What to Do When Sewage Backs Up
Keep people clear of sewage
Keep children and pets out of the area and stay away from wet floors near outlets or appliances. Stop all water use, since every sink, toilet, shower and washer drains into the same building sewer. Leave electrical panels and equipment in water alone, and wash thoroughly after touching sewage.
Keep the mess from spreading
Move rugs, boxes and stored items off the floor near the overflowing drain. Do not use chemical drain cleaners, and leave the cleanout cap closed while sewage is pushing up.
Call a sewer plumber
Tell the plumber which drain overflowed, when it began, whether rain came first and whether other units or neighbors have it too. If neighbors are affected, contact the City of Waterbury's Water Pollution Control. Tenants should tell the owner or manager.
The city says fat, oil and grease are a common cause of backups. Read about sewer backup emergencies or call the number above.
Keep children and pets out of the area and stay away from wet floors near outlets or appliances. Stop all water use, since every sink, toilet, shower and washer drains into the same building sewer. Leave electrical panels and equipment in water alone, and wash thoroughly after touching sewage.
Keep the mess from spreading
Move rugs, boxes and stored items off the floor near the overflowing drain. Do not use chemical drain cleaners, and leave the cleanout cap closed while sewage is pushing up.
Call a sewer plumber
Tell the plumber which drain overflowed, when it began, whether rain came first and whether other units or neighbors have it too. If neighbors are affected, contact the City of Waterbury's Water Pollution Control. Tenants should tell the owner or manager.
The city says fat, oil and grease are a common cause of backups. Read about sewer backup emergencies or call the number above.