Main-line backup
The primary sewer line clogs and sewage backs up into the basement. The cause is often tree roots or grease. The line must be cleaned or replaced before the area can be cleaned.
Urgent? Phones answered 24/7
Sewer Backup and Sewage Water Cleanup
Professional extraction and cleanup after a sewage backup with proper disinfection and hazardous-waste disposal.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Burst pipes, wet basements, ice dams
- Estimate approved before work starts
- Moisture readings and photos for your claim
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
Sewer Backup
Sewer Backup Cleanup: what it covers
Quick answer
A sewer backup floods the basement with raw sewage. This is contaminated water that carries bacteria and pathogens. It is not water damage that can be dried; contaminated material must be removed, the area disinfected, and contamination disposed properly. The work is specialized and requires protective equipment and controlled handling. Phones are answered 24/7.
A sewer backup happens when the main line between the house and the street clogs or when the municipal system overflows. Water and sewage back up into the lowest rooms, usually the basement. It smells unmistakably foul and is a health hazard. Do not enter the area and do not touch the water or anything it touched.
Sewage contains pathogens that cause serious illness. Protective equipment—gloves, respirator, boots, coveralls—is required. The cleanup cannot be rushed and cannot be done by the homeowner. Everything the water touched is either cleaned professionally or discarded. The area is disinfected.
Prevention begins with the main line. Tree roots and grease are the two most common causes of backup. A plumber can video-inspect the line and recommend hydro-jetting or replacement if needed. This is a call to make before the backup happens, not after.
- Service area
- Sullivan & Jefferson County
- Availability
- Phones answered 24/7, emergencies first
- Phone
- (833) 490-5225
Warning signs
Signs you need sewer backup cleanup
Do not enter an area with raw sewage. Do not touch the sewage or anything it touched. Do not attempt to clean. Stay out until remediation is complete and the area is certified clean. Do not allow children or pets into the contaminated area. If anyone has ingested sewage, seek medical attention.
- An overpowering sewage smell in the basement
- Sewage or dirty water coming up out of floor drains or low toilets
- Raw sewage visible in the basement, usually pooled in the lowest area
- Backed-up water in multiple fixtures at once
- Gurgling sounds from drains days before visible backup
- Soggy ground or mounded earth in the yard above the sewer line
Options
Types and options for sewer backup cleanup
Branch-line backup
A clogged line inside the house backs sewage into the lowest fixture. This affects only one area. The branch line must be cleared or replaced.
Municipal system overflow
Heavy rain or a failed treatment plant causes the municipal sewer to back up. Multiple homes are affected. The municipality must address the cause.
One call and it gets handled.
A crew is dispatched as fast as one is available, and you approve the estimate before any work starts.
Does insurance cover sewer backup?
Standard policies do not unless a special endorsement is added. Call your agent now to ask about adding sewer backup coverage. The endorsement usually costs $50–$100 a year.
Backup endorsements are worth buying if you have a basement. The coverage can save tens of thousands if a backup occurs. Keep the information for when you file a claim.
Who is responsible for fixing the sewer line?
If the line is between the house and the property line, the homeowner is responsible. If the line is between the property and the street, responsibility is split depending on local rules. If the line is in the street, the municipality is responsible.
Have a plumber video-inspect the line to confirm where the problem is. If it is at the property line or beyond, contact the municipality.
What causes a sewer backup?
Tree roots are the most common cause in Jefferson County. Grease from the kitchen builds up in the line. Heavy rain can overwhelm the municipal system and cause backups across multiple homes.
Prevention begins with awareness. Do not flush non-flushable items. Do not pour grease down the drain. Have the line inspected if you have mature trees. A video inspection can identify problems before they cause a backup.
Can I clean up a sewer backup myself?
No. Sewage is a biohazard and requires protective equipment and licensed handling. Professional remediation is required by health code and by most insurance policies.
Do not touch the sewage. Do not attempt to mop, disinfect or bleach. These are surface efforts. Professional remediation is the only correct way.
What happens to contents touched by sewage?
Items that cannot be cleaned—carpet, padding, fabric, paper, cardboard—are removed and disposed through a licensed hazardous-waste contractor. Hard items like plastic and metal are cleaned and disinfected multiple times. Most people discard contaminated contents for peace of mind.
Photographs are taken of the area before cleanup so you have a record for insurance. Anything touched by sewage cannot be trusted, even if it looks clean after disinfection.
How much does sewer line replacement cost?
Replacement of a failed main sewer line can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the length of the line and the depth of the burial. Trenchless options (CIPP lining) are sometimes less expensive.
The cost is high, which is why video inspection before replacement is important. If the line can be cleared and does not need replacement, a hydro-jetting can cost $300-$500 and may solve the problem.
If roots keep coming back or the pipe is broken, replacement or relining becomes necessary. Get a video inspection and a quote from a plumber before deciding.
