How To Clean Sewage Backup In Your Basement - 911 WDE
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How To Clean Sewage Backup In The Basement
31
January

By Mike Porco / in , , /

When you smell a particular odor filling your home, you probably utter two words: oh no. That smell can only mean one thing, the sewage has backed up in the basement, and you’ve now got an awful job ahead of you. Once you identify the cause and consider your repair options, you’ve then got the arduous task of cleaning up that sewage. How do you clean sewage backup in your basement? 

In this article you will learn:

– must-know tips on how to clean sewage backup

– common causes of basement sewage backup

– how to know if there’s sewage backup in your basement

1. Wear Protection

There are all sorts of bacteria and germs lurking in that black water now present in your basement.

You don’t want to expose yourself or members of your family to that. Therefore, when the time comes to start the cleanup process, it’s essential to protect yourself. 

Wear goggles, a face mask, rubber gloves and boots, and water-resistant coveralls.

While you might need to take a trip to the store to pick up these items, they can provide a necessary barrier between yourself and raw sewage

2. Identity the Problem and Start Draining

All manner of things can cause sewage to back up into your basements, such as a tree root or a clogged sewer line.

If your sump pump is still operational, you can put it to work. You can also help it along by using a shop vac or buckets. 

If you can’t identify the problem or use your sump pump, it’s essential to call in a professional right away.   

3. Clear the Room

You’re going to have a massive cleanup job ahead of you, so make it easier on yourself by removing as many items as you can.

It helps to have all surfaces exposed so that you can clean them effectively.

You can also use brooms and shovels to remove any sludge left behind before using a wet vac, if possible, to remove the last remaining water.   

4. Start Cleaning

While it’s not going to be easy or fun, it’s going to be necessary: cleaning your basement from top to bottom.

Use hot water with a low-sudsing detergent, then rinse with clean, hot water. Ensure you start from the top and work your way down to prevent contamination.   

5. Sanitize Surfaces  

sanitize surface

Source: Pixabay

Once you’ve scrubbed every inch of every surface, start the sanitizing process. Mix a ratio of one cup of bleach with one gallon of water and rinse the basement out. A push broom with your sanitizing solution can be easier and more effective than a mop.   

6. Focus on the Sump Pump

When you’re satisfied that your basement is now squeaky clean, turn your attention to the sump pump. For a backup in the basement to occur in the first place, something must have gone wrong.

Has your sump pump been overworking? Is it functioning correctly now? If there is a problem and you’re not sure how to fix it, call the experts to ensure it’s in working condition.   

6. Clean Yourself

After dealing with raw sewerage for much of the day, you’re going to be far from clean. Dispose of any wet clothing or rags that may have been contaminated by sewage.

Thoroughly wash and sanitize any protection gear you used. You can then take a hot shower and clean yourself as thoroughly as you cleaned your basement. 

7. Dry the Basement

If the weather allows, open all your basement windows and use box fans and a dehumidifier to start the drying process.

Leave these appliances to work their magic for at least three days. Alternatively, hire an expert team with commercial equipment.   

8. Look for Mold  

Mold thrives in dark, damp places, which means your basement is at risk of producing mold spores.

Once you’ve finished the drying process, do a top to bottom check to ensure that no mold has started to appear.

If it has, thoroughly clean it to stop it from spreading. Alternatively, contact mold removal experts who can take care of this for you.   

Getting to the Root of the Problem

wrench

Once all the drama of sewage backup in your basement has died down, it’s time for a bit of reflection.

What caused your sewage to back up in the first place? You may have identified the cause initially, but many things can go wrong, leading to this same problem. 

Some of the more common ones include: 

  • Clogs
  • Flooding
  • Sewer line damage
  • Overgrown tree roots 

Clogs

If something solid becomes trapped in your pipes, it can cause a sewage backup. Some of the most common causes of blockages include food, grease, debris, paper, and hair. 

Flooding

While outside of your control, flooding can cause sewage to back up into your basement. This is because more water is flowing into the city’s drainage system than it can handle. 

Sewer Line Damage

Old pipes can be susceptible to rust and cracks – especially if they are clay or metal. You may need to have these pipes replaced. 

Overgrown Tree Roots

Trees have a mind of their own. Their roots can grow through your sewer line or even break or dislodge it. 

How to Know Sewage Has Backed up In Your Basement

The smell of sewage in your home can be the most obvious sign that you need to take a peek in your basement – no matter how terrified you are of what you’ll see. However, there are other ways to know you may have a problem. 

You may notice that your drains and toilet are bubbling and slow to drain. This can mean that wastewater isn’t flowing away as it is supposed to do. If standing water is coming out of your sewer cleanout pipe, this can also be an alarm bell. 

You may even notice that while using one water-using appliance, another reacts. For example, if you flush the toilet and water ends up in the shower, you’ve got a problem on your hands. 

Sewage problems can happen to anyone. However, the more attention you give to your drainage and the more proactive you are with keeping it safe from damage, the less likely you may find yourself with a sewage situation in your basement. If the worst should happen, there are plenty of plumbers out there who are more than willing to lend a helping hand.

If you have any questions or need help with basement sewage removal feel free to call us about 1-833-WE-DRY-IT or drop a message in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.


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