Sewage Backup Cleanup

Sewage backup cleanup is the safe removal of sewage from a home after a drain or sewer line backs up, followed by disinfecting and drying the area. Sewage is Category 3 water under the IICRC S500 standard, so crews wear protective gear and usually remove soaked carpet, pad, and drywall. First Call Plumbing & Restoration clears the line that caused the backup and handles the cleanup with one team.

Cleaning up sewage yourself is not recommended, except for a very small spill on a hard floor. Sewage can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, and the EPA recommends calling a professional for damage caused by sewage. If you must go near it, wear gloves, boots, and eye protection, keep kids and pets away, and don't run the heating and air if vents are close by. Our sewage backup guide lists first steps.

Carpet and pad soaked by sewage usually can't be saved and are removed. Under the IICRC S500 standard, most porous materials that absorb Category 3 water are thrown out, because they can't be reliably disinfected. The same usually goes for wet drywall, insulation, and particleboard. Hard surfaces like tile, sealed concrete, and tubs can often be cleaned and disinfected. We explain what stays and what goes before anything is removed.

Often not, unless your policy includes a water backup endorsement. Standard homeowners policies commonly exclude water that backs up through a drain, toilet, or sewer line, so check your policy or ask your agent. We document the damage with photos, moisture readings, and a written scope and can work with your adjuster, but coverage is your insurer's decision. Our insurance guide explains more.

It depends on where the blockage is: homeowners usually maintain the sewer lateral from the house toward the street, while the city or sewer district maintains the public main. Where that dividing point falls varies by agency, so check with yours. A sewer camera inspection shows exactly where the blockage sits, which helps settle who is responsible. We clear private lines and handle the cleanup either way.