Signs to watch for: Sewage Emergency
- ✓ Sewage comes up in a toilet, bath or shower
- ✓ A manhole overflows with sewage
- ✓ A strong sewage smell fills a room
- ✓ Several drains back up at once
- ✓ Sewage reaches the garden or a path
Sewage Emergency across York
Sewage in the house is a health risk because it carries germs, so it needs quick action. It usually comes from a block in the drain or the sewer. Yorkshire Water says sewage leaks almost always come from blockages. The safe first steps matter as much as the fix.
Typical steps
- 1. Mark the request urgent
Send the form and mark it urgent. Say where the sewage is and which drains back up, since this helps the engineer judge the risk. Say if children or pets are in the home.
- 2. Keep people clear
Stay out of the affected rooms, and keep children and pets away. Open windows while you wait, if it is safe. Do not walk through the sewage.
- 3. Find the block
An engineer checks the manholes to see where the flow stops. That shows whether the block sits on your pipe or in the sewer, since the flow stops at the block. The answer decides who must fix it.
- 4. Clean and plan
After clearing, the area needs a proper clean, while you may still need to tell your insurer. Ask the engineer what else you need. Ask for a note of the cause and the work.
Costs: what to ask
Out-of-hours work can cost more. PlumberMarket's plumber guide says emergency call-out fees are typically 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate. This is a typical UK range for plumbing work, not a York quote. Ask for the price in writing before work starts, and ask whether there is a call-out charge.
Sewage Emergency: frequently asked questions
Is sewage dangerous to health?
Yes, because sewage carries germs. Avoid touching it. Yorkshire Water says to wash your hands and disinfect your footwear. If you feel unwell, ask a doctor for advice.
Can I use my garden after a sewage leak?
Take care, since Yorkshire Water says not to eat fruit or vegetables grown in the garden after a sewage leak. It says not to plant anything new for at least six months. Ask the water company if you are unsure.
Should I try to clear a sewer myself?
No. Yorkshire Water says never to try to unblock a sewer yourself. Keep clear, and ask for help from the water company or an engineer. Manhole covers may have moved, so take care near them.
Who fixes a block in the public sewer?
Yorkshire Water looks after public sewers, while you own the drain inside your boundary. If your neighbours have similar problems, it says the block is probably in its sewers. Report it to the water company, and send a request here for work on the pipes inside your boundary.
Why does sewage come up in my bath or shower?
Sewage rises at the lowest point when a drain blocks further along. A bath, shower or ground floor toilet can be the first place it shows. Stop using water in the home. Send an urgent request.