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 Guide to Septic Backup or Sewer Backup Repairs
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
What to do in response to a septic or sewer backup into a building or in response to building flooding: this article explains how to respond to septic system or sewer backups in a building. Yes the photo of a toilet backing up at page top is disgusting. It's also unsanitary and can be a serious health hazard in a building. Here we explain the inspection, cleanup and other steps necessary to sanitize a building that has suffered flooding or sewage-contaminated backups as well as steps to return the building drain, waste, vent system to operation. This article also explains how to stop a toilet from overflowing and it offers some first aid for toilet backups and other plumbing drain or sewer piping backup conditions.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
What to do When the Septic or Sewer System Backs Up Into or Enters a Building
 In this article series we explain the causes of sewer or septic backups into buildings, the health hazards, testing, and cleanup of sewage backups, and the cure or prevention of future sewage or septic backup problems.
If your building has had a septic or sewage system backup into the structure see this article and also see SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION. Separately, at SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP we discuss how to test for bacterial or other pathogens in a building - tests that may be useful after a sewage spill cleanup in order to assure that the building is acceptably clean.
If the event that caused the sewage or septic backup into the building has also left the building drain system clogged (likely if the entire system was flooded), see BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS to try clearing your blocked drain before going to more drastic measures. If you have had sewage back up and spill out of toilets into the building, cleanup is needed and you may face bacterial hazards.
Readers should see Camping & Emergency Toilets and also see TOILET ALTERNATIVES for a discussion of camping toilets, chemical toilets, emergency-use toilets, waterless toilets, graywater systems, composting toilets, home health care toilets, incinerating toilets, outhouses, and latrines.
Emergency Toilet Overflow Rescue Procedure - how to stop a toilet from overflowing
If the toilet is about to overflow here is what you do to prevent sewage from running over the toilet bowl and onto the floor:
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Take off the toilet tank lid - Quickly but carefully, remove the lid from the toilet tank and set it aside.
You can place the toilet tank lid right across the toilet bowl.
Don't knock the lid on the floor - they break.
Don't waste time moving towels and stuff - we're in a rush to stop the toilet from overflowing.
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 Reach inside the toilet and push down the flapper valve that is letting the tank empty water into the toilet bowl - this will stop water from entering the toilet and if you're quick enough, prevent sewage from overflowing onto the floor.
This will be a rubber valve in the center of the bottom of the toilet tank.
This will stop water from flowing from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl.
Don't be afraid to touch the water in the toilet tank - it's sanitary.
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Stop the toilet & its tank from further filling by lifting up the float that operates the toilet tank fill valve.
This will stop water from entering the toilet tank from the toilet supply line.
The photo shows that water is stopped and the flapper in the toilet tank bottom is shut.
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If the water level in the toilet bowl is dropping slowly, keep holding the toilet tank float up in its highest position so that water stops flowing into the tank and into the toilet bowl.
Wait a minute - if in the next minute or two the water level in the toilet bowl slowly drops down to a normal level, you'll be able to release the toilet tank float and let the tank and toilet bowl refill without danger of overflowing onto the floor.
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If the water level in the toilet tank is not dropping, after a minute or until you can't bear standing there any longer, continue to hold up the toilet tank float while you close the toilet supply valve near the floor or in the wall behind the toilet.
Still holding up the float so that the toilet tank stops filling, reach down and carefully turn off the toilet fill valve. Turn the handle clockwise to close the valve.
If you can't do both, let the float drop and quickly close the valve.
If the toilet supply valve is hard to turn do not force it - it could break and give a terrible supply leak on top of your blocked drain problems.
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If you cannot close the toilet fill valve, or if there isn't one, remove the little flexible rubber or plastic tube that is sending water into the toilet bowl through the vertical standpipe.
The photo at left shows this tube in its normal position and you can see it shooting water into the toilet bowl refill tube.
The standpipe also supports the flapper valve but the water squirting into the tube is going right into the toilet bowl.
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Aim the flexible little bowl-fill tube into the toilet tank instead.
Now you can let the float drop and let the toilet tank fill.