Our process
How our sewer backup cleanup visit works
Secure the area and confirm the source
The area is cordoned off. A plumber confirms whether the backup is from the main line or a municipal problem. Everyone stays out until the remediation crew arrives.
Extract sewage and assess materials
The crew wears full protective equipment. Sewage is pumped and disposed through a licensed hazardous-waste contractor. Porous materials that sewage touched are removed and disposed. Non-porous surfaces are cleaned and disinfected multiple times.
Clean and disinfect
The area is washed with a disinfectant. The process is repeated multiple times because contamination persists in biofilm and porous materials.
Dry and monitor
Once contamination is cleaned, the area is dried. Because porous materials were removed, drying is usually faster. The area is monitored to confirm mold does not grow.
Rebuild
Once the area is certified clean and dry, reconstruction begins. Drywall, flooring and finishes are replaced.
Jefferson County
Why sewer backup cleanup is different in Jefferson and Waukesha counties
Village sewers serve Sullivan; outlying areas have septic systems. A sewer backup in a house on municipal sewer involves both the property and the municipal system. If the property line is clear, the problem is in the street and the municipality must respond.
Tree roots are a common problem in Jefferson County where soil is clay and the water table is high. Roots seek moisture and follow sewer lines for miles. If roots have been a problem, they can grow back even after a line is cleared. Line replacement or tree removal is the permanent answer.
Heavy rain can overwhelm the municipal system, causing backups across multiple neighborhoods. If multiple homes are backing up, the municipality is responsible. Report it to public works and document the backup for insurance. Municipal backups are often covered even when property-line backups are not.
The main sewer line from a typical Sullivan home is 4-6 inches in diameter, made of clay or cast iron depending on age. Roots follow the moisture and can penetrate into the joints and cracks in the line, causing blockages. Once roots enter a line, they grow back even after clearing, which is why replacement is sometimes the answer.
Where we work
Sewer Backup Cleanup across Jefferson County
- Sewer Backup in Helenville
- Sewer Backup in Dousman
- Sewer Backup in Palmyra
- Sewer Backup in Oconomowoc
- Sewer Backup in Ixonia
- Sewer Backup in Jefferson
- Sewer Backup in Johnson Creek
- Sewer Backup in Eagle
- Sewer Backup in Delafield
- Sewer Backup in North Prairie
- Sewer Backup in Wales
- Sewer Backup in Okauchee Lake
- Sewer Backup in Genesee Depot
- Sewer Backup in Nashotah
- Sewer Backup in Fort Atkinson
- Sewer Backup in Whitewater
- Sewer Backup in Chenequa
- Sewer Backup in Watertown
- Sewer Backup in Mukwonago
- Sewer Backup in Ashippun
- Sewer Backup in Hartland
Not sure if you're covered? Check your ZIP code.
Related
Related services
Basement Flooding Cleanup
Emergency extraction and drying for flooded basements in Sullivan, from heavy rain, spring thaw, plumbing failure or sump pump breakdown.
Water Damage Restoration
Extraction, structural drying with daily moisture readings, and cleanup for Sullivan homes, farmhouses and businesses across Jefferson County.
Emergency Water Extraction
Extraction of standing and absorbed water from basements, crawl spaces, slab floors and garages across Sullivan and Jefferson County.
Mold Inspection and Remediation
Mold assessment and remediation in Sullivan after water damage, including visible growth inspection, containment and cleanup protocols.
Guides
Read before you book
Water Damage Insurance Claims in Wisconsin
Standard Wisconsin homeowners policies generally cover sudden water damage and generally exclude gradual leakage and seepage.
Sump Pump Failure and Sewer Backup: What Wisconsin Policies Generally Cover
Sewer backup and sump pump overflow are generally not covered by a standard Wisconsin homeowners or flood policy, and need a special endorsement.
FAQ
Sewer Backup Cleanup FAQs
What should I do if sewage backs up?
Leave immediately. Call (833) 490-5225 right away. Do not touch anything. Do not attempt to clean. Professional remediation must happen before anything else.
How long does remediation take?
Extraction and disinfection usually take a few hours. Removal of contaminated materials adds time. Drying and reconstruction take longer. The schedule depends on the extent of the backup.
Will my insurance cover it?
Not unless a sewer backup endorsement was added. Call your agent right away and ask. If you do not have coverage, file the claim and ask the insurer for guidance.
Can the line be fixed from inside the house?
Sometimes. A plumber can video-inspect and, if roots or grease are the problem, clear it with hydro-jetting. If the pipe is broken, replacement may be needed. Get an inspection and estimate first.
How can I prevent a future backup?
Do not flush non-flushable items. Do not pour grease down the drain. Have the line inspected every few years. If roots have been a problem, consider tree removal or line replacement.
What if I am renting?
Notify the landlord immediately in writing. If the landlord fails to address it, contact the local health department. Tenants have the right to a habitable dwelling.