Sewage Backup at Home: Health Risks, and How to Hire a Cleanup Company

Health Risks of Sewage Backup

Raw sewage contains many harmful things that can make you sick. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says sanitary sewer overflows, which include sewage backing up into homes, carry bacteria, viruses, protozoa (parasitic organisms), and helminths (intestinal worms). These can cause diseases ranging from mild stomach cramps and diarrhea to serious illnesses like cholera and dysentery.

You can get sick from direct contact with sewage, such as in a flooded basement. Illnesses can also happen from breathing in molds and fungi that grow because of the moisture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that floodwater, which may contain sewage, can lead to wound infections, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal illness. Eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater or sewage can cause diarrheal diseases like E. coli or Salmonella infection.

Protecting Yourself During a Sewage Backup

Your first priority is to protect yourself from sewage. Avoid contact with the contaminated water as much as possible. If you must be near it, wear protective gear.

Here’s what the CDC recommends for cleaning up sewage:

• Wear protective gear. This includes rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles to shield your skin and eyes from contact with sewage.
• Wash thoroughly. If you come into contact with sewage or contaminated floodwater, wash the area with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
• Clean clothes. Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. Wash them separately from clothes and linens that were not contaminated.
• Avoid exposure with open wounds. Do not enter sewage or floodwater if you have an open wound, as this can lead to serious infections.

What Cleanup Involves

After a sewage backup, fast action is key to prevent further damage and health risks. The CDC advises cleaning up and drying your home quickly, ideally within 24 to 48 hours.

Here’s what cleanup generally involves:

• Discard contaminated items. You must throw away anything that cannot be thoroughly cleaned or dried quickly. This includes mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and paper products. The EPA states that rugs, curtains, flooring, wallboard panels, and upholstered furniture that touch sewage usually must be replaced. You should also remove and discard drywall and insulation contaminated with sewage.
• Clean and disinfect salvageable items. Thoroughly clean all wet items and surfaces that can be saved. This includes flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures. Use hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
• Dry the area. Open doors and windows and use fans to blow air outdoors to help dry the space.
• Fix leaks. Repair any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing as soon as you can to prevent future water damage.

The EPA says that if water damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, you should call in a professional. These professionals have experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water, which is crucial for reducing disease risk.

Hiring a Professional Cleanup Company

Because sewage contains harmful substances, the EPA recommends hiring a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water. They have the right equipment and knowledge to safely handle and dispose of contaminated materials and thoroughly disinfect your home.

When hiring a contractor, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) suggests several steps to ensure you choose a reputable company:

• Get identification. Ask for the contractor’s name and the name of their business.
• Check licenses. Ask for proof of their business license and check its expiration date. Understand the difference between licensed and registered contractors: a licensed contractor has passed exams and met requirements to show competence, while a registered contractor has simply provided contact information to a government authority.
• Verify insurance. Request proof of workers’ compensation insurance and liability insurance. This proof should include the insurance company’s name, phone number, and policy number. Call the insurance company to verify the coverage.
• Ask for permits. Inquire about any necessary building permits for the work.
• Get multiple estimates. Obtain estimates from more than one contractor. Make sure all quotes include the same services and materials for a fair comparison.
• Check references. Ask for and contact references from previous clients.
• Beware of large upfront payments. Reputable contractors usually do not ask for a large payment upfront.

Insurance and Sewage Backup

Understanding your insurance coverage for sewage backup is very important. The NAIC states that most homeowners policies offer limited or no coverage for damage caused by sewer or drain backups and sump pump overflow. This means you might not be covered if sewage backs up into your home.

You might be able to buy an endorsement to add coverage for these events. An endorsement is an addition to your policy that provides specific coverage. If you have a finished basement or personal property in your basement, you might consider this added coverage.

It is important to know that homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. A flood policy is separate and must be purchased independently to cover losses from floods. Water and sewer backup coverage typically does not cover loss due to a flood, the repair or replacement of a broken sump pump, or issues from lack of maintenance or normal wear and tear of your sump pump.

When this advice may not fit

This advice provides general guidance for dealing with sewage backup. However, there are situations where you should seek different help. If you suspect any structural damage to your home, or if there are electrical or gas line concerns due to the backup, immediately contact a qualified professional. You should also contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to understand your specific coverage and begin the claims process. For local guidance on sewage contamination, you may wish to contact your local health department.