Honestly, I get the appeal of duct tape in a pinch, but I’ve had mixed results with it on wet pipes. Sometimes it just doesn’t stick well enough if there’s any moisture left, and then you’re back to square one. I started keeping a roll of that self-fusing silicone tape around—sticks to itself even when things are damp, and it’s saved me more than once.
On the cleaning side, I know bleach is the go-to for a lot of folks, but I’m always a bit wary about mixing it with anything else (especially vinegar). The fumes can get nasty if you’re not careful. I usually stick to one or the other and make sure there’s plenty of ventilation.
Nitrile gloves are a must, though. I buy them by the box now after running out halfway through a cleanup once... lesson learned. And for smell? Charcoal bags tucked in the corners seem to help after everything’s dry. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Honestly, I’m with you on the bleach—too easy to mess up if you’re not careful. I’ve tried those enzyme cleaners a couple times, but not sure if they actually do much. Anyone ever try kitty litter for soaking up water? I’ve heard it works in a pinch, but never needed to test it myself.
Anyone ever try kitty litter for soaking up water? I’ve heard it works in a pinch, but never needed to test it myself.
Tried the kitty litter trick once when a pipe burst in my basement. It does soak up a fair bit, but honestly, it turns into this weird, heavy sludge that’s a pain to shovel out. Works better than nothing if you’re desperate, but I’d rather use old towels or even sawdust if I have it around. Kitty litter’s more for oil spills in my book.
Bleach is risky, yeah—seen folks splash it around and end up with ruined floors or worse, breathing issues. Enzyme cleaners are hit or miss. Sometimes they help with the smell, but I’ve never seen them actually break down solids like the label claims.
If you’re prepping for backups, I’d keep a stack of cheap towels, a wet/dry vac (if you can swing it), and some heavy-duty trash bags. The rest is just improvising with what you’ve got on hand.
Kitty litter’s a last resort for me, honestly. The mess it leaves behind is just not worth it unless you’re really out of options. I’m all about reusable stuff—old towels, rags, even those big microfiber cloths you can wash and use again. Wet/dry vac is a game changer if you’ve got one, but I’d skip the bleach too. It’s rough on your lungs and terrible for the environment. Vinegar and baking soda do a decent job for cleaning up after, and they’re way safer. Just my two cents...
I hear you on the kitty litter—tried that once and spent more time cleaning up the litter than the actual backup. Not my favorite. I’m with you on the old towels and rags, though. I keep a stack of those “retired” bath towels in the laundry room just for these kinds of disasters. Microfiber cloths are great, but I always forget where I put them until after the mess is gone.
Have you ever tried using those cheap plastic drop cloths from the dollar store? I throw one down before I start mopping up, and it saves my floors from getting even grosser. Then I just roll it up and toss it. Not the greenest, but it keeps things contained. I’m also a big fan of vinegar—my house probably smells like a salad after a backup, but at least it’s clean.
Curious—has anyone found a good way to get rid of that lingering sewer smell without going full-on chemical warfare? I’ve tried coffee grounds and bowls of baking soda, but sometimes it just lingers...