Sewage Backup Cleanup in Winston-Salem
Sewage is a health hazard, so the crew contains the area, removes the contaminated water and porous materials, and treats every surface before drying begins in Winston-Salem homes and businesses.
(888) 578-4720Winston-Salem sewage backup help
First steps for sewage backup cleanup in Winston-Salem
- 01
Stop using drains
Do not flush, run the washer or use sinks, because more water adds to the backup.
- 02
Keep people away
Children, pets and anyone with a health condition should stay out of the affected rooms.
- 03
Call CityLink
If connected to public sewer, call before cleanup and keep notes on what happened.
- 04
Call for cleanup
Contact a restoration crew to contain the area and begin removal.
How sewage backup cleanup is handled in Winston-Salem
A sewage backup can start with a slow toilet or a gurgling drain and end with contaminated water across a floor. WSFC Utilities says about half of all sewer blockages come from cooking grease, wipes and other debris. When it reaches a lower level, the basement flooding cleanup steps apply too.
What does sewage backup cleanup cost in Winston-Salem, NC?
A contained bathroom backup usually costs $2,500 to $6,000. A lower level or basement runs $6,000 to $15,000, and a large or repeated backup affecting several rooms can reach $30,000.
Single bathroom backup
- Overflow from a toilet or tub
- One small tiled area
- Sealed off and treated
Lower level or basement
- Carpet, pad and drywall out
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Several days of drying
Large or repeated backup
- Several rooms reached
- Subfloor or crawl space affected
- Wide removal and long drying
Ranges are typical, not a quote: the water category, square footage, material class and how fast drying started move the number most. Run the water damage cost calculator for a closer range.
The sewage backup cleanup process, start to dry
The tech who does the walkthrough maps moisture before any equipment goes down, so the drying plan matches what is actually wet.
- 1
Contain
Plastic barriers and negative air keep contamination in the work area.
- 2
Extract
Contaminated water is removed and porous materials are bagged.
- 3
Treat
Antimicrobial goes on every surface left in place.
- 4
Dry
Equipment runs until readings are normal and surfaces are sanitized.
Call the utility before cleanup
Anyone connected to public sewer should call CityLink right away, before cleanup starts, because waiting can hurt a reimbursement claim. Under the Good Neighbor Policy, a qualifying backup is a first time occurrence caused by a blockage in the sewer main.
- WSFC Utilities staff clear the accessible part of the home's connection in the public right of way at no cost
- The homeowner hires and arranges the cleanup contractor
- The utility does not recommend or hire contractors
How contaminated water is handled
The crew wears protective gear, seals the work area with plastic and keeps the air from carrying contamination to clean rooms. Water is extracted, and carpet, pad, drywall and insulation that absorbed it are bagged and removed.
Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned, sprayed with antimicrobial and then dried with equipment.
Drying and sanitizing
Air movers and dehumidifiers dry what remains, and HEPA air scrubbers clean the air when the loss is large. The job closes when surfaces are sanitized and moisture readings are normal.
Trade fact: Sewage water is classed as Category 3 under IICRC S500, which is why porous materials that touched it are discarded rather than dried.
Sewage backup cleanup across Winston-Salem and nearby areas
Sewage backup work covers Winston-Salem addresses on public sewer, from West End and Old Salem to Reynolda Village, Downtown Winston-Salem and neighborhoods along Silas Creek Parkway and Peters Creek Parkway.
The same service nearby: sewage backup cleanup in Kernersville, Oak Ridge, High Point.
Water damage restoration in Winston-Salem · every neighborhood covered
Related water damage services in Winston-Salem
Sewage Backup Cleanup questions in Winston-Salem, NC
Is sewage backup water dangerous?
Yes. It can carry bacteria and viruses, so skin contact and breathing the air near it should be avoided until trained crews contain and remove it.
Does the utility clean up inside the house?
WSFC Utilities clears the accessible part of the connection in the public right of way, but the homeowner hires and arranges the interior cleanup contractor, and the utility does not recommend one.
Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?
Usually not. Carpet and pad absorb contaminated water, so they are removed and discarded even when the surface looks clean.
What should be avoided during a backup?
Avoid flushing, running drains and using sinks, because any water added can push more sewage into the home. Keep the area closed until cleanup begins.
What causes sewer blockages here?
Grease, wipes and other debris cause about half of blockages according to WSFC Utilities, and the rest come from other problems in the pipe.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Containment and removal usually finish first, followed by several days of drying. Larger losses with subfloor contamination take longer.
Contain it and clean it properly
The crew seals the area, removes contaminated materials and sanitizes before drying the rest of the structure.
(888) 578-4720Call a Winston-Salem crew