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The first steps that limit damage when waste water comes up a drain.
Call (888) 217-5859A sewer backup is stressful, but the first few minutes matter. Knowing what to do, and what to avoid, limits the damage while you get a local plumber on the way. Here is a clear, step-by-step plan, plus what causes backups so you can prevent the next one.
Every sink, toilet, shower, and appliance drains into the same line. If that line is blocked, more water has nowhere to go and makes the backup worse. Stop running water, hold off on flushing, and pause the dishwasher or washing machine until the line is cleared. This single step prevents a lot of overflow.
Sewage is a genuine health hazard. Keep family and pets out of the affected area and avoid skin contact with the water. If a basement floor drain is backing up, move valuables, electronics, and anything porous off the floor nearby so they are not contaminated.
Chemical cleaners rarely clear a main-line blockage, and they make a professional cleaning more hazardous because the standing water is now caustic. They can also damage older pipes. Skip them entirely and let a plumber clear the line mechanically or with water. Our guide on hydro jetting versus snaking explains why the method matters.
If you have a sewer cleanout, a capped pipe usually outside or in the basement, opening it can relieve pressure and direct the overflow away from living space, though this is a messy job. If you are not comfortable, leave it for the plumber. Either way, note which drains are affected, since several at once points to the main sewer line.
A local plumber clears the blockage, usually with rodding or hydro jetting, and uses a sewer camera inspection to find what caused it so it does not happen again. The faster the line is cleared, the less water damage and cleanup you are left with. Describe what you are seeing when you call so the situation can be prioritized.
Most backups come down to grease, flushed wipes, or tree roots narrowing the main line over time. Once the emergency is handled, a camera inspection shows the underlying cause, and simple habits go a long way, as covered in our guide on preventing drain clogs.
Once the line is cleared and the water has receded, ventilate the area and clean hard surfaces with appropriate disinfectant, wearing gloves and protective gear. Porous items that contacted sewage, such as carpet, rugs, and cardboard, often cannot be salvaged. For a significant backup, document the damage with photos before cleanup in case you file an insurance claim, and consider professional remediation for anything beyond a small area.
Standard homeowners policies often exclude sewer backups unless you carry a specific backup endorsement, so coverage varies. It is worth checking your policy before you need it. Regardless of coverage, a camera inspection after the cleanup documents the cause, which helps with both the claim and preventing a repeat.
Most backups trace to grease, wipes, or tree roots, all of which build up gradually. A hydro jetting clears years of buildup in one pass. Pair that with the everyday habits in our prevention guide, watch for the early warning signs, and you sharply reduce the odds of a repeat.
If you rent, contact your landlord or property manager first, since the main sewer line is typically their responsibility. If you own, the line from the house to the city connection is generally yours to maintain. Either way, the immediate steps are the same: stop using water, stay clear of the contaminated area, and get a local plumber on the way for emergency drain service.
Emergency drain service is available across Richton Park and the South Suburbs, including Park Forest and Chicago Heights. If you are dealing with a backup right now, call the number at the top of the page to get connected with a local plumber.
Answers
No. Stop running water and avoid flushing, since it has nowhere to go and makes the backup worse. Call a local plumber right away.
Sewage carries bacteria and is a health hazard. Keep people and pets away from the contaminated area and avoid contact until it is cleaned up.
Stop running water anywhere in the house so nothing adds to the backup, keep people and pets away from the contaminated area, and shut off power to the affected space if water is near outlets. Then call a local plumber for emergency drain service.
It depends where the blockage is. The homeowner usually owns the lateral line from the house to the city main, while the city handles the public main. If several nearby homes are affected at once, it may be a city-side issue. Confirm with your municipality.
A standard policy often does not cover sewage backup unless you have added a specific sewer or water backup endorsement. Coverage and limits vary, so check your policy. Photograph the damage before cleanup, since documentation helps any claim.
Common causes are a blocked main sewer line from tree roots, grease, or flushed objects, a collapsed or bellied pipe, or heavy rain overwhelming the system. A camera inspection after the backup shows which one caused it so it can be prevented next time.
A backwater valve is a one-way valve on the sewer line that lets waste flow out but closes to stop sewage from flowing back into the house during a backup or heavy rain. For homes that have flooded before, it is a common preventive measure worth asking about.
Call now to get connected with a local plumber for hydro jetting, drain cleaning, and sewer service across the South Suburbs.
