Few things upset homeowners more than walking downstairs after a big storm and finding dark, foul-smelling water coming up through the basement floor drain. Sewer backups are common in the Chicago suburbs during heavy rain, and they are a different kind of problem than clean water from a leaking pipe.
Here is why sewage backs up into basements, what to do and not do, and how the cleanup needs to be handled to keep your family safe.
Why Sewers Back Up During Storms
In many older parts of the region, sewer systems were built to carry both wastewater and storm runoff, or they receive significant rainwater through cracks and connections. During heavy storms, the volume of water can exceed what the system can handle. When the main line fills up, water looks for the lowest opening it can find, and in many homes that is the basement floor drain.
Other causes include tree roots growing into the lateral line between your house and the street, older clay pipes that have cracked or shifted, and grease or debris buildup that narrows the line.
Safety First
Sewage water carries bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. It isn’t something to clean up with a mop and a bucket.
- Keep children and pets out of the basement.
- Don’t walk through the water without waterproof boots and gloves.
- Shut off power to the basement if water is near outlets or appliances.
- Avoid using sinks, toilets, showers, and the washing machine until the backup is resolved, since that sends more water into the line.
- Don’t try to salvage soaked porous items like carpet, pad, or upholstered furniture on your own.
How Sewage Cleanup Should Be Done
Industry standards treat sewage as the most contaminated type of water. That changes how the job is done compared with a clean-water leak.
First, the standing water is extracted and disposed of properly. Porous materials that touched sewage, like carpet, carpet pad, drywall, insulation, and many soft goods, are generally removed and discarded. Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. Crews wear protective equipment and use containment to keep contamination from spreading to the rest of the house.
Only after cleaning and disinfection does the structural drying begin. Professional water damage restoration equipment then dries the framing and concrete, with moisture readings taken daily until the space is fully dry. Because sewage is a health hazard, our biohazard cleanup protocols guide the decontamination side of the job.
Insurance Considerations
Many standard homeowners policies exclude sewer and drain backup unless you have a specific endorsement. It’s usually inexpensive to add, and after one backup, most homeowners wish they had it. Check your policy now rather than after the next storm.
Preventing the Next Backup
- Install a backwater valve on the main sewer line, which lets water flow out but closes when water tries to come back in.
- Consider an overhead sewer conversion, common in the Chicago area, which routes basement plumbing up and out so sewer surges can’t reach the floor.
- Have the lateral line camera-inspected if you’ve had slow drains or past backups.
- Keep grease, wipes, and debris out of drains.
- Ask your village whether it offers a cost-sharing program for backflow or overhead sewer projects. Some municipalities do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to clean up sewer backup myself?
For anything more than a small amount on a hard floor, we don’t recommend it. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses, and porous materials it touched usually need to be removed and disposed of properly. Professional crews use protective equipment, containment, and disinfectants designed for this kind of cleanup.
What is a backwater valve?
A backwater valve is installed on your main sewer line. It lets wastewater flow out of the house but closes automatically when sewer water tries to flow back in. It’s one of the most effective ways to stop basement backups during heavy storms.
What is an overhead sewer?
An overhead sewer system collects basement wastewater in an ejector pit and pumps it up to a sewer line that exits the house above floor level. Because the basement fixtures aren’t directly connected to the main line, a surge in the municipal sewer can’t come up through the floor drain.
Does insurance cover sewer backup?
Many standard homeowners policies exclude it unless you’ve added a sewer and drain backup endorsement. It’s usually affordable and well worth having in areas prone to storm-related backups. Check your policy limits too, since some endorsements cap coverage at lower amounts.
Can I use my plumbing during a sewer backup?
It’s best not to. Every flush, shower, or load of laundry sends more water into a line that’s already backed up, and that water can come right back out through the floor drain. Wait until the backup clears or a plumber confirms the line is flowing.
Local Help When It Happens
We handle sewer backup cleanup in homes across the southwest suburbs, including Lemont and Frankfort. If sewage has backed up into your basement, call Flawless Restoration at 779-254-2095. We respond 24/7 and will get your basement clean, safe, and dry.