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Sewage Backup Cleanup in Richardson, TX
Sewage is the most dangerous kind of water damage. It’s classed as Category 3 water and needs protective gear, removal of soaked materials and disinfection, not just drying. Stop using water, keep people away and call (972) 947-2040.
Safety first
What to do right now
- Stop running water, flushing toilets and using washers or dishwashers. Every gallon you use can come back up.
- Keep children, pets and anyone vulnerable out of the area.
- Turn off breakers for wet rooms if you can do it without stepping in water.
- Don’t use household fans; they can spread contaminants.
- Photograph the damage, then call a plumber to clear the line and a restoration company for cleanup.
Your neighbors backing up too?
If several homes nearby have the same problem, the blockage may be in the city sewer main. Call the City of Richardson as well as your plumber.
Local causes
Why drains back up in Richardson homes
- Older cast-iron drain lines. Much of Richardson was built from the 1950s to the 1970s, when cast-iron drains were common. Over decades they can corrode, crack and develop rough interiors that catch debris.
- Tree roots. Mature trees in established neighborhoods send roots into cracked joints in search of water.
- Clay soil movement. North Texas clay swells and shrinks, which can shift and crack drain lines under the slab.
- What goes down the drain. Grease, wipes and paper towels build clogs over time.
Know the water
Clean, gray or black water: why sewage is different
Restoration companies sort water damage into three categories, based on the industry standard for water damage restoration (IICRC S500). The category decides what can be dried and what has to be thrown away.
| Water type | Common source | What usually happens to floors |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1: clean water | A burst supply pipe or overflowing sink | Wet carpet and pad can often be dried in place if work starts quickly. |
| Category 2: gray water | Washing machine or dishwasher discharge | Carpet may be cleaned and dried; pad is often replaced. |
| Category 3: black water | Sewage, a toilet backup with waste, or floodwater | Carpet, pad and soaked drywall are usually removed and the area disinfected. |
Water also gets worse with time. Clean water that sits for a few days can become gray or black water as bacteria grow, which is one more reason to call early.
One drain or the main line?
Signs the problem is your main sewer line
- Several drains are slow or backing up at the same time.
- A toilet gurgles or bubbles when the washer drains or a sink runs.
- Sewage comes up in the lowest drain in the house, often a tub or shower.
- A sewage smell around floor drains or the yard cleanout.
Any of these points to the main line, not a single clogged drain. Stop using water and call a licensed plumber to clear the line. If neighbors are having backups too, or sewage is overflowing from a manhole in the street, report it to the City of Richardson. For the cleanup inside your home, call (972) 947-2040.
The cleanup
How sewage cleanup works
- Containment and protection. Technicians wear protective gear and may seal off the area so contamination doesn’t spread.
- Removal of waste and water. Extraction and removal of solids.
- Tear-out of soaked porous materials. Carpet, pad, and drywall above the waterline are typically removed.
- Cleaning and disinfection of hard surfaces, framing and the slab.
- Drying. Structural drying with daily moisture readings.
- Rebuild once everything is clean and dry.
Learn how water categories change the job on our water removal page.
Insurance
Is sewage backup covered?
Often only if your policy has a water backup or sewer backup endorsement. Damage from a burst supply pipe is a different matter and is commonly covered. Read your policy or ask your agent, and see our insurance claim guide. Cost ranges for Category 3 jobs run higher than clean-water jobs because of the extra tear-out and disinfection.
We serve every Richardson ZIP code: 75080, 75081 and 75082, on both the Dallas County and Collin County sides of the city.
FAQ
Sewage backup FAQs
Is sewage backup dangerous?
Yes. Sewage is Category 3 water under the IICRC S500 standard, meaning it can carry bacteria, viruses and other contaminants. Keep children, pets and anyone with a weakened immune system away, wear gloves and boots if you must go near it, and don’t try to clean up more than a small, contained spill yourself.
What has to be thrown away after a sewage backup?
Porous materials that sewage soaked into, like carpet, pad, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and the lower part of drywall, are usually removed and discarded. Hard, non-porous items can often be cleaned and disinfected.
Who do I call first, a plumber or a restoration company?
If sewage is still backing up, stop using water in the house and call a plumber to clear the line. Call a restoration company at the same time for the cleanup. If several homes on your street are backing up at once, the problem may be in the city sewer main, so call the City of Richardson too.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Often not under a standard Texas homeowner policy unless you added a water backup or sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy, report the claim quickly, and photograph everything before cleanup.
Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
A small backup on a hard floor, like a few inches around a toilet on tile, can sometimes be cleaned with gloves, boots, eye protection and a disinfectant, with children and pets kept away. Once sewage reaches carpet, drywall or a large area, or you feel sick, call a professional. Porous materials soaked with sewage usually can’t be made safe by home cleaning.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
The cleanup itself, removing soaked materials, disinfecting and setting up drying, often takes one to three days. Drying and testing can add several more days before rebuilding starts. The exact time depends on how much of the house was affected.
Sources for this page
Last updated October 2026.
Sewage in the house?
Stop using water, keep everyone away, and call.