“contractor trash bags. Regular ones just don’t cut it for hauling out soaked junk or ruined carpet.”
Couldn’t agree more on the heavy-duty bags—learned that the hard way after a split bag full of soggy drywall. One thing I’d add: keep a stash of nitrile gloves. You’ll thank yourself later.
Title: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
Yeah, nitrile gloves are a must—especially when you’re elbow-deep in who-knows-what. I’ve gone through boxes of those after a couple of nasty backups in apartment basements. One thing I’d toss in the mix: a cheap pair of rubber boots that just live in the utility closet. I used to think I could get by with old sneakers, but after stepping into a puddle of “mystery water” (let’s call it that), I learned my lesson. Now those boots never leave the building.
Contractor bags are solid, but I’ve had a few rip if I overstuff them or try to drag them across rough concrete. Sometimes I’ll double-bag the really heavy stuff, especially if it’s soaked carpet or insulation. Not fun, but better than cleaning up a trail of sludge.
I also keep a stack of old towels and a mop bucket handy. Not glamorous, but when you’re trying to stop the spread before it hits the next room, you’ll use whatever you can grab. Oh, and a bottle of bleach or some kind of disinfectant—nothing fancy, just something to kill the smell and germs after the mess is gone.
One thing I don’t bother with anymore is those disposable coveralls. They sound good in theory, but they rip so easily and just end up being more trash to deal with. I just wear old work clothes and wash them right after.
It’s one of those things where you don’t realize what you’re missing until you’re in the middle of a mess. Every backup teaches you something new you wish you’d had on hand...
Yeah, I hear you on the coveralls—never found a pair that didn’t tear at the worst time. I’ll add a face mask to the list, though. Not just for the smell (which is its own nightmare), but to avoid breathing in anything nasty if you’re stirring up sludge or mold. A cheap N95 goes a long way.
One thing I always keep close is a wet/dry vac. Lifesaver for pulling up water fast before it spreads. Just make sure it’s one that can actually handle “gray water” (learned that the hard way—don’t ask).
I’m with you on the boots, too. Dedicated pair just for these jobs, and they never leave the utility area. For towels, I cut up old bath towels into smaller rags—easier to toss out if they get too gross.
If you’ve got pets or kids, I’d also tape off the area or set up some kind of barrier. Last thing you need is little footprints tracking the mess everywhere...
Can’t argue with most of that—especially the wet/dry vac. Too many folks try to use a regular shop vac and end up with a bigger mess. I will say, though, those cheap N95s are better than nothing, but if you’re dealing with heavy mold or sewage, I’d look at a half-face respirator. Not everyone wants to go that far, but I’ve seen more than a few sinus infections from folks who thought a dust mask was enough.
Cutting up old towels is smart—never understood why people try to save those after a backup. And yeah, keeping pets out is huge. I once had a customer’s dog run through a backup and straight onto their white couch... let’s just say it wasn’t white anymore.
I’m with you on the respirator—learned that the hard way after getting a nasty cough from cleaning up a backup in an old basement. I’ve started keeping a box of nitrile gloves handy too, since regular latex ones just don’t cut it for the gross stuff. Curious if anyone’s tried those enzyme-based cleaners for post-cleanup? I’ve only ever used bleach, but hear mixed things.
