Sewage Backup Cleanup: Is It Safe to Do It Yourself?

A sewer backup is one of the worst things to find in a home. The smell is strong, and the water carries germs that can make people sick. If it's happening now, Laurel Dry Pros provides sewage cleanup in Laurel the same day. This guide covers how to stay safe, what can be saved and who's responsible.

This is general information, not medical, legal or insurance advice.

First steps after a sewage backup

1. Stop using water. Don't flush toilets, run the washer or take showers. Every gallon you send down the drain can come back up.
2. Keep everyone out. Close off the area. Keep children, pets and anyone with a weak immune system away.
3. Turn off power to the area at the breaker if water is near outlets and you can reach the panel safely.
4. Don't touch it bare-handed. Wear rubber gloves, boots and eye protection if you must go near it.
5. Open windows if the weather allows, to air out the space.
6. Take photos of the water, the drain and damaged items.
7. Call a plumber to clear the blockage and a cleanup company to remove and disinfect.

Why is sewage dangerous?

Restoration follows the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard, which rates sewage as Category 3 water, the most contaminated class. Raw sewage can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites. Health agencies advise wearing protective gear during cleanup, washing hands often, and not eating or drinking in the area.

Is it safe to clean up sewage yourself?

What has to be thrown away after a sewage backup?

Porous materials soak up sewage, and cleaning can't reach deep enough. These usually go:

• Carpet and carpet pad
• Upholstered furniture and mattresses
• Drywall and insulation that got wet
• Cardboard boxes and paper
• Stuffed toys and pillows
• Food and medicine that the water touched

Hard, non-porous items like tile, metal, glass and sealed wood can often be cleaned and disinfected.

How professionals clean up sewage

1. Contain the area with plastic sheeting and protective gear.
2. Remove the sewage with pumps and extractors.
3. Tear out porous materials, often cutting drywall 2 feet above the water line.
4. Clean every surface with detergent and water.
5. Disinfect with an antimicrobial.
6. Dry the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers.
7. Treat odor and confirm the space is clean before rebuilding.

Who's responsible for a sewer backup in Laurel?

In the City of Laurel and the Prince George's and Montgomery County areas around it, sewer service comes from WSSC Water. WSSC Water says that if your service connects to its main, it doesn't maintain any part of your line except the actual connection to the main.

WSSC Water recommends hiring a WSSC-registered plumber or sewer drain cleaner to clear a backup. WSSC reviews the property's history and decides whether the blockage is the owner's or its own. If the blockage is on WSSC's side, it clears it at no charge, and you can contact its Claims Office about property damage and plumber fees. WSSC's claims brochure notes most claims are resolved within 30 days, depending on the size. Its emergency line is listed on wsscwater.com.

Homes in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, like Columbia, Fulton and Odenton, are served by their county public works departments instead.

Does insurance cover sewage backup in Maryland?

Not under a standard homeowners policy. The Maryland Insurance Administration explains that a sewage backup is covered only if you bought a water/sewer backup endorsement. Maryland insurers must offer it, often with several limit options and a separate deductible. Some policies may also pay to tear out the damaged pipe. Check your declarations page. Our Maryland water damage insurance guide has more.

How to prevent sewage backups

• Don't flush wipes, even "flushable" ones, paper towels or feminine products.
• Don't pour grease, oil or fat down drains.
• Have tree roots cleared from your sewer line if you've had slow drains.
• Ask a plumber about a backflow valve, which lets waste out but stops it from coming back in.
• Refill dry floor drain traps with water every few months.
• Know where your sewer cleanout is.

Local note: Older homes in Greenbelt and Silver Spring often have aging sewer laterals with root problems. Homes with basement bathrooms and ejector pumps in Beltsville can back up when the pump fails.

Related reading: If the water in your basement isn't sewage, see what to do when your basement floods. For the long-term risk after any backup, read how long it takes mold to grow.

When should you call a sewage cleanup professional?

Call a pro whenever sewage reaches carpet, drywall or a large area, comes up through a basement floor drain, or when anyone in the home is at higher health risk. Professional cleanup protects your family and gives your insurer clear records.

Sewage backup in Laurel? Call (301) 368-0221 to reach Laurel Dry Pros for safe sewage cleanup and disinfection.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. WSSC Water: Sewer backups
2. WSSC Water: The claims process (brochure)
3. Maryland Insurance Administration: Storm-related damage FAQs (sewer backup)
4. Maryland Insurance Administration: Flood damage vs. water damage
5. Illinois Department of Public Health: Flood and sewer overflow cleanup