Signs you need a crew now
- Water or sewage coming up floor drains, tubs, or toilets
- Several drains backing up at the same time
- Gurgling pipes when you flush or run water
- A sewage smell indoors - even without visible water
What happens when you call
-
Tell us what happened. 30 seconds - where it's coming up and how much.
-
You're connected with a local restoration crew while you're on the line.
-
The crew confirms timing and sets your arrival time with you directly.
Why this one can't wait
Sewage is what crews call category-3 "black water" - it carries bacteria and viruses, and everything porous it touches (carpet, pad, drywall, upholstery) has to go. The longer it sits, the deeper it wicks.
Certified crews contain the area, remove what can't be saved, and disinfect to IICRC standards - then dry and restore. This is not a mop-and-bleach job.
Local to the District
DC rowhouses put finished living space below grade, and the city's older combined sewers back up into those basements when summer downpours hit. English basements flood street-first, flat roofs pond, and the region's swampy humidity means anything left damp grows mold quickly - especially behind plaster walls that dry slowly.
District policies cover sudden pipe and appliance failures; water backing up from sewers or drains - the classic DC basement loss - needs its own endorsement. Rising street water is flood insurance, a separate policy, even when it only reaches the areaway door.
Serving Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, and all of the District.
Sewage backup questions
Is it actually dangerous?
Yes - treat it like the biohazard it is. Keep people and pets out of the area, don't run fans across it, and wash up if you've had contact.
Is a sewage backup covered by insurance?
Only with a sewer/water-backup endorsement - a cheap add-on many policies skip. The crew checks your coverage situation with you before work starts.
Can the carpet be saved?
No - carpet and pad touched by sewage are removed by rule. Hard surfaces underneath are disinfected and usually fine.
My English basement flooded in a storm - is that covered?
It depends on the path: sewer backup needs a backup endorsement, street water needs flood insurance, and a burst pipe is standard coverage. Photos of where the water came in help show which one happened.