Sewage backup? Stay out of it
Sewage is grossly contaminated (Category 3) water that can carry bacteria, viruses and other harmful agents. Keep children and pets away, don't touch it without protective gear, stop using water and flushing toilets in the house, and avoid the area if it's near electrical outlets. The EPA advises calling a professional experienced with contaminated water for sewage damage.
Signs of a sewer backup
- dark water or waste coming up through a basement floor drain
- toilets, tubs or showers on the lowest level gurgling or backing up
- several drains slow at the same time
- a strong sewage odor in the basement
What causes sewer backups
Backups usually come from one of two places:
- Your private sewer lateral, the pipe from your house to the public sewer. Tree roots, grease, wipes and broken or collapsed pipe commonly block it.
- The public sewer, which can become overloaded during heavy rain. In most of St. Louis County, public sewers are operated by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD).
A plumber or sewer contractor can camera-inspect the line to find the cause.
How sewage backup cleanup works
- Protective equipment and containment to keep contamination from spreading to clean areas.
- Removing sewage and water with pumps and extractors.
- Removing contaminated porous materials: carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and other items that can't be reliably disinfected are typically discarded.
- Cleaning and disinfecting all affected hard surfaces.
- Drying the structure to normal moisture levels. See water damage drying.
Chesterfield's sewer lateral repair program
If the cause turns out to be a broken private lateral, Chesterfield homeowners may be able to get help with the repair. The City of Chesterfield runs a Residential Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repair Program, funded by a $28 sewer lateral fee on the real estate tax bill. According to the city, it covers certain repairs up to $15,000 for residential buildings with six or fewer units. The line must first be cabled by a licensed plumber or drainlayer, there's a $200 application fee, and cabling itself isn't reimbursed. Contact the city's Department of Public Works for details. The program covers the pipe repair, not cleanup inside your home.
Insurance for sewage backups
Standard homeowners policies commonly exclude sewer and drain backups unless you've added a water backup endorsement. Check your policy before cleanup begins, and photograph everything. Our guide on whether insurance covers water damage explains the common exclusions. Sewage backups are among the most urgent calls for water damage cleanup in Chesterfield, because the health risk adds to the property damage.