Is the Black Sludge Coming Up My Tub Drain Dangerous and Hazardous?

How Your Tub Drain Works

• Your tub drain is connected to all the other drains and plumbing in your house. This means that it may be sharing pipes with your toilet, sinks, washing machine and even the main sewer line, depending on the age and design of your home. When your plumbing is functioning properly, the fluids that you wash down the tub drain will go through the tub's pipes and enter into the main sewer system for your home. If you are on city water, the water will then be sent to a sewage treatment system for purification and the removal of toxic substances. If your home has a septic tank, the fluids from your tub will enter the septic tank.

Sludge

• Sewer system sludge is basically a form of toxic waste. It is composed of the substances you have pushed down your drains, including chemicals, medications, beauty products, dirt, grease and human waste. There are often high amounts of bacteria and potentially harmful chemicals in sewage and sewage sludge. The combination of the two can lead to serious health risks if left untreated or handled. Even breathing in toxic sludge can be bad for your health.

Sludge in Your Drains

• Chances are, the sludge you are seeing in your drain is the result of a problem within your home's plumbing, sewer or septic system. Blockages that prevent sewage from leaving the home properly can ultimately cause sewer sludge to come back up your drains when it has no where else to go. Septic tank problems can cause sewage to escape into your home or yard.

Safety

• Never attempt to handle potentially toxic sludge on your own. The combination of bacteria and chemical interactions can cause serious illnesses, and you should limit your exposure to the sludge as much as possible. Contact a plumbing professional to deal with the sludge, as he will have the necessary tools and safety equipment to handle it properly. You should avoid breathing in odors from the sludge, as some chemical reactions that may occur in your sewage system can produce dangerous gases that can make you very ill.