Sewer Backups Demand Fast Action

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

Handle a sewer backup as carefully and quick as you'd handle a fire or flood disaster

It may not seem like a sewer backup is in the same class of crisis as a fire or flood but it can be. If your sewer backs up you need to act fast. Sewer backup problems are major health hazards and emergencies. Sewer water is often packed with viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that can cause serious illnesses.

Start by knowing what type of sewer water backup you have:

Clean Water

If your sewer backs up from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet professionals consider the backup clean water. But if you don’t treat clean water quickly it can become a more serious problem. If it sits too long clean water can degrade into gray water (category 2) or black water (category 3).

Gray Water

Experts use the term gray water to describe a sewer line backup that’s contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. You have gray water (category 2) if your backup is from a washing machine overflow; a toilet overflow with some urine (no feces); or a dishwasher overflow. This type of sewer water backup can quickly degrade into black water (category 3) if not treated. Again, quick action is important.

Black Water

At SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and throughout the industry, this term describes grossly contaminated water. Sewer drain backups like this could cause severe illness or death if ingested. Be certain you and your family avoid all contact with black water. You have black water when you have flooding from rivers or streams; water from beyond the toilet trap; water from the toilet bowl with feces; or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

Prevent Sewer Backups

Your main sewer line can become clogged, which can cause sewage backups in your home. If the backups just from one toilet, sink or tub it may be a clog in that drain. If, however, every flush creates a sewage backup in your home, you likely have a blockage in your main sewer line. Most of these clogs can be prevented by a few simple steps:
•    Don’t use your toilet as a waste basket--Flushing facial tissues, napkins, diapers and other waste down your toilet creates clogs.
•    Use your garbage disposal wisely--Avoid dumping large quantities of anything that can become lodged in your sewer line down your garbage disposal.
•    Don’t pour grease down your drain--Grease and fat, although liquid when poured down your drain, can harden within your plumbing, collecting debris and creating a stubborn clog.

We Can Help

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield whenever you have sewer backup problems. We’re trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to eliminate all sewer backups and restore your property completely.  From Glastonbury to Portland, Wethersfield to Marlborough and anywhere in between, we can help.


SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service