Toilet Overflow and Cleanup

5/1/2021 (Permalink)

Sewer damage can lead to toilet overflow.

The sanitation system of your home is crucial to your daily routine and hygiene. Unfortunately, sometimes sewer damage can lead to backups and toilet overflows, leading to the need for a water mitigation service in Pocatello, ID. Because of the potential contamination level of the water, there are three rules to dealing with toilet overflow and cleanup.

3 Rules to Dealing With a Toilet Overflow And Cleanup

1. Maintain a Safe Distance

Unless you have worked for a sewage company and understand the regulations of sewage cleanup and removal, you should maintain a safe distance from the backup. Sewage is category three or black water. It is highly contaminated and poses a significant risk to your health. Do not walk through it or attempt to clean it up without adequate protection and knowledge.

2. Contact a Professional

When a backup occurs, it is likely the result of sewer damage and clogs. While many homeowners do have augers and plungers, the typical household tools are not strong enough to clear or dislodge a sewer blockage. It is also worth noting that the backup might be caused by a collapse in the waste line. To ensure that your bathroom problems are resolved correctly, contact a water damage specialist or plumbing professional for help.

3. Block Affected Area

Because of the potential health and safety risks of a backup or flooded toilet, it is necessary to keep people out or away from the affected area. If the problem area is in a bathroom on the main floor, close the door. If it is in a basement, prevent access. The best way to keep everyone safe is to stay away from the contaminated water and its source.

Sewer damage or blockages are the most likely causes of a toilet backup. While a backup might not seem that problematic at first, remember the water is category three and not safe for human contact or consumption.