Key takeaways
- Stop using water the moment you see a backup.
- Keep people and pets out of any wastewater.
- Opening the cleanout can relieve pressure when it is safe to reach.
- Photograph everything before cleanup for an insurance claim.
Stop the water coming in
Every flush, shower and load of laundry adds to the backup. Stop all water use in the house, including the dishwasher and washing machine, and ask everyone to hold off until the line is open. If the water is rising at one drain, the lowest fixture in the house is usually where it shows up first.
If you can reach the main cleanout safely and it is outside the house, removing the cap can let the pressure out and keep the water out of the home. Stand to the side when you do it, wear gloves and expect a smell.
Protect people and belongings
Wastewater carries bacteria, so keep children and pets away, wash hands thoroughly and wear gloves and boots if you must walk through it. Move valuables, boxes and electronics off the floor. Never mix cleaning chemicals, and keep the area ventilated.
Take photos and video of the water, the affected rooms and any damage before anything is moved. Your insurer will want them, and many policies treat sewer backup differently from other water damage, so read your coverage before you start the cleanup.
Get the line opened and find the cause
Call a drain company that can respond right away. A crew will open the line with a cable or a jetter and run water through every fixture to prove it flows. In a Nashville house the cause is often roots, grease or a flushed item that caught on a low spot.
After the line is open, ask for a camera inspection. A backup that has a cause the camera can show is a backup that can be prevented, and the recording helps with an insurance claim and with deciding between cleaning, lining or repair.
Related services
Quick answers
Should I use chemical drain cleaner on a backup?
No. Chemical cleaners rarely clear a sewer line blockage and they leave a hazard for whoever opens the line next. A cable or a jetter is the safe way to open it.
Who cleans up after a sewage backup?
Opening the line is a drain company's job, while cleaning and drying the flooring and walls is usually done by a water-damage restoration company. Your insurer can point you to what the policy covers.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-209-7643.