A sewage backup through a toilet, shower or floor drain is classified as Category 3 ("black") water, the most contaminated category in restoration standards. It can carry bacteria and viruses, so safety comes first.
1. Protect people
- Keep children, pets and anyone with a weakened immune system away from the area.
- Wear waterproof gloves, boots and eye protection. Wash thoroughly after any contact.
- Do not touch electrical equipment while standing in water.
2. Stop adding water
Stop running water, flushing and using appliances that drain. If the backup is from the city sewer, report it to your utility.
3. Document
Photograph the backup, the drain it came from and every affected item before cleanup.
4. What usually cannot be saved
Carpet, pad, upholstered furniture, mattresses and drywall soaked by sewage are usually discarded. Hard surfaces need cleaning and disinfection. On septic systems, heavy rain can cause backups when the ground is saturated.
When to call for help
Sewage cleanup is usually best left to professionals with protective equipment. If you want a professional to take over, call (813) 574-3203 to be connected with a local water damage restoration company. The call is free; any work is agreed directly with the company.
Local flood risks, storm history and county resources: Palm Bay, Miami, Tallahassee, or find your city.
General information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your policy and official sources.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only if you added a water backup or sewer backup endorsement. Without it, standard policies usually exclude it. Check your declarations page.
Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
For a very small backup on hard floors, some people do with gloves, boots and disinfectant. Anything that soaked into carpet, drywall or furniture, or a large area, is safer handled by a professional.
More guides
- The first 24 hours after water damage
- How a Florida water damage insurance claim works
- What affects the cost of water damage restoration
- How to choose a water damage restoration company
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Florida?
- Flood vs. water damage claims in Florida (NFIP explained)
- Mold after a hurricane: a Florida homeowner's guide
- Water heater burst or leaking: what to do right now
- Ceiling leaking after rain: what to do
- Washing machine flooded the floor: what to do
- AC drain line leaking: stop the water damage
- Slab leak signs in Florida homes
- Burst pipe: what to do in the first hour
- Roof leak during a hurricane or tropical storm