Why older lines back up
Many houses built in Denver's postwar decades were connected to the public sewer with clay or cast-iron lateral pipe. Clay joints let tree roots in over time, and Hilltop's mature trees are very good at finding them. Cast iron can corrode and scale. When the lateral partly blocks, the lowest drain in the house, usually a basement floor drain or a basement toilet or shower, is where wastewater surfaces.
Backups often happen during heavy use, such as laundry day, a holiday with guests, or a big storm in areas where the public system is stressed. A camera inspection of the lateral by a plumber is the usual way to find out whether roots, a sag, or a broken section is the cause, and whether cleaning, lining or replacement makes sense.
Clean-water leak versus sewage backup
Clean supply-line leak
- Water starts out clean, though it degrades over time
- Carpet and pad may be saved if extracted and dried very quickly
- Drywall may be dried in place if wet briefly and not growing
- Mold risk comes mostly from slow drying
Sewage backup
- Contaminated with bacteria and other pathogens from the start
- Carpet, pad and upholstery it touched are generally discarded
- Drywall and insulation in contact are usually cut out above the water line
- Cleaning and disinfection come before drying and mold prevention
The sequence after a backup
Stop using water
Avoid running sinks, showers, toilets or the washer until the line is cleared, or more sewage may come up.
Call a plumber for the line
Clearing and inspecting the lateral is plumbing work. Ask for camera footage and a written description of what was found.
Document for insurance
Photograph the water level on walls and damaged items before removal. Many policies treat sewer backup as a separate coverage or endorsement, so check yours.
Remove contaminated materials
Wet porous materials are bagged and removed, with protective gear and containment appropriate to sewage.
Clean, disinfect and dry
Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, then the structure is dried with dehumidifiers and monitored until readings are normal.
Check for mold before rebuilding
Inspect framing and the remaining wall sections for growth before any new drywall goes up.
Reducing the chance of a repeat
- Ask a plumber whether a backwater valve makes sense for your lateral and whether a permit is needed
- Schedule periodic root clearing if the camera showed root intrusion
- Avoid flushing wipes, grease and other materials that catch on roots
- Keep valuables and paper storage off the floor near basement drains
- Review your homeowner's policy for sewer backup coverage
General information for Hilltop, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.