What to Do If Sewage Is Coming Up Through Your Drain

Few plumbing problems are as stressful as sewage rising through a floor drain, shower or toilet. It's unpleasant, it can be a health risk, and it never seems to happen at a convenient time. The good news is that what you do in the first few minutes can make a big difference to how much damage you end up with.

Why Does Sewage Come Back Up Through a Drain?

Sewage backs up because it has nowhere to go. Something is stopping wastewater from flowing away, so it takes the path of least resistance, which is usually the lowest drain in your home (often a shower, laundry or floor drain).

Common Causes in Melbourne Homes

• Tree roots. Melbourne's leafy suburbs are lovely, but roots naturally seek out moisture and can enter older pipes through tiny cracks and joints.
• Ageing or damaged pipes. Older clay or other legacy pipes can crack, shift or collapse over time.
• Wipes, nappies and sanitary products. Even products labelled "flushable" often don't break down properly.
• Grease and fat build-up. Cooking fats cool, solidify and cling to pipe walls.
• Heavy rain. Stormwater getting into the sewer system can overwhelm capacity in some areas.
• A blockage in the shared sewer main. If neighbours are experiencing the same issue, the problem may be outside your property boundary.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now

Step 1: Stop Using Water Immediately

Every flush, shower or load of washing adds more wastewater to a system that's already backed up. Tell everyone in the house, and hold off until a plumber has cleared the problem.

Step 2: Keep People and Pets Away

Raw sewage can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites. Keep children, pets and anyone with a weakened immune system well clear of the affected area.

Step 3: Protect Yourself

If you need to enter the area, wear waterproof gloves, rubber boots and, ideally, eye protection. Don't touch sewage with bare hands, and wash thoroughly afterwards.

Step 4: Ventilate, but Stay Safe

Open windows and doors to improve airflow if it's safe to do so. Don't use electrical appliances in wet areas, and if water has reached power points or electrical equipment, switch off the power at the switchboard only if you can do so safely, or call a licensed electrician.

Step 5: Call a Licensed Plumber

A qualified plumber can identify the cause using drain cameras, clear the blockage with the right equipment, and check whether pipes need repair. If you need help urgently, look for an emergency plumber near you who offers after-hours service, and make sure they're properly licensed.

Step 6: Contact Your Water Retailer if Needed

If the problem looks like it's in the sewer main rather than your property's pipes, your local water retailer is responsible for the main. In Melbourne, that's one of the metropolitan retailers, depending on your suburb. A plumber can help you determine where the fault lies.

Step 7: Take Photos and Notify Your Insurer

Before cleaning up, photograph the affected areas and any damaged belongings. Check your policy, as cover for sewage overflow and water damage varies between insurers. Keep your plumber's report and invoices.

How to Clean Up After a Sewage Overflow

Cleaning up after sewage needs more care than a normal spill.

• Wait for the plumber to fix the cause first. There's no point cleaning if it's going to happen again.
• Remove standing water and solids wearing gloves and boots.
• Wash hard surfaces with detergent and water, then disinfect.
• Dry the area thoroughly with fans and dehumidifiers if available.
• Be cautious with porous items. Carpet, rugs, underlay, mattresses and soft furnishings that have been soaked in sewage are often difficult to clean safely, and may need to be discarded.
• Consider professional cleaning for significant overflows, particularly if carpets, plasterboard or large areas are affected.

Wash your hands carefully afterwards, and wash clothing used during cleanup separately in hot water.

What Not to Do

• Don't use chemical drain cleaners. They rarely fix a sewer blockage and can be hazardous to you and to your pipes, and plumbers may then have to work around harsh chemicals.
• Don't keep flushing and hoping it clears. It will only make the overflow worse.
• Don't plunge a sewage-filled drain. You risk splashing contaminated water around.
• Don't attempt major repairs yourself. In Victoria, much plumbing work must be done by a licensed plumber.

When Should You Treat It as an Emergency?

Call an My Plumbing Services straight away if:

• Sewage is flowing into living areas.
• More than one drain or toilet is backing up.
• There's a strong sewage smell throughout the house.
• The overflow is ongoing, or you can't stop it.
• Anyone in the home is vulnerable to illness (young children, elderly, or immune-compromised).

Need Help Right Now? Call a Local Melbourne Plumber

If you're dealing with an overflow or a stubborn blocked drain in Melbourne, My Plumbing Services can help you get it sorted properly. Our local team can find the cause, clear the blockage, and explain your options in plain English, so you're not left guessing.

Contact My Plumbing Services today for reliable help from a plumber in Melbourne who takes the stress out of the situation.