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Uh... sewage in the basement. What now?

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Started 1 year ago by 10sun
Latest reply from 10sun

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10sun
Columbus, OH
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I noticed an odor, I thought it was just my ass leaving me love from all the rich foods I've eaten of late.

Roommate commented on how it was smelling like ass all around the house, so I went down to the basement to check on things.

Lets just say it is a brown mess all over the place.

I performed an experiment to see if I could add to the mess and nothing showed up; the waters seem to be receding leaving all sorts of mushy waste about 1" deep towards the drain.

What now? I moved what was outside of the tidal zone to higher ground.

What should I do about this in the morning aside from toss all the porous things that were in the tsunami of shit?

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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Contact sewers and drains via 311. Might be a problem on your line rather than within your house.

Monitor the water level; make sure it's receding.

Get some bleach. Cheapest unscented store brand will work. You'll also want some gloves ( purple nitrile at least ), trash bags and some old clothes you don't mind never seeing again.

ETA: http://311.columbus.gov/

For sewer emergencies during non-business hours, call 645-7102.

Also, rags and a bucket.

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Ok. Been there, done this - except we had a septic system, and it was literally full. What a fun week that was.

To add to rus's excellent advice above:

- face masks - trust me, splashing can occur, and it's bad
- we donated a snow shovel to the cause - really did a good job getting the ooze up
- we also donated an old foam mop to the cleaning - this was really for the first stage cleaning - hands and knees (plastic bags wrapped around knees, and tied) really got the job done
- we used a large cardboard box with a black plastic garbage bag liner - just one less thing to clean in the end
- you don't have to use a TON of bleach - we did about 1/4 diluted in water in a windex-style bottle for easy dispensing

that's what I remember now... Sorry for any goofiness... Typing on phone!
- heavy bristled brush for the floor - it was the only way I could feel like I was getting the concrete clean
- two buckets - try to keep one as a "clean" water

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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rus wrote >>
Contact sewers and drains via 311. Might be a problem on your line rather than within your house.
Monitor the water level; make sure it's receding.
Get some bleach. Cheapest unscented store brand will work. You'll also want some gloves ( purple nitrile at least ), trash bags and some old clothes you don't mind never seeing again.
ETA: http://311.columbus.gov/

For sewer emergencies during non-business hours, call 645-7102.

Also, rags and a bucket.

Appreciate it.

Called and the guy is reporting to a manager who will call me back shortly.

I'm versed with the cleanup unfortunately... it was dealing with the actual problem that I need help with.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Ugh. I'd sleep with my head out the window, and then call the landlord and demand he send one of his maintenance fellas over immediately. Isn't the point of renting so that someone else has to fix those messes.

I'm seriously gagging on my couch.

Posted 1 year ago #
L.I. to Buckeye
West side/Galloway
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Ugh. Did it come up through the floor drain? That's what happened to me just this weekend! Fortunately, it happened while I was doing laundry, so I was dealing with soapy water (for the most part) on my floor. But it's no fun either way.

I called Waterworks and the guy was great. I think the # is 25Drain. It wasn't cheap and I'm on the hook for it since I own my place. He snaked my main line and all seems to be well right now (knock on wood).

Good luck!

Posted 1 year ago #
CDS sherman
East Franklinton
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i would have called the landlord first, given him the chance to fix it. when you call the city sometimes it can become a huge hassle for the landlord. unless he sucks ass..... then call em.

Posted 1 year ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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I think those dudes from the city are here to snake the sewer. They're pretty energetic for city guys.

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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Nah, they were just checking the line. I talked to them when I saw their lights flashing in the alley.

Time to call the landlord & the plumber.

Posted 1 year ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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You may want to get an answer on what caused the problem. Was it a blockage in the sewer drain, or was it rising levels in the main drain backflowing into your house?

If it was a backflow problem from the main drain caused by stormwater runoff, there is a city program that can install a backflow valve that will prevent rising waters in the mains to backflow into the house.

This will give you more information:

http://utilities.columbus.gov/DOSD/Basement_Flooding.htm

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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10sun wrote >>

What now? I moved what was outside of the tidal zone to higher ground.
What should I do about this in the morning aside from toss all the porous things that were in the tsunami of shit?

a lot of good safety stuff here
http://utilities.columbus.gov/dosd/cleanup_instructs.htm

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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HeySquare wrote >>
You may want to get an answer on what caused the problem. Was it a blockage in the sewer drain, or was it rising levels in the main drain backflowing into your house?
If it was a backflow problem from the main drain caused by stormwater runoff, there is a city program that can install a backflow valve that will prevent rising waters in the mains to backflow into the house.
This will give you more information:
http://utilities.columbus.gov/DOSD/Basement_Flooding.htm

They said the main lines all around me were running fine; the plumber should be able to provide some better answers later today.

I had to make another phone call to the sewer department today though, didn't know if I should just bag the sewage up and toss it in the dumpster in the alley or if I had to follow some EPA mandated disposal method to avoid a public health issue.

Turns out you can just bag it up with a nice tight seal in a contractor's garbage bag and toss it in the dumpster.

As far as why I am taking care of it:
My landlord lives in Minnesota or Wisconsin or one of those Great White Almost Canada states and his phone goes straight to voicemail 90% of the time, plus I've got no qualms about taking care of things myself. Shoveling shit wasn't in my lease agreement, but I'd rather handle it with a level, well-ventilated head than start pitching a fit.

Posted 1 year ago #