Sewage backup: what to do first
Sewage backup is an emergency, and our 24/7 line is open for it. Keep everyone, including pets, out of the affected area, do not touch the water, and do not run more water down any drain.
If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, leave power alone unless you can reach the panel without stepping in water. Call your utility or 911 for any electrical or gas risk before you call us.
Backups happen overnight and on weekends, so we treat those calls as normal. Same-day response is what we work toward when crews are available, and the person on the phone will tell you what to expect.
Signs your drains are backing up
A backup usually announces itself before it floods. Gurgling toilets, slow drains in several fixtures at once, water rising in a floor drain or a sewer smell in the basement are all warning signs.
If more than one fixture is affected, the blockage is likely in the main line rather than a single sink. That is a plumber or city question, and it is the point where cleanup planning and drain clearing should both start.
| What you see | Likely location of the problem | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| One slow sink | Local branch line | Plumber. |
| Several fixtures, basement floor drain rising | Main sewer line or lateral | Plumber, and ask the city if the street main is involved. |
| Backup after heavy rain | Overwhelmed sewer system | Your city water and sewer department. |
| Sewage already on the floor | Any of the above | Call us for cleanup, plus a plumber for the cause. |
Why sewage is treated differently
Sewage is category 3 water in the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard that many restoration professionals use as a reference. It is considered grossly contaminated, so porous materials such as carpet, pad and wet drywall that it touched are usually removed rather than saved.
Crews work in protective gear, contain the area and use antimicrobial products on surfaces that stay. You can help by staying out and keeping the door closed until we arrive.
How we clean up after a sewage backup
Contain
We close off the affected area so contamination does not travel on shoes and air.
Remove water and solids
Extractors and pumps remove liquid and solids, then wet vacuums finish.
Remove porous materials
Contaminated carpet, pad, insulation and low drywall are bagged and hauled out.
Clean and dry
Surfaces are cleaned, treated and dried with air movers, dehumidifiers and air filtration.
Whose problem is the pipe?
A blockage in your private lateral is the homeowner's to clear, while a blocked city main is a utility matter. Ask the City of Romulus water and sewer department whether the street main is involved, and ask your plumber to scope the lateral.
Michigan DIFS notes that limited water or sewer back-up coverage can be added by endorsement, so check your policy for that language.
What not to do
Do not run the washer, dishwasher or showers, because every gallon you add can end up in the backup. Do not use bleach and ammonia products together or try to clean the area without protection.
Also avoid tracking through the affected area and then through the rest of the house, since contamination can travel on shoes and pets.
What affects the cost
Cost factors
Cost depends on volume, how many rooms were hit, whether finished flooring was involved and how much material must be removed and disposed of. Contaminated jobs require more protective steps than clean water jobs.
We explain scope and price before work starts.
Related services
Backups that reach a lower level are described in basement water damage cleanup. For the pumping step see water extraction, and for the drying phase see structural drying.
Questions people ask
Yes. The 24/7 line takes sewage calls at any hour, including nights, weekends and holidays. Keep people and pets out and tell us what you see.
Brown or gray water, odor and water rising from a floor drain or toilet point to wastewater. A split supply line gives clear water. When unsure, treat it as contaminated and call.
It is not recommended. Contaminated water needs protective gear, careful containment and proper disposal.
Standard policies often exclude it, but Michigan DIFS notes that endorsements can add limited water or sewer back-up coverage. Check your policy and call your insurer.
Several fixtures draining slowly at once, gurgling at the lowest drain and water rising in the basement floor drain are the common signs. A plumber can scope the line to confirm.