Category 3 · biohazard
Sewage backup cleanup.
This is the one situation where we'd rather you did nothing at all until we arrive.
Keep everyone — especially children and pets — out of the affected area. Stop running water anywhere in the house, including washing machines and dishwashers, since it all drains toward the same blockage. Don't attempt cleanup with a household vacuum or a mop.
24/7 · we arrive equipped for Category 3
Why it's treated differently
Sewage is Category 3 water: it carries bacteria, viruses and parasites. That changes the rules. Where a clean-water loss is about drying, a sewage loss is about decontamination — porous materials that absorbed it are removed and disposed of rather than cleaned, because they can't be reliably sanitized.
What comes out
| Removed and disposed | Cleaned and salvaged |
|---|---|
| Carpet and pad, drywall to a set height above the line, insulation, particleboard, upholstered furniture, mattresses, affected food and paper | Sealed concrete, tile, metal, solid hardwood and plastics — cleaned, treated with antimicrobial, then dried and verified |
How we handle it
- 1Contain and protectFull PPE, containment of the affected area, and negative air pressure so nothing migrates into clean parts of the home.
- 2Extract and removeWaste extraction, then removal and bagged disposal of unsalvageable porous material.
- 3Clean and treatEvery remaining surface cleaned and treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial.
- 4Dry and verifyStructural drying with daily readings, then final treatment before anything is rebuilt.
Common causes here
- Main line blockage — tree roots are the usual culprit in Denver's older neighborhoods, where mature trees sit right over clay sewer laterals.
- City main surcharge during heavy rain, pushing back up through the lowest fixture in the house — typically a basement floor drain.
- Collapsed or offset laterals in older housing stock.
- Failed ejector pump in a basement bathroom below the main sewer line.
Common questions
Is sewage backup covered by insurance?
Standard homeowners policies frequently exclude sewer and drain backup unless you carry a specific endorsement — often called water/sewer backup coverage, commonly added with modest limits. Check your declarations page, and call us regardless: we document thoroughly, which matters if coverage is disputed.
Can I clean up sewage myself?
We strongly advise against it. Category 3 water carries pathogens, correct handling requires protective equipment and antimicrobial treatment, and porous materials need proper disposal rather than cleaning. The health risk is real and the cost of doing it twice is higher than doing it once.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Removal and decontamination is usually one to two days depending on area, followed by three to five days of structural drying. Rebuild happens after the space is verified clean and dry.
Will the smell go away?
Yes, when the source material is fully removed. Persistent odor after cleanup almost always means something porous was left in place or a cavity never fully dried — both of which we check for before finishing.
24/7 · Denver metro · we bill your insurer directly