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Sewage backup
Sewage Backup Cleanup in Mesquite, TX
Sewage that backs up into your house is contaminated, full stop. Stop using water, keep everybody out of the area, and call a plumber and call us. We contain it, take out what can’t be cleaned, disinfect and dry.
Short answer
A sewage backup is Category 3 water, so assume it carries bacteria and other contaminants. Stay out of the affected area, keep children and pets away, stop using water in the house, and don’t run fans or the HVAC there. Call a plumber to find the blockage, and call us for containment, removal of porous materials, disinfection and drying. Most homeowners policies cover sewer backup only with a water backup endorsement.
Category 3
Treat all backup water as contaminated
Carpet and pad
Always removed after sewage
Endorsement
Most policies cover backups only with one
Plumber first
To clear the line and stop the backup
What should I do right now if sewage is backing up?
Keep it simple and keep it clean. In this order:
- Stop using water. Don’t flush, run the washer or dishwasher, or use sinks and tubs. Every drop you send down adds to the backup.
- Keep out, and keep others out. Children and pets stay away. Anyone with asthma, a weakened immune system or a pregnancy should leave the affected area.
- Don’t run fans or the HVAC in or near the affected rooms. They can spread contamination through the house.
- Don’t clean it up with household tools. Mops, towels and household vacuums spread contamination and can’t be cleaned afterward.
- Photograph it from a distance before any cleanup begins.
- Call a plumber, and call us. A plumber finds the blockage. We contain, clean and dry. If the plumber says the problem is in the city’s main, call the City of Mesquite’s 24-hour line at 972-288-7711.
Why does sewage back up in Mesquite houses?
Some backups come from a blockage in your own line: roots, grease or a collapsed section of old cast iron pipe. Others happen when heavy rain overloads the sewer system. Both end the same way, with wastewater coming up the lowest openings in your house.
Rain overloading the system is documented here. On August 22, 2022, rainwater leaking into the sanitary sewer system pushed more flow into the South Mesquite regional wastewater plant on Lawson Road than it could pump, causing a spill. In April 2024, a power outage during heavy rain led to about 417,000 gallons overflowing at the same plant.
When lines surge like that, some houses see floor drains, tubs and toilets back up, especially on older cast iron lines.
Is the problem my line or the city’s?
A plumber’s camera inspection can show whether the blockage or break is on your side. The city can tell you which part of the system it maintains, and its 24-hour line is 972-288-7711. Get the plumber’s findings in writing either way. You’ll want them for your insurance agent.
What can be saved after a sewage backup, and what can’t?
| Material | After a sewage backup |
|---|---|
| Carpet and carpet pad | Removed and discarded |
| Drywall and insulation | Removed where sewage reached or wicked. Moisture mapping decides how high. |
| Particleboard cabinet bases and toe kicks | Usually removed |
| Hardwood and laminate | Often not salvageable once sewage soaks in |
| Tile, sealed concrete and vinyl | Cleaned and disinfected |
| Wood framing and subfloor | Cleaned, treated and dried |
| Upholstered furniture and mattresses | Usually discarded |
| Hard plastic, metal and glass items | Cleaned and disinfected |
We photograph everything that comes out and tell you why before it goes. It’s your house and your stuff, so you should see the reasoning.
How do you clean up after a sewage backup?
- Contain and protect. Protective gear, a sealed work area and plastic sheeting to keep contamination out of clean rooms.
- Extract the liquid. Pumps and extractors remove standing wastewater.
- Remove porous materials. Carpet, pad and anything else that soaked up sewage is bagged and taken out.
- Clean and disinfect. Hard surfaces, framing and the subfloor are cleaned and treated with antimicrobial products.
- Scrub the air and dry. HEPA air scrubbers, LGR dehumidifiers and air movers run until readings meet the dry standard.
- Verify and document. You get moisture readings, photos and drying logs before any rebuild starts.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Stay out of the affected area. Sewage can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, and the risk doesn’t end when the water’s gone. Contamination soaks into porous materials, which is why they get removed instead of cleaned. Keep children, pets and anyone with asthma, a weakened immune system or a pregnancy away until cleanup and drying are finished.
Is a sewage backup covered by insurance?
Usually only if your homeowners policy includes a water backup endorsement. Standard policies typically exclude sewer and drain backup unless you add one. If you don’t know whether you have it, check your declarations page or ask your agent, and think about adding it before you need it. Our Texas water damage insurance guide covers how the claim process works.
I rent. Who handles a sewage backup?
Tell your landlord in writing right away. Sewage is a health and safety condition, and Texas Property Code Chapter 92 lets tenants require repairs of conditions that materially affect health or safety once they give proper notice. Your renters insurance covers your belongings, not the building. Don’t hire your own contractor to tear into the unit without the landlord’s okay.
Sewage backup questions, answered
Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
If it was a small spill on a hard floor that didn’t touch carpet, walls or cabinets, careful cleanup with gloves, boots and a disinfectant is possible. Anything that reached carpet or walls, or spread over more than a small area, should be handled by professionals with the right gear.
Why does my toilet or tub back up when it rains?
Heavy rain can overload the sewer system, because stormwater gets into the lines through cracks and connections. When the system is full, wastewater can push back up the lowest openings in your house: floor drains, tubs and toilets.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Stay out of the affected area, and keep children, pets and anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system away from it until it’s been cleaned and dried. Whether the rest of the house is livable depends on how far the contamination spread.
Who pays if the problem is in the city’s sewer?
It depends on where the blockage or failure is and on your policy. Call the city’s line, get a plumber’s written findings, photograph the damage and tell your insurance agent. Don’t assume either way.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Containment, removal and disinfection come first. Drying then usually takes three to five days, and longer for slabs, hardwood and plaster.
How much does sewage cleanup cost?
Published Dallas ranges for Category 3 water are about $7.00 to $7.50 per square foot, plus drying equipment when it’s billed separately. You get a written estimate before any work starts. See the cost guide.
Will the smell go away?
Once the contaminated materials are out and the area is cleaned, treated and dried, yes. A smell that lingers usually means something porous is still holding contamination, and that’s worth another look.
Should I turn off my air conditioner during a sewage backup?
If the backup is near vents or the air handler, yes. Turn the system off so it doesn’t circulate contaminated air, and ask us or your HVAC technician before restarting it. Don’t run fans in the affected rooms either. Our first 15 minutes guide covers the rest of the order.
Keep reading
Sewage in your house? Stay out and call.
Stop using water, keep everyone out of the area and call. We will tell you what we are bringing and what happens next.
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3213 I-30, Suite 301, Mesquite, TX 75150 · (972) 555-0147 · Get directions