Step 1: Stop using water fixtures
The moment you notice a sewage backup, stop using every toilet, sink, and drain in the house. Continuing to run water anywhere in the home can add more volume to a system that is already unable to drain properly, which pushes the backup further and makes the problem worse.
This includes not running the dishwasher, washing machine, or shower, even in a part of the house that seems unaffected, since the plumbing system is often interconnected.
Step 2: Keep everyone away from the area
Sewage backup water is classified as Category 3, sometimes called black water, which can carry bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that pose a real health risk. Keep children, pets, and anyone else away from the affected area entirely until it has been professionally cleaned and disinfected.
Avoid walking through the contaminated water yourself if at all possible, and if you must, avoid tracking it into unaffected parts of the home.
Step 3: Do not attempt to clean it yourself
It can be tempting to grab a mop and try to handle a sewage backup like a normal spill, but this is genuinely risky. Household cleaning products are not designed to properly disinfect Category 3 contamination, and cleaning it yourself without proper protective equipment puts you at real risk of exposure.
This is one situation where waiting for professional help, rather than trying to handle it yourself, is truly the safer choice.
Step 4: Call for professional help
Call a restoration company right away and explain that you have a sewage backup specifically, since this affects how the crew prepares before arriving. Professional crews wear full protective gear, safely extract the contaminated water, remove any porous materials that cannot be properly disinfected, and thoroughly clean and sanitize everything the water touched.
If the backup is caused by a clogged sewer line or septic issue, a plumber may also need to be involved to fix the actual cause, working alongside the restoration crew handling the cleanup.
What causes sewage backups in Edgewater
Common causes include a clogged main sewer line, tree roots growing into older pipes, which is more common in Edgewater's older neighborhoods, a septic system that is full or failing, and heavy rain overwhelming the sewer system during storm events.
If backups happen repeatedly, it is worth having your sewer line or septic system professionally inspected to identify and fix the underlying cause, rather than just cleaning up after each occurrence.