When you moved into your St. Paul home you imagined all the fun and excitement that could happen there: playing with the dog in the grass, Thanksgiving dinner with family, taking prom photos on the stairs. The last think you envisioned was gallons of dirty, disgusting, foul liquid pouring into your sanctuary.
Backed up sewers can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, electrical systems, walls, furniture and other belongings. And your dream home can become a nightmare. We at ICC want to offer some tips on what to do if your sewer backs up.
Why Do Sewers Backup?
The American Society of Civil Engineers report that the nation’s sewer lines are on average over thirty years old. The increase in the number of homes connected to already aging sewage systems has also contributed to rapid increases in sanitary sewer backups, flooded basements and overflows.
When storm water and raw sewage combine into the same pipeline, the infrastructure can not handle the increased stress. During many rain storms, the systems are exposed to more volume than they can handle, and sewage can spew out into basements and other low lying drains.
However, many problems are not due to age or “acts of God.” Often, it is poor decisions or home maintenance. Most homeowners may not realize that they are responsible for the pipeline between their home and the city sanitary sewer main. This “sewer lateral” is owned and maintained by the property owner. A cracked or deteriorated lateral or one filled with tree roots can allow groundwater to seep into the system, contributing to the problem.
Protect Your Sewer Lateral and the City Main
Take responsibility for your water output. Properly dispose of grease. Cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of properly after it cools off; it will solidify 1) in the drain, 2) in your line, or 3) in the main sewer. Properly dispose of paper products: paper towels, disposable diapers, hygienic wipes and feminine products.
Maintain tree roots. Problems with tree roots in your lateral may require the roots be cut by a professional. Correct illegal plumbing connections; don’t connect French drains or sump pumps to your sanitary sewer. It is illegal to do so, and debris and silt will clog your line. Consult a plumber to correct any pre-existing illegal connections.
Finally, Install a backwater prevention valve that allows sewage to go out, but not to come back in. Use a qualified plumber.
If you experience a Sewer Backup
Get professional help immediately. ICC has a team ready at this moment! There is absolutely no way you can handle it. A sewer backup leads to disease, destruction of your furnishings, damage to your home’s structure, and electrical malfunctions. Get the technicians and equipment in the home to:
Remove spillage
Mop floors and wipe walls with soap and disinfectant
Flush out and disinfect plumbing fixtures
Salvage or remove carpets
Repair or remove damaged wallboard
Sterilize ductwork
Experts in St. Paul
Safety is the first concern in black water damage and ICC has the certifications, training and experience to properly restore structures and their contents while protecting the health of those who live or work there.
With ICC, you are assured of the latest in high tech inspection tools to determine the extent of damage and to minimize potential health hazards. Contact us if you experience sewage problems.
Do you have an emergency right now?
Call our FREE recorded help line, 866.744.0973, for tips on what to do in an emergency. Or click below for online tips!
Melisa did such a great job and was so professional and nice. It really helped with the issues I was dealing with. Thanks Again!
- Janell, Waconia
Thank you for everything. You have been more than accommodating to me throughout this nightmare. I couldn’t be more pleased with the final outcome.
- Laura, Woodville, WI
I just can’t thank you enough for making our “water damage ordeal” go away so quickly. Your ability to organize subcontractors and the ICC crews is truly amazing, Mom and I are delighted to be back and settled into our little casa. Your genuine warmth and caring are truly gifts that you bring to your work. You are so appreciated!
- Jane, Stillwater
Thank you for sending Jake to my home. He was the most respectful young man I have ever met. He left my home very clean and he was very knowledgeable.
- Carolyn, White Bear Lake
The project manager did a great job communicating. He was so nice and did a great job checking in with us. Working with ICC was the best part of the flood. The crews really went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of. The job could not have gone better.
- Nick & Abbie, Chanhassen
I don’t think your company performed work at Derek’s home as there was minimal damage, he called me today and thanked me profusely for referring ICC to him. He was very impressed with the rep that came to his house and the honesty and helpful advice he gave him about clean up and that it may not be in his best interest to file a claim. He is the type of customer that appreciates good service and will remember it and refer others. Thanks again for ICC’s help.
