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How To Handle A Toilet Backup Cleanup
3/23/2021 (Permalink)
Dealing with a toilet sewage backup can be an overwhelming project, but SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline can help.
When your toilet backs up and overflows in your Connecticut home, you may not know where to start. Can you clean a toilet sewage backup yourself? Who should you call first? Will insurance cover the damages? Here, we will review what to do when there's a toilet backup in your home.
What To Do When Your Toilet Backs Up With Sewage
1. Do NOT Flush Any Toilets
You cannot flush any toilets when experiencing a sewage backup, or else you will make the issue much worse. To be safe, it's usually best to not use any water at all and turn off your main water supply to prevent any further backups into showers or other drains in your home.
2. Take Proper Safety Steps
The water from toilet backups is considered Category 3: Black Water. This type of contaminated water is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided.
Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
To properly protect yourself and your family after a sewage backup, do the following:
- Keep all children and pets away from the affected area
- Wear proper protection gear such as rubber gloves, boots, and masks when handling anything contaminated with sewage. Never touch raw sewage with your bare hands
- Turn off the power if there is standing water that can pose the risk of electrocution
- Don't try to unclog the toilet after a sewer backup, as this isn't the cause of the issue and you will only make a larger mess in the bathroom
3. Contact a Plumber or Septic Company
To clear your sewage backup, a professional plumber is likely needed. Depending on the cause of your backup, a plumber may need to snake the drain, replace sewer lines, or clear out a clogged septic system. If you don't contact anyone to fix your problem, it's likely to happen again.
4. Call A Local Sewage Cleanup Service
Of course, there may be times where you can clean up a small amount of sewage by yourself. But for the most part, you should always call a professional for toilet backup cleanup services. This is simply due to the fact that sewage backups are considered Category 3 water damage and can make you and your family seriously ill if you don't take the proper steps to clean up.
A professional sewage backup cleanup service will provide a proper cleaning and disinfection of all non-porous materials and dispose of any affected porous materials, following all IICRC guidelines.
Times where it's best to use a professional water damage restoration company for sewage cleanup include:
- When insurance will pay for the cleanup
- When sewage enters your ductwork system
- When sewage remains indoors for over 24 hours in a finished living space
- When the job is just too large or complex for you to handle yourself - Such as toilet water leaking through ceilings
Learn more about preventing water damage after a toilet overflow here!
What Causes Toilet Sewage Backups?
There are many different causes of sewer backups into toilets, some that you can prevent and some that you cannot. The top causes include:
- Heavy Rains. When flooding overwhelms the local sanitary sewer system, it can cause drainage to slow down and force wastewater to backup into your home.
- Municipal Sewer Clogs. It's always a possibility for your city's lines to clog and backup your home's system.
- Tree Roots. Growing tree roots can grow into older sewer lines and cause them to clog.
- Pouring Fats or Grease Down the Drain. As fats and oils cool, they create large masses that can build up and clog the drain line.
Sewage Removal & Toilet Backup Cleanup Services in Connecticut
As IICRC certified water damage restoration specialists, SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline has the proper training and certifications needed to properly handle toilet backup cleanup or handling a flooded bathroom.
With over 15 years of experience restoring homes and business across Connecticut, you can trust us to make your sewage backup "Like it never even happened."
- 24/7 Emergency Response
- Free Inspection & Estimates
- We Handle the Insurance Process For You
- Complete Restoration Services - Cleanup to Rebuild