Gray or dark water coming up a drain? That is a sewage backup
Water rising from a floor drain, toilet, tub or sink, often with a strong smell and a gray or dark color, is a sewage backup. It is an emergency, and our line is open 24/7. Stay out of the water, keep children and pets away, and do not flush toilets or run water that goes down the same drain.
Sewage is Category 3 water under the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard, meaning it is grossly contaminated. Do not clean it yourself with household tools. Do not use a vacuum. Avoid skin contact. If anyone touched it, wash with soap and water and ask a doctor if you have concerns.
Stay out and turn things off
If water is near outlets or the panel, stay out and call the electric utility or 911 before you call us. Shut off power to the affected area only if you can reach the panel on dry ground. Turn off the HVAC system so it does not circulate contaminated air.
Call your municipal sewer department or a plumber if you think the main line is blocked. A backup is sometimes caused by a clog in your own line and sometimes by a problem in the street main. Knowing which one helps you decide who pays. Keep the call notes and photos.
What the crew does in a sewage cleanup
The work is slower and more controlled than a clean water job:
- Set up protective barriers and wear gloves, boots, respirators and suits.
- Extract the contaminated water with equipment kept for that purpose.
- Remove and bag porous materials such as carpet, pad, insulation and soft drywall.
- Clean and disinfect hard surfaces, then treat the structure.
- Dry the space with air movers and dehumidifiers and take final readings.
Items that cannot be cleaned are documented before disposal so you have a record for your insurer.
What the symptoms look like before the backup
Slow drains, gurgling toilets, and water pooling around a floor drain are early signs. If more than one fixture backs up at once, the problem is likely in the main line or the street connection. A single fixture usually means a local clog.
In a basement, the floor drain is the lowest outlet, so water appears there first. A backflow valve can help, and a plumber can advise whether your house has one.
Which materials are saved and which are not
Category 3 water changes what can be saved.
| Material | Outcome | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet and pad | Remove | Porous and impossible to disinfect fully |
| Drywall touched by sewage | Cut out | Holds contaminants |
| Insulation | Remove | Cannot be cleaned |
| Concrete and tile | Clean and disinfect | Non-porous or can be treated |
| Wood framing | Clean, treat and dry | Structural, can be saved |
Sewage damage should not wait
Call day or night. A crew can start the same day when available.
Cost and insurance for sewage damage
Price depends on how much water came up, how long it stayed, and which materials were reached. The protective gear and disposal steps add to the job.
Sewer backup is often excluded from standard homeowners policies and needs a separate endorsement. Water from a sudden plumbing failure inside the house is treated differently. Check your policy or ask your insurer. Want your real number? Call (844) 950-6900 and we will explain the scope and price before work starts.
Related situations
If the water came from a storm and entered from outside, see our flood damage restoration page. If a basement flooded after a sewer backup, the room itself is covered on our basement water damage cleanup page.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7 and a same-day response is offered when a crew is available. Stay out of the water and call.
It is not recommended. Sewage is grossly contaminated and needs protective gear and proper disposal. Wait for a crew.
It is water that is grossly contaminated, such as sewage or flood water from a river. It requires removal of porous materials and disinfection.
Often not under a standard policy. It may need a separate endorsement. Check your policy or ask your insurer.
A plumber for your own line, or the municipal sewer department if the main in the street is blocked.