Don't wade through standing sewage
Contaminated water can hide sharp debris, electrical hazards, and disease-causing organisms. Stay out of the affected area rather than walking through it to assess the damage yourself.
Don't run appliances or fixtures near the backup
Running a washing machine, dishwasher, or additional water down an already-backed-up drain can push more sewage into the space instead of relieving the problem.
Don't try to salvage soaked carpet or upholstery
Porous materials that absorbed sewage typically can't be fully disinfected. Attempting to dry and keep them yourself usually just delays a removal that was going to be necessary anyway.
Don't use a household wet/dry vac on sewage
A standard shop vac isn't built to handle contaminated water safely and can spread contamination through the exhaust or onto surfaces it touches afterward.
Don't wait to turn off the water source if you can reach it
The one thing worth doing immediately, if it's safe and accessible, is shutting off the water supply or fixture causing the backup — that's different from cleanup, which is best left to a crew with the right equipment.
Dealing with a sewage backup right now? Call (971) 758-0049 for immediate response.