What to do right now
- Stop using sinks, tubs, toilets and the washer
- Keep children and pets away from the affected area
- Do not try to clean it with a household vacuum or bleach alone
- Call a plumber to find the blockage. We clean up after the water, not the line
- Avoid walking through the water. Wash hands thoroughly if you touch it
- Photograph the damage for your records
How a sewage backup shows itself
It usually announces itself:
- Toilets or tubs that gurgle when you flush another fixture
- Dark water rising from a floor drain, tub or shower
- A strong sewer odor in the bathroom or laundry area
- Water backing up when the washing machine drains
- Several fixtures clogging at once on the lowest level
Problems on sewage calls
- Backups that keep coming because the line is still blocked
- Carpet and drywall wicking contaminated water
- Odors that linger in subfloor and cabinets
- Policies without a backup endorsement
What causes backups around Union City
Tree roots in older clay lines are a common cause, and so is grease and wipes buildup. Heavy rain can overwhelm sewer mains and push water back toward the lowest drain in a house.
In homes on slab, the lowest drain is usually a bathroom or laundry on the main floor. In homes with a basement, it is the floor drain or the basement bath.
How we handle contaminated water
Suit up and contain
Crews wear respirators, gloves and coveralls. We seal doors and vents to keep contaminated air out of clean rooms.
Extract contaminated water
Pumps and extractors remove sewage water and bag the waste for proper disposal.
Remove porous materials
Carpet, pad, drywall and insulation that touched sewage are cut out. They cannot be cleaned.
Wash and disinfect
Concrete, tile and framing are washed, then treated with an antimicrobial disinfectant.
Air filtration and drying
HEPA air scrubbers, dehumidifiers and air movers run until the space tests dry.
Final check
We inspect surfaces and readings, and we give you a written record for the plumber and your insurer.
Questions we hear about this
Is sewage backup covered by insurance?
Only if your policy has a water backup endorsement. Many standard policies exclude it. Check your declarations page.
Can I stay in the house?
If the backup is limited to a small area we can contain it. For larger spills, a hotel stay may be safer.
Why can't you save the carpet?
Sewage soaks into carpet and pad and cannot be cleaned out reliably. Removal is the safe call.
Do I need a plumber too?
Yes. We clean up the damage. A plumber finds and clears the cause so it does not return.
How do you dispose of the waste?
Contaminated materials are double-bagged and hauled out according to local disposal rules.
What sewage cleanup costs
Sewage cleanup commonly runs about $2,000 to $8,000 as a typical estimate. Protective gear, disposal and disinfecting raise the price over a clean-water job. The amount of porous material removed matters most. Call for an exact quote. See all price ranges.
Why disinfecting matters
Sewage water carries bacteria and viruses that can make people sick. Wiping it up is not enough, because the contamination soaks into anything porous and dries into dust.
That is why we remove porous materials, wash hard surfaces twice, and use a disinfectant rated for sewage contact. We also seal off the rest of the house and run HEPA air filtration. Afterward the area should smell like nothing, not like cleaner.
Stored items need a decision too. Hard plastic, glass and metal can usually be washed and kept. Cardboard, books, fabric and anything stuffed or upholstered that sat in the water is almost always a loss. We help you sort the pile and photograph what goes, so the claim has a record.
Read next Prepare for the call with what to tell a water damage company.
