In a home with a basement, sewage backups almost always show up at the lowest opening: the basement floor drain, a basement bathroom, or the pit for a sewage ejector pump. Unlike clean water from a broken supply line, this water carries bacteria and other contaminants, and porous materials it touched are usually removed rather than cleaned.
Sump pit or sewage pit?
Many Fishers basements have two pits. The sump pit collects groundwater and sends it outside or to a storm drain. A sewage ejector pit, usually sealed with a bolted lid, lifts waste from a basement bathroom or laundry up to the sewer line. The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District notes that these should stay separate. If the sealed pit overflowed or the water smells like sewage, treat it as a sewage backup.
Common causes
- A failed sewage ejector pump or a stuck float
- Tree roots or debris in the sewer lateral
- Wipes, grease, and other items that don’t break down
- A broken or sagging section of line
- Heavy rain overloading the sewer system
What to do now
- Stop using water in the house: no flushing, showers, laundry, or dishwasher.
- Keep kids, pets, and anyone with health concerns away.
- Wear gloves and boots if you must go near it, and wash well afterward.
- Turn off power to the area only if you can do it without stepping in water.
- Call a plumber to clear the line, and call {{PHONE}} for a referral to a cleanup provider.
What professional cleanup involves
Providers typically wear protective gear, extract the contaminated water, remove affected carpet, pad, drywall, and insulation, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the area. Many also run air scrubbers for odor. Because the water is contaminated, more material usually has to go than with a clean-water leak.
Who handles the line?
In general, the homeowner is responsible for the line from the house to the public main, and the city or utility handles the main. If you think the problem is in the main, call the sewer utility listed on your bill. A plumber’s camera inspection can show where the blockage is.
Preventing it
- Ask a plumber about a backwater valve.
- Service the ejector pump and test its alarm.
- Keep wipes and grease out of drains.
- Check your policy for sewer and drain backup coverage.
Related: flooded basement cleanup and mold remediation.
Quick answers
Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?
Usually not. Carpet and pad that soaked up sewage are generally removed because they are hard to fully clean.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
That depends on how much there is and where. Keep away from the affected area, especially young children and anyone with health issues, and ask the provider about your situation.