A sewage backup isn't just a mess — it's a biohazard. Here's how to stay safe, what to do first, what can't be saved, and why this is one job you shouldn't tackle alone.
What should you do first after a sewage backup? Keep people and pets away, shut off power to the area if it's safe, and stop using water and flushing toilets so you don't add to the backup. Do not try to clean raw sewage yourself — it's category-3 "black water" full of pathogens. Document the damage for insurance and call a professional sewage cleanup company right away.
Clear the area of people and pets. Sewage carries disease — treat it as hazardous from the first minute.
If it's safe, cut electricity to the affected area. Stop running water and flushing toilets anywhere in the house so you don't add to the backup.
If it's a single backed-up fixture, stop using it. If it's a main sewer-line backup (often multiple drains gurgling or backing up at once), you'll need a plumber to clear the line and a restoration pro to clean up safely.
Photograph and video the affected area and contents before anything is removed. See the insurance note below.
Trained technicians extract the waste, remove contaminated materials, and disinfect with the right equipment and EPA-registered products. See our sewage cleanup service.
Anything porous that sewage soaked into usually must be thrown out (see the list below).
Hard surfaces are sanitized, the area is deodorized, and the structure is fully dried to prevent mold — which can start within 24–48 hours.
Sewage is classified as category-3 black water — the most contaminated category. It can contain:
This is exactly why DIY cleanup is risky: even if the visible mess is gone, pathogens remain in materials and surfaces unless properly removed and disinfected.
Porous materials that absorb contaminated water generally can't be saved:
Hard, non-porous surfaces — concrete, tile, sealed wood, metal — can usually be cleaned and disinfected.
Older Pueblo neighborhoods often have aging clay sewer laterals that crack or fill with roots, and heavy monsoon rain can overload the system and push water back up basement drains. A backwater valve can help prevent it — but once a backup happens, fast professional cleanup is the priority.
Standard Colorado homeowners policies often exclude sewer and drain backups unless you've added a sewer/water backup endorsement. Coverage and limits vary, so check your declarations page — we cover this in detail in Does insurance cover sewage backup in Colorado? We document the loss for your adjuster and bill the carrier directly where covered.
Keep people and pets away, shut off power to the area if safe, and stop using water and flushing toilets. Don't try to clean raw sewage yourself — it's a biohazard. Document the damage for insurance and call a professional sewage cleanup company right away.
Yes. Sewage is category-3 "black water" that can contain bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, viruses such as hepatitis A, parasites, and hydrogen sulfide gas. Exposure can cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory illness, so cleanup requires protective equipment and proper disinfection.
It's strongly discouraged. Raw sewage requires protective equipment, containment, safe removal of contaminated porous materials, professional-grade disinfection and proper drying. Improper cleanup leaves pathogens behind and risks illness and mold.
Porous materials soaked by sewage usually can't be salvaged: carpet and pad, drywall touched by the water, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and contaminated food or paper goods. Hard, non-porous surfaces can typically be cleaned and disinfected.
Standard Colorado homeowners policies often exclude sewer and drain backups unless you've added a sewer/water backup endorsement. Coverage varies, so check your declarations page. We help document the loss for your adjuster either way.
Safe, sanitized biohazard cleanup with full disinfection and drying. 24/7 local response, direct insurance billing.