemask, eyeglasses, gloves, and rubber boots before walking through sewage water caused by the sewage backup. Be sure to lay out a plastic trash bag and towel before heading down to the basement. When coming back upstairs step onto the towel to remove shoes and wet clothing, then place into the trash bag until you can safely sanitize.
5. Shut off the valve for your home’s main water line. Check out. The sewage back-up might be caused by an outside issue, but this can help prevent further damage.
6. Think about notifying your insurance company about the sewage backup. Remember that sewer backups are not covered by standard homeowners insurance unless you’ve purchased extra endorsements for sewers and drains. In the event that you don’t have coverage, PuroClean can offer a payment plan to ensure things are still properly cleaned.
7. Notify your municipal authority or sewer department if your home is connected to a public sewer. If the storm drains are the cause of your problem, they might be experiencing a high call volume — be patient!
8. Don’t use the water supply system in your home until the sewage backup problem is fixed – don’t flush toilets or drain tubs and sinks.
9. Open windows or doors to let fresh air in and ventilate the area.
10. Stay calm and call a sewage cleanup professional 

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When you need professional help, reach out to PuroClean Emergency Services for thorough and compassionate sewage cleanup. Serving Ohio from Piqua in the north to Dayton, Cincinnati, and the surrounding areas, our dedicated team is ready to restore your property with care, expertise, and commitment. Call us in Dayton at 937-401-9700 or in Cincinnati at 513-897-8990.