Sewage backing up into your home is unpleasant and a health risk. Raw sewage can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, so avoid direct contact. A blockage, a collapsed pipe, or a failed pump can cause the backup. Say it is urgent in the notes, because the sooner an engineer sees it, the less damage it does.
Use the online form, which takes requests 24/7, and say it is urgent in the notes. Say where the sewage is and which fixtures it comes from. Because clear details help, add a photo if it is safe to take one.
Stay out of the affected rooms and keep children and pets away. Open windows to let air in while you wait for the engineer. Since sewage carries germs, wash your hands well if you touch anything.
The engineer looks for the cause, such as a blockage or a broken pipe. For example, jetting can clear a blockage, while a broken pipe needs a repair. The fix depends on what they find.
Sewage leaves germs on floors and walls, so the area needs proper cleaning. Ask the engineer what they clean and what you should arrange yourself, such as a specialist cleaner. Since insurers often ask for proof, keep any invoice.
The cost of a sewage call-out depends on how far it has spread and what the drain needs. Clearing the cause is a different job to cleaning the mess, so ask what the price covers. Because costs can change once the engineer sees the problem, ask for a written quote at that point. Also ask whether there is a call-out charge.
Yes, sewage can carry bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, as well as viruses and parasites. Avoid contact, and keep children and pets away. Since germs spread easily, wear protective gloves and wash your hands well if you must go near it.
Stay out of the affected rooms and open windows for air. Turn off electricity at the consumer unit if sewage is near sockets. Do not flush toilets or run taps, since that can make the backup worse.
If the backup comes from the public sewer, Yorkshire Water is responsible for the repair. An engineer can often tell whether the fault sits in your drain or in the public sewer. Since you need to report a public sewer fault yourself, contact Yorkshire Water if that is the cause.