Sewage backup
Sewage backup
Sewage is contaminated water. Treat it as a health problem first and a cleanup problem second.
Lateral or main?
A backup can start in the lateral, the pipe that runs from the building to the main, or in the main itself. Vallecitos Water District's pages explain where the district's responsibility ends and the owner's begins.
A report to the district starts a check of the public side.
Source: Vallecitos Water District, wastewater collection and water and sewer services.
While it is happening
Stop using water
No toilets, showers, laundry or dishwasher. Each flush sends more into the line.
Keep people and pets out
Especially from the affected rooms and any standing liquid.
Do not mix it with bleach on your own
Chemicals can hurt you and spoil what a contractor needs to see.
Call the district about the main
A report starts a check of the public side. Vallecitos lists the contact on its report page.
What the cleanup involves
Porous materials that touched sewage, such as carpet, pad and drywall, are usually removed rather than dried. Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
A contractor that handles sewage water will use protective gear and containment. Ask about both before it starts.
Water is still moving, or the room is already wet?
Call the number and describe what happened. You are connected with an independent restoration contractor who serves your ZIP. Calling early helps, because wet drywall and flooring get harder to save each day.