Short answer
Stop using all water right away: no flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher, because every drop ends up in the backup. Keep kids and pets away and do not touch the water: sewage carries germs. Do not pour drain cleaner or plunge. Call a plumber now, and if your neighbors have the same problem, call the city sewer department too.
Safety first
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Do not touch it without rubber gloves and boots, keep kids and pets away and wash well after any contact. If it reaches outlets or appliances, do not walk in it; turn off the power only from a dry spot.
What to do when sewage backs up
1Dirty water is coming up the drain
Sewage rises in the tub or the floor drain, often when someone flushes or runs water. The lowest drains in the house overflow first.
Read all the steps
- Dirty water is coming up the drain. Sewage rises in the tub or the floor drain, often when someone flushes or runs water. The lowest drains in the house overflow first.
- Stop using water in the whole house. No flushing, no showers, no laundry and no dishwasher. Every drain leads to the same pipe, so any water you use comes back up.
- Keep everyone away from it. Sewage carries germs. Keep kids and pets out of the room, do not touch it and close the door if you can.
- No drain cleaner and no plunging. Chemicals will not clear a sewer line and make the water dangerous to clean up. Plunging can push sewage out of another drain.
- Take photos and wait for the plumber. Photos and video help with your insurance. The plumber finds the clog in the main line and clears it.
- Stop the water and call a plumber now Especially if: sewage comes up through any drain: call a plumber now.
Plumbers near you
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Why it happens
- A clog in the main sewer line: wipes, grease or tree roots.
- A broken or sagging pipe under the yard.
- Heavy rain that overloads the city sewer.
- A blockage in the city main, if your neighbors have the same problem.
Cleaning up after the plumber
Wear rubber gloves, boots and eye protection. Throw out soaked rugs, cardboard and anything soft that touched sewage. Wash hard surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect, and open the windows. If sewage soaked carpet or drywall, or more than a small area got wet, call a water damage company to clean and dry it safely.
Check your insurance
Many homeowners policies do not cover sewer backup unless you added a sewer backup endorsement. Call your insurer early and take photos before you throw anything out.
When to call a plumber
- Sewage comes up through any drain: call a plumber now.
- More than one drain is slow or gurgling at the same time.
- Your neighbors have the same problem (call the city sewer department too).
- Sewage soaked carpet, drywall or furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Why is sewage coming up through my bathtub drain?
Because the main sewer line is blocked. The tub or shower is usually the lowest drain, so when water cannot get out, it comes back up there first.
Is a sewage backup an emergency?
Yes. Stop using water and call a plumber right away. Use the "24/7 emergencies" filter on the list to find plumbers who answer now.
Can I use drain cleaner on a sewer backup?
No. It will not reach or clear a main line clog, and it makes the water caustic and more dangerous for you and the plumber.
Is it safe to stay in the house with a sewage backup?
Usually yes if the area is small and you keep away from it. If a large area is flooded with sewage, stay somewhere else until it is cleaned.
Who pays for a sewer backup, me or the city?
It depends on where the clog is. The line from your house to the city main is usually yours; a blockage in the city main is the city’s. A plumber with a camera can tell you which.
Does homeowners insurance cover a sewage backup?
Often only with a sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy and call your insurer early.