Loading this page…
A drain or toilet backed up into the house
Backed-up water is dirty water. We remove it safely, take out what cannot be cleaned and sanitize the room before we dry it.
What is going on with dirty water
Water from a toilet, a floor drain or a septic system carries bacteria. It is treated very differently from a clean pipe leak: porous things it touches, such as carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall, usually have to go.
Many homes outside the city in Marion County are on septic tanks, and a full or failing tank can push water back up through the lowest drains. A septic contractor fixes the tank; we clean up the house.
Day by day
First visit
We remove the dirty water, set up containment and take out carpet, pad and soaked drywall.
Cleaning
Hard surfaces are cleaned and sanitized, and the room is checked before drying starts.
Drying days
Fans and dehumidifiers run while we read the walls and floor on each visit.
Final check
We record the readings, remove equipment and give you a written summary of what was done.
Living with the cleanup
- Rooms closed off
- Affected rooms stay sealed until they are cleaned and sanitized.
- Some smell
- It fades once the wet materials are out and the room is clean and dry.
- No water use
- Hold off on drains until the plumber or septic company says the line is clear.
- Things to toss
- Soaked soft items like rugs and cushions usually cannot be saved. We list them for your claim.
Straight answers
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Usually, if the affected rooms are closed off and you have a working bathroom. We tell you on the first visit.
Will insurance cover a backup?
It depends on your policy. Some need a separate sewer backup endorsement. Ask your agent.
Can you pump the septic tank?
No. A septic contractor pumps and repairs the tank. We handle everything inside the house.
Want someone to look at it today?
Tell us what happened. We will tell you what to do right now and come out to measure.