Emergency service

Sewage backup cleanup

Sewage backup cleanup is category 3 water work: crews in protective gear remove the waste water and every porous material it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the area. It is not a do-it-yourself job.

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Sewage carries bacteria, viruses and parasites. Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and upholstered items that it soaks are discarded rather than cleaned. Hard surfaces such as tile, concrete and sealed wood are cleaned, disinfected and dried.

Backups usually come up through the lowest drain in the house: a basement floor drain, shower or toilet. A plumber clears the line, often with a camera inspection. The restoration crew handles the cleanup.

A sewage backup in a basement usually starts at the lowest drain: a floor drain, basement toilet or shower. Sewage backup cleanup is category 3 water work, so porous materials it touched are removed rather than dried.

Sewage Backup Cleanup at a glance

What it is: Sewage backup cleanup is category 3 water work: crews in protective gear remove the waste water and every porous material it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the area.
Urgency: Same day. Damage grows by the hour.
Typical steps: Contain → Remove → Clean and disinfect → Dry and verify
Who does it: An independent, local restoration company

Signs

When you need sewage backup cleanup

Dark water or waste coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet
Gurgling drains and a sewage smell
Several fixtures backing up at once
Water around a basement toilet or laundry drain

Process

What the crew does

1
Contain
The area is isolated so contamination isn't tracked through the house.
2
Remove
Waste water is pumped out; contaminated porous materials are bagged and removed.
3
Clean and disinfect
Hard surfaces are scrubbed and treated with an antimicrobial.
4
Dry and verify
The area is dried to target readings before any rebuild.

Cost

What affects the price

Every job is scoped on site. These are the factors that move the number.

Area affected and how far the water spread
Amount of porous material to remove
Protective equipment and disposal
Drying days after disinfection
Drain line repair, handled by a plumber

Before the crew arrives

What you can do, and when to stop

Safe to do

Keep children and pets out of the area
Stop using water in the house (no flushing, laundry or showers)
Turn off HVAC that pulls air from the affected area

Stop and call if

Any sewage is on porous surfaces like carpet or drywall
More than a small spot on a hard floor is affected
You're not sure the line has been cleared

FAQ

Sewage Backup Cleanup questions

Is sewage cleanup covered by homeowners insurance?

Often only with a sewer or water backup endorsement. Many standard policies exclude it, so call your insurer to check.

Can carpet be cleaned after a sewage backup?

No. Industry standards call for discarding carpet and pad that sewage soaked.

Is it safe to stay in the house?

Usually, if the affected area is closed off and you avoid it. People with weak immune systems, infants and older adults should stay elsewhere until cleanup is done.

Is a sewage backup an emergency?

Yes. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses, it soaks into porous materials quickly, and it can keep backing up while drains are used. Stop using water in the house and get cleanup started the same day.

What are the health risks of a sewage backup in a basement?

Raw sewage can cause stomach and skin infections and can affect breathing as it dries. Children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system should stay away from the area until it's cleaned and disinfected.

Sewage Backup Cleanup in popular cities

Available in 48 states

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Guides

Water where it shouldn't be?

Stop the source if you can, then call. We'll connect you with a local restoration company that serves your ZIP.

Fast callback on emergency requests