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Quick Guide: What To Do When Your Sewer Line Backs Up

So, your sewage line backed up. First of all, sorry that you have to deal with such an unfortunate circumstance! We understand this isn’t the most pleasant of scenarios. 

Luckily, with over 27 years of experience doing this sort of thing, NuBilt has developed a step-by-step guide on how to quickly clean up after a sewage back up.

Keep reading to find out how to handle a sewage backup, and what might have caused this mess to begin with. 

What to do when your sewage line backs up:

1) Don’t Panic

Though it’s hard not to, don’t panic. There are steps you need to take that will drastically reduce the damage to your home. Throw on some PPE like gloves and rubber boots so your skin isn’t exposed to sewage, put that clothespin on your nose (or wear a mask), and move to step two.

2) Evacuate people, furniture & valuable belongings 

Sewage waste is a category 3 water damage, which means the pathogens it contains can be hazardous to human and pet health. Make sure everybody is outside, especially the elderly and immunocompromised. Then, move furniture or valuables that you can to avoid damage.

3) Stop Using Water

DO NOT use any water, meaning to not flush toilets or turn on faucets. Basically, do not let water run into the drains, as it could add to the back up.

4) Clean up & call a Plumber

If the backup is minor and on a hard surface (tile or concrete), you can clean the spill yourself. Just mop it up, and use a disinfectant to clean the area. Then, call a plumber to unclog or snake your line.

If the backup is major, call for help!

If the sewage has affected any porous/absorbent surface (carpet, drywall, wood), call for help. Regardless if it’s a small or large sewage spill, an expert’s opinion is going to give you peace of mind, and ensure your property returns to a healthy state. NuBilt responds to sewage cleanup emergencies in the Denver Metro Area, 24/7.


Some accidents need help immediately.

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What caused my sewer line to back up?

There are a variety of reasons why sewer lines back up, and it may be a combination of two or more of these culprits:

One of the more obvious reasons is that something is clogging your sewer line. If it’s just one toilet creating backup, most likely it’s just that drain that is clogged. But, if all of your drain lines are giving you backup issues, your main sewer line may be clogged.

That’s right, tree roots can get so long that they intertwine with sewer lines and crush or displace them. The tree doesn’t necessarily have to be in your yard, when nearby trees crave water their roots can reach all the way to your sewer line and damage it.

Old sewer lines were made of cast iron and clay piping, which are now vulnerable to damage. Though PVC lines have become the normal, some areas still have old sewer lines that are degrading and may cause backups.

Sewer backups typically occur in basements because they’re the lowest point in the house. If your basement has been affected by a sewage spill, NuBilt specializes basement cleanup and remodeling services.

Since the 1990’s, PVC has been the pipe material of choice. Homes built before then may risk cast iron sewage pipe backups.

How to prevent sewage lines from backing up

Though sometimes unfortunate circumstances lead to sewer backups, there are a couple things you can do to prevent them:


Questions or concerns?

Thank you for reading, as always NuBilt is willing to answer any questions you may have about sewage cleanup! Call us at 303-368-4688 to schedule your inspection in the Denver Metro Area today.

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