If raw sewage backs up into your house, you should call the pros right away. Before the experts arrive, stop using the plumbing, and stay out of the contaminated area. Make sure to keep pets and kids away from it as well. If you know where your main water valve is, find it and turn it off. Turn off the electricity to the area if the sewer water is near any electrical devices. If you absolutely must go into the area, mask up and put on rubber boots and gloves and even a disposable hazmat suit if you have one. If any of the sewage gets on your clothes, take them off and leave them in the area to avoid tracking bacteria and other pollutants through the rest of the house. If the backup is so bad that it invades other rooms of your home, protect as much furniture, electronics, and other valuables as you can.
Plumber vs. Septic Professional
The pros and cons when it comes to sewage backups are really a matter of whether to call a plumber or a septic tank professional. Here are some to consider.
Pros and Cons of a Plumber
A plumber is a good choice if the backup is a matter of blockages in the main drain or in the smaller waste pipes that feed it. They can use rooters or hydro jetting to clean these drains and repair them if they’re broken. Broken sewer pipes can be fixed by digging them up and manually replacing them or through trenchless repair. However, if you have a private septic tank, a plumber might not be the best option when it comes to sewage backups. Many aren’t trained to maintain septic tanks.
Pros and Cons of a Septic Tank Professional
If you suspect that the sewage backup originated with your septic tank, you might choose a septic service professional as opposed to a plumber. One sign that the septic tank is overflowing is if the sewage comes up through the line closest to it, which might be your toilet bowl, for example. Another sign is puddles in the grass over your septic tank when it hasn’t rained recently. You may see this even before you notice backups. You should also suspect your septic tank if you haven’t had it pumped in a long time. The pros of a septic tank professional are that they know how to clean out the tank and the pipes that serve it. The con is that it’s going to be expensive if your septic tank needs repair instead of just clearing it out.
Don’t Wait to Call Us for Sewage Backup
If there’s a sewage backup in your home, you need to have it taken care of right away. Don’t wait to call our professionals at Complete Detail Cleaning & Restoration in Troy, OH for sewage cleanup services.
