Protect Yourself: Frequently Asked Questions

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A sewer backup can happen unexpectedly, leaving homeowners with many questions, like these:

Can I stay in My Home After a Sewer Backup?

Staying in your home after a sewer backup depends on the extent of the damage. If raw sewage has entered your physical home, it’s often the safest option to leave the affected areas if you are able too. Raw sewage is a Category 3 Biohazard, it is very hazardous, toxic, and unsafe to be around, so please take precautions to stay safe and have the affected areas professionally cleaned and and deemed safe before re-entering.

Should I Call My Insurance Company or the City First?

If you believe the backup was indeed caused by your city’s sewage system, then notify both your insurance company (if you have one) and the city where the flood happened as soon as possible. Immediately then, contact Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers to talk to one of our highly trained professionals about your situation. By reporting the incident and contacting professionals early, you are able to protect yourself, your family, and also create a record of the flood and damage that occurred. 

Should Throw Away My Damaged Belongings?

If your items have sewage and cannot be recovered you can throw them away, but take photos and videos of the damages first, and if you do choose to throw things away, avoid doing that  until the flood has been properly documented. This helps you to be able to recover or be compensated for your items in the future.

Is It Safe to Clean Up Raw Sewage Myself?

Because raw sewage can contain harmful bacteria and contaminants, professional cleanup is usually the safest option. Be careful to not ingest or contaminate your eyes, mouth, or nose with the sewage. Again, raw sewage is a Category 3 Biohazard and contains dangerous pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, and Norovirus [0.38]. Please keep this in mind when deciding how to have the flood cleaned.

What Should I Do First After a Sewer Backup?

Document the damage, contact your insurance company, notify the city if you believe it is their fault, and save receipts for any cleanup or temporary living expenses. Document Everything!!

Still Have Questions?

Every sewer backup is different, and can be confusing and overwhelming. That is why Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers is here to help you. If you been a victim of a sewer flood caused by the cities negligence and you have questions or believe your city’s sewer system may be responsible for a flood on your property, please contact Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers! Our priority is to provide you and your family the justice you deserve. 

No family should have to endure a sewer backup while searching for answers! If your home, or business has been flooded by the negligence and failing infrastructure of the city, Jim Buxton of Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers is here to help you. Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers is committed to helping families all across Oklahoma get the justice they deserve! 

Has your home been flooded by sewage? Are you seeking answers and justice? Contact the Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers today! 

Office Phone: (405)-604-5577

Email: oksewerlawyers@gmail.com

Protect Yourself: Is Your Sewer System About To Fail?

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Signs Your Sewer Line May Be About to Fail and How to Protect Yourself:

One of the best ways to protect your home from a sewer backup is recognizing the warning signs before a major problem occurs. While some sewer backups happen without warning, many homes experience early symptoms that indicate a blockage, damaged sewer line, or developing issue within the plumbing or municipal sewer system.

If you notice any of the following warning signs, it’s important to have the problem evaluated as soon as possible

Common Warning Signs:

  • Slow drains throughout multiple areas of the home
  • Toilets that frequently clog or flush slowly
  • Gurgling sounds coming from sinks, bathtubs, or toilets
  • Water backing up into showers or tubs when another plumbing fixture is being used
  • Persistent sewage odors inside or outside the home
  • Standing water near sewer clean-outs or access points
  • Wet, sunken, or unusually green areas in the yard
  • Multiple plumbing fixtures backing up at the same time

6 Signs You Could Have A Sewer Backup

What Do These Signs Mean?

Some of these warning signs may indicate a problem within your home’s private sewer line, while others could be the result of a blockage or failure within the municipal sewer system. Determining where the problem originated is an important first step in identifying the appropriate course of action.

A licensed plumber can often help determine whether the issue is located within your private sewer line or the city’s sewer infrastructure. If you think the city may be responsible, please contact a profession lawyers, such as Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers. 

Protect Yourself:

If a sewer backup occurs, document the damage immediately. Take photographs and videos of the affected areas, damaged belongings, and any visible sewage. It is also helpful to record the date and time the backup occurred, the warning signs you noticed beforehand, and any conversations with city employees, plumbers, or restoration companies.

This information may become important when filing an insurance claim or evaluating whether the backup originated within the municipal sewer system.

When to Seek Legal Guidance:

If you believe your sewer backup may have been caused by a failure within the municipal sewer system, Oklahoma Sewer Lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and evaluate your potential claim. It is important to know the signs early on in order to protect yourself and your family! If you have any questions please contact us today! 

Office: (405) 604-5577

Email: oksewerlawyers@gmail.com

Precautionary Measures

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Make sure you have proper insurance.

Sewer backups are not automatically covered by all homeowner’s insurance policies. Check your policy to make sure you are covered for damages due to sewer backups.

Remember, the City is not an insurer. The City can only pay for damages under extremely limited circumstances set out by law.

Don’t assume you’re covered! You may need a special option for coverage. Talk to your insurance agent.

If you live downhill, install a backflow valve.

If the slab or basement under your house is lower than the nearest manhole – at the bottom of a hill, for example. The City Plumbing Code requires a back-flow valve on the line connecting your building and the sewer main.

The valve closes when water comes into it from the wrong direction.

If a clog occurs, the back-flow valve will stop the sewage from backing up into your house.

If you are downhill from the sewer main, be sure a back-flow valve has been put on your sewer line – especially if your house is in an older area of the city.

Even if your house is in a border line location, installing a backflow valve may be a good precaution. Once the valve is installed, clean it periodically to keep it working right. Talk to your plumber about the installation and cleaning or Call Customer Service.

Avoid future backups

Call the City at the first sign of a problem – before the sewer backs up. If your drains are running slow, for example, call . Someone will come and check the lines.

Dispose of grease and fats with your trash, not down the drain. Even if you run it through a garbage disposal, grease in drains can collect and harden into a plug.

Plant trees and large shrubs away from sewer lines. Roots grow toward breaks or cracks in lines. When roots get inside the pipe, they clog it.

Never connect sump pumps. French drains or other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer. It’s illegal and the debris and silt will clog your line. Call a plumber to undo illegal connections.

Department of Environmental Quality – DEQ

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The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is to enhance the quality of life in Oklahoma and protect the health of its citizens by protecting, preserving and restoring the water, land and air of the state, thus fostering a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1677 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677

Street Address:
707 N Robinson Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Main DEQ Phone Number:
405-702-0100Fax: 405-702-1001

Customer Assistance Program
1-800-869-1400

24-Hour Emergency Response & Environmental Complaints Hotline
1-800-522-0206

Environmental Complaints Hotline
1-800-522-0206

Links:

DEQ Website

Map/Driving Directions to DEQ (PDF format)

DEQ Map