Sewer backup in your basement: what to do

Why basement floor drains back up

The basement floor drain is usually the lowest opening in your plumbing, so it is where sewage shows up first when wastewater cannot leave the house. In Columbus-area homes, common causes include tree roots in the private sewer line, grease and wipes building up in the pipe, a sagging or broken older line, and heavy rain or snowmelt that overloads the public sewer. Winter adds its own risks, including frozen or partly blocked lines and rapid snowmelt. Whether the problem is in your private line or the public main matters, because it affects who should fix it.

Immediate steps

Work from the safest action outward. Skip any step that would put you in contact with water near electricity.

1. Stop using water everywhere in the house. Every flush, shower and load of laundry sends more water toward the backup.
2. Keep children and pets out of the basement and away from the water.
3. If water is near outlets, cords, the furnace, water heater or electrical panel, stay out. Turn off power to the basement only if you can reach the breaker from a dry spot.
4. If you smell gas, or water reaches gas appliances and you are unsure they are safe, leave the home and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
5. Take photos and video of the water, the drain and damaged items for your insurance claim.
6. Call for help: report a possible public sewer problem to your city, and call a drain and sewer professional.

Your line or the city's?

In Columbus, as in most cities, the property owner is generally responsible for the private sewer line that runs from the house to the public sewer, while the city maintains the public main. Clues that the public sewer may be involved: the backup started during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, neighbors report the same problem, or water rises in the floor drain even when no one is using water. Clues that the problem is in your line: only your house is affected, drains got slow over time, toilets gurgle, or the backup happens when you run the washer or shower. City of Columbus residents can call 311 to report a possible sewer problem. In suburbs such as Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Gahanna or Worthington, contact your city's public works or service department. Check the city's current guidance on any basement backup programs it offers.

What a drain and sewer professional will do

A provider will usually find the main cleanout, clear the blockage with a cable or water jetting equipment, and may recommend a camera inspection to see roots, breaks or sags in the line. Ask what they found, whether the camera footage can be shared with you, whether a repair or replacement is needed, whether it needs a permit, and the price before they start. For a home that has had repeat backups, ask whether a backwater valve is appropriate for your plumbing and what installing one would involve.

• Columbus drain and sewer help
• Columbus emergency plumbing

Cleaning up safely

Sewage contains bacteria and other germs, so cleanup needs more care than a clean-water leak. The CDC recommends avoiding contact with contaminated floodwater and wearing protective gear for cleanup.

1. Wear rubber boots, waterproof gloves and eye protection. Keep cuts and scrapes covered.
2. Remove standing water with a wet vacuum or pump only when the area is safe for electrical use.
3. Throw away porous items that were soaked with sewage, such as carpet, carpet pad, upholstered furniture, mattresses, cardboard and paper goods.
4. Clean hard surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect following product label directions. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
5. Dry the area quickly with fans and a dehumidifier. The EPA says drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours prevents mold growth in most cases.
6. Wash hands thoroughly after cleanup and wash work clothes separately in hot water.

When to call a restoration company

Consider professional cleanup if the backup covered a large area, soaked finished walls or carpet, reached the furnace or water heater, or if anyone in the home is pregnant, elderly, very young or has a weakened immune system. Ask your insurer whether they want you to use a particular process and how to document the cleanup.

Insurance: check your sewer backup coverage

Many standard homeowners policies do not cover sewer or drain backup unless you added a specific endorsement or rider. Coverage terms vary, so call your insurer or agent, report the damage promptly, and keep your photos, receipts and the provider's written findings. If you do not have backup coverage, ask about adding it once things are dry.

Preventing the next backup

Do not flush wipes, even ones labeled flushable, and keep grease out of kitchen drains. If roots are the cause, ask about long-term options rather than only clearing the line each time. Keep the cleanout accessible. If your home has a sump pump, make sure it is not discharging into the sanitary sewer and that the discharge line will not freeze. For homes with repeat backups during storms, ask a provider about a backwater valve and check with your city about permits.

Talk to a local provider

If sewage is backing up into your basement or several drains are slow at once, call the number on this page to be connected with an independent local provider serving Columbus and nearby suburbs such as Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Grove City, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington and Worthington. Ohio Service Hub is a referral service, not a contractor. Availability, pricing and arrival times are set by the provider you speak with, so confirm them on the call. Calls may be recorded and may be routed to an independent local service provider.

Common homeowner questions

Government and primary-source references

• CDC — Flood and Electrical Safety
• CDC — Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
• EPA — A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
• City of Columbus — Building & Zoning Services FAQ

External references support general guidance. They do not verify any specific contractor or provide a booking.