You flushed, and the shower drain in the basement started gurgling. Minutes later, raw sewage was coming up through the floor drain and both toilets. This is Category 3 blackwater, loaded with bacteria and viruses, and it is not something to mop up with household cleaners.
One free call connects you with an independent local specialist. Areas served include zip codes 43109 43026 43054 43228 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43227 43213 43212 43215 43214 43217 43219 43218 43002 43004 43068 43081 43085 43240 43229 43235 43232 43231 43230 43119 43110 43017 43016 43137 43211 43210 43202 43203 43201 43206 43207 43204 43205 43209 43236 43251 43260 43266 43268 43270 43271 43272 43279 43287 43291.

We are a referral line, not a contractor. Calls are routed to independent local pros around Columbus who handle biohazard sewage cleanup, not just clean-water leaks.
Expect Tyvek-style suits, respirators, and gloves. Contaminants stay in the work zone, not tracked through your home.
Containment walls and HEPA filtration keep sewage odors and particles from spreading through the house.
Each contractor carries independent licensing and insurance. Ask for proof before work begins, especially for biohazard work.
You get a written estimate that covers removal, disinfection, and drying before work starts.

Sewage cleanup follows a strict order: contain, remove, clean, disinfect, verify, then dry. Skipping a step can leave pathogens behind long after the smell is gone.

Sewage is pumped and vacuumed out with equipment reserved for contaminated water, then disposed of properly.
Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, and particleboard that touched sewage cannot be reliably disinfected and are bagged and removed.
Concrete, framing, and tile are cleaned and disinfected with EPA-registered products at the correct dwell time.
Air scrubbers and odor treatments clear the smell so it does not return once the area dries.
Some contractors use ATP surface testing to confirm cleaning worked. Then drying equipment runs until materials read dry.
Tell dispatch which drains are backing up and how far the sewage spread.
You will get an arrival time and safety reminders while the crew is on the way.
The pro sets up containment, assesses how far contamination reached, and gives you a written estimate before removal begins.
Contaminated materials are removed, surfaces disinfected, odors treated, and the area dried. The contractor may recommend a plumber to clear or camera the main line.
Stop using water and keep everyone away. Help can be on the way now.
Main line backed up into the basement shower and floor drain. The crew showed up in full suits, sealed off the basement, and cleaned it like a hospital. No smell after they left.
Carmen E.Main line backup, basementThey explained why the carpet and bottom of the drywall had to go. Not what I wanted to hear, but it made sense once they mentioned what is in sewage.
Steve R.Toilet overflow into finished roomI have little kids, so I was worried. They set up an air scrubber and plastic walls so nothing spread upstairs.
Jenna P.Sewage backup, family homeThey recommended a plumber to camera the line afterward. Turned out to be tree roots. Glad we found it.
Omar H.Recurring sewer backup

It is Category 3, meaning grossly contaminated. That category triggers full biohazard protocols.
Small, contained jobs may be fine. For large backups or vulnerable family members, staying elsewhere is often safer.
A very small hard-surface spill can be cleaned with gloves, boots, and a disinfectant. If sewage reached carpet, drywall, or a large area, professional cleanup is the safer choice.
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you have a specific sewer or drain backup endorsement. Check your policy with your agent.
Tree roots, grease clogs, damaged pipes, and city sewer overloads are the usual culprits.
No. A Water Damage is a free referral service connecting you with independent, licensed and insured local contractors who do the work and bill you directly.

Calls from Columbus and zip codes such as 43109 43026 43054 43228 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43227 43213 43212 43215 43214 43217 43219 43218 43002 43004 43068 43081 43085 43240 43229 43235 43232 43231 43230 43119 43110 43017 43016 43137 43211 43210 43202 43203 43201 43206 43207 43204 43205 43209 43236 43251 43260 43266 43268 43270 43271 43272 43279 43287 43291 are routed to local biohazard-equipped pros.
Nearby cities are listed below.
