AI job photoStay out of affected areas
Keep kids and pets away. Do not walk through it, and do not run fans that spread the air around.
Sewage backup or leak
Sewage Backup & Leak Cleanup
Sewage is Category 3 black water, carrying bacteria, viruses and parasites. Our hazmat-trained technicians and plumbers arrive together, stop the source, remove what is contaminated and disinfect everything else.
- 24/7 Emergency
Response - On Site Within
45 Minutes - Plumbers on
the Same Call - OSHA & EPA
Protocols
Local crews across Southern California, Florida, Washington and Nevada
- Since 200422 years in restoration
- CSLBLicensed contractor
- Bonded& insured
- InsuranceDirect billing
- 24/7/365Emergency dispatch
- TrustpilotRead our reviews
Black water cleanup
This is not a mop-and-bleach job. It is a contamination job.
When a sewer line backs up or a toilet overflows with waste, everything the water touches is contaminated: drywall, insulation, carpet, pad and the subfloor underneath. Pathogens in sewage can make people seriously sick, and porous materials cannot be cleaned back to safe.
We dispatch restoration technicians and plumbers together, so the backup gets fixed while the cleanup starts. Then we extract, remove contaminated materials, disinfect every surface the water reached and rebuild.
- Source repaired
- Contaminated materials removed
- Hospital-grade disinfection
- Photo & video documentation
Turn off the power to wet rooms
Sewage and electricity are a dangerous mix. Kill the breaker if you can do it without walking through the water.
Request sewage cleanup
Tell us what happened. We'll take it from here.
Sewage on the floor right now? Call (800) 719-4808 for the fastest dispatch.
Your information is secure and never shared.
Steps to take after a sewage leak
Three things to do right now
Your job is to stay safe until we get there. Leave the cleanup to people in protective gear.
AI job photo
AI job photoTurn off the power
Shut the breakers to affected rooms if you can reach the panel safely, to avoid shock hazards.
AI job photoCall us immediately
Technicians and a plumber are dispatched together, typically on site within 45 minutes.
Our sewage cleanup process
Four steps, strict contamination protocol.
Every step follows OSHA and EPA guidelines so the space is safe for you and your family when we leave.
- 01
Water extraction
Industrial pumpsIndustrial-strength pumps and vacuums remove the standing sewage water.
- 02
Contamination removal
Hazmat disposalHazmat technicians remove and dispose of contaminated drywall, insulation and flooring.
- 03
Sanitization
Disinfect & dryEvery affected surface is disinfected and dried to stop bacteria, mold and mildew.
- 04
Restoration
Walls, floors, ceilingsWe rebuild what was removed so the room goes back to normal use.
Plumbers on the same dispatch.
The backup gets fixed while cleanup starts.Documented
Photos and video from arrival.Covered
Workers comp and full insurance.Trained
OSHA and EPA protocols.What can be saved
Keep, clean or replace?
Sewage changes the salvage rules. Here is how we decide, material by material.
| After sewage contact | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet & pad | Removed and replaced | Fibers and foam absorb pathogens and cannot be disinfected. |
| Drywall & insulation | Cut out above the water line | Porous materials wick contamination up the wall. |
| Tile, stone & concrete | Cleaned and disinfected | Non-porous surfaces can be restored to sanitary. |
| Wood framing & subfloor | Cleaned, treated, dried, tested | Kept when it can be disinfected and dried to standard. |
| Upholstered furniture | Usually replaced | Stuffing holds contamination deep inside. |
| Hard furniture & contents | Assessed item by item | Metal, glass and sealed items often clean up well. |
Your adjuster will want to see the removed materials documented. We photograph and log everything before it goes.
Common sources
Where sewage backups usually start
AI job photoMain line clogs
Roots, grease and wipes block the line to the street and push waste back up the lowest drain.
AI job photoHeavy rain
Storm water overloads municipal sewers and forces sewage back into homes.
