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Clogs in drain pipes and main sewer lines are common reasons why people experience sewage backups inside toilets, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures. The raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can make people sick. While waiting for a plumber to arrive to fix the problem, follow these pieces of advice to keep your family safe and avoid making the situation worse. 

3 Steps to Take When Sewage Backs Up at Home

1. Turn Off Electricity

The sewage that spills over plumbing fixtures may reach electrical outlets. Since water conducts electricity, someone might get shocked or electrocuted while walking in damp areas. To prevent this from happening, head to the breaker box and shut off the circuits that supply electricity to the room with the sewage backup. 

2. Open Windows 

Kailua-Hawaii-plumbingAfter you’ve turned off the electricity, put on a face mask, gloves, and water-resistant footwear to prepare to go into the affected area. Once there, open all of the windows to help filter sewer gas out of the home. Beyond deodorizing the house, replacing the gas with fresh air will keep your family healthy. Breathing in high concentrations of the gas can be toxic, possibly leading to pink eye, lung and throat inflammation, and seizures.  

3. Call the Utility Company

Using the plumbing system will likely only force more sewage out of drains, so discontinue usage until a professional can assess the situation. To stop the flow of sewage in the meantime, call the utility company to turn off the water supply to your home. Alternatively, you might be able to do this on your own if you can safely access the main water valve. 

 

To handle a sewage backup quickly, call the licensed master plumbers at A-1 Budget Plumbing. Serving clients in the Honolulu area since 1986, the technicians perform video inspections to determine the causes of backups and drain cleaning to restore normal plumbing system performance. See what kind of work the crew tackles online, and call (808) 526-3747 for emergency plumbing services. 

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