Sewage Backup Cleanup in Littleton, CO

Sewage coming up through a floor drain or basement toilet is a health hazard, not just a mess. Reestorian connects you with an independent local provider for safe sewage backup cleanup.

Call (928) 394-5135

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Quick answer: Sewage backup cleanup in Littleton means removing black water, discarding porous materials it soaked, disinfecting every surface and drying the area. Sewage is Category 3 water that can carry bacteria and viruses, so stop using your plumbing and keep people out. Call (928) 394-5135 to reach an independent local sewage cleanup provider.

A sewer backup usually shows up at the lowest drain in the house: a basement floor drain, a basement shower or a lower-level toilet. In Littleton, the most common cause is a clog in the home's own service line. Grease, wipes and tree roots are frequent culprits. Cracked or aging pipes and mains overloaded by storms add to the list. Because the water is contaminated, sewage cleanup follows stricter rules than a clean-water leak.

What sewage backup cleanup includes

Stopping use of sinks, toilets, showers and the washer until the line is cleared
Safety setup with protective gear for the crew
Pumping out sewage and extracting floors
Removing and bagging porous materials, including carpet, pad and drywall that sewage touched
Cleaning and disinfecting floors, walls, fixtures and framing
Drying the area with air movers and dehumidifiers, with daily moisture readings
Odor control and HEPA air filtration where needed
Documentation for the insurance claim
Coordination with a plumber to clear or repair the service line

What causes sewer backups in Littleton

Cause	What happens	Prevention
Grease down the drain	Cools and builds up inside the line	Put grease in a container and throw it away
Wipes and other solids	Wipes, diapers and paper towels snag and block flow	Flush only toilet paper
Tree roots	Roots find cracks and joints in older lines	Video inspection; replace older lines with plastic pipe
Pipe breaks and deterioration	Old clay or cast iron cracks or collapses	Camera inspection and repair
Main line blockage	Sewage backs up into the lowest drains on the street	Contact City of Littleton Public Works
Sump pumps or French drains tied into the sewer	Extra water overloads the system	Disconnect; the city says not to connect them to the sewer

The City of Littleton notes that homes built since the early 1980s likely have plastic service lines. That still doesn't rule out problems. If you don't know the age or condition of your line, a video inspection is a good idea.

Sewage coming up through a drain? Call to reach a local sewage cleanup provider.

Call (928) 394-5135

The sewage cleanup process

Stop the flow. Stop using all plumbing. If the city main is blocked, contact the City of Littleton Public Works Department. If your service line is blocked, a plumber or sewer contractor has to clear it.
Protect people. Keep children, pets and anyone with a weak immune system out of the area. The crew wears waterproof boots, gloves, eye protection and respirators.
Remove the water. Sewage is pumped out and floors are extracted.
Remove porous materials. Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and furniture that sewage touched are cut out, bagged and discarded.
Clean and disinfect. Hard surfaces are washed and disinfected. CDPHE guidance for homeowners calls for 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, left on for at least a minute, then rinsed.
Dry and deodorize. Air movers, dehumidifiers and air scrubbers dry the structure and reduce odor.
Rebuild. New materials are installed once the area is clean and dry.

Why sewage is treated as Category 3 water

The ANSI/IICRC S500 standard defines Category 3 water as grossly contaminated. It can carry germs, toxins or other harmful agents. Sewage is one of its examples. Porous materials soaked by Category 3 water usually can't be cleaned well enough to keep. That's why removal is a bigger part of sewage cleanup than other water jobs. The category 1, 2 and 3 water guide explains the differences.

Health and safety

Colorado public health guidance and the CDC both stress protection during sewage cleanup:

Wear waterproof boots, gloves and eye protection, plus washable or disposable clothing
Never mix bleach with ammonia, which creates toxic gas
Keep fresh air moving with open windows and fans
Throw out any food that may have touched sewage
Wash hands with soap and water after contact

Need contaminated materials removed and the area disinfected? Call to reach a local provider.

Call (928) 394-5135

What affects the cost of sewage cleanup

Providers set their own prices. The biggest factors are:

Area affected and how high the water rose on the walls
Porous materials removed, such as carpet, drywall and furniture
Finished versus unfinished basement
Disinfection and odor control
Drying time
Plumbing or sewer line repair, usually billed separately

DIY or call a pro?

A small backup on bare concrete, caught fast, can sometimes be a DIY job. Use protective gear, a wet vac and a bleach solution, following CDPHE guidance. Call a professional when sewage reached carpet, drywall or furniture. The same goes if it covers a large area, sat for hours or got into a finished room.

Insurance notes for Colorado

The City of Littleton notes that standard homeowners and flood policies typically don't cover sewer backups or sump pump overflow. Backup coverage can usually be added for a modest cost. The Colorado Division of Insurance also suggests buying sewer backup coverage separately. Loss of use coverage may help with lodging and meals if your home is unlivable. Photograph the damage before and after, itemize your losses and keep receipts. See sewer backup insurance for details.

Local note: Sewer backups are more common in neighborhoods with older service lines. In Englewood, many homes were built before 1960. In Lakewood, postwar homes may have clay or cast iron laterals. In Centennial, older west-side neighborhoods have mature trees whose roots can reach sewer lines.

Sewage backup cleanup questions

Who is responsible for a sewer backup in Littleton?

The City of Littleton says the property owner owns and maintains the sewer service line from the house to the main, including the part under the street. City crews clear blockages in the main lines but can't clear a service line. If the main is blocked, contact the City of Littleton Public Works Department.

Is it safe to clean up sewage myself?

Small, contained spills on hard floors can be cleaned with protective gear and disinfectant, following CDPHE guidance. Sewage that soaked carpet, drywall or furniture, or that covers a large area, is best handled by a professional because it can carry bacteria and viruses.

What has to be thrown away after a sewage backup?

Colorado public health guidance lists mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, foam items, books, paper, stuffed animals, baby toys, contaminated food and wall-to-wall carpet as items to discard. Carpet pad usually needs replacing even if the carpet can be cleaned.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backups?

Usually not without an add-on. The City of Littleton notes that standard homeowners and flood policies typically don't cover sewer backups or sump pump overflow, and that sewer backup coverage can usually be added for a modest cost.

How do I prevent another sewer backup?

Put grease in the trash, flush only toilet paper, and keep wipes, even ones labeled flushable, out of the toilet. Consider a video inspection of an older service line and replacing it with plastic pipe to reduce root intrusion.