Fouled sewer lines can leak out sewage; a thick, dark water that forms. Sewage water is a serious health hazard and unsanitary; which contains contaminants like pathogens, viruses and bacteria. These harmful contaminants may present risks of serious sickness if animals or humans suffer exposure. Quick repair is key if you have sewage backup anywhere in your home or business . Quickly repairing this will prevent the hazardous waste water from staying in occupied areas. To prevent a hazardous condition occurring in your home or business, knowing what causes the sewer backups could be extremely helpful. We’ve created a list of items to aid in preventing and dealing with home or business sewage backups:

Causes of Sewage Backup

  • Drain Pipe Clogs – Sewage can back up into your home or business when either your drain lines or the main sewer line gets clogged. For example, if one commode creates a sewage blockage, the drain leading to that toilet, or the mainline of multiple toilets, will likely also be obstructed.
  • Tree Roots – Trees with long roots can grow into pipes and cause holes or alter the sewer line by encircling it. Even if the roots on your property are not the problem, roots from adjoining property can reach your sewer pipe and damage it, forcing a sewer backup. Always be aware of roots where your sewer lines to the street or septic system is placed.
  • Damaged Sewer Lines – Older sewage systems could break down and crack, creating sewage backups and flooded homes and basements. The older your neighborhood is, the greater chance of these types of incidents.
  • Extreme Weather – Heavy amounts of rain can put a strain on your area’s storm sewer mains. If the public storm sewers can’t handle large amounts of rainfall, the water can make its way into connected sewer lines, which will put your home or business at risk of sewer backflows. Area-wide flooding waters from events such as rising rivers and streams, hurricanes, and other isolated events can also mix with sewage water and other chemicals and contaminants that can cause health-related issues. Extreme caution is needed when wading in these waters, and even when the flood recedes and begins to dry out. Dried up organic waste can then become aerosolized and become respirable. Proper PPE should be worn to avoid contact and the danger of breathing in this harmful matter.

PuroClean’s process for sewage cleanup and sanitation in Bartlett, IL

Our cleaning and remediation procedures for Category 3 water (which describes sewer and contaminated water backup) according to the standards put in place by the IICRC industry are:

1. Ensure the safety of all personnel and occupants by tempering onsite access to restoration personnel only to prevent health-related issues

2. Health and Safety checks and assessment of the entire work premises.

3. Ensure all cleanup and restoration personnel are outfitted with the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes but is not limited to:

  • Full face respirator
  • Nitrile and cut resistant gloves
  • Rubber boots with steel toes and shank
  • Full body suit protection

4. Put into place established engineering controls, critical barriers, to alleviate cross-contamination.

5. Preventing all potential hazards and safety risks if possible.

6. Disposal, removal of bulk sewage water, soil, and contaminates.

7. Getting rid of any and all porous and semi-porous contaminated materials that are unable to be restored, which includes but is not limited to:

  • Carpet, rugs, pad, or underlayment
  • Gypsum board (Drywall)
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Padded and upholstered items

8. Implement cleaning procedures and utilization of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Full physical cleaning of all structure items that remain

10. A third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is recommended to perform clearance testing, to ensure the building is returned to a pre-loss condition for health and safety.

11. All materials affected by water to be dried and returned to pre-loss state

12. Post restoration cleaning of all equipment used

13. Transfer and disposal of all demo materials removed from the work areas

Call PuroClean for your Professional Bartlett, IL Sewage Cleanup Needs!

PuroClean technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning processes to effectively restore and clean the damaged building materials and items from your house or business. If a sewage drain line backup from blockage occurs, call our technicians for sewage removal and cleaning services.

The quality of our sewage removal and cleaning services, the speed in which we deliver them, and the care we demonstrate throughout the whole process make PuroClean your perfect damage restoration and remediation company. We promise to do whatever it takes to restore and rescue properties in all the neighborhoods we serve.

*Not all PuroClean offices offer sewage cleanup and sanitation cleaning services.

Julian was amazing!! He was very patient and explained everything with detail. I will be recommending Julian and Puroclean to everyone
Blue Jay
March 29, 2026
Very happy with Julian and PuroClean. Job was getting rid of dirty, wet carpet and padding from a waterbed leak. Ended up getting rid of the bed and then hiring Julian and PuroClean to clean up. Very happy with his explanation of steps involved, timeline and end results. Super professional and respectful. Just a nice guy. And excellent pricing. He cut up and got rid of the carpet and padding, opened up part of wall (not excessive-just what was needed) sprayed for mold mitigation and set up a air scrubber, fans and dehumidifier. Very pleased with the end results. Highly recommend Julian and the company.
N Stewart
October 7, 2025
Julian was amazing!! He was very patient and explained everything with detail. I will be recommending Julian and Puroclean to everyone
Blue Jay
March 29, 2026

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