Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage backup cleanup in St. Louis, MO
Sewage cleanup treats the water as Category 3 (grossly contaminated): crews in protective gear remove it, discard porous materials it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the structure. Don't try to clean sewage with household products and a mop.
Sewage backup cleanup in St. Louis: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in St. Louis currently includes 27 ZIP codes: 63105, 63114, 63117, 63119, 63121, 63122, 63123, 63124, 63125, 63126, 63127, 63128, 63129, 63130, 63131, 63132, 63133, 63134, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63140, 63141, 63143, 63144, 63146. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Combined sewers in older neighborhoods back up into basements during heavy rain. St. Louis's brick homes almost all have basements with floor drains connected to the sewer, which back up during heavy storms. The River des Peres, which carries both stormwater and sewage, overflows in heavy rain and floods nearby neighborhoods.
Brick homes with basements dominate, many with clay sewer laterals and floor drains connected to combined sewers. South City's brick homes and flats from the late 1800s to the 1930s have deep basements, original clay laterals and limestone or brick foundations that seep during heavy rain. Many are owner-occupied two-family flats, so leaks between floors are common.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving St. Louis, MO
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Sewage backup cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Sewage & biohazard
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Protect
- Area
- St. Louis, MO
Other risks in St. Louis
Flash flooding
Record rainfall on July 26, 2022 flooded homes and streets across St. Louis.
River flooding
The Mississippi and Missouri rivers flood low-lying areas, as in the great flood of 1993.
Ice storms and freezes
Winter ice storms and hard freezes knock out power and freeze pipes.
Signs you need sewage backup cleanup
- Water coming up from floor drains, tubs or toilets
- Gurgling drains
- Sewage odor in the house
How the work is done
Protect, then Remove, then Disinfect, then Dry. See the full sewage backup cleanup process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in St. Louis quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of sewage backup cleanup cost factors.
Sewage backup cleanup questions
Is sewer backup covered by insurance in St. Louis?
Usually only with a sewer or water backup endorsement.
Do I need a permit for repairs in St. Louis?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of St. Louis Building Division.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only with a water or sewer backup endorsement, which most insurers offer as an add-on. Check your declarations page.
Is sewage cleanup dangerous?
Yes. Sewage contains bacteria, viruses and parasites. Professional crews use protective equipment and disinfectants for this reason.
Related pages
Other services in St. Louis
More about water and storm damage in St. Louis, or see sewage backup cleanup nationwide.
Related services
Biohazard cleanup
Biohazard cleanup removes and disposes of blood, bodily fluids and other potentially infectious material, then cleans and disinfects the area so it's safe to use.
Learn more
Flood damage cleanup
Flood cleanup treats outside floodwater as contaminated: it removes water and mud, cuts out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline, sanitizes, and dries the structure.
Learn moreEmergency water extraction
Water extraction is the first step of any water loss: removing standing and absorbed water with powerful pumps and extractors before drying starts.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.