Most sewage backups here come up through the lowest opening in the house, usually a basement floor drain or a basement toilet. Heavy rain that overloads the sewer, roots or grease in an old clay or cast iron lateral, and a blocked main can all push sewage back into the home.
Category 3 from the first minute
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses, so the cleanup crew follows Category 3 steps no matter how small the spill looks.
- PPE minimums: gloves, boots, eye protection and a respirator, with suits for larger losses
- Containment with plastic sheeting and negative air keeps the rest of the house clean
- Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and cardboard the sewage touched are removed and bagged, not dried
- Drywall above the high-water mark is cut out with a margin
- Hard surfaces are cleaned, then treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial left on for its full dwell time