The reason for this step is that that little tube is sending extra water into the toilet bowl even when the main toilet tank flapper valve has shut.
You're trying to avoid filling and overflowing the toilet tank.
The photo shows us directing the bowl-fill tube water into the toile tank instead.
Once the toilet tank has filled you can clip this tube back in place where as shown in the photo before this one.
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OK so You Prevented the Toilet From Overflowing onto the Floor, What Next:
- Stop using all toilets and fixtures: stop running water in sinks and showers etc. while you investigate.
- Try using a toilet plunger to see if you can clear a blocked drain. Don't splash sewage all over yourself, or if you do, wash carefully afterwards. Don't give up too soon. Sometimes repeated plunging for a minute will remove a blockage in a house drain. If during plunging the toilet you see sewage coming up in a nearby tub drain, close the tub drain and try again.
- Investigate the problem to find out the probable cause. Check all of the bathrooms and all plumbing fixtures, starting with the fixtures lowest in the building.
- When checking upper floor fixtures have an accomplice keep an eye on the lower floor toilets and drains - otherwise you may think that upstairs drains are working when in fact they're simply backing up out of the lower floor toilets.
See Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains - for details on how to diagnose blocked drains and septic or sewage backups.
- If only one drain or toilet is blocked, is there another bathroom that's working? If so you may have just a local problem and you can survive by not using the problem toilet.
- If all of the toilets or drains are backing up or slow, you may have a blocked system drain or a flooded failing septic field. If so you will have to stop using toilets and sinks indoors. It's possible that after letting the drainfield rest for an hour or so you may be able to return to modest use of toilets. Meanwhile do not run any water into any drains if you can avoid it.
- If your home is connected to a private septic tank, look outside at the septic fields: do you see evidence of septic effluent at the surface? If so, no amount of plunging will correct the problem.
- If your home is connected to a municipal sewer, you may have a blocked main drain.
- If your home uses a sewage ejector pump or septic pump, check that the pump has electrical power, is turned on, and is working. See Pumps Septic pumps, sewage ejector pumps, grinder pumps, effluent pumps, sump pumps, & septic pumping stations compared; pump alarms. Advice.
- Call a plumber to try clearing a blocked drain and or ...
 Call a septic pumping company to ask for an emergency pump out.
This won't fix a broken septic system but if the problem is indeed a flooded drainfield, the empty septic tank will permit your guests to use bathrooms as needed during the event in your home.
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Use a portable or chemical toilet: Call a port-a-john portable toilet company, if all else fails and you have lots of guests who will be in the building over an extended time.
You can rent one or more portable toilets.
In a pinch you may be able to borrow a camping toilet or chemical toilet like this Thetford porta-potty from someone who has that device.
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If you have had sewage back up and spill out of toilets into the building, cleanup is needed and you may face bacterial hazards. See SEWAGE CONTAMINATION IN buildings for advice.
Why Does the Septic or Sewer System Back Up During a Party?
Indeed it seems to be just the luck that we are living happily along not giving the septic tank a thought until we have a bunch of guests over for Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, or a graduation party. Why is it that at events we often see the septic system backing up?
The photo shows sewage water backing up into a bath tub. This is what can happen at bottom floor fixtures in a home when the main drain is blocked or the septic system is blocked and you keep flushing toilets or running fixtures at upper floors. Don't do this.
Septic systems seem to fail during a party because the septic system was already in trouble, but our usage was modest enough that we just weren't noticing it.
The surge of waste water entering the septic tank cannot flow into a flooded drainfield so sewage may back up into the home, usually at the lowest plumbing fixture. Sometimes it's not the wastewater surge but someone flushing something down a toilet that blocks a drain - that's a problem that can be cleared by a plumber using a plumbing snake or drain router. But often the problem is in the septic field itself.
See BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS to try clearing your blocked drain before going to more drastic measures. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how to clean up and fix septic backup problems in buildings
What Makes Septic or Sewer Backup Wastewater Appear on Different Building Floors?
Question: can sewage or septic backups appear on upper building floors due to a bad drain line?
