When your basement floods, especially from a sewer backup, you may feel an overwhelming sense of dread and a lot of panic. Beyond the obvious mess, raw sewage can pose serious health risks to you and your family as well as cause significant property damage. When encountering this disaster, you should not only act quickly but also safely. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if your basement floods due to a sewer backup.

How Dangerous Are Sewer Backups?

Sewer water isn’t just dirty — it’s hazardous. It may contain bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous pathogens that can cause various illnesses, including skin infections, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis. Sewage and water can also conduct electricity, increasing the risk of electrocution or electrical fires. Gases released from sewage can cause explosions, especially when combined with electric sparks. For these reasons, it’s important to clean up a sewer backup mess as soon as possible. 

What to Do if Your Basement Floods 

Stay Safe and Avoid Contact

If your basement floods due to a sewer backup, ensure you: 

Evacuate — Get everyone, including pets, away from the flooded area. Avoid entering the basement until you’re sure it’s safe. 

Turn off Electricity — Turn off the electricity if you can do so safely from a dry location to prevent electrical hazards.  

Wear Protective Gear — If you need to enter the area, wear protective gear like gloves, boots, and a face mask. Do not touch or ingest any sewage water, but if it does get on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Be particularly mindful of your face, eyes, and any cuts or wounds you may have. 

Stop the Source (If Possible)

If your basement continues to flood with sewer water, try to prevent more water from entering: 

Stop Using Water — Don’t use sinks, toilets, dishwashers, or run your washing machine until the water has stopped. 

Check Sump Pump — If you have a sump pump, make sure it’s working correctly. If not, you may need to unplug it until help arrives. 

Check Backwater Valve — If you have a backwater valve, ensure that it’s functioning properly. 

Call a Professional Immediately

Don’t try to fix a sewer backup on your own. Call experts to handle your flooded basement:

Licensed Plumber — A plumber can identify and stop the cause of the backup

Restoration Company — A water damage restoration company can help clean up the water and waste, sanitize the area, and assist in drying efforts.

Insurance – Contact your home insurance company to report the damage and begin the claims process. 

Document the Damage

Before cleanup begins:

Take Photos and Videos — Ensure you have video and photo evidence of everything affected for the insurance company. 

Make a List — Make a written and detailed list of damaged items and property. 

Save Receipts — Save receipts for any emergency expenses, such as hotel stays and pumping services. 

Begin Cleanup and Disinfection

Once it’s safe and you have professionals on site: 

Remove Standing Water — Use pumps or wet/dry vacs to remove any water that has collected. 

Discard Anything Unsalvagable — Get rid of anything porous that came into contact with the sewage, such as carpet, insulation, blankets, and upholstered furniture. 

Sanitize the Room — Sanitize all affected surfaces using proper disinfectants. 

Ventilate the Area — If it’s safe to do so, open windows and doors to ventilate the area.

Note: Restoration professionals have industrial-grade cleaners, fans, and dehumidifiers to fully dry the area and prevent mold and mildew buildup. 

Prevent Future Backups

After cleanup, take steps to protect your home from future issues: 

Install a Backwater Valve — This prevents sewage from flowing backward into your home. It has a valve that opens to let wastewater out and closes when it experiences a surcharge or blockage. 

Invest in Inspections — Consider having your sewer line inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent any blockages or other issues. 

Be Mindful of What Goes Down Drains — Don’t pour grease, oil, or fats down your kitchen sink, and avoid flushing paper towels, “flushable” wipes, or feminine hygiene products down the toilet. 

Take Care of Your Sump Pump — Consider investing in sump pump maintenance and having backup systems in place in case of failure. 

Be Smart and Act Fast if You Experience a Sewer Backup 

You may panic or feel overwhelmed if your basement floods due to a sewer backup. But taking swift action can help minimize damage and reduce health hazards. Prioritize safety, contact professionals right away, and document everything for insurance purposes. Once the immediate crisis is handled, focus on protecting your home from future backups. With the right response and long-term planning, you can recover from the damage and gain peace of mind moving forward.