Sewer Cleanup

Here are the basics when it comes to toilet and sewer cleanup. Note: This lens only refers to basic toilet overflow. If you are experiencing serious sewer backup, please read the lens on sewer damage

Toilet Overflow...Well, Almost:

1) Stop the water from surging out of the toilet. Most of the time, toilets begin to overflow after being flushed. As soon as you notice the water rising, turn off the immediate water supply (this is a knob found behind and below the toilet, usually either on the left or the right).

2) Once the water has been contained, get a plunger. Grease up your elbows and begin to plunge. The goal is to get the toilet to drain itself. If you succeed, wait a few minutes and then turn on the water supply again.

3) With the water supply on, attempt a flush. If the toilet water begins to rise again, repeat the above steps. Keep doing this until your are able to achieve a flush.

4) Monitor the situation. Be sure to give the toilet extra caution with further use. Do not throw anything other than toilet tissue into the toilet and attempt to reduce the tissue load per flush.

5) If the problem persists, you may have to contact a sewer damage repair expert

Toilet Overflow...Everywhere!

1) Ok, ok. So the toilet overflowed all over your bathroom before you were able to stop the water from flowing. You have stopped the water by now, right?

2) Don't panic, get rubber instead...gloves and boots that is. Alright, you may not have any rubber boots but most people have gloves. Put them on. If possible, put on your worst pair of shoes because you probably won't want to keep them if the mess is bad enough!

3) Mop up the overflow water as quickly as possible. If you do not have a mop, use towels, sheets, whatever you can find. You need to get the water up and off from the floor asap! Sewer water is considered a Type 3 category of water damage Collect any sewage with a dust pan and dispose into a plastic garbage bag.

4) Once the sewage and contaminated water has been cleaned up, you need to disinfect the contaminated area. If possible, use a natural plant-enzyme based disinfectant. If you don't have one on hand, a diluted bleach solution will do the trick. If your mop head is too dirty to use, try the old school "get down on your knees" approach to cleaning the floor. Using some old cloths doused in bleach water might be even better to get those base boards and corners. Dispose of all items that were contaminated by sewage, like bath rugs and towels etc.

5) The area needs to dry out as quickly as possible. Turn on the bathroom fan if you have one, towel off as much of the moisture and even use a blow dryer to help speed up the process. Ensuring dryness will help prevent mold growth.

6) I suggest a second disinfectant mopping once you have a fresh mop head. You can never be too careful. Again, ensure dryness.

And remember, if you ever encounter a situation too large to handle, contact a sewer cleanup expert.