If you have a septic and the line is back pitched from the house to the tanks:
Is it possible for the backup to overflow the basement toilet and the 1st floor toilet? Or is it impossible for the backup to reach the main floor after the basement toilet overflows.
Is it possible for the main floor toilet to overflow and not the basement ?
Thanks in advance for your help, M.L.
Reply: Possible causes of septic or sewage backup
A competent onsite inspection by an expert who is familiar with septic and sewer systems usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem with septic piping, backups, failures and overflows into the building.
That said, here are some things to consider:
A septic system or a clogged sewer line, or a flooded sewer or septic system can certainly back up into a basement, crawl space, or other lowest floor of a building
A septic system (or even a sewer) draining out at basement level from a muilti-story house would not be expected to back up onto upper floors because it would find exit points first in the basement at toilets or other fixtures, and because it would be unlikely to develop enough pressure to force sewage out onto upper floors.
An exception to the point above would be the case of a building whose main drain is lower than a sewer or septic piping system. Such buildings use a pumping chamber to push wastewater to its destination.
If the septic or sewer pumping system failed and if the necessary check valves were not in place or were defective, sewage could back up to higher levels in the building
What would more likely cause both sewage backup into a basement and onto upper floors in a building would be blocked system drains.
Follow-up from reader:
Just further clarification if you don't mind:
i had a belly in my pipes and had a back up 3 times,
2 times for sure in the walkout basement and 1 time I believe it went to the floor above the walkout basement. I just wanted to know if that might have been the cause of the other floor or was it just coincidence that this happened during the same time as the other problem. Is it possible that this was the result of the belly in the pipes or just a random occurence ?
Reply: a belly or sag in sewer piping can cause partial and eventual complete drain blockage and sewer backups
Sewer backups may seem to be a random occurrence but in fact if we knew exactly what was going on with the drain, waste, vent system and the local sewer or septic system, there would be no backups attributed to just "chance".
A sag in a drain pipe can, over time, collect sediment, corrosion, and sewage that can lead to an eventual clog and backup. That's why plumbing codes specify that building drain piping should slope continuously with "horizontal" runs sloping at 1/8" to 1/4" per foot.
What can happen is that a partial blockage of a drain line accumulates more and more debris and becomes more and more solidified until a combination of a particularly large "dose" of solid waste, say feces and toilet paper, has trouble making it past the slow or partly blocked area. That in turn can lead to an actual sewer backup.
Question: Testing for illnesses related to sewage backups or sewage contamination: Leptospirosis, Typhoid Fever or Yersiniosis
Approximately 2 months ago I moved into a new house, and 1 week in there was a sewage leak into the backyard. All of the piping needs to be replaced but only a small section has been, so although it is not spilling onto the surface of the yard anymore, I believe it is still leaking into the ground under the surface.
My dog has been very ill since living here (vomiting, diarrhea, and is now developing skin lesions). The tests come up negative for Giardia, but he gets better when on antibiotics. As soon as he is off the antibiotics he relapses and it finally occurred to me this may be due to the fact that the incoming water is contaminated.
He has not been specifically tested for Leptospirosis, Typhoid Fever or Yersiniosis, which I plan on having done today. Is there anything else you feel I should have him tested for?
In regards to the water testing, do you know of a laboratory in the Sacramento, CA area? If so, I would greatly appreciate you providing me with their contact information. Would the Total Coliform test be sufficient, or is there further testing you would recommend?
Thank you in advance for your help. - Best, L.S.
Reply:
L.S. these are questions to ask your veterinarian and your doctor. Having some experience with Typhoid fever I can mention that our doctor advised that it was very important to be sure that any treatment for Typhoid be continued until the doctor is sure that the treatment has been effective, and thence it is important to avoid re infection. An incomplete treatment for Typhoid, such as failure to complete an effective course of antibiotics, risks leaving behind a antibiotic-resistant strain that could make future treatment still more difficult.
While the physician with whom we consulted, [S.R. SmDA, Nov 2011] is convinced that the only vector for Typhoid fever is from eating [Typhoid strain of salmonella-] contaminated food, we have also read that a secondary vector might be possible via mosquitoes or flies in contact with sewage.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- ...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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