topic Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup in Home

Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

qualityshopper — Sat, 14 May 2022 09:20:19 GMT

I'm currently sitting in my hotel room as I type up this question. Can't stay at my home because am having a major disaster with sewage coming back up into my kitchen sink and my upstairs bathroom. Can't use anything in the house--toilet, washer, sink, etc. (No backup in the basement, I guess, because this is a very old house and, therefore, does not have a cleanout cap anywhere. The kitchen sink is the lowest point according to the plumbers.) Sewage backed up into the bathtub only after the toilet became stopped up due to the wax ring being up in the line when the plumber put the toilet back on. When he did tried to unstop it, stuff came up in the tub.

I now have to have an excavtion team come out to put in a cleanout cap. Then I have to have another company come out to find exactly what the problem is (maybe a collapsed drain) and unclog it. (Two different plumbing companies have already been out, ran a snake down through the toilet opening and a camera, and couldn't really tell where the blockage is.)

Anyway, once this is all done (if it ever is), I will then have to deal with cleaning and sanitizing the bathtub and kitchen sink. There's actually stuff (you know what I mean) sitting in the kitchen sink right now along with tissue! This is the reason I'm on here--to ask for suggestions on exactly how and what to use to disinfect. Will bleach do the trick, or would it be better to find a company that does that sort of thing? I don't know if I will ever feel comfortable using the sink or the tub again to be honest. This is so disgusting!!! And so expensive!!! Between all of the work that will have to be done, plus the hotel bills for about 3 weeks, it's really going to hurt me financiially. Would really appreciate suggestions. Thanks.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

findingnemo — Sat, 14 May 2022 10:44:49 GMT

You need to file an insurance claim with your home insurance policy. The plumbing costs will be on you to pay but any damage and probably your temporary housing will be covered by insurance. Waste water is considered hazardous material but a professional mitigation company will know how to deal with the damage. I know this is difficult but a professional team will help you get through this. Best of luck.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 14 May 2022 12:17:45 GMT

@qualityshopper I would file an insurance company asap if possible. They may cover the hotel and other expenses. I'm sure there are sanitation companies that specialize in this type of issue.

My parents had a backup a few years ago, not as severe as the one you are dealing with, but found their blockage was due to tree roots the somehow got into the pipes. It was several thousand dollars to clear and replace the pipes. Maybe you could have pipes that have disintegrated over the years, and hopefully you get an answer quickly.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this and remember if you are doing cleaning yourself, that some chemicals react if mixed so be careful. Bleach is the direction I would go, or perhaps you can have the sink replaced if if bothers you too much.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

gidgetgh — Sat, 14 May 2022 12:18:49 GMT

@findingnemo wrote:
You need to file an insurance claim with your home insurance policy. The plumbing costs will be on you to pay but any damage and probably your temporary housing will be covered by insurance. Waste water is considered hazardous material but a professional mitigation company will know how to deal with the damage. I know this is difficult but a professional team will help you get through this. Best of luck.

@findingnemo - depends on the deductible though. At our old house, we had a massive deductible. And if you filed 3 claims in a 3 year period, the dropped you. So, lots of considerations. Plus, if she has already started the work, the insurance might decline if they weren't contacted initially.

We had to file a claim in 2018 when the shower pan failed in our master bathroom. It was expensive, but in retrospect I wish we hadn't. For 3 years, I held my breath that nothing else would go wrong. When we had problems with our downstairs bathroom in 2020, we paid out of pocket. Just couldn't risk it.

To the OP, I am so sorry you are going through this. As for cleaning, I would clean with Clorox Clean Up or something like that several times and call it a day. Or, call in a professional cleaning company.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

jackthebear — Sat, 14 May 2022 14:16:54 GMT

a lot of bleach

I had a back up in my kitchen sink

it's yucky

but bleach and more bleach

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

Still Raining — Sat, 14 May 2022 14:39:48 GMT

When I had this, the insurance company sent over a hazmat crew to safely remove the evidence and dry things out.

If the flooring, subfloor, baseboards and dry wall has been wet, they need removing.

I still have a funny photo of a toilet sitting in the middle of the family room.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

cindyNC — Sat, 14 May 2022 15:35:49 GMT

I have no suggestions, but am so sorry you are going thru this. When I was a child, I was staying with my diabetic, wheelchair bound aunt as she couldn't be on her own just yet. She lived in the country and her septic backed up. She wouldn't let me near the bathroom and fortunately, her neighbor across the street ran a plumbing and septic service.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

RedTop — Sat, 14 May 2022 15:58:01 GMT

This is definitely an insurance coverage situation.

You need pictures of the sewage backup inside the house, and a professional crew should handle the cleanup, since all of your drain lines will need to be flushed in a way you cannot handle.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

BlueFinch — Sat, 14 May 2022 16:43:31 GMT

@qualityshopper It sounds like you're saying that the sewage backup did not escape the sink, or toilet. It just contaminated these fixtures, plus the bathtub. It didn't flood your floors, or saturate baseboards. If this is true, as bad as it seems, this is positive. Much better than a major restoration.

Of course you can ask those servicing this situation for advice, but I think you need to relax regarding the fixture clean-ups. Once the backup is released, it will be unpleasant, but easy to sanitize the areas.

Just some good elbow grease and disinfectants will do the job. Clorox is good for this, I also like Microban. It has long lasting effectiveness, 24 hours after application and you can spray it, making it easy to get into tight spots. Perfect for tub and sinks. I would feel comfortable with cleaning first, then spraying with Microban and letting it set for half an hour, or so. You should be fine after this process.

