Water damage
Sewage backup cleanup
A sewage backup is Category 3 contaminated water and a health hazard. Stop using water in the house, keep people and pets away, and have it cleaned by a restoration company that removes affected porous materials, disinfects, and dries the area.
- Typical time
- Cleanup 1–3 days; drying and disinfection before repairs.
- Repair or replace
- Porous materials touched by sewage — carpet, pad, drywall, insulation — are removed and discarded.
Sewage usually backs up at the lowest drain — a shower, tub or floor drain — when the main sewer line is blocked by roots, grease or a collapsed section of old pipe.
Cleanup is more than mopping: contaminated carpet, pad and drywall are removed, hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and the area is dried and checked. A plumber clears the line first so it doesn't happen again during cleanup.
Sewage Backup Cleanup at a glance
- What it is
- A sewage backup is Category 3 contaminated water and a health hazard.
- Service category
- Water damage
Signs you need sewage backup help
- Wastewater coming up a tub, shower or floor drain
- Toilets gurgling or backing up when other fixtures drain
- Sewage odor in the house
- Wet flooring near a bathroom with no clean-water source
Quick answers
Sewage Backup Cleanup: the short version
How long sewage backup cleanup takes
Cleanup 1–3 days; drying and disinfection before repairs.
When sewage backup can wait, and when it can't
Emergency — stop using all water and keep everyone out of the area.
Fix or replace sewage backup?
Porous materials touched by sewage — carpet, pad, drywall, insulation — are removed and discarded.
The visit
How sewage backup cleanup is done
- 1
Clear the line
A plumber clears the main line so water can be used safely again.
- 2
Contain and remove
The area is contained; sewage and contaminated porous materials are removed.
- 3
Clean and disinfect
Hard surfaces are cleaned and treated with antimicrobial products.
- 4
Dry and verify
The structure is dried and checked before repairs.
What moves the price of sewage backup cleanup
- Area affected
- Porous materials removed
- Whether the backup reached walls
- Line clearing and repair (by a plumber)
Sewage Backup Cleanup: common questions
Is it safe to clean up sewage myself?
It isn't recommended. Sewage contains bacteria and viruses; porous materials it touches need to be removed and hard surfaces disinfected with protective equipment.
Does insurance cover sewage backup?
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you've added a sewer or water backup endorsement. Check your policy.
Service area
Sewage Backup Cleanup in Tucson & Pinal County
Related
Services often paired with sewage backup cleanup
Emergency Board-Up & Roof Tarping
Emergency board-up covers broken windows and doors with plywood, and roof tarping covers holes or damaged roofing, to keep out weather and intruders after a fire, monsoon storm or break-in.
Learn more
Water Damage Restoration
Water damage restoration is the process of stopping the water, extracting it, drying the structure to a measured dry standard, and repairing what couldn't be saved.
Learn more
Storm Flooding & Flood Cleanup
Floodwater that enters a home from outside is treated as contaminated (Category 3) water.
Learn more
Get help with a sewage backup
Emergency — stop using all water and keep everyone out of the area.