Sewage backing up into the house

Quick answer

Stop using water in the house and do not flush toilets, since that can add to the backup. Keep children and pets away, turn off power if water could reach wiring and you can do it safely, and call your sewer utility or a plumber. Sewage cleanup should be handled by professionals experienced with contaminated water.

Safety first: Raw sewage carries bacteria, viruses and parasites, so never touch it with bare hands and keep children and pets out of the area. Never switch power on or off while standing in water.

What to do now

  1. Stop using water. Do not flush toilets or run water while the drain is backing up. Source: Sewage Backup - Frederick County Health Department, MD
  2. Keep children and pets away. Keep all children and pets away from the sewage. Contact with it can cause skin infections and illness. Source: Sewage Backup - Frederick County Health Department, MD
  3. Cut the power if water may reach wiring. Turn off the power if there is standing water or a chance of electrical wires contacting water, but only from a dry location. Never touch switches while standing in water. Source: Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home - CDC
  4. Protect yourself. Wear rubber gloves and waterproof boots when handling anything contaminated with sewage, and wash your hands immediately afterward. Source: Sewage Backup - Frederick County Health Department, MD
  5. Do not run the furnace or central AC over affected ducts. Whole-house air conditioners or furnace blowers should be used only if the air ducts were not reached by the wastewater. Source: Homeowner Guidance on Cleaning Up After Residential Sanitary Sewer Backups - Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment
  6. Call the sewer utility or health department. If you are on a public sewer, contact your local water and sewer department. If you have a septic system, contact your local health department for advice. Source: Sewage Backup - Frederick County Health Department, MD
  7. Get professional cleanup. If damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, call in a professional experienced in cleaning buildings damaged by contaminated water. Source: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home - US EPA

When to call a professional

Call a plumber to find and clear the blockage in your line, and your sewer utility if the problem may be in the public main. For cleanup, call a water damage restoration company that handles sewage; ask how they disinfect, what they will remove and discard, and how they confirm the area is dry.

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Pick your state and city on the directory page, or use the location search at the top of this page, then call a local company directly.

Insurance

Contact your homeowner's insurance provider, which may have cleanup contractors it works with; if not, hire a professional water damage restoration company. Source: official guidance

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean up sewage myself?

The EPA recommends calling a professional experienced with contaminated water when damage was caused by sewage. Small, promptly cleaned spills may only need washing and disinfecting, but always wear gloves and boots.

What has to be thrown away?

Colorado health guidance says mattresses, pillows, foam items, upholstered furniture, books, and most paper products that were soaked generally should be discarded, along with food, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys that may be contaminated.

Who do I call first?

Stop using water, then call your local water and sewer department if you are on public sewer, or your local health department if you have a septic system. A plumber can clear a blockage in your own line.

General safety information, not professional advice. In an emergency, call 911. More guides: home emergencies: what to do first.