What happens if you have a sewer backup?
Wastewater flows back up through floor drains, toilets or tubs and spills into the lowest part of the house, usually the basement. It carries bacteria, so everything porous it touches is removed, and the area is cleaned, disinfected and dried. It should never be treated as an ordinary spill.
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What the water leaves behind
Sewage soaks into carpet, underpad, drywall and insulation, and seeps into concrete. Even after the water is gone, the contamination remains in porous materials. The odour is a sign of that, and it will not go away until those materials are removed and the structure is cleaned and dried.
Because sewage is a health risk, we recommend that children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system stay out of the area.
What happens during cleanup
- Make the area safeThe crew wears protective equipment and separates the affected zone from the rest of the home.
- Remove the waterStanding water is pumped out.
- Remove porous materialsCarpet, underpad, drywall and insulation that touched sewage are taken out.
- Clean and disinfectHard surfaces are washed and treated.
- Dry and verifyEquipment runs until readings reach the target, and then repairs begin.
Whose problem is the blockage?
A backup can come from a blocked line on your own property or from the municipal main. If the problem is in the street, report it to the City. If it is on your side, a plumber clears it. Our sewage backup service in Mississauga deals with the contamination, and we write down which drains were involved to help the plumber and your insurer.
Policies often treat sewer backup as an optional coverage, and your insurer decides what applies. We bill your insurer directly and deal with your adjuster.
Health precautions in the meantime
Until the area is cleaned, keep people and pets out, avoid touching the water and wash hands carefully if you do. Do not eat food that may have been exposed to the water. Anyone who feels unwell should speak to a doctor.
Stay out of the area even if the water has drained away, since the contamination remains in the floor and walls.
What to do right away
Stop using water, do not flush toilets, keep people out, photograph the area and call a restoration crew. Do not try to clean sewage with household products and a mop. The assessment is free, and a written scope and price come before any work.
Related questions
Is sewage backup dangerous?
It can be. Sewage contains bacteria and viruses, so proper protection and disinfection are important.
Can I keep my carpet?
Carpet that touched sewage is normally removed because it cannot be made safe.
How long does cleanup take?
It varies with the extent, but drying generally takes several days after the removal.
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