Sewage & sewer damage cleanup
Sewage backup? Don't clean this one yourself.
Water from a sewer line, a floor drain or an overflowing toilet carries bacteria and viruses. It needs protective gear, removal of anything porous it touched, and real disinfection, not just a mop and bleach.
Right now: protect your family
- Stop using water in the house. Every flush, shower or load of laundry sends more water toward a line that's backing up.
- Keep kids, pets and anyone with a weak immune system away from the area.
- Don't touch it bare-handed. If you must go near it, wear rubber boots and gloves and wash thoroughly afterward.
- Close off the room and turn off forced-air heating or AC if the vents are in that area, so you don't spread odors and contamination.
- Take photos for your insurance company before anything is cleaned up.
Clean water, gray water and black water
The restoration industry sorts water damage into three categories, and the category decides how the cleanup is done:
- Clean water (category 1): from a supply line, like a burst pipe. It can usually be dried in place if handled fast.
- Gray water (category 2): from a washing machine, dishwasher or a toilet bowl with urine. It has some contamination.
- Black water (category 3): sewage, toilet overflows with feces, and outside floodwater. It's grossly contaminated.
Clean water that sits for a day or two can turn into gray or black water as bacteria grow. That's one more reason not to wait.
What causes sewer backups
A clogged or broken sewer lateral
The pipe from your house to the street can clog with grease and wipes, or get invaded by tree roots through old clay or cast-iron joints. That's common in older neighborhoods in Huntingdon and Altoona. When it clogs, sewage comes up through the lowest drain in the house, usually a basement floor drain or shower.
Municipal sewer overload
In very heavy rain, some older sewer systems take on so much stormwater that it pushes back into homes. A backwater valve on your line can help prevent it.
Septic backups
Plenty of homes outside borough limits, around Raystown Lake and in rural Huntingdon and Centre counties, are on septic. A full tank, a failed drain field or a saturated yard after heavy rain can push sewage back into the house.
How sewage cleanup is done
- Containment. Plastic barriers and sometimes negative air pressure keep contamination from spreading through the house.
- Extraction. Sewage water and solids are pumped out and disposed of properly.
- Removal. Porous materials the sewage touched, like carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and upholstered items, generally can't be safely cleaned and are removed.
- Cleaning and disinfection. Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and treated with professional-grade disinfectants.
- Drying. The area is dried and dehumidified to stop mold and odor.
- Rebuild. Once it's clean and dry, the space is put back together.
Get the line fixed too. Cleanup handles the damage, but if the cause was a clog or broken pipe, you'll also need a plumber or sewer contractor to clear or repair the line, or it can happen again.
Sewage questions
Sewage cleanup FAQ
Can I clean up sewage with bleach?
Bleach kills germs on hard surfaces it can reach, but it doesn't get into drywall, carpet, insulation or wood, which is where sewage soaks in. Mixing bleach with other cleaners can also release toxic gases. For anything beyond a small amount on a hard floor, professional cleanup is the safer route.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backup?
Often only if you added a "water backup" or "sewer and drain backup" endorsement to your policy. Many people find out they don't have it after the backup. Call your agent to check, and see our insurance claim page.
Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?
Generally no. Carpet and pad soaked with sewage should be removed and replaced. Hard flooring like tile or sealed concrete can usually be cleaned and disinfected.