I hate to even think about how people dealt with this kind of thing in the days before the cleaning standards and technology we have now. I'm not sure, but it might explain why very old houses often smell weird. What did they do before antimicrobials and air scrubbers? Don't know, don't want to know. I'm just glad there's now a good way to clean it thoroughly, and people who are willing to take on that nightmare and make it go away. It's definitely not a do-it-yourself project that any homeowner or building maintenance manager wants to tackle if they can hire someone with the right gear to do the honors.
What Happens If I Have a Sewage Backup?
A sewage backup and overflow, or any toilet water that comes from beyond the trap (that means the unspeakable places below the toilet where all the scariest things go, hopefully never to be seen again), is classified as "category three" water by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the organization that sets standards for the cleaning and restoration industry. There are very strict standards set by IICRC, as well as the insurance industry and health regulatory agencies, for the cleaning and disposal of class three water damage.
According to those standards, tile and concrete would simply be cleaned and disinfected with antimicrobial solutions. However, carpet and wood flooring, as well as sheet rock and baseboards affected by class three water should be completely removed and disposed of properly. Let's face it; nothing could get that carpet clean enough to make any of us want to lay down on it again and play Legos with our kids. It's best just to replace all the soft, extremely porous materials like that. Thank goodness for insurance!
Speaking of insurance: One thing a lot of people don't realize is that your average homeowner's insurance policy might not include sewage and drain backup coverage, so you might want to ask your agent if a sewer and drain rider is attached to your policy. If not, have it added on; replacing affected materials in a class three water damage can get expensive.
Causes and Prevention
Although we have to be careful about what and how much we flush down our porcelain thrones, most sewage backups have less to do with what we're doing wrong on our end, and more to do with what's going on under ground.
Tree roots are a common cause of sewer drain clogs and collapses, which usually lead to a backup. You can be careful where you plant trees, but sometimes tree roots from neighboring yards can find their way to your sewer drain.
Another cause is old sewer drains disintegrating and collapsing over time. This usually happens in only very old neighborhoods where cast iron and clay pipes were once the norm. Ah, the joys of owning a piece of history!
If you suspect either of those two scenarios as a potential problem, you can have a video inspection of your sewer drain performed by a plumber. The inspection, as well as a repair job might be costly, but it would be well worth it to avoid a backup.
How do you know if you need an inspection? It's simple: You listen to your house. Your house is always telling you something. The key is to know what it means. If you notice a loud, prolonged gurgling sound when you run water down a drain or after you flush the toilet, you might want to pay closer attention. If you actually see water coming back up through the drain in the tub when you run the water in the sink, you'd be smart to have a plumber look into it; there's something going on there. You might just need some drain cleaner, but it might be more serious, so don't put it off.
As always, ServiceMaster by Cornerstone is available 24/7 to deal with sewer back ups (and most other disasters). Hey, somebody has to do it.
