Sewage Backup Cleanupfor Black Water

If several homes have trouble, the public main may be the cause, so tell your utility. If only your home is affected, call a plumber, and read our gray and black water guide.

Hard, non-porous surfaces such as tile, sealed concrete and metal can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Carpet, pad, soaked drywall, insulation and upholstered furniture usually cannot. Crews often seal off the area and manage airflow so that contamination is not carried through the house, and drying begins only after cleaning is finished.

Sewage can carry bacteria and viruses, and people with weak immune systems, pregnant people, children and the elderly should stay well clear of the affected area. Anyone who has contact with it should wash immediately and change clothes. If anyone feels unwell afterward, speak to a doctor and mention the exposure.