Stop all water use
Do not flush, shower, run the dishwasher or washing machine. Everything drains toward the blockage and comes back up.
Sewage backing up into the house or building?
Sewage coming up through drains, toilets or floor drains is a health hazard and usually means the main sewer line is blocked. Stop using water, keep everyone away from it, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. Independent plumbers and cleanup crews do the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes if dirty water or sewage is coming up in a tub, shower, floor drain or toilet, especially on the lowest floor.
Is this urgent?Yes. Every flush or load of laundry adds more sewage, and contaminated water spreads into flooring and walls.
What do I do next?Stop using all water and drains, keep people and pets away, and call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code.
Most backups need two things: a plumber or drain service to clear the line (main sewer line clog) and a cleanup crew to remove and disinfect contaminated materials.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
Right now
Keep away from it
Keep children, pets and anyone with a weak immune system out of the area. Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must walk through it, and wash thoroughly afterward.
Cut power if water is near it
If sewage is near outlets or appliances and the panel is dry and safe to reach, switch off those circuits.
Treat sewage as contaminated
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Do not mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach and ammonia, which create toxic gas. Porous items it touched, such as carpet, pad and upholstery, usually cannot be safely cleaned. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or the gas utility.
What usually causes a backup
Main line blockage
Grease, wipes or other items lodged in the main line. Several drains back up at once, lowest drains first.
Tree roots
Roots enter older clay or cast-iron lines through joints. See tree root sewer line removal.
Broken or sagging line
Collapsed or offset pipe needs sewer line repair, sometimes after a camera inspection.
Heavy rain or city sewer overload
During storms, municipal sewers can back up into buildings. A backwater valve can help prevent it in the future.
Clearing the line and cleaning up are separate jobs
Plumber or drain service
Clears the blockage, often from a cleanout, and may camera-inspect the line to find the cause.
Cleanup and restoration
Removes contaminated water and materials, disinfects, and dries the area. Tell the operator both are needed.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- Which drains are backing up and on which floor
- Whether it happens when a toilet is flushed or water is run
- How much area is affected
- Whether there is a basement or crawl space
- Any known sewer cleanout location
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles sewage backup cleanup and sewer line repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Sewage backup questions
Is sewage backup an emergency?
Yes. It is a health hazard and gets worse every time water is used. Stop all water use and call 833-877-1717.
Can I call about a sewage backup at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Can I clean up sewage myself?
Small amounts on hard surfaces are sometimes cleaned by owners with protective gear and disinfectant. Larger backups, or sewage on carpet, drywall or in a basement, should be handled by professionals.
Why is sewage coming up in my basement floor drain?
The basement drain is usually the lowest opening in the system, so a blockage in the main line shows up there first.
Who is responsible: me or the city?
It depends on where the blockage is. The section from the building to the property line or city connection is usually the owner’s responsibility. If several neighbors have backups, contact your sewer utility.
Does insurance cover sewage backup?
RepairNowUSA cannot answer for your policy. Many policies need a specific sewer or water backup endorsement. Photograph everything and contact your insurer or agent.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.