That Isn’t a Mud Bath: What to Do When There’s a Sewage Backup in Your Bathtub

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Three Steps to Ensure You and Your Family Remain Safe

Have you ever dreamed of a beautiful spa day, soaking in a mud bath, and just letting all worries fade away? Well, that foul-smelling brown, black, and gray sludge bubbling in your bathtub isn’t that. A sewage backup is an unfortunate occurrence, and while cleanup may seem like a manageable undertaking for contained areas, like bathtubs, there are hidden risks to both your health and your home. If you have experienced a sewage backup, SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville has put together these steps to ensure that you and your family remain safe.

1. Call the Experts

While a bathtub backup is contained and minimal when considering basement backups, you still want to call emergency restoration services in the Germantown, Tennessee, or Collierville, Tennessee, area. Sewage water is regarded as blackwater and may have contaminants that can cause symptoms detrimental to your health:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Liver failure

Restoration specialists are certified and equipped to handle contaminated materials. They have the training so that you and your family remain healthy and happy.

2. Turn Off the Water

When you experience a sewage backup, the first thing you should do is turn off the water to the affected area or the entire house. Water that continues to drain into the lines from sinks or toilets will only cause the sewage level to rise in your system, spreading damage across a larger area.

3. Ensure Your Safety

When you experience this type of flooding, it is essential to keep yourself and your family safe. Blackwater is contaminated water that can affect humans and animals in negative ways. If the backup is located in an area that can be sealed off to children and pets, it is best to do so. If the affected area is too large to contain, it may be best to leave your home until help arrives.

A sewer backup is nothing to take lightly. The black water alone is a threat enough to stay clear of and seek professional assistance. Give SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville a call at (901) 755-3705 for assistance in dealing with sewage problems.