Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage Backup Cleanup in Philadelphia
Water came up through the floor drain, the toilet or the tub, and it smells like sewage. Stay out of it and call. Onyx contains the area, removes what is contaminated, disinfects and dries.
- IICRC certified
- 24/7 emergency response
- Insured
- 17 years in restoration
- Free estimates
- Works with your insurance
A sewage backup is not a mop-and-fan job. Sewage water is category 3 water: it carries bacteria and viruses, and anything porous it touches, like carpet, pad, drywall and insulation, cannot be cleaned and has to come out.
In Philadelphia rowhomes this usually starts at a basement floor drain when the city main or your own sewer lateral backs up during heavy rain. Onyx handles the cleanup safely, documents it for your insurer, and rebuilds what was removed.
What to do right now
- Keep kids and pets out, and do not walk through it in bare skin or regular shoes
- Stop using sinks, toilets, the washer and the dishwasher: every drain in the house can push more water into the basement
- If water is near outlets, the panel or a plugged-in appliance, do not go down. Call the utility or an electrician first
- Take photos and a video from the stairs before anything is moved; your insurer will ask
- Call a plumber to clear the line, and call Onyx for the cleanup: they are two different jobs
Who to call for a sewage backup
Call a plumber (or the Philadelphia Water Department if the city main is the problem) to stop the backup. Call a restoration company to clean up what came in. A plumber clears the pipe; a restoration crew removes contaminated material, disinfects and dries so it is safe to use the space again.
Onyx answers 24/7. If you are not sure whether the city main or your lateral is the cause, we tell you what we see and who to call next.
How Onyx cleans up a sewage backup
- Containment with plastic barriers so contamination does not travel through the house
- Full protective gear for the crew: suits, gloves, respirators
- Extraction of sewage water and solids
- Removal of contaminated porous materials: carpet, pad, lower drywall, insulation, baseboard
- Cleaning and disinfection of the slab, framing and every surface that stays
- Drying to dry standard with air movers and dehumidifiers, checked with meters
- Rebuild of what was removed, by the same crew
Health risks of a sewage backup
Sewage can carry E. coli, hepatitis A and other pathogens, and contaminated drywall grows mold quickly. That is why the IICRC standard treats sewage as category 3 water and why contaminated porous materials are removed, not dried and reused.
Sewage backup and insurance
Many homeowner policies exclude sewer or drain backup unless you added a water backup endorsement. Check your policy before assuming it is covered or not. Either way, document everything: photos, a video, and the plumber's note on the cause. Onyx provides photos, moisture readings and a written scope for the claim.
How it goes
What happens after you call.
Call
Tell us what came up, where, and whether it is still coming. We tell you what to shut off and stop using.
Contain
Barriers and protective gear first, so contamination stays in the basement.
Remove and disinfect
Contaminated porous materials come out; everything that stays is cleaned and disinfected.
Dry
Equipment runs until meter readings reach dry standard.
Rebuild
Drywall, flooring and trim go back in once the space is verified dry.
Google reviews
What customers say
5.0 from 7 Google reviews · Verified
★★★★★
Used Onyx to clean out mother in laws house after she passed. This was by [no] means a simple clear out. They did an absolutely amazing job! Job was finished when promised. I can’t say enough good things about the owner Jose and his team. Would definitely recommend this company.
★★★★★
Great experience with this mitigation company! Professional, reliable, and got the job done quickly. The team was friendly, respectful, and kept everything handled from start to finish. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Overall, great experience with Onyx. I’ve used Jose as a lead on multiple multi-housing projects and have always found his pricing to be competitive. He gets the job done, is honest and trustworthy and knows how to lead a team. 10/10!
FAQ
Questions we get on this work
Who do I call for a sewage backup in my basement?
A plumber (or the Water Department for a city main problem) to clear the line, and a restoration company to clean up. Onyx does the cleanup, disinfection, drying and rebuild, and answers 24/7 at (267) 353-7953.
Can I clean up a sewage backup myself?
Small amounts on a sealed concrete floor can be, with gloves and disinfectant. Anything that reached carpet, drywall or insulation should come out, and the space should be disinfected and dried properly, because sewage carries pathogens and wet drywall grows mold.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only with a water or sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy. Onyx documents the loss with photos, moisture readings and a written scope for your claim.
How much does sewage backup cleanup cost?
It depends on how much area and material was contaminated and how long it sat. We walk the space and give you a free written estimate before work starts.
What causes sewage to back up into a basement?
In Philadelphia, usually heavy rain overwhelming the city system, a clogged or broken sewer lateral, or tree roots in the line. The floor drain is the lowest opening, so the basement takes it first.
Next step
Sewage in the basement? Call Onyx.
24/7. We contain it, remove what is contaminated, disinfect, dry and rebuild.
Call (267) 353-7953Not an emergency? Request a callback online and Onyx will call to confirm a time.