Sewage Backup in Your Home: Health Risks, Cleanup Steps, & When to Call a Professional

What Causes Sewage Backups in Homes?

Sewage backups occur when wastewater flows back into your home. Common culprits include:

• Clogged drain lines from grease, hair, or debris buildup
• Tree root intrusion cracking or blocking underground pipes
• Municipal sewer overload during heavy rainfall
• Aging or collapsed pipes in older homes
• Flushing non-flushable items like wipes or paper towels

Health Risks of Raw Sewage in Your Home

Dangerous Bacteria & Viruses in Sewage Water

Raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose serious threats even with brief exposure. Contaminants commonly found in sewage include E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, and waterborne parasites like Cryptosporidium.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Sewage Exposure?

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system are at the highest risk. Even healthy adults should treat any contact with sewage as a medical concern and wash thoroughly with soap and water immediately.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Sewage Backup

How to Stay Safe Before Help Arrives

Act quickly to minimize health risks and property damage.

• Keep everyone out of the affected area, including pets
• Avoid skin contact with sewage water
• Shut off electricity to flooded rooms at the breaker panel
• Ventilate the space by opening windows and doors if safe to do so
• Document everything with photos and video before any cleanup begins for your insurance claim

Can You Clean Up Sewage Damage Yourself?

When DIY Sewage Cleanup Is Not Safe

Small, contained spills may be manageable with the right protective gear. However, call a professional if any of the following apply:

• The backup covers more than a small area
• Sewage has soaked into drywall, flooring, or insulation
• Water has been standing for more than 24 hours
• You notice mold growth or a persistent foul odor
• Anyone in your home has health vulnerabilities

Improper cleanup can leave hidden contamination behind, leading to mold growth and ongoing health hazards.

Professional Sewage Cleanup Process: Step by Step

What Certified Restoration Technicians Do

A certified restoration team will walk through a thorough process to make sure your home is safe, not just visually clean:

• Extract all standing sewage water with commercial pumps
• Remove saturated materials like drywall and flooring that cannot be decontaminated
• Disinfect all affected surfaces with hospital-grade antimicrobial treatments
• Dry the space using industrial air movers and dehumidifiers
• Treat for mold to prevent secondary damage
• Reconstruct removed materials to restore your home to pre-loss condition

Why Homeowners Trust 911 Restoration for Sewage Cleanup

45-Minute Emergency Response Time, 24/7/365

Sewage emergencies do not follow business hours. 911 Restoration crews are on call around the clock and on site fast, so damage stops sooner.

IICRC-Certified Sewage & Water Damage Technicians

Every technician is certified through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, the gold standard in the restoration industry.

Full-Service Restoration From Sewage Cleanup to Reconstruction

From sewage extraction and sanitization to rebuilt walls and floors, everything is handled under one roof.

Hassle-Free Insurance Claims Assistance

911 Restoration works directly with your insurer, providing documentation and pre-audited estimates to help move your claim forward with less stress.

Nationally Trusted, Locally Dedicated

With a 4.9-star average rating and locations across the country, 911 Restoration brings the resources of a national company with the care of a local team invested in your recovery.

Call 911 Restoration for Fast, Professional Sewage Backup Cleanup

A sewage backup is not something to wait out or handle halfway. The health risks are real, and the window for proper cleanup is short.