Emergency Services
What to Do If You Have a Sewage Backup
A sewage backup is one of the few home emergencies where the health risk matters as much as the property damage. Here's how to handle it safely.
Keep Everyone Away From the Affected Area
Sewage backup contains bacteria and contaminants that pose a real health risk, so keep kids, pets, and anyone without protective gear out of the affected area entirely. This isn't a space to clean up in regular clothes with a mop — treat it as contaminated until it's been properly handled.
Stop Using Water in the House
Every toilet flush, shower, or load of laundry adds more water to a system that's already backing up, and can make the backup worse or spread it further. Stop all water use in the house until the blockage is cleared, even if it means an inconvenient day without laundry or dishes.
Shut Off the Water Supply If the Backup Is Severe
If sewage is actively backing up and water use anywhere in the house makes it worse, shutting off the main water supply can help limit how much additional water enters the system while you wait for help.
Ventilate the Area If You Can Do So Safely
Open windows and run exhaust fans in the affected area to help with odor and air quality, but don't spend more time in the space than necessary while cleaning up or waiting for help.
Don't Attempt DIY Cleanup of Raw Sewage
Wiping up backed-up water and porous materials it touched — carpet, drywall, insulation — isn't a job for regular household cleaning supplies. These materials often need to be removed and replaced rather than cleaned, and doing it without the right protective equipment puts you at real health risk.
Call a Plumber to Find the Cause
Sewage backups are almost always caused by a blockage or break in the main sewer line — tree roots, an aging clay pipe, or a serious clog downstream of the house. A plumber needs to diagnose and clear the actual cause, not just address the mess it created, or the backup will happen again.
When It's a True Emergency
Sewage backing up into a living space, multiple fixtures backing up at once, or any backup reaching an area with electrical outlets are true emergencies — call for help right away rather than waiting. A slow, isolated backup in a rarely used basement drain can typically wait for a same-day appointment, but don't ignore it.
Get Help Quickly and Safely
A sewage backup isn't something to manage alone, and waiting rarely makes it better. Request emergency service or call us, and we'll get the blockage cleared and help you understand what caused it.
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