A sewage backup needs more than water removal. Pro-Care Restoration provides sewage cleanup for homes and commercial properties in Greensboro, Summerfield, and the surrounding Triad. Our IICRC-certified technicians assess the affected areas, contain contamination, extract sewage water, clean affected surfaces, and dry the structure.
Pro-Care is a family-owned restoration company with over 20 years of experience and 24/7 emergency availability. We explain what needs cleaning and which repairs may follow, so you know what to expect.
Call (336) 553-7643 for emergency sewage cleanup. Tell us where the backup occurred, whether water is still entering, and which rooms or work areas are affected. Keep people and pets away from the contaminated area while you arrange help.
What to do when sewage backs up
Sewage can carry harmful microorganisms and contaminate flooring, walls, and belongings. Water may also travel beneath flooring or into wall cavities. A surface can look dry or smell better before the affected materials have been adequately cleaned and dried.
While arranging professional help:
- Keep children, pets, occupants, and visitors out of the affected area.
- Stop using toilets, sinks, laundry equipment, and other fixtures that may feed the backup.
- Avoid standing water near electrical equipment. Do not enter the area to reach an appliance or electrical panel.
- Leave sewage removal and cleanup to trained professionals. Do not use a household vacuum or mix cleaning products.
- If the HVAC system may be contaminated, leave it off until it has been assessed.
- Take photos from a clean, accessible location if you can do so without entering contaminated water.
Call Pro-Care to discuss the property damage. An active blockage or broken waste line also needs attention from the appropriate plumbing or utility provider.
Our sewage cleanup process
We plan the cleanup around where the sewage traveled, the affected materials, and whether the source is still active. We assess those conditions before deciding how to contain the work area and what can be cleaned or needs removal.
Assessment and inspection
We inspect the visible damage and check for moisture beyond the standing water. Those checks help us identify affected flooring, walls, and nearby spaces. We discuss the apparent source and any plumbing or utility work needed to stop additional sewage from entering.
Containment
We isolate the affected work area to limit the spread of contamination. The setup may include barriers, controlled access, and air filtration or pressure control when appropriate for the conditions. Keeping workers and equipment out of unaffected rooms helps protect the rest of the property.
Sewage water extraction
Our team uses pumps and extraction equipment to remove standing sewage water. Technicians use protective equipment and assess contaminated contents and building materials for removal. Materials that cannot be adequately cleaned are removed as part of the agreed cleanup scope.
Cleaning and disinfection
We remove soil and contamination before applying appropriate disinfectants to suitable surfaces. We select and use products for the material, following the manufacturer’s instructions, including contact time. Spraying a surface alone does not replace cleaning or the removal of materials that cannot be restored.
Drying and dehumidification
After contaminated material removal and cleaning, we use drying equipment suited to the affected structure. Dehumidifiers and air movers help remove remaining moisture, and moisture measurements help track progress. The condition of the materials guides drying decisions. Appearance alone or a fixed number of days isn’t enough.
Odor removal
We look for the contaminated materials and moisture contributing to sewage odors. Cleaning, material removal, drying, and appropriate deodorization address those sources. A lingering smell can mean more investigation is needed; a fresh scent alone does not demonstrate that cleanup is complete.
Repairs and restoration
After cleanup and drying, we review damaged materials and the repairs needed to restore the space. Pro-Care also provides water damage restoration. We discuss repair scope and scheduling separately so you understand what follows the initial cleanup. If mold is found, we can discuss mold remediation as part of the recovery plan.
Who fixes the cause of a sewage backup?
Restoration addresses contaminated materials and damage inside the property. A clogged drain, broken sewer pipe, septic failure, or public sewer problem may require a separate provider to correct the source. Cleanup alone can’t prevent another backup if that problem remains unresolved.
A plumber can investigate a blockage or damaged private waste line. A septic service provider should assess problems involving a septic system. If a public sewer main may be involved, contact the utility serving the property. For Greensboro utility customers, Greensboro Water Resources explains how to report sewer emergencies and distinguishes main-line incidents from problems in a home’s service line.
Let Pro-Care know if another provider has inspected the system or stopped the backup. That information helps us discuss what cleanup is needed. Confirm who will perform source repairs and what is included in each estimate before authorizing the work.
Sewage cleanup for homes and commercial properties
In a home, sewage can affect bathrooms, lower-level rooms, crawl spaces, flooring, and personal belongings. Let us know which areas are affected and whether access to essential rooms is restricted. We can explain the cleanup scope, discuss contents that need assessment, and identify the repairs that may follow drying.
For a commercial property, identify the person authorized to approve work and share any access restrictions, tenant concerns, or affected customer areas. Keeping employees and visitors away from contamination is a priority. Ask about the work area, equipment placement, and the sequence of cleanup and repairs when planning operations around the damage.
