Sewage cleanup is a biohazard restoration. Sewer backups bring Category 3 (black) water that carries bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, and the affected materials cannot be cleaned and dried in place — drywall, carpet, pad, and any porous contents must be removed, the structure must be disinfected and dried, and the area must be cleared by air-quality testing before reconstruction. Earth Saving Solutions dispatches IICRC-certified crews 24/7, sets containment to keep contamination out of the rest of the home, and works directly with your insurance carrier on the sewer-backup endorsement.
When sewage backups occur, immediate professional response is critical. Earth Saving Solutions provides 24/7 emergency sewage cleanup services with specialized equipment and certified technicians to restore your property safely.
Sewage emergencies require immediate attention to prevent health hazards and extensive property damage. Our certified team responds quickly with specialized equipment and safety protocols.
LEARN ABOUT OUR PROCESSSewage backups and overflows present serious health risks and require specialized cleanup procedures. Earth Saving Solutions' certified technicians use professional-grade equipment and follow strict safety protocols to safely remediate sewage contamination, restore affected areas, and protect your family or employees from harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Sewage contains dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illness. Category 3 "black water" contamination requires specialized training, equipment, and disposal procedures to ensure complete decontamination.
Our IICRC-certified technicians have the training and equipment necessary to safely handle sewage contamination while protecting your health and property.
Immediate mobilization to contain sewage damage, assess contamination levels, and implement safety protocols to protect occupants and prevent further spread.
Professional-grade pumps and extraction equipment to remove standing sewage water and solid waste from affected areas safely and efficiently.
Thorough disinfection using EPA-approved antimicrobial treatments to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from all affected surfaces.
Industrial-grade drying equipment to remove moisture from building materials and prevent mold growth and structural damage.
Safe removal and disposal of porous materials that cannot be effectively decontaminated, including carpeting, padding, and damaged drywall.
Complete restoration of affected areas including flooring replacement, wall reconstruction, and returning your property to pre-loss condition.
When sewage emergencies occur, our certified team follows a systematic approach to ensure safe, thorough remediation while minimizing health risks and property damage.
Our technicians arrive wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and immediately assess the contamination level, establish safety perimeters, and implement containment procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
Using specialized pumps and extraction equipment, we safely remove all standing sewage water and solid waste. All contaminated materials are handled according to EPA guidelines for Category 3 water damage.
All affected surfaces receive thorough cleaning and disinfection with EPA-approved antimicrobial solutions designed to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous pathogens present in sewage.
Industrial dehumidifiers and air movers are strategically placed to dry building materials completely. We monitor moisture levels daily to ensure all materials reach acceptable dryness standards.
Porous materials that cannot be effectively decontaminated are safely removed and disposed of according to local regulations. This often includes carpeting, padding, insulation, and damaged drywall.
After completion, we conduct thorough air quality testing and surface sampling to verify that all contamination has been eliminated and the area is safe for reoccupation.
Blocked toilets causing sewage to overflow onto floors, requiring immediate cleanup and disinfection to prevent contamination spread.
Main sewer line blockages causing sewage to back up into basements, crawl spaces, or lower levels of buildings through floor drains and fixtures.
Septic tank overflows or drain field failures resulting in sewage surfacing on property or backing up into buildings.
City sewer system backups affecting multiple properties, requiring coordinated cleanup efforts and specialized contamination protocols.
Commercial kitchen grease trap failures causing sewage and grease contamination in food service establishments.
Broken sewer pipes causing raw sewage to flood basements, crawl spaces, or other areas of residential and commercial properties.
Sewage contamination poses serious health risks that require strict safety protocols and specialized training. Our IICRC-certified technicians are equipped and trained to handle Category 3 water damage safely.
We follow OSHA guidelines and industry best practices to ensure the safety of our technicians, property occupants, and the surrounding community throughout the cleanup process.
Commercial properties face unique challenges during sewage emergencies, including business interruption, employee safety, and regulatory compliance. Our commercial sewage cleanup services are designed to minimize downtime and ensure rapid return to operations.
Specialized cleanup for food service establishments with focus on health department compliance and rapid reopening to minimize revenue loss.
Multi-floor sewage cleanup with containment strategies to allow unaffected areas to remain operational during restoration.
Fast-track cleanup to protect inventory and minimize business interruption with 24/7 availability for urgent commercial needs.
While sewage emergencies can occur unexpectedly, property owners can take steps to reduce the risk of sewage backups and minimize potential damage.
Schedule professional drain cleaning and avoid flushing inappropriate items that can cause blockages in sewer lines.
Annual camera inspections can identify potential problems before they cause major backups or system failures.
Install backflow prevention devices to protect against municipal sewer system overflows into your property.
Regular pumping and inspection of septic systems can prevent overflows and costly emergency cleanups.
