What a sewage backup looks and smells like
The clues are rarely subtle. Toilets gurgle or overflow, floor drains bubble, and dark water with a strong odor comes up through the lowest fixture in the house. Several drains acting up at once, especially on the lowest level, usually means a main line blockage rather than a single clogged trap.
Backups can come from your own line, from a municipal main or from a failing septic system. Which one it is determines who you call about the blockage. We deal with the cleanup, and a plumber or the sewer district handles the line.
Where the problem line is
| Situation | Likely source | Who to call about the line |
|---|---|---|
| Only your drains back up | Blockage in your lateral or main house drain | Plumber |
| Neighbors report the same problem | Municipal sewer main | Sewer district or the Town |
| Home uses a septic system | Full tank, failed field or blocked line | Septic contractor |
| Water also comes up from the yard | Groundwater or a damaged line | Plumber and drainage contractor |
| Heavy rain just fell | Overloaded system | Plumber and sewer district |
Sewer districts and septic around Mahopac
Parts of the Town of Carmel are served by town sewer districts, and the hazard plan names facilities such as the Putnam Plaza pump station in Sewer District 2 and the Kelly Road pump station. Other homes rely on septic systems, which Putnam County regulates through its Department of Health. Neighbor towns like Putnam Valley record septic systems being affected when lakes and dams overflow.
We cannot tell you which service your address has. Ask the Town of Carmel or your sewer district whether your street is in a district. If you have a septic system, a licensed septic contractor should pump and inspect it after a backup.
How sewage cleanup works
Protect and contain
Crews wear gloves, boots and respirators and contain the area so contamination does not spread.
Extract the water
Sewage water is pumped out and disposed of properly.
Remove porous materials
Carpet, pad, insulation and drywall touched by sewage are removed because they cannot be reliably cleaned.
Clean and dry
Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned with disinfectants and then dried before rebuilding.
What affects the cost of sewage cleanup
Volume and spread
A toilet overflow and a flooded finished basement are far apart in scope.
Materials lost
Anything porous that touched sewage is removed and replaced.
Protective measures
Contained work areas and protective gear take time.
Disposal
Contaminated waste has to be handled properly.
Drying
Framing and concrete are cleaned and dried before rebuilding.
Line repair
That is the plumber's or sewer district's cost.
Scope is explained before work expands, with cleaning, drying and rebuilding scoped separately.
What is removed and what is cleaned after sewage contact
| Material | Usual outcome | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet and pad | Removed | Porous and cannot be reliably cleaned |
| Drywall and insulation | Removed above the contact line | Wicking spreads contamination |
| Concrete and tile | Cleaned and disinfected | Non-porous surfaces can be treated |
| Wood framing | Cleaned and dried | Solid and treatable |
| Upholstery and mattresses | Usually discarded | Absorbent and hard to clean |
Safety for you and your household
Do not wade through sewage water or touch it bare-handed. Keep children, pets and anyone with a compromised immune system away. Wash hands thoroughly after any contact. If someone has been exposed and feels unwell, a doctor is the right person to ask.
What to do before we arrive: sewage backup
- Do not use sinks, toilets or the washing machine, because that sends more water into the drain.
- Keep children, pets and anyone ill out of the area.
- Do not touch the water, and wear waterproof boots and gloves if you must enter.
- Call your sewer authority or a plumber if the blockage may be in the main line.
Reference standard
We use the ANSI/IICRC S500 water damage standard as a reference for how wet structures are evaluated and dried. That is a statement about the standard we follow, not a claim of any certification. Sewage is treated as contaminated water, which affects what can be cleaned and what must be removed.
Sewage is coming up through a drain
Call and keep fixtures off until the line is cleared.
Insurance and sewage backups
The New York Department of Financial Services notes that water backup and sewage coverage is typically an endorsement to a homeowners policy, and it may not apply if the backup was caused by flood. Read your policy, ask your agent and file as soon as possible. Keep photos and receipts.
Sewage backup questions
Yes. Sewage is contaminated and spreads with every minute. Keep out, stop using fixtures and call.
Small surface spills may be, with protective gear. Anything that soaked into carpet, pad or drywall needs removal, which is why most people call a crew.
No. A plumber or septic contractor clears the line. We handle the cleanup and drying.
Carpet and pad that touched sewage are normally removed. Hard floors can often be cleaned and dried.
Often only with an added endorsement. Check your policy language and ask your agent.
That depends on how far the water spread and how fast materials dry. We tell you when readings and cleaning are complete.