Cleaning Up After A Sewer Backup

Often after your septic system failure you will have had either an overflowing toilet or raw sewage come up into your house via the drains in you tubs and showers.  This will have the characteristic "sewer" smell and it goes without saying that it is generally not pleasant.  It is also not healthy.

Even with a backed up septic system you will find the water will generally recede and so it will drain out of your tub or show within an hour our two.  If you are experiencing particularly heavy rains however, it could take longer.  In any event you will want to clean and disinfect all surfaces that were exposed to the raw sewage. 

If the fluids are not draining out of the tub or show in a reasonable period of time, you'll need to do the dirty job of taking rag or sponge and bucket and remove it.  Be sure to wear rubber gloves that you can dispose when you are finished cleaning.

Remove all physical sign of the sewage.  This should be done using as little water as possible.  If you don't heed this warning, you'll have deja vu all over again! :o)

After the dirty job is done, use any household cleaner to do a final wash.  Soap and warm or hot water will kill most bacteria.  However, knowing my wife, she would also take ammonia and give it one last going over. (That would also help eliminate the stink.)

In the event of a flood, there is a great possibility that you will experience a sewer backup. This cleaning job is not the most pleasant but it can be done without causing more damage when done correctly.

Pump out Water
Before you can clean out solid particles and sludge, you need to pump out the standing water. Use at least two submersible pumps to make this job go faster and to not overload either pump. Place pumps in the lowest part of the basement with a hose going out a basement window.

Remove Items
After you have pumped the water out, remove the items in the basement. This should include both damaged and undamaged items.

Clean up Remaining Water
A wet dry vacuum will help you get the rest of the remaining moisture off the floor. It will also pick up some of the smaller pieces of solid wastes. Keep the vacuum from filling up completely by emptying it frequently.

Remove Carpet and Dehumidify
Remove the carpet by rolling it up and wrapping in plastic to keep from dripping on other areas. Mop the floor with a water and bleach solution. Set up fans in the windows to keep the air circulating and use a dehumidifier to soak out the remaining moisture from the room.

Then give everything a once over with a disinfectant.