Emergency-capable service
Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage backup is black water: it carries bacteria and viruses, so affected carpet, pad and porous materials are removed rather than dried. Stay out of the area, stop using water in the house, and have a plumber clear the line while a restoration crew handles cleanup and disinfection.
- Fast call-back for active leaks
- Phoenix metro
- Free to call
How the job runs
- 1Protect occupantsPeople and pets stay out of the area; the HVAC may be shut off to avoid spreading odor.
- 2Line clearedA plumber clears the blockage and may run a camera to find the cause.
- 3Remove contaminated materialsCarpet, pad, baseboards and lower drywall that the water touched are removed and bagged.
Backups in the Valley often trace to root intrusion in older clay or cast-iron sewer laterals, grease buildup, or a municipal main that backs up. The lowest drains in the house, usually a shower or tub, overflow first.
Sewage cleanup is not a DIY job. Crews use protective equipment, remove contaminated materials under containment, and clean and disinfect everything that remains.
Sewage backup cleanup at a glance
- Water category
- Category 3 (black water)
- Porous materials
- Removed, not dried
- Line repair
- Licensed plumber
- Insurance note
- Often needs a backup endorsement
Warning signs
Signs you need sewage backup cleanup
- Water coming up in a tub or shower when a toilet flushes
- Gurgling drains throughout the house
- Sewage odor from floor drains or the yard cleanout
- Toilet overflow that won't stop
- Wet, discolored carpet near a bathroom
Process
What the restoration company does
- 1
Protect occupants
People and pets stay out of the area; the HVAC may be shut off to avoid spreading odor.
- 2
Line cleared
A plumber clears the blockage and may run a camera to find the cause.
- 3
Remove contaminated materials
Carpet, pad, baseboards and lower drywall that the water touched are removed and bagged.
- 4
Clean, disinfect, dry
Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, then dried and documented.
Cost
What affects the cost
Every loss is different, so honest pricing starts with an on-site assessment. These are the factors that move the number.
- Square footage touched by sewage
- Amount of porous material to remove
- Containment and protective equipment needs
- Rebuild of flooring and drywall afterward
Safe to do now
- Stop using sinks, toilets and appliances
- Keep children and pets away
- Open windows if odor is strong
Stop and call if
- Any sewage has touched carpet, drywall or furniture
- Water is spreading beyond a bathroom
- Anyone in the home is immunocompromised
FAQ
Sewage backup cleanup: common questions
Can carpet be cleaned after a sewage backup?
Industry guidance treats sewage-soaked carpet and pad as non-salvageable. They're removed and replaced; hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
Is sewage backup covered by insurance?
Many standard policies exclude sewer and drain backup unless you've added a specific endorsement. Check your policy for a 'water backup' rider.
Water where it shouldn't be?
Shut off the water, then call. One call connects you with an independent restoration company near you.
Fast call-back for active leaks