What Are The Signs of Sewage Backup?

Sewage backups are the most alarming and detrimental plumbing problems a household can go through. Despite their severity and relative frequency, it's not always easy to tell when a sewage backup emergency is about to strike. 

If you can spot the signals of an impending backup, you can prevent your drains from overflowing with sewage. What are the signs of sewage backup, and what should you do once you've spotted them? 

Here's what our team has identified the common signs of sewage backups, why you should take them seriously, and what to do if you have them.

1. Bubbling Noises From Drains or Toilets

Air bubbles and gurgling noises in your toilets and drains happen when wastewater can't flow through your plumbing. These sounds and impending sewage backup often occur due to a significant drain clog, either from attempting to flush a non-septic safe item down the toilet or washing oil down the sink. 

While an occasional air bubble likely isn't a sign that sewage backup is moments away, it's still best to call for help as soon as you notice one. As soon as the bubbles and noises happen more frequently, you're probably on the verge of a sewage overflow.

2. Sewage-Like Smell Coming From Non-Kitchen Plumbing Fixtures

Sewage odors are common signs that your sewer system has backed up and is now about to send the sewage back up through your drains.

While odors are a massive red flag of impending sewage backup, you should immediately treat a sewer odor from a bathtub or bathroom sink.

3. Clogged Drains Throughout Your Home

If multiple home drains have clogged or are draining slowly, you're probably experiencing sewage backup. 

Multiple clogs and draining problems are often because of external forces like trees or rainstorms. Trees will frequently grow into your pipes and sewer line, where the tree roots will create a blockage that inevitably leads to a sewer backup.

4. Water Backup in Your Bathtub

Water backup in your bathtub and shower is a clear sign of a sewage backup about to strike. Suppose water cannot get through these drains. In that case, it means you have a significant enough blockage to keep water from flowing into the sewer system.

All four of the previous instances can indicate sewage backup on their own. However, suppose you are experiencing more than one of the signs mentioned above. In that case, it's an almost certain indicator of a sewage system issue.

Why Sewage Backup is Dangerous

Now that you can answer the question "What are signs of sewage backup?," we can start examining why they're so dangerous. An overflowing sewage system is far worse than an inconvenience—it's a threat to your health and the structural integrity of your home. 

Backup water and sludge from sewer systems contain a range of viruses and bacteria that cause could cause a variety of illnesses, including:   

• Stomach flu
• Hepatitis
• Vomiting
• Cramping
• Nausea 

Additionally, many contaminants in sewage backup are airborne, so they can harm you even if you don't make physical contact with the sewer backup. 

Beyond the health impacts, large rushes of sewage water backing up through your drains can soak into your floor and walls. Such sewage backup can cause water damage that can lead to mold growth and destroyed drywall.

Treat Sewage Backup Today By Calling Us at DRYOUTpro PLUS

It's not always easy to tell, but any unusual sounds, sewage odors, or house-wide drain clogs are clear signs of sewage backup. You should treat sewage backup immediately to maintain your property and health. When you need help cleaning up sewage backup, our team at DRYOUTpro PLUS has you covered. 

Our team will:



• Remove the overflowing sewage from your home
• Spot and fix whatever problems caused the backup to prevent the sewage waste from returning
• Sanitize and restore your structure to preserve its integrity and your health
• Repair and restore any cosmetic damage

Call us at DRYOUTpro PLUS today at (772) 288-4222 in Stuart, FL, to schedule an appointment.