Flood Damage Restoration
Cleanup after rising water or heavy rain gets inside: floodwater removal, removing damaged materials, drying and rebuilding.
Sewage Cleanup for Houston-Area Homes
Sewage cleanup is the removal of contaminated water and waste after a sewer backup or toilet overflow, followed by removal of affected porous materials, cleaning, sanitizing and drying. Sewage can carry bacteria and other contaminants, so it shouldn't be handled like a clean-water leak. If sewage has backed up into your home, keep people and pets away from it and call.
Why is sewage cleanup different?
In restoration terms, sewage is the most contaminated category of water. The approach changes accordingly: protective equipment for the people doing the work, containment to keep contamination from spreading, and generally removing porous materials like carpet, pad and affected drywall rather than trying to dry them.
Toilet overflows vary. Water from a tank or a clean bowl is different from a backup that includes waste. When in doubt, treat it as contaminated.
Sewage can also arrive with floodwater, when heavy rain overwhelms the system and pushes water back up through floor drains and toilets. That overlaps with flood damage restoration.
Dealing with this right now? Call and we'll help you sort out the next step.
Call Now: (855) 231-6948Common causes of sewage backups
Main line clogs
Grease, wipes and other items can block the line between the house and the city sewer.
Tree roots
Roots can grow into older clay or cast iron sewer lines looking for water.
Heavy rain and overloaded sewers
Stormwater can overwhelm municipal systems and push sewage backward.
Broken or sagging pipes
Settling soil, including the shifting clay common around Houston, can crack or belly sewer lines.
Septic problems
In areas on septic systems, a full or failing system can back up into the house.
Signs of a sewage problem
- Water coming up from a floor drain, tub or shower
- Multiple drains backing up at the same time
- Gurgling from toilets when other fixtures run
- Sewage odor inside the home
- Water around the base of a toilet that returns after cleanup
What to do right away during a sewage backup
- Stop using water. Don't flush, run faucets, or start the washer or dishwasher. That can make the backup worse.
- Keep children and pets out of the area and close the door if you can.
- Avoid touching sewage. If you must be near it, wear gloves and boots and wash thoroughly afterward.
- Don't use household fans in the area. They can spread odors and airborne contaminants.
- Call a plumber to clear the blockage, and call for sewage cleanup.
Don't try to clean sewage with a mop and bleach. Porous materials hold contamination that surface cleaning won't reach, and mixing cleaning chemicals can create dangerous fumes.
How professional sewage cleanup typically works
The exact steps depend on your home, the water source and how long materials were wet.
Containment
Isolating the affected area so contamination isn't tracked through the house.
Removing waste and water
Extracting contaminated water and solids with dedicated equipment.
Removing porous materials
Taking out carpet, pad, baseboards and lower drywall that sewage contacted.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces and the structure with appropriate products.
Drying and rebuild
Need help with sewage cleanup?
Call now. Tell us what happened and what you're seeing.
Why sewage shouldn't sit
Sewage soaks into porous materials and the odor spreads through the house quickly. The longer it sits, the more material may need to be removed.
Contaminated moisture in warm conditions also raises the risk of secondary problems, including odors that linger and conditions that may support microbial growth.
Related services
Emergency Water Removal
When water is standing on the floor right now. What to do in the first hour, and how removal gets started.
Water Extraction
Pulling standing and soaked-in water out of carpet, pad and hard floors so drying can actually work.
Structural Drying
Removing the moisture you can't see from walls, framing, subfloor and cabinets, confirmed with readings.
Water Damage Repair
Putting rooms back together after drying: drywall, ceilings, insulation, flooring, trim and cabinets.
Mold Remediation
Addressing mold growth that follows leaks and floods, starting with the moisture problem that caused it.
Sewage Cleanup across the Houston area
We help homeowners in Houston and these nearby communities.
- Pasadena, TX
- Pearland, TX
- Sugar Land, TX
- League City, TX
- Missouri City, TX
- Friendswood, TX
- Baytown, TX
- Deer Park, TX
- Webster, TX
- Channelview, TX
Our guide on what to do after a toilet overflows explains when an overflow is a simple cleanup and when it needs professional handling. Browse the homeowner guides.
Sewage Cleanup questions
Is sewage backup dangerous?
Sewage can contain bacteria, viruses and other contaminants, so direct contact should be avoided. Keep vulnerable people, children and pets away from the area until it's been cleaned.
Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?
Carpet and pad soaked by sewage are generally removed and discarded rather than cleaned, because contamination gets deep into the fibers and pad.
Who fixes the cause, a plumber or a restoration company?
A plumber clears or repairs the blockage or line. A restoration company handles the cleanup, sanitizing and drying of the home. You usually need both.
Does insurance cover sewage backup?
Many standard homeowners policies exclude sewer backup unless you've added a specific endorsement. Check your policy and ask your insurer.
Need sewage cleanup help?
Call now and describe what's going on. We'll help you figure out what needs to happen next.
Call Now: (855) 231-6948