Remember if you're disinfecting in tight spots with poor ventilation to be careful with fumes. I'd glove-up and throw on a mask for the job, too. Maybe use a fan to move some air. Not near the water, of course.

I hope they find the source of the backup soon, and that the situation is resolved. At my mom's house, there was a (clean) water event, with the restoration costing $30,000 and three months of work. These are terrible situations. I feel your pain.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

qualityshopper — Sat, 14 May 2022 21:33:47 GMT

Thanks everyone for reaching out. I really appreciate it.

As far as insurance is concerned, I've been in contact with them, but it doesn't sound like I'm going to get any help--not even with reimbursement for my hotel stay. The agent said it would depend upon what the exact cause turns out to be, but things don't look promising. On top of this problem, a few days previously, one of my teeth broke off. Fortunately, it's not hurting. As they say, whey it rains, it pours!

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

Still Raining — Sat, 14 May 2022 22:43:26 GMT

Poor baby, here is a hug ❤️

You are right about insurance, I won because State Farm was able to prove the county caused it by blowing out their pipes. They even sued them for my deductible.

I am on septic now and that is one pampered field.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

RedTop — Sat, 14 May 2022 22:59:28 GMT

@qualityshopper

If your homeowners insurance does not help you with this claim, you have the wrong type of coverage, and a not so helpful agent!

Temporary relocation expenses should be covered for any reason that forces you out of your home.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 14 May 2022 23:49:30 GMT

@qualityshopper Remember its easy for your insurance to say no (and probably their standard practice), and then hope you go away. You may need to get some legal advice based on your policy just to make sure they are correct.

Sorry to say, but my attitude is they are being paid to say no, and it's your job to make them say yes.

I just dealt with an auto accident insurance that was trying to lowball me on my vehicle worth (his insurance - he was 100% at fault), and when I asked them to provide pictures of the "less then great condition" interior that they were using to discount my payout, they couldn't and paid me for the "great" condition they were.

Don't give up!

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

gidgetgh — Sat, 14 May 2022 23:52:01 GMT

Now that I think of it, I think my policy has a cap for what they will pay for sewage backup.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 15 May 2022 08:53:13 GMT

I agree with @CAcableGirl2 . The first answer from insurance is always "no". My father ran an insurance business. My sister worked for him. I can always remember her saying "if it isn't excluded, it is included".

It sounds like this will be an expensive proposition. Have you thought about consulting a lawyer?

Good luck. This is a tough situation and I am wishing you the best for a speedy resolution. LM

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

Katcat1 — Tue, 17 May 2022 19:32:03 GMT

@qualityshopper Bleach will be your best friend along with a household liquid. I would also purchase Lysol spray. Wear gloves. You may want a company to come in and clean it up but make sure you get their estimate and what they will be doing and what products are used. Good luck to you.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

qualityshopper — Wed, 18 May 2022 07:40:38 GMT

Thanks everyone for all of your advice.

I may have to end up getting a lawyer, I don't know, but if it comes to that, that will be another expense I can't afford. I would have to find one who will work pro bono. Meanwhile, my insurance agent is telling me coverage will depend on the exact cause, which don't know yet. Seems like if damage had been done to the floor, carpets, etc., I'd have coverage, but just having sewage in the tub and sink isn't covered. You'd think, though, the fact that I can't live in my home would at least be covered, but no. Apparently hotel stays are only covered if the cause for the stay is covered, and at this point in time, it doesn't look like it will be.

On top of this, the first hotel I stayed in for a few nights (went to a different one so I could have a kitchenette) overcharged me $360! They were treating all of my phone calls as long distance instead of free local calls. Since I live about 5 minutes from that hotel, I knew those were all local. Fortunately, I got that corrected and that money will be refunded. I keep waiting to see what next is going to happen.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

RedTop — Thu, 19 May 2022 01:13:29 GMT

@qualityshopper

Most likely this backup is going to be caused by an old, deteriorating main line or invasive root growth in the line, from the house to the street.

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

qualityshopper — Tue, 24 May 2022 14:37:32 GMT

Well, thought I'd give an update. Finally returned home yesterday, only to discover new problems. First, it seems like my sewer backup was due to toilet paper! No roots, broken lines, etc. I was surpriesed by this, but maybe it was just time for this to happen. I mean, I'm 67 and I've been here all my life, so I guess, as I said, it was just time.

Anyway, after getting home, I deciced to run the washer (nothing in it) just to see if anything would happen, and it did. Started hearing all kinds of gurgling sounds from the kitchen sink as the water would empty from the washer. So, plumbers back again today. They said some of the sewage backup might still be in the vents (?) inside the wall, so they snaked the sink and seemed to have it fixed.

After they left, I ran some water in the sink and noticed it was discolored. Called them and they said they had noticed that as well, both from the sink and in the washer (I wasn't close enough to see that while they were here). They recommended I run warm water from all my sinks and the bathtub for about 30 minutes! I didn't like that idea, so I called the city to see what they had to say. She said wait about an hour of so, and then just run cold water from the bathtub for about 10 minutes, and if it still was discolored, call them back. Not sure whose advice to follow (think I'll do what the city suggested), but I keep wondering if this nightmare is ever going to end.

I keep wondering if I'm going to have to go back to the hotel because I feel that I still can't use my water (except to use the toilet). And, even though I'm being assured that the sewage backup has nothing to do with the brown water, I can't help but wonder. It can't just be a coincidence that, out of the blue, I now have brown water right after having the backup. Seems like there has to be some connection. What's next???

Re: Help with sanitation after a sewage backup

RedTop — Tue, 24 May 2022 21:02:19 GMT

@qualityshopper

By any chance do you use Charmin? That brand is the only one that ever clogged our line from the house to the septic tank.