24/7 emergency restoration
Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage is a health hazard, not a mess to mop. It needs protective equipment, removal of porous materials and proper disinfection before anyone uses the space again.
- IICRC Certified Firm
- $5 million insured
- One team, emergency to rebuild
Before we arrive
Do this now
- 1Keep everyone out of the affected area, especially children, older adults and pets.
- 2Stop using toilets, sinks, the dishwasher and the washing machine.
- 3Do not touch contaminated items with bare hands.
- 4Open windows if you can do so without walking through the sewage.
- 5Call your municipality if you think the blockage is in the city sewer.
If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas or see sparking, leave the building and call 911 first.
Callback about sewage backup
Leave a name and number and a person calls you back. For an active emergency, phone us instead.
What makes sewage different
A sewage backup is classed as the most contaminated kind of water loss. It carries bacteria, viruses and parasites from human waste, and during storms it also carries whatever has washed into the sewer system. The health risk comes from contact and from contamination being tracked or splashed onto other surfaces.
That is why the rule for sewage is removal, not drying. Porous materials absorb contaminated water into places that cleaning products cannot reach. Carpet, underpad, drywall, insulation, particleboard and upholstered furniture that were in contact with sewage are taken out. Concrete, framing lumber and other structural materials are cleaned, disinfected and then dried.
Backups have two broad causes. One is a problem in the building's own drain or lateral. The other is the municipal sewer running full during heavy rain and pushing back toward the house. Knowing which one you had matters for preventing the next one and can matter for your insurance claim.
What to expect on the first visit
The crew arrives in protective equipment and starts by setting limits: which rooms are affected, where the contamination stops and how people can move through the house without tracking it. The affected area is isolated before any material is disturbed. If the backup is still active, nothing is flushed or drained until the cause is understood.
Sewage and solids are removed first, then the porous materials that were in contact with it. That usually means carpet, underpad, baseboard and the lower part of the drywall and insulation on the first visit. Hard surfaces are washed and then disinfected. Only after that does drying begin. You should be told clearly which belongings can be cleaned and which cannot be made safe.
What we do, in order
- 01
Contain the area
We isolate the affected rooms so contamination is not tracked through the house.
- 02
Remove sewage and solids
Liquid is extracted and solids are removed and disposed of properly.
- 03
Remove porous materials
Carpet, underpad, drywall, insulation and other absorbent materials that contacted sewage are bagged and removed.
- 04
Clean and disinfect
Hard surfaces and structural materials are washed, then disinfected.
- 05
Dry the structure
Drying equipment runs until moisture readings are back to normal.
- 06
Rebuild
Finishes are reinstated once the area is clean and dry.
Why sewers back up
- Municipal sewer surcharge
- In an intense storm, more water enters the sewer than it can carry, and the level rises above basement floor drains.
- Combined sewers
- Older parts of some Ontario cities carry stormwater and sewage in one pipe, which fills quickly in heavy rain.
- Tree roots
- Roots enter clay or cracked laterals at the joints and grow into a mat that catches paper and solids.
- Grease and wipes
- Fat poured down the sink hardens in the pipe. Wipes labelled flushable do not break down the way toilet paper does.
- Collapsed or sagging lateral
- Old clay and cast iron pipes crack, shift and settle, creating low spots where solids build up.
- Weeping tile connected to the sanitary sewer
- In some older homes the foundation drain discharges to the sanitary line, adding rainwater to it. Several municipalities subsidise disconnecting it.
What can be kept after a sewage backup
| Concrete and masonry | Washed, disinfected and dried. |
|---|---|
| Framing lumber | Usually cleaned, disinfected and dried in place once wall coverings are removed. |
| Drywall, insulation, carpet, underpad | Removed and disposed of. |
| Solid wood and metal furniture | Usually cleanable. Upholstered furniture and mattresses are not. |
| Appliances | Assessed individually. Insulated appliances such as fridges and freezers that sat in sewage are often written off. |
| Clothing and linens | Hot-water laundering with disinfectant can save washable items. Heavily soiled items are discarded. |
How long it takes
Removal and disinfection are normally completed in the first one to two days. Drying follows, then rebuild.
Insurance
Sewer backup is usually not part of a basic home policy in Ontario. It is commonly sold as an optional endorsement with its own limit and deductible. If you have it, the cleanup, drying and repairs are typically what it responds to. Check your declarations page or ask your broker.
This is general information, not advice on your policy. How restoration claims work.
Mistakes to avoid
Using a shop vacuum and bleach. This spreads contamination into the air and leaves it inside every porous material. It also exposes the person doing it.
Keeping the carpet. Steam cleaning does not make sewage-soaked carpet or underpad safe.
Running the furnace fan. If the return air is in the affected area, the system can distribute contamination and odour through the house.
Skipping the municipal report. If the city sewer was the cause, the municipality needs to know, and your report is useful evidence for your insurer.
