What Do You Do After a Sewage Backup?

Sewage backups are troublesome incidents that no property owner wants to face. While a backup may not be as destructive as a storm or fire, it can present a variety of health hazards and sanitation issues that you must act quickly to mitigate. So, in the event that your sewer or septic system backs up into your home or business, it's critical you know the necessary steps to take to keep everyone safe.

Keep reading to learn what to do immediately following a sewage backup, what causes a backup to occur, how to prevent a backup in the future, and how WOW Total Cleaning & Restoration is the Austin, Texas, team to call for sewage cleanup services.

Steps to Take Immediately Following a Sewage Backup

The actions you take right after a sewage backup are essential to preventing the problem from spreading or worsening. Once you realize you have a sewage backup, do the following as quickly as possible:

1. Ensure no children, pets, or seniors are near the sewage backup.
2. Put on protective gear, like rubber boots, gloves, eye protection, and a face mask, to keep yourself safe.
3. Switch off the electricity (only if the distribution panel is accessible and not underwater).
4. Since sewage backups can lead to hazardous contaminated water, turn off the water on your property. Contact your utility company to shut off your main water supply if you can't do so yourself.
5. Open the windows and doors around your property to allow air ventilation throughout the space.
6. Remove dry, non-contaminated items from the area.
7. Disinfect the standing water by adding a small amount of chlorine bleach.
8. Contact your insurance company to notify them of the sewage backup. Also, take pictures to serve as proof of any damage the backup caused. This can become handy when filing your claim.
9. Don't attempt to clean up the sewage or unclog the drains; contact a professional company to manage it instead.

What Causes a Sewage Backup?

There are many reasons why a sewage backup may occur. The most common causes are clogged sewer lines, old sewer systems, leaks in the sewer pipes, and tree roots in the sewer lines. Keep in mind that properties with septic systems are not immune to sewage backups. If your septic tank isn't functioning correctly, can't manage the overflow of water anymore, or is simply old and outdated, your property may be prone to a sewage backup.

How to Prevent a Sewage Backup

If you've experienced a backup before, you know that you don't want to live through one again. Here are some measures you can take to prevent a sewage backup from reoccurring on your property:

• Have a professional regularly inspect all sewage pipes and valves on the property to ensure they're in good condition.
• Don't add substantial amounts of chemicals or other harmful cleaning agents to your sewage system.
• Don't flush anything other than toilet paper down your toilet, including "flushable" wipes or sanitary products.
• Don't put any grease or oil down your drains.
• Avoid planting trees around your pipes, as their roots can cause problems with the pipes.

Call WOW Total Cleaning for Plumbing Overflow & Sewage Cleanup

At WOW Total Cleaning & Restoration, we specialize in water damage. Our insured and licensed professionals have provided sewage cleanup services to countless home and business owners suffering through backups, and we know the best time-tested methods to help prevent a backup from happening again. We also help with your insurance claim for an easy, hassle-free experience with minimal fuss.

To learn more about how we can help with your sewage backup, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience. We're even here 24/7 to help with unexpected emergencies!