How do I clean my basement after sewer backup?

Properly wash any walls, floors, and other surfaces that the sewage water may have touched. Use a low-suds detergent and clean hot water. Rinse these surfaces with warm water after cleaning. Sanitize all surfaces with a sanitizing solution.

What is sewer backup prevention?

In the event of a sewer backup, when water starts to flow from the main sewer system back into your home, it lifts a small floatation device that triggers the flap on your backwater valve to close, preventing sewage from backing up into your pipes.

What causes a sewer back up?

A sewer backup is something that you want to avoid at all costs. Such a thing occurs when wastewater doesn’t properly drain away from your home due to an obstruction or damage. This problem commonly occurs in the main sewer line that connects the house to the municipal sanitary sewers.

What causes a backup of sewage in the basement?

Damaged sewer lines are the most common sources of sewage backups in basements. The pipes might be old or damaged by invasive tree roots. Heavy rains can flood municipal drainage systems and push sewage back into basements. Clogged drains inside a home are another source of basement sewage backups. Is my landlord responsible for sewer backups?

Do you need a sewer backwater valve in your basement?

A sewer backup valve (waste backwater valve) can make the difference between having your basement flooded knee deep with raw sewage and staying high and dry. Home #1 Does not need a backwater valve because water would drain from the first upstream sanitary sewer manhole which is lower than the inlet to the drain pipe in this home’s basement.

What do you need if your basement drain is backing up?

The best are automated solutions called “Backwater Valves”or “Backflow Preventers” A Backwater Valve automatically senses a reverse flow (water flowing the wrong direction and back into your home) in your main line and completely closes it off from the sewer system outside. This prevents your basement drain backing up.

What should I do if my sewer line is backing up?

First you may want to have your main waste line backup check valve inspected – if the sewer line is backing up from the street into your home, your main sewer sewer backup valve (waste backwater valve) or a flood guard valve is not working properly it won’t protect from flooding from storm drainage or sewage backups.

What happens if you have raw sewage in your basement?

A busted sewer pipe or backed-up drain can spell trouble for your basement. Raw sewage can damage your basement as well as create a slew of health problems. The smell alone is enough to send even the most devoted homeowners headed to the hills. Cleaning a basement flooded with raw sewage should be handled by a professional.

What should I do if I have a sewage backup in my basement?

Here are some helpful tips for cleaning sewage backups in your basement (or anywhere in your home): Don’t let backups and foul-smelling standing water sit: Clean it up as soon as you notice it, so it doesn’t cause more hazards and damage. Wear protective gear: Wear boots, pants, and long sleeves—or waders.

Where do you see evidence of basement drain backing up?

When this happens, you will see evidence of your basement drain backing up as the lowest point in the system (generally the basement drain overflows) is where the evidence is visible.

What’s the best way to prevent basement overflow?

A good automated backflow valve is the best solution to avoiding a basement drain overflow that lets water in the basement. The single biggest advantage of the Mainline brand Backwater valve is that it uses a patented normally open design.