How to Clean up After a Sewage Backup?

The short answer

Safety First Steps

Sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make you sick. Before you touch anything, shut off the water supply to stop the flow. If the backup is from a main sewer line, contact your municipality. Keep children and pets away from the affected area until cleanup is complete.

Wear protective gear: rubber gloves, boots, goggles, and a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Open windows for ventilation. If you feel unwell or have a weakened immune system, see a doctor. Do not attempt to clean large or heavily contaminated areas without professional help.

Turn off the water valve
Put on gloves, boots, and a mask
Open windows for fresh air
Keep kids and pets away
Call your city if the backup is from the main line

Removing Contaminated Items

Anything porous that touched sewage, like carpet, drywall, or upholstered furniture, usually cannot be saved. Remove these items carefully to avoid spreading contamination. Place them in heavy-duty trash bags and seal them. Take photos for your insurance records, but do not throw away items until you check your policy.

For items you want to keep, like hard plastic or metal, rinse them with clean water first. Then wipe them with a disinfectant solution. Allow them to air dry completely. If you are unsure, it is safer to discard an item than to risk lingering germs.

Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

Cleaning Hard Surfaces

Once solid waste is removed, clean all hard surfaces like floors, walls, and counters. Use a mixture of hot water and a heavy-duty disinfectant, or a bleach solution if safe for the surface. Scrub thoroughly, then rinse with clean water. Do not mix bleach with other cleaners, as toxic fumes can form.

Pay special attention to cracks and crevices where sewage can hide. Use a stiff brush to scrub these areas. After cleaning, apply a second disinfectant pass and let it sit for the time listed on the product label. This kills remaining germs.

For large areas, local water damage pros can handle the sanitation with industrial equipment.

Use hot water with a disinfectant
Scrub cracks and joints
Rinse with clean water
Apply disinfectant and let it sit
Dry surfaces with fans or dehumidifiers

Drying the Area

Moisture left behind can lead to mold growth and structural damage. After cleaning, dry the area as quickly as possible. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and open windows to speed up evaporation. Remove any wet materials that are not salvageable, as they hold moisture.

Check hidden spots like under cabinets and behind baseboards. If you have a crawlspace or basement, inspect it for standing water. For deep drying, structural drying and dehumidification services can help. The pros use specialized equipment to dry walls and floors fully.

If you live in Rogers, keep the number for a local water damage service handy for emergencies.

When to Call the Pros

If the backup covers a large area, has soaked into walls or flooring, or involves sewage from a toilet or drain, professional help is wise. The pros have tools to extract water, clean thoroughly, and dry structures. They can also handle contaminated contents and dispose of them safely.

Professional cleanup usually involves multiple steps: extraction, cleaning, sanitizing, and drying. The cost depends on the size of the affected area, the level of contamination, and the materials involved. You can ask for a rough idea, but a final price depends on the specific situation.

Related services include sewage backup cleanup and sanitation, on-site contents cleaning, and structural drying.

Large areas with soaked drywall or flooring
Sewage from toilet or drain backups
If you have health concerns
If the smell persists after cleaning
If the backup affects a crawlspace

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean up a sewage backup myself?

Small, contained spills on hard surfaces can be cleaned with proper safety gear and disinfectants. However, if the backup is large, has soaked into porous materials, or is from a toilet, call the pros. They have the equipment and experience to handle the risk safely.

What should I do with items that touched sewage?

Porous items like carpet, drywall, and upholstered furniture should be thrown away. Hard items can be cleaned with disinfectant. Take photos for your insurance before disposal. Check your policy to see what is covered, as policies vary.

How long does it take to dry after cleaning?

Drying time depends on the materials and humidity. With fans and dehumidifiers, hard surfaces may dry in a day or two. Porous materials like drywall can take longer. The pros use moisture meters to ensure everything is fully dry, which may take several days.