Sewage Backup Cleanup in Denver Metro
Sewage in your home is a health emergency. Our IICRC certified crews respond within 60 minutes with hospital-grade disinfection protocols to make your property safe again.
Call Now: (720) 281-9675Why Sewage Backups Require Professional Remediation
A sewage backup is not an ordinary water damage event. When raw sewage enters your home through floor drains, toilets, or bathtubs, it brings Category 3 "black water" — the most hazardous classification in the restoration industry. Black water contains human waste, bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemical contaminants, and other biological agents that pose serious risks to everyone in the household. Unlike clean water from a burst supply line, sewage contamination demands specialized extraction, antimicrobial treatment, and thorough structural sanitization that goes far beyond what consumer cleaning products can achieve.
At Colorado Rapid Dry, our Aurora-based crews are trained and equipped specifically for sewage remediation across the Denver Metro area. We hold IICRC certifications in water damage restoration and applied microbial remediation, and we follow the S500 and S520 standards that govern professional sewage cleanup. Every technician arrives with full personal protective equipment, EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants, truck-mounted extraction units, and commercial drying equipment — everything required to handle a sewage emergency safely and completely.
Understanding Black Water Hazards
The health risks from sewage exposure are not theoretical. Black water commonly contains E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and a range of other pathogens that can cause severe illness through direct skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of contaminated airborne particles. When sewage sits in a structure for even a few hours, these organisms begin multiplying rapidly in the warm, humid environment, and the contamination spreads into porous materials like drywall, carpet padding, wood subflooring, and insulation.
Beyond biological hazards, sewage backups also introduce chemical contaminants — household cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, and industrial compounds that have traveled through the sewer system. The combination of biological and chemical contamination is why the IICRC requires that all porous materials exposed to black water be removed rather than cleaned. There is no safe way to disinfect carpet padding or drywall that has absorbed raw sewage.
If left unaddressed, sewage contamination also creates ideal conditions for aggressive mold growth. Mold colonies can establish themselves within 24-48 hours in the warm, nutrient-rich environment that sewage provides. Our mold remediation team often works alongside our sewage cleanup crews to prevent secondary damage.
Sewage in Your Home? Do Not Wait.
Every hour of delay increases health risks and structural damage. Our 24/7 crews can be at your door within 60 minutes.
Call Now: (720) 281-9675When to Call for Sewage Backup Cleanup
Call Colorado Rapid Dry immediately if you experience any of the following situations. Sewage contamination escalates quickly, and early professional intervention dramatically reduces both health risks and total restoration costs.
- Sewage backing up through floor drains, toilets, or bathtubs — the most common sign that the main sewer line is blocked or broken.
- Foul sewage smell in your basement or crawl space — even without visible standing water, odor indicates contamination that needs assessment.
- Multiple drains gurgling or draining slowly at the same time — a sign of a mainline obstruction that may lead to a full backup.
- Dark or discolored water pooling in your basement after heavy rain — storm surges can overwhelm municipal sewer systems and push sewage into homes.
- Any time you discover water damage and are unsure of the source — water that may have contacted sewage must be treated as black water until tested and confirmed otherwise.
Our Sewage Backup Cleanup Process
Emergency Response and Safety Assessment
We arrive within 60 minutes, secure the area, shut off contamination sources, and assess the full scope of the sewage intrusion. We establish containment barriers to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected areas of your home.
Black Water Extraction and Debris Removal
Using truck-mounted pumps and submersible extractors, we remove all standing sewage and contaminated water. We then remove porous materials that cannot be salvaged — carpet, padding, lower drywall sections, and saturated insulation.
Antimicrobial Treatment and Sanitization
Every affected surface receives thorough treatment with EPA-registered, hospital-grade antimicrobial agents. We apply disinfectants to all structural members, subfloors, concrete, framing, and any non-porous surfaces that remain in place.
Structural Drying and Dehumidification
We deploy commercial air movers and industrial dehumidifiers to dry the structure to IICRC standards. We monitor moisture levels daily with professional-grade meters until all materials reach safe moisture content.
