Sewage Backup Cleanup in Flagstaff, AZ

Why sewage cleanup is different

Restoration standards call sewage Category 3 water, the most hazardous kind. It can carry E. coli, hepatitis A, norovirus and parasites. Water from outside floods is treated the same way. Category 3 cleanup is not drying a room; it is removing contaminated materials, disinfecting everything left, and proving the area is clean before rebuilding.

That means carpet, pad, drywall to above the water line, insulation, upholstered furniture and particleboard cabinets that touched sewage are generally removed and discarded. Hard, non-porous surfaces such as tile, concrete, metal and sealed wood framing can be cleaned and disinfected.

Common causes of sewer backups in Flagstaff

• Tree roots. Ponderosa pines and other trees send roots into older clay and cast-iron sewer laterals, especially in established neighborhoods near downtown and in Sunnyside.
• Grease and wipes. Cooking grease hardens in cold pipes, and so-called flushable wipes do not break down. Together they build clogs at bends.
• Frozen or shallow lines. Lines with poor cover can freeze, especially at cabins and outlying homes.
• Septic systems. Many homes outside city sewer, in places like Parks, Bellemont, parts of Doney Park and Munds Park, use septic tanks. A full tank or failed drain field backs up into the lowest drains.
• Heavy storms. Monsoon downpours can overload lines and push water back up through floor drains.

In most cities the homeowner owns the sewer lateral that runs from the house to the main in the street, while the city owns the main. If neighbors are backing up too, the problem may be the main: call City of Flagstaff water services right away, because that changes who pays.

How sewage backup cleanup is done

1. Stop the source. A plumber clears the line or a septic company pumps the tank. Without that, cleanup just gets flooded again.
2. Contain the area. Plastic barriers and negative air keep contamination from spreading to the rest of the house.
3. Remove the sewage. Liquid and solids are pumped and extracted into sealed containers.
4. Remove porous materials. Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and contaminated contents are bagged and hauled away.
5. Clean and disinfect. Surfaces and framing are scrubbed and treated with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
6. Dry and verify. Drying runs as in any water mitigation job. Some crews also swab surfaces to confirm the area is clean.

Crews should wear protective suits, gloves, boots and respirators. If someone shows up to a sewage job in shorts and sneakers, that tells you a lot.

Toilet overflow vs. sewer backup

Not every overflow is a full Category 3 disaster. A toilet that overflows with clean bowl water caught right away is usually treated as gray water, Category 2. A toilet overflow with waste, or water that has sat for a day, is treated as Category 3. A backup coming up through a floor drain or lower toilet when you run water upstairs means the main line is blocked, and that is always Category 3.

If water is coming up the lowest drain every time someone flushes, stop using all water in the house until the line is cleared. Every flush adds to the cleanup.

Sewage cleanup cost and insurance

A one-bathroom overflow often runs $1,500 to $3,000 for removal, disinfection and drying. A sewer backup into a lower level or across several rooms commonly costs $3,000 to $6,500. Septic backups that reach a crawl space can go higher because the soil and vapor barrier need treatment too. Clearing the line is a separate plumbing or septic bill.

Standard homeowners policies often exclude sewer backup unless you carry a water backup endorsement, which is inexpensive and worth asking your agent about. If the cause was a sudden pipe break inside the house rather than a backup, coverage may apply under the regular policy. Photos, the plumber's invoice naming the cause, and the restoration company's moisture logs all help.

After the cleanup

Once the area is disinfected and dry, rebuilding follows the same path as other water damage repair. Ask the plumber to camera the sewer line; roots or a sag in the line will cause another backup if left alone. If the backup sat for more than a couple of days, ask for a mold check before walls are closed, as described on the mold remediation page.

Protecting your family during a sewage backup

Sewage exposure is a health issue first. Until the area is cleaned, keep children, pets and anyone with a weakened immune system away from it. Do not run fans in the affected area; they spread contaminated droplets. Wash hands well after any contact and launder clothing separately in hot water. Throw away food, toys and medicines that the water touched. If someone develops stomach illness, fever or a skin infection after contact, call a doctor and mention the exposure.

• Do not use household vacuums or carpet cleaners on sewage; they contaminate the machine.
• Do not try to save mattresses, upholstered furniture or stuffed toys that were soaked.
• Hard plastic, metal and glass items can usually be cleaned and disinfected.
• Photograph discarded items for your claim before they go out.

Preventing the next backup

The most effective step is a camera inspection of the sewer line after the backup is cleared. It shows roots, sags, cracked pipe and grease buildup, and tells you whether a simple cleaning is enough or the line needs repair. In homes with recurring backups, a backwater valve on the main line can stop sewage from the city side coming into the house. For septic homes, regular pumping and keeping vehicles off the drain field prevent most problems. In every home, keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of drains.