A sewage backup is one of the most hazardous things that can happen inside a home or business. Whether it comes from a blocked main line, a municipal sewer surcharge during heavy rain, a failed septic system or a broken toilet flange, the result is Category 3 water carrying bacteria, viruses and parasites across floors, into carpet and up walls. Sewage cleanup is the removal of that waste and water, the disposal of contaminated materials, thorough disinfection, and drying of the structure.
This is not a job for a shop vacuum and bleach. Water Restoration connects you with local crews trained and equipped for contaminated water. Call (888) 755-3821 and keep people and pets out of the affected area until they arrive.
Common causes of sewage backups
- Tree roots growing into the lateral sewer line between the house and the street
- Grease, wipes and other debris blocking the main drain
- Collapsed or offset clay and cast iron sewer pipes in older homes
- Municipal sewer surcharges during intense rainfall, pushing wastewater back through floor drains
- Sump pump or ejector pump failures in basements below the sewer grade
- Septic tank or drain field failure in rural and suburban properties
- Toilet and tub overflows with waste present
Finding the cause matters as much as the cleanup; otherwise the backup repeats. Restoration crews coordinate with plumbers who camera the line, clear the blockage or repair the pipe.
Health hazards of raw sewage
Sewage can contain E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis A, norovirus, giardia and other pathogens, plus sewer gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane. Contact with skin, inhalation of aerosolized droplets and cross-contamination of surfaces can all cause illness. Children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system are at particular risk. Crews wear respirators, gloves, eye protection and disposable suits, and treat every surface the water touched as contaminated.
Our sewage cleanup process
- Containment and safety. The affected area is isolated, HVAC to the space is shut down to stop spreading airborne contaminants, and the crew suits up.
- Removal of waste and standing water. Solids are removed and bagged; liquids are extracted with equipment dedicated to contaminated water.
- Demolition of porous materials. Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, baseboards and particleboard cabinets that contacted sewage are removed and disposed of as contaminated waste.
- Cleaning. Remaining surfaces are scrubbed with detergent to remove organic matter, because disinfectants do not work on dirty surfaces.
- Disinfection. An EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant is applied with the correct dwell time to all affected hard surfaces and structural framing.
- Drying and deodorizing. Air movers, dehumidifiers and HEPA air scrubbers dry the structure and clear airborne particles; odor counteractants address residual smell.
- Verification and rebuild. Moisture and, when appropriate, surface testing confirm the space is clean and dry before new materials are installed.
What can and cannot be salvaged
Hard, non-porous items such as tile, sealed concrete, metal, glass and solid plastics can be cleaned and disinfected. Semi-porous materials like unfinished wood framing and subfloor can often be cleaned, disinfected and dried if the exposure was brief. Porous materials that absorbed sewage, including carpet and pad, drywall, insulation, upholstered furniture, mattresses, cardboard and paper, are discarded. Laundry that contacted sewage can sometimes be sanitized with hot water and disinfectant, but heavily soiled textiles are usually replaced.
Insurance for sewer backups
Standard homeowners policies typically exclude damage from water that backs up through sewers and drains unless you have purchased a water backup or sewer backup endorsement. This endorsement is inexpensive and widely available, and it is worth confirming whether your policy has it before you need it. When coverage applies, restoration companies document the loss and bill the mitigation work directly to the carrier in most cases.
Preventing the next backup
- Install a backwater valve on the main sewer line if your area has combined or surcharge-prone sewers
- Have the lateral line camera-inspected and cleared of roots every few years in older homes
- Never flush wipes, paper towels or feminine products, even those labeled flushable
- Keep grease out of kitchen drains
- Add a battery backup or water-powered backup to your sump pump
- Pump septic tanks on schedule and keep heavy vehicles off the drain field
Call (888) 755-3821
Sewage Cleanup FAQs
Is it safe to clean up sewage myself?
Very small toilet overflows on a tile floor can be handled with gloves, a disinfectant and proper disposal. Anything involving carpet, drywall, a basement floor drain backup or more than a small area should be handled by a trained crew with protective equipment.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Removal, demolition and disinfection typically take one to two days. Drying takes another two to four days. Reconstruction depends on how much material had to be removed.
Can the smell be eliminated?
Yes. Sewage odor comes from organic matter, and once that is removed, surfaces are cleaned and disinfected and the structure is dried, the odor goes with it. Lingering smell usually means contaminated material was left behind.
Will my insurance cover a sewage backup?
Only if your policy includes a sewer or water backup endorsement. Without it, backups through drains are usually excluded. Check your declarations page or call your agent.
Do I need a plumber too?
Usually. The restoration crew handles cleanup and drying, but the blockage or broken pipe that caused the backup needs a plumber. Many restoration companies coordinate both so the problem does not recur before the space is rebuilt.