Questions worth asking any contractor
Whoever you hire, including us, should be able to answer these plainly.
- Which materials are you removing, and which are you cleaning and keeping?
- How do you keep contamination from spreading to the rest of the house?
- What disinfectant is used, and is the space safe for children and pets afterwards?
- Should the sewer lateral be inspected by camera before the basement is rebuilt?
- Will your report record the cause, for my insurer and the municipality?
Preventing another backup
- Install a backwater valve on the sanitary lateral, and check whether your municipality subsidises it.
- Have the lateral inspected by camera if the home is older or has large trees near the line.
- Never pour grease down the drain, and do not flush wipes, even those sold as flushable.
- Disconnect downspouts and weeping tile from the sanitary sewer where they are connected.
- During intense rain, hold off on laundry, dishwashers and long showers if you have a backwater valve.
- IICRC Certified FirmRegistered with the restoration industry's standards body
- IICRC-certified techniciansTrained to the published standards for water, fire and mold work
- Ontario asbestos abatement worker training for Type 3 operationsThe approved training for the highest-risk class of asbestos work
- Liability insurance$5 million coverage with Intact Insurance
- WSIB coverageClearance certificate on request
- 24/7 responseEvery day of the year
Sewage Backup Cleanup: common questions
Can I clean up a sewage backup myself?
We advise against it for anything beyond a very small spill on a hard surface. Sewage carries bacteria, viruses and parasites, and porous materials cannot be reliably disinfected. Without removal of those materials the contamination and smell remain.
Who is responsible, me or the city?
In general the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral on their property and the municipality for the main. Responsibility for damage is a separate question and depends on the cause. Report the backup to your municipality and your insurer.
What can be saved after a sewage backup?
Hard, non-porous items can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Carpet, underpad, upholstered furniture, mattresses, drywall and paper goods that were in contact with sewage are normally discarded.
Will the smell go away?
Yes, once the contaminated materials are removed and the structure is cleaned and dried. Odour that lingers is a sign something contaminated is still in place.
What illnesses can sewage cause?
Sewage can carry organisms that cause gastrointestinal illness, skin infections and other conditions. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. If anyone develops symptoms after contact, speak to a health professional and mention the exposure.
How long does a sewage cleanup take?
Removal and disinfection of an average basement area is commonly done within the first one to two days. Drying follows over several more days, and then the rebuild is scheduled.
Does the house need to be evacuated?
Not always. If the backup is confined to an unfinished basement that can be closed off, many households stay. If living space is affected, or there are vulnerable people in the home, staying elsewhere until cleaning is complete is the safer choice.
Can I claim against the city?
Municipalities are generally only liable where negligence can be shown, and there are short notice periods for claims against a municipality in Ontario. Report the backup promptly and get legal advice if you intend to pursue it. Your own sewer backup coverage is usually the faster route.
How do I stop it happening again?
A backwater valve on the sanitary lateral is the main protection against municipal surcharge. A camera inspection will show whether roots or a damaged pipe caused a private-side blockage. Disconnecting downspouts and weeping tile from the sewer reduces the load.
Sewage Backup Cleanup by city
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Oakville
- Burlington
- Milton
- Kitchener
- Cambridge
- Guelph
- North York
- Scarborough
- Etobicoke
- East York
- Caledon
- Bolton
- Richmond Hill
- Thornhill
- Unionville
- Woodbridge
- Maple
- Kleinburg
- Concord
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Stouffville
- King City
- East Gwillimbury
- Georgina
- Keswick
- Sutton
- Halton Hills
- Georgetown
- Acton
- Pickering
- Ajax
- Whitby
- Oshawa
- Clarington
- Bowmanville
- Uxbridge
- Scugog
- Port Perry
- Brock
- Beaverton
- Cannington
- Stoney Creek
- Ancaster
- Dundas
- Flamborough
- Grimsby
- Lincoln
- Beamsville
- West Lincoln
- St. Catharines
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Niagara Falls
- Thorold
- Welland
- Pelham
- Port Colborne
- Wainfleet
- Fort Erie
- Waterloo
- Woolwich
- Wilmot
- Wellesley
- North Dumfries
- Centre Wellington
- Guelph/Eramosa
- Puslinch
- Erin
- Mapleton
- Minto
- Wellington North
- Brantford
- Paris
- Barrie
- Innisfil
- Bradford West Gwillimbury
- New Tecumseth
- Alliston
- Essa
- Springwater
- Clearview
- Stayner
- Collingwood
- Wasaga Beach
- Orillia
- Severn
- Midland
- Penetanguishene
- Tiny
- Tay
- Orangeville
- Shelburne
- Mono
- Woodstock
- Ingersoll
- Tillsonburg
- London
- Adelaide Metcalfe
- Peterborough
- Cobourg
Damage does not wait for business hours. Neither do we.
Call any time. If you would prefer we call you, request a callback.