Water damage
Sewage backup cleanup
A sewage backup is Category 3 contaminated water and a health hazard. Stop using water in the house, keep people and pets away, and have it cleaned by a restoration company that removes affected porous materials, disinfects, and dries the area.
- Typical time
- Cleanup 1–3 days; drying and disinfection before repairs.
- Repair or replace
- Porous materials touched by sewage — carpet, pad, drywall, insulation — are removed and discarded.
Sewage usually backs up at the lowest drain — a shower, tub or floor drain — when the main sewer line is blocked by roots, grease or a collapsed section of old pipe.
Cleanup is more than mopping: contaminated carpet, pad and drywall are removed, hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and the area is dried and checked. A plumber clears the line first so it doesn't happen again during cleanup.
Sewage Backup Cleanup at a glance
- What it is
- A sewage backup is Category 3 contaminated water and a health hazard.
- Service category
- Water damage
Signs you need sewage backup help
- Wastewater coming up a tub, shower or floor drain
- Toilets gurgling or backing up when other fixtures drain
- Sewage odor in the house
- Wet flooring near a bathroom with no clean-water source
Quick answers
Sewage Backup Cleanup: the short version
How long sewage backup cleanup takes
Cleanup 1–3 days; drying and disinfection before repairs.
When sewage backup can wait, and when it can't
Emergency — stop using all water and keep everyone out of the area.
Fix or replace sewage backup?
Porous materials touched by sewage — carpet, pad, drywall, insulation — are removed and discarded.
The visit
How sewage backup cleanup is done
- 1
Clear the line
A plumber clears the main line so water can be used safely again.
- 2
Contain and remove
The area is contained; sewage and contaminated porous materials are removed.
- 3
Clean and disinfect
Hard surfaces are cleaned and treated with antimicrobial products.
- 4
Dry and verify
The structure is dried and checked before repairs.
What moves the price of sewage backup cleanup
- Area affected
- Porous materials removed
- Whether the backup reached walls
- Line clearing and repair (by a plumber)
Check coverage near you
Use your location or ZIP code to see whether sewage backup cleanup is covered where you are, and the nearest service area.
Location is only used to find the service area nearest you. It stays on your device and isn't stored.
Happening right now? 24-hour emergency service is the faster route than a scheduled visit.
Sewage Backup Cleanup: common questions
Is it safe to clean up sewage myself?
It isn't recommended. Sewage contains bacteria and viruses; porous materials it touches need to be removed and hard surfaces disinfected with protective equipment.
Does insurance cover sewage backup?
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you've added a sewer or water backup endorsement. Check your policy.
Service area
Sewage Backup Cleanup in Tucson & Pinal County
- Tucson
- Catalina Foothills
- Oro Valley
- Marana
- Sewage Backup Cleanup in Casas Adobes
- Sahuarita
- Green Valley
- Sewage Backup Cleanup in Vail
- San Tan Valley
- Maricopa
- Casa Grande
- Apache Junction
- Gold Canyon
- Florence
- Coolidge
- Eloy
- Arizona City
- Oracle & San Manuel
- Tanque Verde
- Corona de Tucson
- Picture Rocks
- Superior
- San Manuel
- Kearny
- Mesa
- Gilbert
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Glendale
- Boise
- Meridian
- Nampa
Related
Services often paired with sewage backup cleanup
Emergency Board-Up & Roof Tarping
Emergency board-up covers broken windows and doors with plywood, and roof tarping covers holes or damaged roofing, to keep out weather and intruders after a fire, monsoon storm or break-in.
Learn more
Water Damage Restoration
Water damage restoration is the process of stopping the water, extracting it, drying the structure to a measured dry standard, and repairing what couldn't be saved.
Learn more
Storm Flooding & Flood Cleanup
Floodwater that enters a home from outside is treated as contaminated (Category 3) water.
Learn more
Get help with a sewage backup
Emergency — stop using all water and keep everyone out of the area.