In commercial settings, train staff on proper disposal practices to prevent grease and debris from causing sewer blockages.
Develop emergency response plans and know how to quickly shut off water sources to minimize damage during sewage emergencies.
Understanding insurance coverage for sewage cleanup can be complex. Many standard homeowners policies have limited coverage for sewer backups, while commercial policies may have different exclusions and requirements.
We recommend reviewing your insurance coverage annually and considering additional sewer backup coverage if not included in your current policy.
Sewage contamination requires immediate professional response. Don't risk your health or property - contact our certified sewage cleanup specialists now for rapid response and safe remediation.
CALL 720-309-5679Most projects finish in 5–21 days. Three to five days for emergency extraction, demolition of affected porous materials, antimicrobial treatment, and structural drying. One to three weeks for the rebuild (drywall, paint, flooring) once the area passes a post-remediation verification. Larger finished-basement losses can run longer.
| Aspect | Clean water (Category 1) | Grey water (Category 2) | Black water (Category 3 — sewage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Burst supply line, leaking faucet, rainwater intrusion | Dishwasher overflow, washing-machine discharge, shower-base leak | Sewer backup, septic failure, ground water that has sat more than 48 hours |
| Health risk | None if caught quickly | Moderate — bacteria from incidental food and skin oils | High — pathogens, bacteria, viruses, parasites |
| Approach | Extract and dry in place where possible | Extract; remove pad and carpet; antimicrobial treatment | Full PPE, demo of all affected porous materials, antimicrobial and disinfectant treatment |
| Insurance | Standard homeowners policy | Standard homeowners policy | Separate sewer-backup endorsement usually required |
Carpet pad and the underlying materials are porous and absorb sewage water along with the bacteria, viruses, and parasites it carries. The IICRC S500 standard (the industry standard for water restoration) requires that Category 3 contaminated porous materials be removed, not cleaned in place — there is no reliable way to disinfect a carpet pad to a safe condition once sewage has soaked through. The decision is documented and shared with your adjuster; replacement carpet and pad are part of the reconstruction scope.
Most standard Colorado homeowners policies do not cover sewer or drain backups under the base policy — coverage requires a separate endorsement that is purchased annually, often with its own sub-limit ($5,000, $10,000, or $25,000 are common). Check your declarations page for an entry like 'sewer backup' or 'water back-up of sewers and drains.' If you are not sure, call your agent before authorizing any cleanup; we can also help interpret the dec page if you bring it to the inspection.
Containment is set on day one: 6-mil polyethylene barriers seal the affected area from the rest of the home, the area is run under negative air pressure with HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, and a dirty-zone / clean-zone protocol controls how crews move in and out. PPE includes Tyvek suits, respirators, and gloves; disposable booties are worn over boots and removed at the containment border. The adjacent rooms stay habitable for the family while the work is underway.
After the cleanup is complete and the area passes a post-remediation verification (visual inspection plus, in some cases, surface or air sampling), the space is safe for unrestricted occupancy. During the cleanup the contained zone is off-limits except for crew in PPE. We provide a written clearance at the end of the remediation phase, before reconstruction begins.
Hard goods (metal, sealed plastic, glass, finished wood) can usually be cleaned and disinfected on site or at our contents facility. Soft goods (upholstered furniture, mattresses, fabric, paper, photos, books) that contacted Category 3 water are typically a total loss — there is no reliable way to disinfect them to a safe condition. We inventory each item with you, document its disposition for the claim, and dispose of contaminated items per local hazardous-waste regulations.
The common causes in the Denver metro are tree-root intrusion in the lateral sewer line between the house and the city main, pipe failure in older homes (cast iron and clay laterals fail eventually), grease or wipes blocking the main, and city sewer overflows during heavy rain in some older neighborhoods. After the cleanup we recommend a sewer-line camera inspection to identify the root cause; without that step the backup is likely to recur and the next claim may be denied as a maintenance issue.
We do not recommend it. Even a small Category 3 loss involves pathogens that can survive ordinary household cleaning; the affected materials need to be removed and disposed of as biohazard waste, the area needs antimicrobial treatment, and the structure needs to be dried under monitoring to prevent secondary mold growth. Most homeowners policies that cover sewer backup also pay for professional cleanup; the insurance value of doing it correctly almost always exceeds the cost of going it alone.
Sometimes. The cleanup addresses the contamination inside the home; the source line repair is a separate scope handled by a licensed plumber. If the sewer line failed (root intrusion, broken pipe, collapse), the repair must happen before water service is restored to the affected fixtures. We coordinate with a plumber on every Category 3 loss and can help you sequence the work so the repair, the cleanup, and the rebuild happen in the right order.
More questions? See our complete FAQ.
Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
24/7 Emergency Restoration Service Available
