Sewage backup with murky water on a Portland basement floor

Certified Sewage Backup Cleanup in Portland

Contain the hazard. Sanitize the space. Restore your peace of mind.

Sewage backups are a serious health hazard โ€” exposing your home or business to bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. RestoPros of Metro Portland responds within 60 minutes with IICRC-certified crews, hospital-grade disinfectants, and full deodorization to make your property safe again.

โš ๏ธ Water Damage Gets Worse Every Hour. Don't Wait โ€” Call Now: (971) 600-7023

What's Included in Our Sewage Cleanup Service

Safe, thorough, and fully documented from start to finish.

Biohazard Containment

We isolate the affected area to prevent contamination from spreading.

PPE-Equipped Crews

IICRC-certified technicians in full protective gear handle every job safely.

Sewage Extraction

Specialized pumps remove black water, solids, and contaminated debris.

Deep Sanitization

Hospital-grade disinfectants kill bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.

Odor Removal

Hydroxyl and ozone treatment eliminate odors at the molecular level.

Insurance Documentation

Detailed photos, scope, and reports to support your claim.

Our 4-Step Sewage Cleanup Process

Certified. Safe. Insurance-approved.

  1. Step 1

    Emergency Response

    On-site within 60 minutes to contain the biohazard.

  2. Step 2

    Removal & Disposal

    Safe extraction and lawful disposal of contaminated material.

  3. Step 3

    Sanitize & Deodorize

    Disinfect every surface and neutralize lingering odors.

  4. Step 4

    Dry & Restore

    Structural drying and reconstruction to pre-loss condition.

Sewage Backups Are a Category 3 Biohazard โ€” Not a DIY Job

Black water contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause serious illness.

Per the IICRC S500 standard, sewage is classified as Category 3 'black water' โ€” the most contaminated and dangerous water loss possible. It contains E. coli, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Giardia, Rotavirus, and other pathogens capable of causing severe illness, especially in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Anything porous touched by sewage โ€” carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, particleboard, upholstered furniture, and most flooring underlayment โ€” must be removed and discarded. There is no safe way to clean and reuse these materials. Hard, non-porous surfaces require professional disinfection with hospital-grade EPA-registered antimicrobials, applied at the correct dwell times.

Portland sees sewage backups most often during heavy rain when combined sewer systems overflow, after main-line clogs from tree roots, and from failed sump pumps in older basements. Whatever the cause, the response is the same: contain the contamination, remove all affected porous materials, sanitize every hard surface, neutralize the odor at a molecular level, and dry the structure to verified standards. We are equipped, certified, and willing to do every step safely.

Cat 3
IICRC Black Water
60 min
Avg. Response Time
100%
PPE & Containment
24/7
Emergency Service

Health & Property Risks of Untreated Sewage

The longer you wait, the worse โ€” and more expensive โ€” it gets.

Disease Exposure

E. coli, Hepatitis A, and other pathogens cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.

Airborne Contamination

Sewage gases and aerosolized bacteria spread through HVAC systems within hours.

Pest Attraction

Untreated waste attracts rodents, flies, and cockroaches โ€” adding a second infestation problem.

Structural Saturation

Black water destroys drywall, insulation, subfloors, and framing within 24-48 hours.

Permanent Odor

Sewage odor bonds to porous materials and HVAC ducts โ€” only molecular treatment removes it.

Insurance Complications

Improper DIY cleanup can void coverage and invalidate your homeowner's claim.

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Signs of a Sewage Backup

If you notice any of these, call us immediately.

  • โœ“Raw sewage smell in basement, bathroom, or laundry room
  • โœ“Toilets, tubs, or floor drains gurgling or backing up
  • โœ“Multiple drains clogged at the same time
  • โœ“Visible dark, brown, or black water on floors
  • โœ“Sewer flies or unusual insect activity indoors
  • โœ“Wastewater backing into the lowest drain after rain
  • โœ“Standing water in basement after a storm
  • โœ“Slow drains throughout the entire home

Why Portland Trusts RestoPros for Sewage Cleanup

Full PPE & Containment

Tyvek suits, respirators, and negative-air containment on every job โ€” no exceptions.

IICRC-Certified Black Water Crews

Trained specifically for Category 3 losses per S500 protocols.

EPA-Registered Disinfectants

Hospital-grade antimicrobials applied at correct dwell times for verified kill.

Molecular Odor Removal

Hydroxyl generators and ozone treatment eliminate odor at the source โ€” not masking it.

Lawful Hazardous Disposal

Contaminated materials bagged, manifested, and disposed of per Oregon DEQ rules.

Insurance-Ready Documentation

Photos, scope, biohazard logs, and Xactimate-compatible reports for your adjuster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what Portland homeowners ask us most.

Is sewage backup really dangerous?+

Yes. Sewage contains live pathogens like E. coli, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and Giardia that cause serious illness through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of aerosolized droplets. Children, pets, and immunocompromised individuals are especially at risk.

Can I clean up sewage myself?+

We strongly advise against it. Without proper PPE, containment, and EPA-registered disinfectants, you risk illness, spreading contamination through your HVAC system, and voiding your insurance coverage. Sewage is a Category 3 biohazard.

Will insurance cover sewage backup?+

Standard homeowner's policies often exclude sewer backup, but many carriers offer affordable sewer-backup riders. Check your declarations page or call your agent. We help document the loss either way for your claim.

What needs to be thrown away after sewage exposure?+

Per IICRC S500: carpet, pad, drywall (typically 2 feet above the water line), insulation, particleboard, upholstered furniture, and any porous material that contacted contaminated water must be removed and disposed of as biohazard waste.

How long does sewage cleanup take?+

Most residential sewage cleanups take 3-7 days: emergency containment and removal in day 1, sanitization in days 2-3, and verified structural drying over the following 3-5 days.

Will the smell really go away?+

Yes โ€” when treated correctly. Surface deodorizers only mask odor. We use hydroxyl generators or ozone treatment that breaks down odor molecules at the source for permanent removal.

Do you handle commercial sewage backups?+

Yes. We respond to restaurants, offices, multi-family buildings, schools, and retail spaces with discretion and after-hours availability to minimize business interruption.

Sewage Backup? Don't Touch It โ€” Call Us.

Certified biohazard cleanup with full PPE crews, 24/7 in Portland Metro.

RestoPros Metro Portland service van