Key takeaways
- Stop using water in the house immediately.
- Keep kids, pets, and vulnerable people away from the area.
- Treat all sewage-contaminated porous items as unsalvageable.
- Contact your sewer provider if you suspect the public line.
Is it your line or the public sewer?
Generally, homeowners are responsible for the sewer line from the house to the connection with the public main, and the utility is responsible for the main. Exact responsibility varies, so check with your provider. A few clues can help:
- Only one fixture backs up: likely a clog in that fixture's drain.
- The lowest drains back up when you run water elsewhere: likely a blockage in your main household line.
- Neighbors are having the same problem: more likely an issue with the public main. Contact your sewer provider.
- Backup during or right after heavy rain: can indicate the system is overloaded by stormwater.
In Broken Arrow, sewer service may come from the City of Broken Arrow or from a rural water district, depending on your address. Check your utility bill for who to contact.
What to do right now
- Stop running water: no flushing, laundry, dishwashing, or showers.
- Keep people and pets away from the affected area.
- Turn off power to the area from the breaker panel only if you can reach it from a dry location.
- Call a plumber for your line, or your sewer provider for the main.
- Photograph the damage from a safe distance.
Protect yourself
If you must enter the area, wear rubber boots, waterproof gloves, and eye protection. Wash thoroughly afterward and keep contaminated clothing separate. Don't eat, drink, or smoke in the area.
What to do with contaminated belongings
- Discard: carpet and pad, mattresses, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys, cardboard, paper goods, and food that was touched by sewage.
- Possibly salvage: hard, non-porous items like metal, glass, ceramic, and hard plastic, after thorough cleaning and disinfection.
- Clothing and fabrics: may be salvageable with hot-water laundering and appropriate disinfection, but some items won't be worth the risk.
How professional cleanup works
Professional sewage cleanup typically starts with containment and water removal, followed by removal of contaminated porous materials, cleaning and disinfection of hard surfaces, and structural drying. Some providers verify cleaning before rebuild begins.
Preventing the next backup
- Don't flush wipes, even ones labeled flushable.
- Don't pour grease down drains.
- Ask a plumber about a camera inspection if backups recur, especially if you have mature trees near the sewer line.
- Ask a plumber whether a backwater valve makes sense for your home.
- Check whether your insurance includes water backup coverage.
Related questions
What if sewage enters my home?
Stop using water, keep people and pets away, avoid contact without protective gear, and contact a plumber or your sewer provider. Porous items touched by sewage are generally discarded, and professional cleanup is usually recommended.
Who pays for a sewage backup?
It depends on the cause and your insurance. Many homeowners policies only cover sewer backups with a specific endorsement. If the public main caused the backup, contact your sewer provider about their claims process.
This guide is general information, not professional, insurance, or legal advice. Conditions in every home differ.