If you’re renting or managing the property, notify the owner or property manager promptly. Cleanup completion and reopening are separate decisions. Confirm any plumbing repairs, building requirements, and operational approvals that apply before returning an affected space to normal use.
What affects sewage cleanup costs?
An on-site inspection helps establish what sewage cleanup will involve and what it will cost. A contained bathroom overflow and a backup that has spread through several rooms require different amounts of labor, material removal, and drying.
The estimate depends on:
- The size and accessibility of the affected area.
- The amount of sewage and how far contamination has spread.
- Flooring, drywall, insulation, or contents that require removal or specialist assessment.
- Cleaning, disinfection, odor treatment, and drying needs.
- Repairs or reconstruction needed after cleanup.
Pro-Care offers free estimates. Ask what the estimate includes, whether additional damage could change the scope, and how proposed changes will be explained. Plumbing or septic repairs may be quoted separately from restoration. If you need payment options, ask about current Wisetack financing availability and terms.
Insurance questions after a sewage backup
Sewer backup coverage is not automatic. Standard homeowners insurance generally excludes water backup and sump overflow losses; an endorsement may provide coverage. What your insurer pays depends on the cause of the loss, policy terms, limits, and deductible. Ask your agent to review your specific policy, including separate questions about source repairs and damaged belongings.
Pro-Care works with insurance companies and can provide restoration estimates and information about the cleanup work. Your insurer determines coverage and claim payments. Keep photographs, estimates, invoices, and communications related to the incident.
For a commercial property, ask your insurance representative about the applicable property coverage and any interruption to operations. Discuss payment responsibilities before authorizing work, including any costs that may remain yours if coverage is limited or the claim is denied.
Serving Greensboro, Summerfield, and the Triad
Pro-Care is based in Summerfield and serves homeowners and commercial properties across the Triad. Our service area includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Kernersville, Oak Ridge, Reidsville, Burlington, Madison, and Eden.
Call with your property address and the type of backup so we can confirm availability for your location. Let us know if the property uses a septic system or public sewer, if you know, and whether a plumber or utility crew is already involved. Those details help clarify what comes next for source repair and property cleanup.
For information about our other services in the city, visit our Greensboro property restoration page. This sewage cleanup service covers contaminated water removal and restoration needs across the surrounding communities.
Sewage cleanup FAQs
Do I need a plumber or a restoration company?
You may need both. A plumber, septic provider, or utility addresses the cause of the backup, while a restoration company handles contaminated materials, cleaning, drying, and related property damage. Tell each provider what the other has found so you can confirm the work still needed.
Can I clean up sewage with bleach?
Bleach alone won’t remove sewage, dry hidden moisture, or make every affected material suitable to keep. Cleanup requires an assessment of contamination and materials, with cleaning before any appropriate disinfection. Do not mix cleaning products; keep the affected area restricted and arrange professional help.
Can carpet or drywall be saved after sewage exposure?
The material and extent of contamination determine what can be saved. Porous materials that cannot be adequately cleaned may need removal, while some hard surfaces may be suitable for cleaning and disinfection. Ask the restoration team to explain the assessment before damaged materials are removed or replaced.
Is it safe to stay in the building during cleanup?
That depends on the affected area, access, utilities, and whether contamination can be isolated. Keep people and pets out of the work area, and discuss occupancy with the restoration team. For commercial properties, confirm any additional building or operational requirements before reopening affected spaces.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
The schedule depends on the amount of contamination, materials affected, source repairs, and drying conditions. Initial sewage removal, structural drying, and reconstruction are separate parts of the work and may finish at different times. After we assess the property, we can explain the expected sequence and update it as we learn more.
Does homeowners insurance cover a sewer backup?
A sewer backup may require a water-backup endorsement, and payment depends on the cause and your policy’s terms. Ask your insurance agent to confirm coverage, limits, deductibles, and any exclusions. Pro-Care can provide restoration estimates and cleanup information, but can’t promise a claim outcome.
Will the City of Greensboro pay for the damage?
Greensboro has a residential sewer backup policy with eligibility conditions for certain backups caused by a City sewer main blockage. That doesn’t mean every sewer backup qualifies for reimbursement. Contact the City directly for the current requirements and estimate-review process; do not assume this policy applies to other Triad communities or private service-line blockages.
Is emergency sewage cleanup available after hours?
Pro-Care offers 24/7 emergency service. Call (336) 553-7643 with the property address and a description of the backup. We can confirm availability and discuss the next steps for your home or commercial property.
Get help with sewage cleanup
Call Pro-Care Restoration at (336) 553-7643 for sewage cleanup in Greensboro, Summerfield, and the Triad. Tell us about the damage. We can explain the assessment process and the cleanup and restoration work ahead.
For a non-emergency inquiry, request an estimate. If sewage is still entering the property, call and tell us the source is active.