Odor Elimination and Air Purification
We use hydroxyl generators and HEPA air scrubbers to eliminate sewage odors and airborne contaminants. Unlike masking agents, our approach destroys odor-causing compounds at the molecular level for permanent results.
Clearance Testing and Documentation
Before declaring the project complete, we verify all affected areas meet safe moisture and sanitation levels. We provide complete documentation including moisture readings, photos, and sanitization records for your insurance claim.
Common Causes of Sewage Backups in Denver Metro
Understanding what causes sewage backups can help you recognize warning signs before a full-scale emergency develops. In the Denver Metro area, the most frequent causes we respond to include aging clay sewer lateral pipes that crack or collapse, tree root intrusion into sewer lines, municipal sewer system overloads during heavy rainstorms, and blockages from grease, wipes, or other materials that should not enter the sewer system.
Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles also contribute to sewer line damage. When soil around sewer pipes repeatedly freezes and thaws throughout winter, it shifts and can crack or misalign pipe joints. Homes built before 1970 are especially vulnerable because they often have original clay or cast iron sewer laterals that have degraded over decades of use.
If you have experienced a sewage backup, we recommend scheduling a free moisture inspection even after cleanup is complete. Hidden moisture trapped in wall cavities or beneath flooring can lead to secondary problems including mold growth and structural deterioration. Our inspection uses thermal imaging cameras and professional moisture meters to verify that every affected area is truly dry.
Serving the Entire Denver Metro Area
Colorado Rapid Dry provides 24/7 sewage backup cleanup across the Denver Metro area from our base in Aurora. Our crews regularly respond to emergencies in Aurora, Denver, Lakewood, and all surrounding communities. We also provide related services including emergency water extraction and flood cleanup and drying for properties affected by any type of water intrusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sewage backup dangerous to my health?
Yes. Sewage backup is classified as Category 3 or "black water" by the IICRC, meaning it contains dangerous pathogens including bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, parasites, viruses, and other biological hazards. Exposure can cause serious gastrointestinal illness, respiratory infections, skin rashes, and other health problems. Children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are at especially high risk. You should never attempt to clean sewage contamination without proper personal protective equipment and professional disinfection protocols.
How long does sewage backup cleanup take?
The timeline depends on the extent of contamination. A small, localized backup in a single bathroom may take 1-2 days for extraction, sanitization, and drying. Larger incidents that affect multiple rooms, seep into wall cavities, or saturate subflooring can require 3-5 days or more. Our team provides a clear timeline estimate during the initial inspection, and we use commercial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to accelerate the drying process without cutting corners on disinfection.
Will my homeowner insurance cover sewage backup cleanup?
Standard homeowner insurance policies typically do not cover sewer backups unless you have purchased a specific sewer backup endorsement or rider. However, if the sewage backup was caused by a covered peril such as a burst pipe inside your home, your standard policy may apply. We work directly with insurance companies and can review your policy with you to determine coverage. Our team documents all damage thoroughly to support your claim and maximize your reimbursement.
Can I clean up sewage backup myself?
We strongly advise against DIY sewage cleanup. Black water contains pathogens that require EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants, proper PPE including respirators and chemical-resistant suits, and specialized extraction equipment to safely remediate. Improper cleanup can leave behind invisible biological contamination inside walls, under flooring, and in ductwork that leads to long-term health hazards and persistent odors. Professional remediation ensures the affected area is genuinely safe for occupancy.
Do you remove and replace contaminated materials?
Yes. Porous materials that absorb sewage contamination — including carpet, carpet padding, drywall below the waterline, insulation, and particleboard — cannot be adequately disinfected and must be removed and replaced. Non-porous hard surfaces like tile, concrete, and metal can typically be cleaned and disinfected in place. Our technicians assess every material individually and only remove what is truly unsalvageable, keeping your restoration costs as low as possible.
Sewage Backup? Get Professional Help Now.
Do not risk your family's health with DIY cleanup. Our certified crews arrive within 60 minutes with hospital-grade sanitization equipment. Available 24/7.
Call Now: (720) 281-9675