Sewage Cleanup

A sewage backup is the most urgent kind of water emergency a home can have. The water is category 3, meaning it carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can make people sick from simple contact, and the contamination is not limited to the wet floor. Sewage wicks up drywall, soaks into carpet and pad, and settles into the seams of a concrete slab. Everything it touches has to be treated as contaminated until it is cleaned or removed.

Kentucky sees these calls most often in older neighborhoods where the same clay tile sewer lines have been in the ground for decades. Tree roots find the joints, grease and wipes build up on the walls of the pipe, and the next heavy rain overwhelms the system. In homes with a basement floor drain, the first sign is often a drain that gurgles and then comes up instead of going down. Municipal combined sewers in some cities back up into basements during storms for the same reason.

Cleanup runs differently than a clean-water loss. The area is contained, standing sewage is pumped into a proper disposal point rather than the yard or a storm drain, contaminated flooring and the bottom of affected walls are removed, and every remaining surface is washed and disinfected. Air scrubbing and odor treatment come next, followed by drying and rebuild. Doing the disinfection step thoroughly is what keeps a bad smell and a health risk from lingering in the home.

What Sewage Cleanup Covers

• Pumping and removal of backed-up sewage from basements and bathrooms
• Emergency response for backups during storms and heavy rain
• Disposal of saturated carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and furnishings
• Washing, disinfecting and sanitizing of concrete, framing and hard surfaces
• Removal of contaminated material from finished and unfinished basements
• Air scrubbing and odor neutralization, not just masking
• Structural drying after the contaminated material is gone
• Assessment of floor drains, cleanouts and backwater valve options
• Documentation of contamination and damage for insurance claims
• Repairs, flooring and drywall replacement after the area is cleared

Warning Signs That You Need This Service

• A floor drain, shower or toilet that gurgles and then overflows
• Water that is gray or black and smells strongly of sewage
• Paper, wipes or solids visible in the backed-up water
• Multiple drains in the home backing up at the same time
• A sewage smell in the basement that does not clear after airing out
• Standing water near a basement floor drain after heavy rain
• Staining or dark rings around the base of a toilet
• Water coming up through a floor drain while laundry runs

How the Work Is Done

1. Call and stay out of the area

   Report what backed up and how far it spread. Keep children and pets away, and do not run water in the house until the line is assessed.

2. Containment and protection

   The affected area is isolated, the space is ventilated safely, and anyone entering uses protective equipment.

3. Pump out and remove

   Standing sewage is pumped out and removed. Carpet, pad and any porous material that absorbed it are bagged for disposal.

4. Disinfect every surface

   Remaining hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and disinfected. This step is what removes the health hazard and most of the odor.

5. Dry, deodorize and repair

   The structure is dried and the air scrubbed to clear residual smell. Repairs and flooring replacement follow, along with steps to reduce the chance of another backup.

When to Call Immediately

Call right away for any sewage backup, no matter how shallow it looks. This is a health hazard, not a cleanup chore, and the contamination has already traveled beyond the visible puddle. Call immediately if the backup involves a toilet, if multiple fixtures are affected, if there is sewage in a kitchen or nursery, if there is a septic system failure, or if anyone in the home has a compromised immune system. Do not use a household vacuum or a fan in the affected area, do not attempt to wash contaminated items in your laundry or kitchen sink, and wash your hands thoroughly if you touch anything that was in the water.

Sewage Cleanup Across Kentucky

Frequently Asked Questions