Sewer backups · cesspool backups · toilet overflows
Sewage Backup Cleanup and Disinfection
Sewage is the most hazardous kind of water damage. Under the industry standard it is Category 3, or "black water," because it can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. It should not be cleaned up with a mop and bleach, and porous materials it touches usually cannot be saved.
Call now if
- Water is rising from a floor drain, toilet or shower
- Several drains gurgle or drain slowly at once
- A sewage smell is coming from the basement
- Wet, foul-smelling ground over a cesspool or septic tank
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On Long Island and in Westchester, backups come from two very different systems. Nassau County, Westchester and New York City are mostly on public sewers. In Suffolk County, most homes still rely on cesspools or septic systems. The cause, and who you call first, depends on which you have.
Do this right now
- Stop using water: no flushing, showers, dishwasher or laundry. Every gallon you use adds to the backup.
- Keep children, pets and anyone with a weak immune system away from the area.
- Do not touch the water without waterproof gloves and boots. Wash hands thoroughly afterward.
- Turn off power to the area at the breaker if water is near outlets or appliances and you can reach the panel from a dry spot.
- Photograph the water, where it came from, and damaged belongings before anything is removed.
Sewer homes vs. cesspool and septic homes
If you are on a public sewer
The blockage is either in your own house line (between the house and the street) or in the public main. If neighbors are also backing up, or it is raining heavily, the problem may be in the main. Call your sewer authority (in Nassau, the county or your village; in Westchester, your city, town or village) as well as a plumber. If only your house is affected, a plumber usually needs to clear the house line, often caused by tree roots, grease or wipes.
If you have a cesspool or septic system
About 74% of Suffolk homes are not connected to a sewer, according to Suffolk County. Cesspools and septic systems back up when they are full, when the ground around them is saturated after heavy rain, or when the inlet pipe is blocked. A cesspool service company can pump the system and tell you whether it needs repair or replacement. Suffolk County now runs a septic improvement program with grants toward nitrogen-reducing systems, which may help if yours has failed.
How professional sewage cleanup works
Contain the area
The affected area is separated from the rest of the house, and HVAC returns nearby are closed, so contamination is not tracked or blown through the home.
Remove the water and solids
Water and waste are extracted and disposed of properly.
Remove porous materials
Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and other porous materials touched by sewage are cut out and bagged. Under industry guidance, these generally cannot be cleaned well enough to keep.
Clean and disinfect
Hard surfaces, framing and concrete are cleaned and then treated with EPA-registered disinfectants.
Dry and verify
The area is dried with dehumidifiers and air movers until moisture readings confirm it is dry. Some companies also offer surface testing after cleaning.
Insurance and sewage backups
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude water that backs up through sewers or drains. Coverage usually comes from a separate water backup and sump overflow endorsement, often with its own limit, such as $5,000 to $25,000. If the backup was caused by outside flooding, a flood policy may apply instead.
If your home has an endorsement, report the claim promptly and keep a record of what was thrown out. Photos of each item, with brand and approximate age, make the contents claim much easier.
If you do not have a water backup endorsement, it is usually inexpensive to add. Ask your agent before the next heavy rain season.
Typical costs
Sewage cleanup costs more than clean-water drying because more material is removed and disinfected, and crews use protective equipment. As a rough planning range for the New York area, a contained basement backup often runs $3,000 to $10,000, and large or finished-basement backups can run higher before rebuilding. These are not quotes. The restoration company provides its own estimate after inspecting.
Where we help
Calls are answered for homes and businesses across Long Island, Westchester, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Common questions
Sewage backup cleanup: common questions
Can I clean up a small toilet overflow myself?
A small overflow from a toilet bowl onto a tile floor, cleaned up right away with gloves and a disinfectant, is usually manageable. Anything that soaked carpet, ran under a wall or into a ceiling below, or came from a sewer line backing up, should be handled by professionals.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Often yes, if the backup is contained to a basement and the area is closed off. People who are pregnant, elderly, very young or immune-compromised may want to stay elsewhere until cleaning is done. If the backup affects living areas or your only bathroom, plan to be out for a few days.
Who is responsible if the backup came from the city or village sewer?
Responsibility depends on where the blockage was and on local rules. Some municipalities accept claims when the public main was at fault, often with strict deadlines to file a notice of claim. Ask your sewer authority promptly and keep records.
Do I need to throw out my furniture?
Upholstered furniture, mattresses, rugs and other porous items soaked by sewage generally cannot be safely cleaned. Solid wood, metal and plastic items can often be cleaned and disinfected. The restoration team can help sort what can be saved.
My cesspool backs up every time it rains hard. What can I do?
That usually means the system is undersized, failing, or surrounded by saturated soil. A licensed cesspool or septic company can inspect it. In Suffolk, ask about the county septic improvement program, which offers grants toward replacing failing systems with newer nitrogen-reducing systems.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Removal and disinfection are often done in one to two days, followed by three to five days of drying. Rebuilding is extra and depends on what was removed.
Related
Related services
Need sewage backup cleanup help now?
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