Guide ยท Homeowners, renters, landlords, businesses
Sewage backup: the health risks and what to do
A sewage backup is more than an unpleasant mess. Raw sewage carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause illness, and it soaks into materials just as water does. In Middle Tennessee, backups can follow heavy rain, a blocked lateral line, tree roots or a failed septic system. This guide covers the health risks, the first steps to take, and what cleanup and insurance usually involve.
Why sewage is a health hazard
Sewage contains human waste and everything else that goes down drains. CDC lists illnesses associated with sewage-contaminated floodwater that include diarrheal diseases such as E. coli and Salmonella infections, other gastrointestinal illness, wound infections, skin rashes and tetanus from puncture wounds or wounds contaminated with feces or soil. People usually become ill by swallowing contaminated water or touching their mouth with contaminated hands, or through cuts and scrapes.
Who is most at risk
Young children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system are more likely to become seriously ill. Children are also more likely to touch contaminated surfaces and put their hands in their mouths. CDC advises keeping children out of contaminated areas and not letting them play with toys that touched floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Keep pets out too.
Safety first: electricity and gas
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. CDC advises never turning power on or off, or using electrical tools or appliances, while standing in water. If there is standing water and you can reach the main power safely from a dry location, turn it off; if you would have to walk through water to reach it, call an electrician. Have an electrician check the system before turning power back on. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility from outside.
First steps
Stop using water in the building, since every flush or drain can add to the backup. If you are on a public sewer system, contact your utility; some backups come from the public main rather than your own line. If you are on septic, contact a septic service. Call a plumber to find and clear the blockage.
Take photographs of the affected areas and items for insurance before anything is moved, if it is safe to do so. Then call your insurer.
Protecting yourself if you must enter
If you need to enter the area briefly, wear waterproof boots and gloves, and keep cuts and scrapes covered with waterproof bandages. CDC guidance for workers handling human waste also calls for eye protection and a face mask or splash shield where splashing is possible. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward, and wash clothing separately.
If you have an open wound, CDC advises avoiding contact with contaminated water. If a wound becomes red, swollen or oozes, or if you develop fever, seek medical care. For puncture wounds or wounds contaminated with feces or soil, a health care professional can decide whether a tetanus booster is needed.
What can and cannot be saved
Hard, non-porous items such as metal, glass and hard plastic can generally be cleaned and disinfected. Porous items that have absorbed sewage, such as carpet and pad, upholstered furniture, mattresses, stuffed toys, many books and papers, and often drywall and insulation that got wet, are usually discarded. Food, medicines and cosmetics that came into contact with sewage should be thrown away.
Wet building materials need to dry quickly to limit mold growth. CDC advises drying flooded areas as soon as possible and assuming mold is present if a flooded home has been closed up for several days.
Why professional cleanup is often needed
A small backup confined to a hard floor, caught immediately, can sometimes be handled by a homeowner with protective gear and appropriate disinfectant. Larger backups, those that reached carpet or walls, those in finished basements, and those that sat for more than a short time usually call for a water damage or remediation professional. They can remove affected materials, dry the structure with equipment, clean and disinfect, and check moisture levels before rebuilding.
Insurance
Coverage for sewage backups varies. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners notes that sewer backup coverage is often an add-on that must be purchased separately, and that flood damage is generally excluded from standard homeowners policies and covered by separate flood insurance. Whether your loss is treated as a sewer backup, a flood or something else can matter a great deal. Ask your insurer what applies and get answers in writing. Renters should check their renters policy for their belongings.
Landlords and tenants
In a rental, the landlord is generally responsible for repairing the building and plumbing, and the tenant for their own belongings, subject to the lease and Tennessee law. Tenants should report a backup to the landlord immediately and in writing. Landlords should respond promptly, since delay increases damage and mold risk.
Workplaces
Employees asked to clean sewage need training, protective equipment and handwashing facilities. CDC also recommends that workers who handle human waste keep their tetanus vaccinations up to date and consult health authorities about other recommended vaccines. Employers should assess the hazard before assigning the work.
After the cleanup
Before rebuilding, make sure the structure is dry. Professionals use moisture meters to check framing, subfloor and wall cavities. Closing up walls over damp materials invites mold and odor. Keep records of the drying readings, the cleanup scope, photographs and invoices for your insurance claim.
If anyone in the household develops vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever or a wound that looks infected in the days after a backup, tell a health care provider about the sewage exposure.
Preventing the next one
A plumber can inspect your sewer lateral with a camera and recommend repairs, such as removing roots or replacing damaged pipe. A backwater valve can help prevent backups from the public sewer in some homes. Avoid putting grease, wipes and other non-flushable items down drains. Septic systems need regular inspection and pumping.
Further reading
If you need help
Call 615-914-0790 or email contact@newdawnbiorestoration.com. We serve Middle Tennessee.
This page is general information, not legal, medical, or insurance advice. Requirements change; verify with the agency listed before acting.