Sewage is Category 3 water: the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard defines Category 3 as grossly contaminated water that can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. EPA advises calling a professional experienced with contaminated water when damage comes from sewage. (IICRC; US EPA)

Sewage backup cleanup is one part of our water damage help in Miami: one call connects you with a local restoration crew that serves your address. Not sure where to start? Read when the guidance says to call a professional.

Plumber or restoration crew? What sewage cleanup covers

Clearing the blocked line is a plumber’s job, and it is not part of sewage cleanup. Sewage cleanup deals with what came out of the line: the contaminated water and the materials it soaked, which EPA says should go to a professional experienced in cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water. (US EPA)

What to check first

Whether the line has been cleared, so no more sewage comes up during the cleanup.
Where the water came up and how far it spread: under vanities and baseboards, into drywall, carpet and pad.
Who lives there. Under S500, high-risk occupants are one reason to bring in an indoor environmental professional. (IICRC)

The work, in order

Assessment: the crew inspects what the water reached and determines the category of water, which sets the scope of work, as the S500 standard describes. (IICRC)
Removal: materials that soaked up sewage and cannot be cleaned and dried are taken out. (US EPA)
Cleaning, then disinfecting: EPA’s order is to clean surfaces with water and detergent before any disinfectant goes on. Ask the crew what it will clean and disinfect with. (US EPA)
Drying comes last: S500 says that for Category 2 or 3 water, remediation should happen before restorative drying. (IICRC)

Separate jobs to plan for

Clearing or repairing the sewer line, toilet or drain: a plumber.
Rebuilding what was removed: drywall, baseboards, flooring and vanities. Ask whether that is a separate contract.
An HVAC service check, if sewage reached the air handler or its ducts.

Why sewage backup cleanup is handled differently

S500’s examples of Category 3 water include sewage and wasteline backflows that originate from beyond any trap, regardless of visible content or color. That classification drives what can be cleaned and what has to be removed. (IICRC)

Health risks of sewage water

EPA explains that flood water can bring microorganisms, including from sewage, into a building and let ones already there grow, and that exposure during cleanup can cause allergic or irritant effects and in some cases infectious disease. (US EPA)

CDC warns that a flooded home may be contaminated with mold or sewage, which can make you sick. Keep children and pets out of affected rooms until the area has been cleaned. (CDC)

What gets cleaned and what gets removed

EPA says materials that soak up a lot of water and cannot be cleaned and dried should be thrown away. Hard surfaces that do not soak up water can usually be cleaned and dried. (US EPA)

Cleaning and disinfecting, in the right order

EPA’s order matters: clean first, then disinfect. Disinfectants such as bleach do not work well unless the dirt around the microorganisms is removed first, and any disinfectant should be used with the area ventilated. (US EPA)

Clean surfaces gently with clean water and detergent to remove dirt and microorganisms.
Only then use a disinfectant or sanitizer, if one is used at all.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other chemicals, including ones the flood water may have carried in.
Ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors when using a disinfectant.

If you have to go in: protective gear

EPA’s advice after a disaster is to avoid contaminated buildings and contaminated water as much as you can. If you must enter, it says to wear an N-95 respirator at a minimum, goggles and protective gloves; its mold guidance recommends long gloves and goggles without ventilation holes, and gloves made of natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or PVC when using a disinfectant. (US EPA)

Sewage backup: first steps
Step	Why
Keep people and pets out of the area	Sewage-contaminated water can make you sick (CDC)
Do not run fans across the area yourself	EPA warns that fans can spread mold that is already growing
Photograph the damage	Florida’s claims bill of rights asks for photos and receipts
Call for a crew that handles Category 3 water	EPA advises a professional experienced with contaminated water

Call us about your sewage backup cleanup

Tell us what happened and where. We will connect you with a local restoration crew that serves your address.

Call (305) 555-0123

Questions

Can being exposed to raw sewage make you sick?

Yes. CDC warns that sewage contamination in a flooded home can make you sick, and EPA notes that microorganisms in flood water can cause allergic, irritant and in some cases infectious effects.

What should I wear if I have to walk through it?

EPA says to wear an N-95 respirator at a minimum, goggles and protective gloves, and to avoid contaminated water as much as you can.

Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?

EPA advises calling a professional experienced with contaminated water when damage was caused by sewage. Small or not, the water is contaminated.

Will a plumber clean up the sewage?

A plumber clears the line. Removing and cleaning contaminated materials is the restoration part of the job, and EPA points that to a professional experienced with contaminated water.

Will carpet and drywall have to go?

EPA says materials that soak up a lot of water and cannot be cleaned and dried should be thrown away. The crew decides after inspecting what the water reached.

Is a toilet overflow always Category 3?

S500 treats wasteline backflows from beyond the trap as Category 3 regardless of how the water looks. The crew determines the category on site.

Sewage backup cleanup in Miami