Sewage Cleanup
Category 3 black water extraction, disinfection, and full restoration by IICRC-certified crews. On site in 60 to 90 minutes, 24/7.
Category 3 black water extraction, disinfection, and full restoration by IICRC-certified crews. On site in 60 to 90 minutes, 24/7.
Licensed & Insured
24/7 Emergency
3+ Years
IICRC Certified
SYMPTOMS
Signs you need sewage cleanup
Sewage backups are a health emergency. The water carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make your home unsafe within hours. If you notice any of these, do not attempt to clean it yourself.
- Sewage or wastewater backing up through floor drains
- Toilets overflowing with sewage that will not stop
- Strong sewage smell coming from drains or basement
- Multiple drains in the house are slow or gurgling simultaneously
- Standing water with visible waste material in basement or crawl space
- Water damage after heavy rainfall in a home with a combined sewer connection
- Dark or discolored water pooling around the base of the water heater or laundry area
- Wet carpet or flooring with a foul smell that cleaning products do not remove
If any of these sound familiar, call (708) 719-6282 immediately. Do not walk through the water without protective equipment.
WHY CHOOSE
Why Redefined Restoration for sewage cleanup
Category 3
Certified
Our crews are trained in IICRC S500 Category 3 (black water) protocols. We follow the full extraction, demolition, disinfection, and clearance process required for contaminated water.
Full PPE and Containment
Technicians enter in Tyvek suits, N95 respirators, and rubber boots. We contain the affected area to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected rooms.
We Remove What Cannot Be Saved
All porous materials that contacted sewage (carpet, pad, lower drywall, insulation) are removed and properly disposed of. Hard surfaces are disinfected and verified.
Insurance Documentation
Sewage claims require detailed documentation of the water source, contamination classification, and scope of removal. We prepare everything your adjuster needs.
From Call to Safe Space
We respond quickly to sewage backups and restore your property with safe, professional cleanup:
Emergency Dispatch
Call (708) 719-6282. We dispatch a crew with Category 3 equipment and full PPE to your property.
Contamination Assessment
Your technician identifies the source of the backup, classifies the water contamination level, and documents the affected area for insurance.
Extraction and Demolition
We extract all contaminated water, remove porous materials including carpet, pad, drywall, and insulation, bag and dispose of waste, and set up containment.
Disinfection, Drying, and Rebuild
Hard surfaces are disinfected with EPA-registered antimicrobial agents. Air scrubbers run until air quality is safe. Then we rebuild with drywall, flooring, trim, and paint.
Why sewage backups are common in Chicago
Chicago uses a combined sewer system that carries both stormwater runoff and sanitary sewage in the same pipes. During heavy rainfall, the system can exceed its capacity, and the overflow has nowhere to go except back through basement floor drains.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has invested billions in the TARP (Tunnel and Reservoir Plan) deep tunnel system to reduce this problem, but backups still happen, particularly on the north and west sides of the city. Neighborhoods like Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Avondale, Wicker Park, and Bucktown sit on some of the oldest sections of the combined system.
If your home is on a combined sewer line and does not have a backwater valve (also called a check valve or overhead sewer conversion), you are at risk during every significant rainstorm. The City of Chicago offers a cost-sharing program for overhead sewer conversions. If you have experienced a backup, ask your technician about prevention options during the assessment.
Sewage cleanup services we offer in Chicagoland
- Emergency sewage extraction. Truck-mounted extractors and submersible pumps remove contaminated water from basements, crawl spaces, and lower levels.
- Contaminated material removal. Carpet, carpet pad, drywall (minimum 12 inches above the water line), insulation, and any porous material that contacted sewage is removed and double-bagged for disposal.
- Disinfection and antimicrobial treatment. EPA-registered disinfectants applied to all hard surfaces, framing, and subfloor. Surfaces are scrubbed, not just sprayed.
- Air scrubbing and deodorization. HEPA air scrubbers and activated carbon filters run until the space passes air quality checks. No masking agents, just clean air.
- Structural drying. Commercial dehumidifiers and air movers dry exposed framing, subfloor, and concrete to prevent mold growth after disinfection.
- Reconstruction. New drywall, insulation, flooring, trim, and paint. We handle the full rebuild in-house.
- Backwater valve consultation. We assess whether your home is a candidate for overhead sewer conversion or backwater valve installation and refer to a licensed plumber if needed.
- Insurance claim management. Category 3 classification documentation, Xactimate scope, adjuster coordination, and direct billing.
Hear From Our Customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost depends on the volume of water, the size of the affected area, and how long the sewage has been sitting. Category 3 cleanup requires removal of all porous materials, full disinfection, and air scrubbing, which makes it more involved than clean-water extraction. Every job starts with a free estimate, and we work with your insurance on covered losses.
