Commercial sewage backups create messy and unpleasant complications that cause businesses to temporarily close during repairs. Sewage malfunctions can lead to health hazards, disrupted business operations, and costly repairs if the issue is not handled quickly and professionally.
There are many practical steps business owners can take during a sewage waste emergency. However, this is a form of commercial damage that requires professional attention. To fully recover from a recent sewage line backup, contact ServiceMaster DSI today for assistance. Call us at 651-390-1954 to learn about our sewage cleanup services and schedule an assessment of your property.
Common Causes of Sewage Line Backups in Commercial Properties
As trees grow older, they will continue to seek moisture and nutrients. If they come in contact with moisture from sewer lines, they will naturally grow through cracks, holes, or crevices in the joint that permit root intrusion. When this happens, the roots will create a web of mass that blocks the pipes from draining water. This may cause slow draining speeds, clogged pipes, and even pipe damage.
Clogs from improper disposal can also lead to serious plumbing malfunctions and sewage backups. When paper products, grease, and other objects or substances enter a drainage system, they solidify and create blockages that prevent water from flowing away from your home. As a result, you may experience sewage backups that cause your toilets or sinks to overflow.
What to Do Immediately After Discovering a Sewage Backup
If wastewater overflow occurs in your commercial property, begin evacuating employees and safe immediately. This is not a problem that should be seen by your workers or clients, and it is best to safely guide them out of the building while you begin mitigating damage and scheduling professional repair services.
Shut off the water to prevent further contamination. Do your best to avoid all contact with the wastewater to prevent contact with harmful bacteria and toxic waste. Document the damage with photos and videos to prepare your insurance claims. You may struggle to receive proper compensation for your commercial water damage if you fail to present a compelling case to your insurance company.
Once this happens, either you or the person managing the property will need to call a professional cleanup and restoration team. When this happens, contact ServiceMaster DSI for help. Our team of commercial damage restoration specialists understands what it’s like to have a workplace that doesn’t operate normally, and we help businesses recover from a variety of damages that threaten the functionality of their workplace.
What Not to Do During a Sewage Backup
During a sewage backup emergency, do not try to clean the waste on your own. Contaminated water and sewage can carry pathogens that pose health risks to humans. Try to avoid flushing toilets or using sinks during this time. Doing this during a plumbing emergency can worsen the problem and create additional water damage that adds to your repair costs.
Health and Safety Risk and Sewage Exposure
Sewage backups damage flooring materials and leave strong, lingering odors. Wastewater can exposure employees to harmful bacteria and parasites, and untreated sewage water buildup can lead to mold growth. Standing water damages building materials and leads to moisture buildup that creates a breeding ground for mold.
How to Prevent Future Sewage Backups
Keep grease traps clean in food service environments and maintain landscaping to prevent tree root intrusion. Avoid flushing inappropriate materials such as paper towels and baby wipes to prevent clogs and blockages that stop water from leaving your drainage system.
Create an emergency plumbing plan for your employees to follow in the event of an emergency water damage situation. Sewage backups can be very alarming and upsetting for employees who have never experienced this type of plumbing malfunction before. As a commercial property owner, you must train your staff to guide customers away from the damage and out of the building if this ever happens.
Who to Call When Your Business Has a Sewage Backup
If sewage problems cause chaos in your commercial building, hire licensed restoration professionals with water damage expertise. Experienced companies with IICRC-certified technicians and proper PPE have the knowledge and technology that business owners will need to quickly resolve water damage caused by wastewater backup.
Many water damage restoration businesses also aid with insurance claims and documentation. If you’re having trouble finding time to submit your claim for your water damage repairs, our professionals can help take photos and videos of your damage and submit evidence to your insurer.
Help is Close to Home in Eagan
When a sewage backup happens in a commercial property, quick action from a trusted local team can make all the difference. With Eagan’s mix of modern office buildings and older infrastructure, commercial properties need a cleanup partner that understands both building systems and regional risks, such as spring flooding or extreme winter weather. ServiceMaster DSI brings that deep local knowledge, along with industry-certified expertise in water and sewage damage cleanup. Our rapid response helps protect your employees, customers, and operations while you prepare your business for reopening.
Keep Business Flowing with the Right Plan in Place
Sewage backups are more than a messy inconvenience—they’re a threat to your property and people. Knowing what to do can protect your business and speed up recovery. Whether you're in a retail center near Cedar Grove or managing an office park off I-35E, be prepared and know who to call. If you’ve had a sewage backup—or want to prepare before one happens—reach out to your local restoration experts for guidance and support. For sewage backup cleanup in Eagan, contact ServiceMaster DSI today at 651-390-1954 to schedule an appointment with a restoration specialist.
