You flushed, and the shower drain in the basement started gurgling. Minutes later, raw sewage was coming up through the floor drain and both toilets. This is Category 3 blackwater, loaded with bacteria and viruses, and it is not something to mop up with household cleaners.
Free referral to independent, licensed and insured local pros. Zip codes served include 43109 43026 43054 43228 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43227 43213 43212 43215 43214 43217 43219 43218 43002 43004 43068 43081 43085 43240 43229 43235 43232 43231 43230 43119 43110 43017 43016 43137 43211 43210 43202 43203 43201 43206 43207 43204 43205 43209 43236 43251 43260 43266 43268 43270 43271 43272 43279 43287 43291.

Sewage is a health hazard first and a water problem second. A Water Damage is a free referral service that connects you with independent, licensed and insured contractors near Columbus who are equipped for Category 3 blackwater, including protective gear, containment, and hospital-grade disinfectants.
Expect Tyvek-style suits, respirators, and gloves. Contaminants stay in the work zone, not tracked through your home.
Plastic barriers seal off the affected area, and HEPA air scrubbers create negative pressure so contaminated air does not drift into clean rooms.
Confirm license and insurance on arrival. Biohazard jobs should only go to properly insured pros.
Pricing for each phase is written down and approved by you first.

Sewage cleanup follows a strict order: contain, remove, clean, disinfect, verify, then dry. Skipping a step can leave pathogens behind long after the smell is gone.

Liquid sewage and solids are extracted with dedicated equipment and disposed of according to local rules, not dumped down another drain.
Anything porous that absorbed sewage, like carpet, drywall, and insulation, is removed and bagged.
Concrete, framing, and tile are cleaned and disinfected with EPA-registered products at the correct dwell time.
After disinfection, HEPA air scrubbers and odor control treatments remove lingering sewage odor from the air and structure.
Some contractors use ATP surface testing to confirm cleaning worked. Then drying equipment runs until materials read dry.
Call +1-877-637-9008, describe where sewage is coming up, and confirm everyone has stopped using water in the house.
A local contractor calls back with an arrival window and reminds you to keep everyone away from the contaminated area.
The pro sets up containment, assesses how far contamination reached, and gives you a written estimate before removal begins.
Contaminated materials are removed, surfaces disinfected, odors treated, and the area dried. The contractor may recommend a plumber to clear or camera the main line.
Raw sewage is a health risk. Get a protected crew out fast.
Our main line backed up into the basement. They sealed it off, suited up, removed everything contaminated, and the smell was completely gone.
Carmen E.Main line backup, basementThey explained why the carpet and bottom of the drywall had to go. Not what I wanted to hear, but it made sense once they mentioned what is in sewage.
Steve R.Toilet overflow into finished roomI have little kids, so I was worried. They set up an air scrubber and plastic walls so nothing spread upstairs.
Jenna P.Sewage backup, family homeAfter cleanup, they suggested a camera inspection. Tree roots in the main line, now fixed.
Omar H.Recurring sewer backup

It is Category 3, meaning grossly contaminated. That category triggers full biohazard protocols.
It depends on the size of the backup and where it is. Small contained areas may be fine with containment in place. Large backups, or households with infants, elderly, or immune-compromised people, often warrant staying elsewhere.
A very small hard-surface spill can be cleaned with gloves, boots, and a disinfectant. If sewage reached carpet, drywall, or a large area, professional cleanup is the safer choice.
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you have a specific sewer or drain backup endorsement. Check your policy with your agent.
Common causes include tree roots in the main line, grease buildup, collapsed or bellied pipes, and municipal sewer overloads during heavy rain.
No. A Water Damage is a free referral service connecting you with independent, licensed and insured local contractors who do the work and bill you directly.

Independent sewage cleanup contractors in the network serve Columbus, OH and nearby zip codes like 43109 43026 43054 43228 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43227 43213 43212 43215 43214 43217 43219 43218 43002 43004 43068 43081 43085 43240 43229 43235 43232 43231 43230 43119 43110 43017 43016 43137 43211 43210 43202 43203 43201 43206 43207 43204 43205 43209 43236 43251 43260 43266 43268 43270 43271 43272 43279 43287 43291.
See nearby cities in the list below.
