No one wants to have a sewer backup into their home; it’s disgusting, dangerous and an expensive problem to fix. It’s also one of the reasons why maintaining your sewer lines or septic system is so important. However, these situations can happen despite your efforts to prevent them, and when they do, you will need to know what to do to get the problem resolved and to keep your family safe from potential harm.
- Call an emergency sewer professional! The first step is to get the problem fixed and stop any more sewer water from backing up into your home. Many sewer companies offer 24-hour emergency sewer line repairs to handle these types of emergencies.
- Keep your family and pets away from contaminated areas. Any sewer water that backs up onto floors is potentially dangerous. If possible, remove your family from the home until the surfaces can be properly cleaned and disinfected. At minimum, keep everyone away from the contaminated areas.
- Be aware of electrical shock. Sewer backups can also present electrical dangers. Do use any electrical equipment when standing on wet floors. Turn off electrical breakers if safe to do so.
- Clean up. Depending on how severe the back up was, you may need to hire a professional water removal company to help with the clean up. Not only is there hazardous material, the moisture can quickly cause mold and other water damage to your home. In some cases, your homeowners insurance may cover these services; check with your policyholder to determine the best course of action.
A sewer backup is never a fun experience. Anyone who has gone through this nightmare is sure to contemplate how they can prevent it from ever happening again. Most sewer backups can be prevented through regular maintenance and watching for warning signs. Talk to your local sewer professional to discuss what you can do today to prevent these emergencies in the future.
Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing
