Spring Office : (832) 898-3806 / Houston Office : (832) 434-5936
E-mail us: alrooterplumbingllc@gmail.com
24/7
To safely perform a cleanup of raw sewage in your yard, you must first wear PPE (boots, gloves, mask). Remove any solid waste using a shovel and place it in heavy-duty bags. Spread garden lime (calcium hydroxide) over the affected area to neutralize odors and kill pathogens, then allow the area to dry in the sun for 24–48 hours. If the spill is large, professional biohazard remediation is required to ensure the soil is safe for pets and children.
Discovering how to clean up raw sewage in your yard is a high-priority task that requires immediate action to protect your home’s foundation and your family’s health. Raw sewage is a Category 3 biohazard containing harmful bacteria and parasites. Whether the spill was caused by a collapsed pipe or a city main backup, knowing the correct restoration steps can prevent long-term soil contamination.
Once the initial spill is contained, the restoration begins. According to the CDC guidelines on biohazard cleanup, pathogens can live in moist soil for weeks. After removing solids, liberal application of garden lime is the industry standard. This raises the pH level of the soil, effectively killing most bacteria.
If the damage is extensive, you may need to consider the total sewer installation cost if the underlying pipes have reached their end-of-life cycle and are prone to recurring collapses.
Determining who pays for the cleanup depends on the location of the break. If the spill originated from the “city side” (beyond your property line), the municipal utility department is typically responsible for the remediation. However, if the break occurred in your private sewer lateral, the homeowner bears the cost. In cases where soil shifting causes a break under your foundation, you should investigate the cost to replace a sewer line under a slab as insurance coverage may vary.
If you are growing wheat, vegetables, or any edible crops, the answer is no. Raw sewage contains heavy metals, parasites (like hookworms), and viruses that can be absorbed by the plants or cling to the surface. Any crops touched by raw sewage must be destroyed. Do not replant in that area for at least one full growing season after the area has been professionally sanitized.
Your sewer cleanout is the “window” into your plumbing system. Knowing how to maintain it can prevent you from needing a major cleanup of raw sewage in the yard in the future.
Typically, a cleanout is a 4-inch diameter pipe with a plastic cap. Look near the foundation of your home or close to the property line near the street. If your home was built decades ago, it may be buried under a few inches of soil. Using a metal detector can help locate the iron caps found on older homes.
Yes. Without a cleanout, a plumber cannot easily clear blockages. For residents in Brookshire or Katy, local building codes require these access points for all modern residential properties. They are essential for performing camera inspections to diagnose “invisible” breaks.
If you attempt to snake the line yourself, always start with a smaller cable to find the blockage before moving to a heavy-duty cutter. Be careful: if the line is completely backed up, removing the cap will cause sewage to geyser out under pressure. Stand to the side when opening the cap!
Unless you are a licensed plumber, installing a cleanout is not recommended. It requires cutting into the main sewer lateral and ensuring a perfect, watertight seal. A DIY mistake here can lead to a massive leak and an expensive raw sewage cleanup in the yard later on.
Absolutely not. It is illegal in most Texas municipalities to drain rainwater into the sanitary sewer line. The sewer system is designed for a specific volume; adding rainwater during a Texas storm can overwhelm the treatment plant and cause massive sewage backups into your neighbors’ homes or your own basement.
