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Emergency Plumbing: What to Do in a Sewer Backup Situation
Emergency Plumbing: What to Do in a Sewer Backup Situation
Dealing with an occasional clog is a normal part of home ownership, but dealing with a full-blown emergency can quickly spiral out of control. Do you know what to do if your sewer backs up?
You can call the West Milford sewer line experts at Mark Lindsay and Son Plumbing & Heating 24-hours a day to help with your plumbing emergency in West Milford and the surrounding area. We also put together some pro tips on how to deal with an emergency sewer backup situation to reduce the damage.
1) Stay Safe
First and foremost, you need to keep you, your family, and your pets safe during a plumbing emergency. Emergency sewer backups contain harmful bacteria and pathogens that can pose a danger to your health. Avoid direct contact with any sewage water to prevent illness or infection. If you have no choice but to venture into the impacted area, make sure to wear gloves, boots, and other protective gear and get in and out as quickly as possible.
2) Turn Off Your Water
If at all possible, stop using water in your home and turn off the main water supply. Avoid flushing toilets, running sinks, or any appliance that drains water. You can also call the team at Mark Lindsay and Son, Plumbing & Heating to ask us that to do next. We’ll listen to the problem and give you instructions while we work on getting an emergency plumber out to you as soon as possible.
3) Identify the Source
It’s not uncommon for a sewer backup to impact more than one area of your home. Look at your sinks, showers, basements, and toilets to determine if the backup is localized or impacting multiple rooms. The more information you can give your plumber, the better. But rest assured we will figure out exactly what’s going on whether you have any feedback for us or not.
4) Evacuate Your Home if Necessary
If your sewer backup is extensive or causing significant damage, you may need to evacuate your home or at least the affected area. Safety is always a priority. Go to a neighbor’s family member or grab a bite to eat while waiting for your emergency plumber.
5) Address the Root Cause
There may be more than one issue going on with your plumbing. The first order of business is stopping the sewage backup. Once your home isn’t in any imminent danger, it’s time to get to the root cause of the problem. You may have a sewer line issue, such as a tree root invasion or old pipes that need to be replaced. Our plumbers can use a camera inspection to figure out what’s really going on and fix the problem at its source with as minimal disruption as possible.
6) Ventilate the Area
Sewage odors are never a pleasant experience. Open up your windows and doors to increase ventilation and reduce the concentration of foul odors. It will also help restore your peace of mind in the process.
7) Protect Your Belongings
If possible, protect your belongings that may be damaged by the sewer water. If it’s safe to do so, remove any furniture, rugs, photos, and personal belongings. If anything is salvageable, you can try to disinfect them thoroughly.
8) Clean and Disinfect
Once the sewer backup has been resolved and you’ve been given any instructions by your emergency plumber, you can thoroughly clean and disinfect the area to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Whenever possible, use a bleach solution or other disenfectants to kill as many germs and harmful substances as possible.
9) Take Preventative Steps for Next Time
Sewer line emergencies and other plumbing problems can happen without warning. But there are some preventative steps you can take to avoid backups. Talk to our team about regular drain cleaning, installing backwater valves, and doing an inspection to check that your plumbing is working the way it should. You should also avoid clogs as much as possible by avoiding flushing inappropriate items down the toilet or drain, such as grease, baby wipes, food scraps, hair, and anything that isn’t water, human waste, or toilet paper.
Call Mark Lindsay and Son for Sewer Cleaning Today
A sewer backup can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help. Call our emergency plumbers in West Milford any time you have an issue that can’t wait. We’ll get to your home as quickly as possible to figure out what’s going on, come up with a plan, and offer upfront pricing. We’ll work efficiently and quickly to restore your plumbing. Schedule your appointment today!
Learn More About Sewer Lines in West Milford & Beyond
Check out our blog posts below for some helpful info, expert tips and more!
