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Sewage

Sewage backup cleanup in Salt Lake City

Dark water from a floor drain or a basement toilet is a health problem as much as a water problem. Report sewer trouble to the city, keep people out, and call an independent contractor equipped for contaminated water.

Call (801) 823-6866
Worker in a white protective suit, boots and respirator vacuuming water around a basement floor drain behind plastic sheeting

What it involves

Why sewage cleanup is handled differently

Sewage carries bacteria and viruses, so porous materials it touches are normally thrown away rather than dried: carpet, pad, the lower drywall, insulation and soft furnishings. Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.

Workers wear protective suits, gloves, boots and respirators, and the work area is often sealed off with plastic. The EPA's mold and moisture guide recommends professional help when water damage involves sewage or other contaminated water (EPA guide).

First steps

Right now

  • Stop running water anywhere in the house: no flushing, laundry or dishwasher
  • Keep children, pets and anyone unwell away from the area
  • Do not wade in without boots and gloves
  • Report the backup to Salt Lake City Public Utilities dispatch: 801-483-6700
  • Note the time and any service request number
  • Photograph the level and affected belongings

The job

A sewage cleanup, step by step

  1. Contain

    The area is sealed off and protective gear goes on.

  2. Remove

    Wastewater is extracted and contaminated porous materials are bagged and removed.

  3. Clean and disinfect

    Concrete, framing and other hard surfaces are cleaned and treated.

  4. Dry

    The area is dried like any water job, with readings logged.

  5. Rebuild

    New drywall, insulation and flooring once everything is clean and dry.

Salt Lake City

City sewer or your lateral?

Salt Lake City Public Utilities asks residents to call its 24-hour dispatch at 801-483-6700 for sewage backup or odor complaints (utilities and services).

Ownership matters for the repair. The city's homeowner responsibilities graphic puts the sewer main with the city, and the wye connection plus the lateral running from the main to the house with the homeowner. If only your house backs up, your own line is the usual suspect and a plumber or drain contractor is the next call.

Call (801) 823-6866

Cleanup worker in protective gear at a basement floor drain

Questions

Sewage Backup Cleanup: common questions

Will the city clean up my basement?

The city's responsibility graphic places the lateral and the connection with the homeowner, and its Rose Park guidance says private contractors may be needed for interior water and sewer issues. Report the backup anyway so the city can check the main.

Can I clean up sewage myself?

Small amounts on a hard floor, with gloves, boots and a disinfectant, some people do. Anything soaked into carpet, drywall or insulation is better left to a contractor with protective equipment.

Does insurance pay for sewer backups?

The Utah Insurance Department lists water damage from backed-up drains or sewers among items most standard policies exclude, and says some insurers offer endorsements. Your policy decides.

Related

Other kinds of damage

Salt Lake Valley

Talk the damage through with a local restoration contractor

A single call reaches an independent contractor that handles water, smoke and mold jobs in Salt Lake City and the surrounding cities. You decide whether to book anything.

Water where it shouldn't be?

The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that takes jobs in the Salt Lake Valley. Describe the source, the rooms involved and when it started.

Call (801) 823-6866

Calls may be recorded for quality and billing. How the line is paid: referral disclosure. What is recorded: privacy.

Call (801) 823-6866