Sewage backup cleanup and sanitizing

What this service covers

Sewage backup cleanup deals with category 3 water, which is water that carries disease-causing organisms. The work includes stopping exposure, removing contaminated water and materials, cleaning and disinfecting what is left, drying the structure and controlling odor.

What causes a backup

Common causes are tree roots in a sewer line, flushed items that block a drain, collapsed or aging pipes, and heavy rain that overloads the municipal system. Warning signs include gurgling from toilets, slow drains in several fixtures at once, and water or foul odor coming from a basement floor drain.

What to do and what to avoid

• Keep people and pets out of the affected room.
• Do not touch the water with bare skin, and do not wade through it.
• Do not run fans, a vacuum or the heating and cooling system, which can spread contaminated particles through the house.
• Stop using sinks, tubs, toilets and the washing machine so you do not add more water.
• Open a window only if it does not blow air through the contaminated area into clean rooms.
• Take photos from the doorway before anything is moved.
• Do not attempt to salvage carpet, upholstered furniture or stuffed toys that were soaked.

How we handle it

We follow our standard restoration process, with additional precautions because of the contamination. Sewage work calls for protective gear, containment of the affected area and decontamination of tools and equipment afterward. Ask any contractor what they use.

Standing sewage is extracted first. Next, porous materials that have absorbed it, such as carpet, pad, insulation and drywall, are removed and bagged, because they cannot be reliably cleaned. Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and treated with disinfectant. Drying equipment comes in after that, and we monitor moisture until the structure is dry. Air movement and odor control are used where needed, and we then talk with you about rebuilding what was removed.

Why timing and care both matter

Sewage that sits can saturate more of the building and raise the odds of mold and lasting odor. Doing it carefully matters too, since rushing in with the wrong tools can spread contamination to clean areas. If it is safe to wait on our crew, that is usually better than a hurried do-it-yourself attempt.

Protective gear and why it matters

Sewage can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. Professional crews generally use gloves, boots, eye protection and respiratory protection suited to the job, along with decontamination steps before moving between contaminated and clean areas. If you have to enter the affected area before we arrive, for example to reach a shutoff, wear waterproof boots and gloves, wash your hands thoroughly afterward and keep your shoes out of the rest of the house.

After the cleanup

Once the structure is clean and dry, we walk through the space with you. Depending on what was removed, that may involve replacing flooring, baseboard and drywall. We also suggest that you ask a plumber to look at the line so the cause is addressed. A backup that was caused by a root intrusion or a collapsed section can return unless the underlying problem is fixed.

Keep an eye out for lingering odor, and tell us if you notice any. Odor usually points to material that is still holding contamination or moisture, and we want to know about it.

Insurance

Coverage for sewer and drain backup differs from policy to policy and is often a separate endorsement. Read your policy or call your agent. We will keep photo and moisture records for the claim and can bill your insurer directly if coverage applies. See our insurance page.

Service area

We are based in St. Charles and handle backups across St. Charles County and St. Louis County, including O’Fallon, Wentzville and St. Louis County. The areas page lists the rest.

Call us and tell us what you are seeing. The line is open 24/7.