Emergency drain cleaning in Yuma. Stop the water, then call.

What to do right now

1. Stop using water. No flushing, showers, dishwasher or washing machine. Tell everyone in the house.
2. If a toilet is overflowing, turn the valve behind it clockwise to shut off its water supply, or lift the tank lid and push the flapper closed.
3. Keep people and pets away from any sewage. It carries bacteria. Use gloves and boots if you must go near it.
4. Move valuables and anything on the floor out of the water's path.
5. Don't pour in chemicals. They won't clear a main line and they make the water more hazardous to handle.
6. Call. Tell us which drains are affected and whether water is still rising.

What counts as a drain emergency

• Sewage or dirty water coming up in a tub, shower or floor drain
• A toilet that overflows every time it's flushed
• Every drain in the house stopped at once
• Water spreading across floors or into walls
• A business with a backed-up restroom or kitchen drain during open hours
• A backup in a home with only one bathroom

A single slow sink is annoying but usually not an emergency. Close the drain, use another sink and schedule a normal visit for clogged drain cleaning.

Monsoon season backups

Yuma's summer storms can drop heavy rain fast. When a sewer line is already narrowed by roots or buildup, a surge of water can push it over the edge, and yard and floor drains can overflow. If a backup starts during or right after a storm, mention it when you call. And if water is entering your home from outside, that's a flooding problem as well as a drain problem.

After the backup is cleared

Once the line is flowing, ask the technician what caused it. A one-time clog may need nothing more. Roots, a sagging pipe or heavy buildup mean it's likely to happen again, and a camera inspection is the way to find out. If sewage soaked into carpet, drywall or cabinets, those materials usually need professional cleanup or replacement. Contact your homeowner's insurance to ask what's covered.