Sewage and sewer backup: questions and answers
Direct answers about sewage backups in homes.
Call 24/7: (416) 938-455218 questions people search for, each answered in a few sentences. Where there is more to say, the answer links to the full guide.
What does a sewer backup mean?
Waste water that should be flowing out to the sewer is coming back into the house through the lowest drains, because the pipe is blocked or the sewer is overloaded.
What are the signs of a sewer backup? What does it look like?
Several drains running slowly at once, gurgling toilets, water rising in the floor drain, tub or shower when other fixtures are used, and dark, foul-smelling water on the basement floor.
Does a sewer backup smell?
Yes. A strong sewage or rotten-egg smell from the drains or the basement is often the first sign, sometimes before any water appears.
Why do sewers back up? Why is my sewer backing up?
Tree roots in old pipes, collapsed or sagging pipes, grease and wipes, a blockage in the city main, or a sewer overloaded by heavy rain. A camera inspection shows which.
Is a sewage backup an emergency?
Yes. Sewage is a health hazard and the damage spreads while water keeps being used. Stop using all water, keep people away and call a plumber or drain company and a restoration contractor.
Is sewage backup a biohazard?
Yes. Raw sewage carries bacteria, viruses and parasites and is treated as grossly contaminated. Porous materials it soaked are removed, and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
Is sewage backup common?
It is one of the more common causes of basement damage in older Ontario neighbourhoods, especially where homes have clay sewer pipes or the area has combined sewers.
Can sewage back up into the sink, dishwasher or washing machine?
Yes. When the main drain is blocked, waste water rises to whatever fixture is lowest or nearest, including sinks, the dishwasher and the laundry standpipe.
Can frozen pipes cause a sewage backup or a toilet that will not flush?
A frozen drain or sewer line can block flow and cause a backup, though it is less common than a frozen supply pipe. A toilet that will not refill in a cold snap usually has a frozen supply line.
How do I fix a sewer backup?
Stop using water. A plumber or drain company clears the blockage and inspects the line with a camera. The cause is then repaired, and a backwater valve protects against sewer surcharge.
How long does it take to fix a sewage backup?
Clearing a blockage usually takes an hour or two. Cleaning and drying the house takes several days, and rebuilding a finished basement takes weeks. Repairing or replacing the pipe is a separate job of a day or more.
Who is responsible for a sewer backup?
Usually the homeowner for the pipe up to the property line and the municipality beyond it. A municipality is generally liable only if negligence is shown. Report the backup to the municipality promptly.
Is pipe bursting trenchless? How does it compare with pipe lining?
Yes. Pipe bursting pulls a new pipe through the path of the old one, breaking the old pipe outwards, with digging only at the ends. Lining forms a new pipe inside the old one. Bursting suits collapsed pipes, and lining suits pipes that still hold their shape.
What is a sewer backup valve?
A backwater valve. It sits on the main drain and closes when flow reverses, stopping sewage from the street entering the house. It needs a plumbing permit and periodic cleaning.
Is sewer backup considered a flood? What is the difference between sewer backup and overflow?
For insurance, no. Sewer backup and overland flooding are separate coverages, each needing its own endorsement. An overflow from a fixture inside the home is usually treated as ordinary water damage.
Does sewer backup coverage have a deductible?
Yes, and it is often higher than your standard deductible. The endorsement also has its own limit, which may be lower than the cost of a finished basement.
Is sewer backup insurance necessary in a condo?
It is worth having on a ground-floor or basement-level unit, and on any unit where a backup could damage your improvements or contents. Ask your broker, and check what the corporation's policy covers.
How do I prevent sewage backup during a flood?
A backwater valve is the main protection. During the storm, avoid using water, and make sure the sump pump has backup power.
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