How sewage cleanup differs
- Water category
- Category 3, the most contaminated class in industry standards
- Porous materials touched
- Generally discarded: carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, upholstered items
- Hard surfaces
- Cleaned and disinfected, then dried
- Mold risk
- High if wet materials are left in place more than a day or two
Where the backup came from matters
Backups happen when the house's own sewer line is blocked, often by roots in older clay pipe, or when a public main surcharges during heavy use or storms. In older Wheat Ridge neighborhoods, many service lines are original to the house and run under mature trees. Sewer service in and around Wheat Ridge is provided by more than one sanitation district, so your bill or the city can tell you which one serves your street.
The source affects who you call and how insurance responds. A blockage in your service line is normally the owner's responsibility. A main line problem may involve the district. Many standard homeowner policies limit or exclude sewer backup unless an endorsement was added, so read the policy before cleanup decisions are made.
From backup to rebuild
- Immediately
- Stop water use, keep people away, photograph, and call a plumber and your insurer.
- Same day if possible
- Remove sewage and standing water. Bag and discard contaminated porous items.
- Next 1 to 3 days
- Cut drywall and remove insulation the water touched, with margin. Clean and disinfect hard surfaces.
- Drying phase
- Dehumidify and dry framing and concrete to normal readings. Inspect for any growth.
- Before rebuild
- Have the sewer line camera-inspected and repaired, and consider a backwater valve where appropriate.
Protecting yourself during any part of the cleanup
- Waterproof gloves and boots, eye protection and an N95 or better
- Wash hands and change clothes before eating or touching others
- Keep children out of the area completely
- Discard food, medicine and cosmetics that were stored in the area
- Get medical advice for any cut exposed to sewage
Common questions
- Can I clean a small sewer backup myself?
- A small backup confined to a concrete floor drain area can sometimes be cleaned with proper protection. Anything that reached carpet, drywall or finished rooms usually needs professional cleanup.
- Is mold from a sewer backup worse than other mold?
- The growth itself is similar, but the materials involved are also contaminated with sewage, so removal is more aggressive and less is salvaged.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.