Sewage Backup in the House: Safety and First Steps

The first hour

Right away: Stop using all water in the house: no flushing, showers, dishwasher or laundry. Every gallon adds to the backup.
Next: Move people and pets out of the area and close doors to keep it contained. Open windows for ventilation if it is safe to reach them.
If water is spreading: If sewage is near outlets, cords or appliances, do not wade in. Shut power to that area at the breaker panel only if you can reach it from a dry location.
Then: Arrange to have the main line cleared. Tell the plumber that sewage has come into the house and where your cleanout is.
Meanwhile: Photograph the affected areas and items for your records before moving anything.

Why it happens

Sewage comes into the house when the main line or lateral is blocked and water from the fixtures has nowhere else to go. It rises out of the lowest opening, which in a single-story Cypress home is usually a tub, a shower, a floor drain in a laundry area or a toilet. Common causes include roots in an older lateral, a grease plug, wipes, or a broken or sagging section of pipe.

Less often, the problem is in the public sewer rather than your lateral. If neighbors are having the same problem at the same time, that is worth mentioning when you contact the city.

Protecting yourself during cleanup

Wear waterproof gloves, boots and eye protection
Keep cuts and scrapes covered and out of contact with sewage
Do not eat, drink or touch your face while cleaning
Bag soaked rugs, cardboard and similar porous items rather than trying to save them
Clean hard surfaces with detergent and water, then disinfect
Wash work clothes separately and wash hands thoroughly afterward
Consider a professional cleanup service for large or carpeted areas

What can usually be cleaned and what usually cannot

Material	Typical approach
Tile, porcelain, sealed concrete	Clean and disinfect
Wall-to-wall carpet and pad	Usually removed and replaced after contact with sewage
Drywall that wicked up water	Often cut out above the wet line
Wood furniture	Depends on exposure; ask a cleanup professional
Food, medicine, cosmetics that were touched	Discard

After the line is cleared

Ask what caused it.Roots, grease, an object or a damaged pipe each lead to a different next step.
Consider a camera inspection.If the cause is not obvious, or this has happened before, a camera shows whether a repair is needed to prevent another backup.
Document for insurance.Keep photos, the plumber's written description of the cause and any receipts. Check your policy for what it covers.
Dry the area completely.Lingering moisture under flooring or in walls can lead to mold. Use fans and dehumidifiers or a drying professional.

Questions for the plumber after a backup

What caused the backup, and where in the line was it?
Is the line fully cleared, or just open enough to drain?
Would a camera inspection show whether this will happen again?
Can you put the cause in writing for my insurance records?

Common questions

Can I use the toilet once the water goes down?

Not until the line is actually cleared. Water slowly draining past a blockage does not mean the blockage is gone.

Is bleach enough to clean up sewage?

Disinfecting is one step, but surfaces should be cleaned of visible waste first. Porous items that soaked up sewage usually cannot be saved.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backups?

It depends on the policy. Some require a specific endorsement. Check with your insurer and keep good records.

General information for Cypress, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.