If sewage enters your basement, stop using water everywhere in the home, keep people out of the basement, and get the line cleared before cleaning up. Be very careful around electrical equipment and gas appliances that may be sitting in the water.
Keep People Out
Sewage can carry germs that make people sick. Keep children and pets away. If you must go down, wear rubber boots and gloves, avoid touching your face, and wash well afterward.
Watch for Electrical and Gas Hazards
Basements often hold the electrical panel, water heater, boiler or furnace, and washer and dryer. Do not walk into standing water near any of them. Only switch off breakers you can reach from a dry spot. If a gas appliance was in the water, do not use it until it has been checked. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Stop the Flow and Clear the Line
Pause all water use upstairs so nothing else flows down. In buildings with more than one household, tell everyone, including the super. The cleanup will not hold until the blockage is removed. A plumber can locate the blockage and remove it. If the city sewer seems to be the cause, you can also report it to 311.
Clean Up Carefully
Once the line is open:
- Remove standing water and sewage
- Throw away soaked rugs, cardboard, and padding
- Cut out wet lower sections of drywall in finished spaces
- Wash hard surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect
- Dry the space with fans and a dehumidifier
Large backups may need a professional cleanup company. Take photos before you start, and check whether your insurance policy covers sewer backups, since many standard policies do not.
If sewage is in your basement now, call JPR Plumbing at (833) 603-1840. After the cleanup, regular drain checks in the basement help you catch early signs next time.