It ranks high on the list of sights homeowners never want to see: the dreaded basement sewage flood. But when storms overload city sewers, or when tree roots clog main sewer lines, basement floor drains may back up and send a nasty surprise into your living space that needs to be cleaned up immediately.
Sewage is hazardous to your health, so anything it has touched needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, or discarded. If the sewage has come in contact with any duct work, finished drywall or your central heating and cooling system, you should hire a sewage remediation specialist to handle the cleanup. If the backup is confined to the concrete floor around your drain, you can clean up the mess yourself.
Safety precautions
To avoid the risk of becoming ill, you’ll need to make a quick trip to the hardware store for protective gear: rubber gloves, rubber boots, goggles and a dust mask. Grab a gallon of bleach, trash bags and a few extra mop heads while you’re there.
You can use a flat shovel to scrape up solid debris (as long as you remember to clean and disinfect the shovel when youre done). Throw away any laundry or carpeting that may have been contaminated by sewage. Once the area is free of debris, wash the contaminated surface with soapy water. Allow it to air-dry, and then wash the entire area with a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water. Allow the bleach solution to air-dry, too.
If the basement drain is still sluggish, you may need to visit a tool rental store to get a drain auger, or you may need a chemical root-killer to clear tree roots from your sewer line. If you can’t clear the drain, call a professional plumber.
Preventing floods
Keeping your main sewer line clear should help you avoid future backups. Often, when tree roots invade sewer lines, the first signs are a gurgling sound from the floor drain, or wastewater from washing machines backing up from the floor drain. If you notice either one of these problems and suspect tree roots are to blame, pour root-killer down the drain.
Of course, faulty floor drains aren’t the only cause of wet basements. Clogged gutters or improper exterior grading can cause water to pool around your foundation and seep in through cracks. If you find your dehumidifier can’t keep up with the amount of moisture in your basement, you may need to have a foundation repair professional inspect your basement for signs of damage.
Water can ruin architectural features, appliances and belongings – and that goes double for sewage – so it’s a good idea to make a quick trip downstairs every day, to make sure your basement is dry.