- Kimberley (Insurance Agent)
Thank you for such AMAZING service!
- Barbara (Insurance Agent), Rochester
ICC turned a really bad experience into a good one. We are very happy with all of the work that was done. They did a great job explaining the claims process.
- Linda, Oakdale
The crews were very professional and communicated well. They were great also about cleaning up after themselves. We would use ICC again. The crews were always on top of the process, which allowed the repairs to go smoothly.
- Church Representative, Edina
Erick did an excellent job explaining the process. We thought that everyone was very professional. They explained everything very well and followed through with everything. Communication could not have been better. I am very happy with my services.
- Gary, Osceola, WI
Our project manager was great to work with; he explained things well and answered all of our questions. Our coordinator also did a good job. Working with ICC was easy. Communication was wonderful and the crews were very professional. We would use ICC again in a heartbeat.
- Angie & Fran, Hudson, WI
The lead technician was great and explained things over the phone very well. I was very impressed. The crews were better than expected and very professional. ICC was extremely responsive; I was out of state and was so impressed with how they kept me informed.
- Jim & Cheryl, Victoria
I was very happy with all the crews at ICC. I had great experience and would not hesitate to work with ICC again should the need arise. Everyone there really knows what they are doing.
- Jerry, Cottage Grove
Dealing with the fire was a very upsetting time. ICC was able to get out to my home quickly and really helped reassure me that everything would be fine. ICC worked very well with my insurance company. I could not have been happier with the whole process. I know I asked a ton of questions and Mark was great about answering them all.
- Karen, St. Croix Falls, WI
The crews were always on time for their appointments. Our job went very well. I am so thankful for everyone at ICC and the excellent work they did.
- Michelle, Shoreview
Everyone I dealt with was just great. My project could not have gone better. Everyone at ICC is professional and is excellent at communicating. I would use ICC again and will be recommending them.
- Connie, Edina
The technicians did a fantastic job. Everyone really cared about me and my concerns. They were extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and knew how to make me feel comfortable. ICC was amazing to work with.
- Kevin, Maple Grove
ICC was terrific to work with and I will be recommending them. I had an excellent experience.
- Patricia, Hudson, WI
The technicians were extremely detailed. I immediately felt like I was in great hands. They were also very calming, always on time and communicated well.
- Sally, Excelsior
The technicians were very good at explaining what was going to take place. They answered all of my questions in great detail. Everyone was very sympathetic to my situation and genuinely cared.
- Anita, St. Anthony
Our project manager payed great attention to detail and had excellent customer service. He was very compassionate and really cared about what we were going through. ICC was wonderful to work with. The crews were very professional and thorough.
- Brian & Jill, Woodbury
I was very pleased with the whole process. Everything went so much smoother than I expected. ICC really helped make it easy.
- Jackie, Woodbury
The crews were very professional and communicated very well. They responded very quickly to our phone calls and always made sure we knew what was going on.
- Robert, Maplewood
Thank you for the wonderful inspection findings and THANK YOU for your professionalism. So much appreciated.
- Carol, Burnsville
My project manager did a great job and was really nice to work with. My coordinator did a great job keeping me informed about the process as well. ICC was wonderful to work with; they were all very professional and treated my home well. The quality of the work done was impressive and I would definitely use them again.
- Paul, Maplewood
I was impressed by the short time it took for the clean up crew to make arrangements to meet me even though we were outside of the metro area.
- Karen, Osceola, WI
As the coordinator of facilities and grounds for the State’s fourth largest school district I am involved is a lot of activities and unfortunately some are emergencies in nature. This includes fire, floods, sewer backups and natural disasters. Thankfully this does not happen often but when it does I rely on a restoration company’s specialists who have the knowledge and equipment to quickly clean and restore the affected area of the building or grounds…
