Why sewage is different
Restoration professionals sort water by how contaminated it is. Water from a clean supply line starts out clean. Water from a dishwasher or washing machine discharge has some contamination. Water that comes from a sewer line, a toilet bowl that contains waste or a flooded outdoor drain is the most contaminated category, often called black water. It carries bacteria and other pathogens and can make people sick through contact, splashing or airborne droplets.
That changes the job. With clean water we try to dry porous materials in place. With sewage, porous materials that absorbed it, like carpet, pad, drywall near the floor and insulation, generally have to be removed, because they cannot be reliably cleaned. Hard materials that can be thoroughly washed and sanitized can often stay.
Why backups happen
Most sewage backups come from a blockage or damage in the line, not from something you did in the house. Tree roots grow into joints in older clay or cast-iron sewer lines. Grease, wipes and debris build up. Old pipes sag or crack. In some areas a problem in the municipal main can push water back toward a home. A backup often shows up at the lowest fixture in the house, such as a shower drain, a floor drain or a toilet.
Finding and clearing the blockage is a plumber's job, often with a camera inspection. We deal with what is on the floor.
What to do right now in sewage backup cleanup
- Stay out of the water, and keep children, pets and anyone with a weakened immune system away.
- Stop using the plumbing. Do not flush, run the washing machine, take a shower or use the dishwasher. Every use sends more water to the same blocked line.
- Do not run fans or the HVAC over the affected area, because they can spread contaminated particles.
- Do not try to clean it with towels and a household vacuum. A standard vacuum is a hazard and spreads contamination into the motor and exhaust.
- Wear waterproof boots and gloves if you must go in, and wash thoroughly afterward.
- Photograph the affected area from a safe spot.
- Call a plumber and us. The line has to be cleared, and the cleanup should start soon after.
What we do in sewage backup cleanup
Contain and protect the rest of the house. We seal off the affected area with plastic sheeting where it makes sense, so the contamination does not travel on shoes, air or equipment.
Extract the liquid. Pumps and extractors remove standing water. Crews wear protective gear and use dedicated equipment.
Remove contaminated materials. Carpet, pad, wet drywall below the water line, insulation and any porous items touched by the water are cut out and bagged. See controlled demolition and material removal. We list what was removed for your records.
Clean and sanitize. Remaining surfaces such as framing, concrete and tile are cleaned first, because sanitizer cannot work on a dirty surface, and then treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial that is appropriate for the surface. See anti-microbial and odor sanitization.
Dry. Even after removal, the structure is wet and the area needs structural drying, including the cavities and the slab.
Verify. We take moisture readings and confirm the area is dry and clean before the rebuild begins.
Contents in sewage backup cleanup
Sewage affects belongings. Items that are porous, such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, books and cardboard boxes, generally cannot be restored. Hard items such as glass, metal, ceramics and sealed wood may be cleaned. Photographs, documents and keepsakes are a special case that sometimes need a specialist. We photograph and inventory what was affected, which is important for a claim. See contents pack-out.
Insurance and sewage backup cleanup
Sewage backups are a classic case of coverage variation. Some homeowner policies exclude water that backs up through drains unless the policy has a specific endorsement, often called water backup or sewer backup coverage. Others cover it with a limit. We cannot tell you what your policy covers, so call your insurer or agent early and ask. We document the extent, the water category and the work performed so that the claim has the facts.
What affects the cost of sewage backup cleanup
The main factors are how much area is affected, how long it was before cleanup, how much porous material has to be removed, the extent of the contamination and whether anything has spread beyond the original room. Work that is contained to a single bathroom is a smaller project than a backup that ran across a hallway and into bedrooms. We discuss the scope, including what is removed and what stays, before the work begins. See pricing.
Questions about sewage backup cleanup
Is it dangerous to stay in the house?
It depends on how far it spread. We will tell you which areas to avoid, and in larger events it is best to stay elsewhere until the work is complete.
Can the carpet be saved?
Not after sewage. Carpet and pad that sat in black water are removed.
Who fixes the blockage?
A plumber. We coordinate so cleanup starts once the line is clear and the backup has stopped.
Will the smell go away?
Removal, cleaning, sanitizing and drying remove the source of the smell. If something porous is left behind, the smell can return.