Many policies cover sewage backup if you have a sewer and drain endorsement. Standard policies without this endorsement typically do not cover sewer-related damage. Check your policy or call your agent. We document the source and classification to support your claim.
Yes. Category 3 (black water) carries bacteria (E. coli, salmonella), viruses, parasites, and other pathogens. Do not walk through sewage water without protective equipment. Do not attempt to clean it with household products. Professional extraction, removal of contaminated materials, and EPA-registered disinfection are required.
Most residential sewage jobs take 5 to 10 days for extraction, demolition, disinfection, drying, and air clearance. Reconstruction adds another 1 to 3 weeks depending on the scope. Your project manager provides a timeline during the initial assessment.
If the sewage affected a significant portion of your living space, we recommend temporary relocation until the area passes air quality clearance. If the damage is limited to an isolated basement, you can typically stay. Your insurance may cover additional living expenses during displacement.
The EPA and IICRC recommend professional cleanup for any sewage intrusion larger than a minor toilet overflow. Category 3 water requires full PPE, proper containment, removal of all porous materials, EPA-registered disinfection, and air quality verification. Household cleaning products do not eliminate the pathogens present in sewage.
Install a backwater valve or convert to an overhead sewer system. The City of Chicago offers a cost-sharing program for these conversions. Maintain your sewer lateral with regular inspection and cleaning. Do not pour grease down drains. Consider a battery-backup sump pump if you have a sump system.
Yes. Our technicians are IICRC-certified and trained in Category 3 (black water) protocols per the S500 standard. Redefined Restoration holds Illinois License #70156933 and carries full liability and workers' compensation coverage.
All porous materials that contacted the sewage must be removed and disposed of. This includes carpet, carpet pad, drywall (cut at least 12 inches above the visible water line), insulation, particleboard, and any upholstered furniture or mattresses that were in contact with the water. Hard surfaces like concrete, tile, and metal can be disinfected and saved.
Not if the job is done correctly. Odor is caused by bacteria and organic material left behind. Full extraction, removal of contaminated porous materials, EPA-registered disinfection, and air scrubbing with activated carbon filters eliminate the source of the odor. If you can still smell sewage after cleanup, contaminated material was missed and needs to be found and removed.
Don’t see your question? Call us. We answer every call. (708) 719-6282
Sewage Cleanup available in:
Chicago | Franklin Park | Bensenville | Elk Grove Village | Elmwood Park | Melrose Park | Schiller Park | Oak Park | Cicero | Berwyn | Maywood | River Grove
Franklin | Jacksonville | Waverly | Murrayville | Woodson | New Berlin | South Jacksonville | Scottville | Modesto | Palmyra | Roodhouse | Auburn | Virden | Winchester | Loami | Lowder | Greenfield | White Hall | Hillview | Concord | Chapin | Alexander | Arnold | Curran
Chicago | Aurora | Naperville | Joliet | Evanston | Skokie | Oak Brook | Oakbrook Terrace | Oak Park | River Forest | Riverside | Northbrook | Highland Park | Lake Forest | Libertyville | Vernon Hills | Waukegan | Wilmette | Winnetka | Glencoe | Glenview | Des Plaines | Rosemont | Schaumburg | Hoffman Estates | Palatine | Rolling Meadows | Arlington Heights | Mount Prospect | Elk Grove Village | Bensenville | Elmhurst | Downers Grove | Lisle | Wheaton | Glen Ellyn | Lombard | Carol Stream | Bloomingdale | Addison | Darien | Clarendon Hills | Hinsdale | Berwyn | Cicero | Broadview | Bellwood | Melrose Park | Maywood | Stone Park | Forest Park | River Grove | Franklin Park | Harwood Heights | Norridge | Blue Island | Calumet City | Calumet Park | Evergreen Park | Oak Lawn | Orland Park | Tinley Park | Matteson | Chicago Heights | Homewood | Flossmoor | Crete | Park Forest | Country Club Hills | Richton Park | South Holland | Dolton | Lansing
Insurance Claims
We Work With All Insurance Companies—So You Don't Have To
Our certified technicians will quickly assess your property and begin mitigation to prevent further damage. We'll extract water, stabilize the space, and create a detailed estimate. From there, we handle everything—working directly with all major insurance carriers to streamline the claim and billing process for you.
We regularly work with insurance providers including American Automobile Association (AAA), Liberty Mutual, Farmers Insurance, Allstate, State Farm, Allied Insurance, Nationwide, MetLife Insurance, AIG, Mercury Insurance, and GEICO Insurance.
A dedicated Project Manager will guide you through every step, from claim initiation to final sign-off. We coordinate with your adjuster, submit all required documentation, and advocate on your behalf—so you can focus on getting back to normal. It's fast, simple, and stress-free.
Sewage in your basement right now?
24/7 emergency dispatch. On site in 60 to 90 minutes. Full PPE, Category 3 protocol, direct insurance billing.
