What is a sewage backup?
A sewage backup is the overflow of wastewater into your home from your plumbing system.
What can cause a sewage backup?
Heavy rainfall, flooding, and blockages in sewer lines can cause wastewater to back up into a home. Blockages inside the home can also happen when non-flushable items, such as diapers, are flushed, or when oils, grease, food, and other waste are poured down toilets or kitchen drains.
What are the potential health effects of a sewage backup?
Sewage backups can contaminate drinking water, household items, and surfaces. Sewage-contaminated water may carry germs such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make people and pets sick. Symptoms of exposure may include:
- Gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea, fever, vomiting, or stomach pain)
- Skin infections and rashes
- Pink eye
Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
What to do immediately after a sewage backup?
- Do not use your plumbing, including flushing toilets, running taps, or using appliances that require water.
- Turn off power to the affected area, if it is safe to do so.
- Stay away from sewage water.
- Wear rubber gloves, rubber boots, and eye protection when handling anything contaminated with sewage. Discard protective equipment that cannot be disinfected. Wash your hands immediately afterward with soap and safe drinking water.
- People who may be more vulnerable, including pregnant individuals, children, and people with respiratory illness, should not handle sewage or contaminated materials.
- Do not eat or drink anything that has been exposed to sewage water, including food stored in jars or cans. Throw out pet food and water that have been affected, and thoroughly clean and disinfect pet food and water bowls.
- Do not use eating or drinking utensils and dishes that may have been splashed with sewage water.
- Discard porous and non-washable items that have been contaminated, such as mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals, books, baby toys, and wooden cutting boards.
Who should you contact if you have a sewage backup?
You should contact:
- Your landlord, if you rent your home
- Your local health unit and local municipality’s building department if your landlord does not fix the problem
- Your insurance provider, if you have sewer backup coverage
- A licensed professional for cleanup or remedial services
How do I clean up after a sewage backup?
For cleanup instructions, please see the section Clean Up After Floods.