Log in

View Full Version : Raw sewage in bath tub when I ran the washing machine...


Momofella
Jan 12, 2013, 11:42 AM
While doing laundry, my kitchen flooded. I shut the washer off. My daughter went to the bathroom and reported thet sewage was coming up the toilet and tub. Sewer folks came out and flushed the system. The toilet flushes but raw sewage still in tub... what does this mean?

tickle
Jan 12, 2013, 12:00 PM
Do you mean, raw sewage left over from the first time, or it is still doing this, backing up with raw sewage ?

Momofella
Jan 12, 2013, 12:12 PM
It is from previously. I added some water, hoping to start clean up but it's just sitting still. Also wondering/supposing I should re-wash my clothes... How will I know if it's safe to run washing machine again? Appreciate any help!

tickle
Jan 12, 2013, 12:24 PM
What yiu have in your tub is just about toxic waste and should only be removed in a sanitary fashion and disposed as such. I would suggest having someone in to clean it up professionally. They would have the resources to cart the mess away and dispose of properly and sanitize everything it has come in contact with.

You do realize that no can bath in that tub if just cleaned out in the normal manner by yourself.

Whoever came in to flush the system did a half assed job of it (was it a town sewer problem?). I would call them and ask how you are to clean and sanitize your system now to make sure that you can actually feel safe in using your regular water system for showering, bathing and washing clothes. I would run javex through the washing machine.

When I had a sewer back up in my basement, I called a disaster control company and they came out and vacuumed all fecal matter out of my basement (it could have been from any house on the street) and sanitized. This is just given as an example of course.

massplumber2008
Jan 12, 2013, 04:44 PM
I don't know if this is quite the big deal Tickle had to deal with at her home Momofella as it sounds like most of the sewage is contained in the tub, but I do think that the sewer company should come back out and clean the tub and tub drain so that everything works properly. Here, whenever I clear a drain I also wash the area and/or fixtures involved, but not all companies will do this for sure. Either way, it sounds like the tub drain is clogged and that needs to be dealt with! The drain company can make a recommendation on this when they arrive.

Mark

tickle
Jan 13, 2013, 03:10 AM
For sure not as a big deal, but nonetheless fecal matter exposed and laying arous is dangerous and has to be dealt with and disposed of properly.