AI job photoToilet overflows
A blocked toilet with waste in it counts as Category 3, even if it seems minor.
AI job photoCrawl space leaks
A cracked drain line under the house can leak for weeks before anyone smells it.
Why choose Green Planet Restoration
Sewage cleanup that is safe, fast and on the record
Same-day service
Crews and plumbers go out together and usually arrive within 45 minutes.
Instant documentation
Technicians photograph and video the job as they go, for invoicing and your insurer.
Fully covered
Bonded, licensed and insured, with workers compensation on every technician.
- 22 yrsIn restoration, since 2004
- 45 minTypical arrival
- 24/7Emergency dispatch
- Cat 3Black water protocols
Featured video
Featured video
Water damage moves fast. So do we.
Water spreads into drywall, subfloors and cabinets within hours. This short video shows what our crews do first and why speed matters.
Now showing: The True Cost of Water Damage | Fast Response Restoration by Green Planet Restoration
- Sustainable
Solutions - Expert
Restoration - Community
Focused
Case studies
Recent projects
Real jobs, start to finish: what we found, what we did and how it turned out.
Sample project
Sample scenario
Main line backup into a bathroom
A root-clogged main line pushed sewage up through the tub and toilet. We contained the room, removed affected drywall and flooring and disinfected before drying.
- Category 3
- Containment
- Disinfection
Sample project
Sample scenario
Crawl space sewer line break
A cracked sewer line under the house soaked the soil and insulation. Everything contaminated came out, the area was treated and dried with air movers.
- Crawl space
- Insulation removal
- Drying
AI job photoSample project
Sample scenario · South Florida
Toilet overflow through a ceiling
An upstairs toilet overflowed into the living room below. Ceiling drywall and insulation came down, framing was cleaned and the room was rebuilt.
- Ceiling removal
- Antimicrobial
- Rebuild
Frequently asked questions
Sewage cleanup questions, answered.
Why is sewage called black water?
It carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause serious illness. The IICRC classifies it as Category 3, the most contaminated class of water damage, which requires protective gear and removal of porous materials.
Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
We do not recommend it. Even a small overflow soaks into grout, baseboards and drywall. Without protective equipment and hospital-grade disinfectants, you risk exposure and leaving contamination behind.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Many standard policies need a sewer backup endorsement for coverage. Check your policy and call your insurer early. We document everything with photos and video to support the claim either way.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
Extraction and removal of contaminated materials usually happen on the first day. Drying and disinfection take a few more days, and rebuilding depends on how much drywall and flooring came out.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Stay out of affected areas. If the backup is in a main living area, a bathroom you need, or anyone in the home is very young, elderly or immune-compromised, it is safer to stay elsewhere until we finish.
Do you fix the plumbing problem too?
Yes. Plumbers are part of the same dispatch, so the cause gets repaired while the cleanup starts, and the backup does not repeat.
Sewage exposure is a health risk. Call now.
Technicians and plumbers dispatched together, 24/7.
Where we work
Our business locations
Local crews in four states, each with its own team, trucks and direct line. Pick your region to find the closest branch.
Southern California
Headquarters region- Los Angeles
- San Fernando Valley
- Culver City
- Santa Monica
- Torrance
- Pasadena
- Santa Clarita
- Palmdale & Lancaster
- Oak Park
- Ventura & Oxnard
- Irvine
- Santa Ana
- Laguna Beach
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
Florida
South Florida- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Hialeah
- Coral Gables
- Miami Gardens
- North Miami Beach
- Homestead
- Lauderhill
Washington
Greater Seattle- Seattle
- Tukwila
- Bellevue
- Renton
- Kent
- Kirkland
- Redmond
- Kenmore
- Everett
- Tacoma
Nevada
Las Vegas Valley- Las Vegas
- Henderson
- North Las Vegas
- Summerlin
- Paradise
- Boulder City
See all locations or call (800) 719-4808, 24/7