Yes, a sewage backup is an emergency. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses, so stop using all water in the home, keep people and pets away, and avoid touching it without gloves and boots. A plumber needs to clear the line, and contaminated materials must be removed and the area disinfected before drying.
Key takeaways
- Stop using every sink, toilet, shower and appliance until the line is cleared.
- Sewage is Category 3 water. Porous materials it soaks are usually thrown out.
- Homeowners policies often exclude backups unless you added a water backup endorsement.
- Renters: notify your landlord in writing. Arizona treats health and safety issues as urgent.
Is a sewage backup an emergency?
Yes. Sewage contains bacteria, viruses and parasites that can make people sick. It also keeps spreading: every flush or drain sends more water to the lowest drain in the house, often a shower or tub. Treat it as an emergency even if the amount looks small.
What should you do right away?
- Stop using water. No flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher.
- Keep everyone out of the affected area, especially children, pets and anyone who is sick or pregnant.
- Turn off power to the area at the breaker if water is near outlets and you can reach the panel safely.
- Protect yourself. If you must enter, wear rubber gloves, boots and eye protection.
- Photograph the damage for insurance.
- Call a plumber to clear the line, or a septic company if you are on septic.
- Call for sewage cleanup. Disinfection and removal of contaminated materials is not a DIY job for anything beyond a small, contained spill.
What causes sewage backups?
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| Grease and food waste | Builds up inside drain lines until they close off |
| Wipes and paper products | So-called flushable wipes don't break down and snag in the line |
| Tree and shrub roots | Grow into cracks in older sewer lines |
| Sagging or broken lines | Shifting soil causes low spots where waste collects |
| Full or failing septic system | Waste has nowhere to go and comes back up |
| Heavy storms | Flooded drain fields or overloaded sewers push water back |
| City main blockage | A blockage in the public main can back up into several homes |
Who pays for a sewage backup?
It depends on where the blockage was and what coverage you have:
- Blockage in your own line (between the house and the city connection): usually the homeowner's responsibility.
- Blockage in the public sewer main: usually the city or utility's line. Report it to them right away, and ask about their claims process.
- Homeowners insurance: many standard policies exclude sewer and drain backups unless you bought a water backup endorsement.
- Renters: the landlord is responsible for the building and its plumbing. Your renters policy may cover your belongings if it includes backup coverage.
Under Arizona's landlord-tenant law (A.R.S. 33-1361), a problem that materially affects health and safety gives a landlord 5 days after written notice. A sewage backup is that kind of problem. See renters insurance and water damage for tenant steps, and what homeowners insurance covers for exclusions.
Sewage in your home? Stop using water and get safe cleanup started now.
Call: (856) 481-6893How is a sewage backup cleaned up?
Professional sewage cleanup follows the industry standard for Category 3 water:
- Remove standing sewage and solid waste.
- Remove and bag porous materials it soaked: carpet, pad, baseboards and the lower part of drywall.
- Clean all hard surfaces, then apply an antimicrobial.
- Dry the structure and verify it with moisture readings.
- Treat lingering odors once the area is clean and dry.
A small toilet overflow onto tile, caught right away, can be cleaned by a homeowner with gloves, paper towels and a disinfectant. Anything that reached carpet, walls or more than one room should be handled by professionals. Learn more on our sewage backup cleanup page.
How do you prevent sewage backups?
- Keep grease, wipes, paper towels and hygiene products out of drains.
- Have older sewer lines inspected with a camera every few years.
- Pump septic tanks on the schedule your septic company recommends.
- Ask a plumber about a backwater valve if your home has had backups.
- Add a water backup endorsement to your homeowners policy.
If the backup soaked drywall, see signs of water damage in walls to judge how far it spread, and how fast mold grows if drying was delayed.