Sewer backup cleanup, sanitization, and root-cause diagnosis. Call (303) 253-7246.
A sewer backup is a plumbing emergency that requires both immediate cleanup and root-cause diagnosis. Raw sewage in a home is a biohazard — bacteria, viruses, and molds can begin growing within hours of contact with porous materials like drywall, insulation, carpet, baseboards, and wood subflooring.
Sewer backup response begins with stopping the source of the backup. This may require clearing a blockage in the home's sewer line or, if the issue is in the city main, coordinating with the municipal utility. Once the flow is stopped, standing sewage is extracted and the affected hard surfaces are sanitized with EPA-registered disinfectants.
Soft materials that have been contaminated typically need to be removed and replaced — there is no reliable way to fully sanitize porous materials, and leaving them in place leads to mold and odor problems. Wet materials are dried with commercial air movers and dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth, which can begin within 24-48 hours.
Cleanup without diagnosis only addresses the symptom. After the immediate situation is handled, a sewer camera inspection identifies the underlying cause — root intrusion, broken pipe, collapsed section, grease buildup, or a city main issue — and a written repair plan is provided. Documentation is also useful for insurance claims.
Summer 2026 storm season alert for Denver: Denver's heaviest rainfall events of the year occur in July, and sewer backup calls spike sharply after intense afternoon thunderstorms. Combined sewer overflow conditions in older Denver neighborhoods — Capitol Hill, Park Hill, Five Points, Berkeley, and Highlands — can push city main capacity during a heavy storm, and any cracked joint in a private lateral becomes an entry point for infiltrating stormwater. Homeowners in these neighborhoods with older clay or cast-iron sewer laterals should know their pipe condition before storm season peaks. A camera inspection documents the lateral's vulnerability and allows proactive repair rather than reactive emergency cleanup.
If you're experiencing any of these in your Denver home, contact us to schedule a $19 camera-first consultation.
A typical sewer backup cleanup job follows these steps.
Sewer backup cleanup pricing depends on the volume of contamination, surface area affected, and the underlying cause that requires repair. Insurance coverage varies — homeowners should check whether their policy includes a 'water/sewer backup' endorsement.
We work with homeowners across the Denver, CO area, including these neighborhoods:
Stop using all water in the house immediately — don't flush toilets, run sinks, or use the washing machine. Every gallon you add makes the backup worse. Turn off the main water supply if you can. Keep people and pets out of the affected area (raw sewage is a biohazard). Open windows for ventilation. Then call (303) 253-7246.
Standard homeowners policies typically exclude sewer backup. Many insurers offer an optional 'water backup' or 'sewer backup' endorsement that specifically covers it. Check your policy or contact your agent. Documented diagnostic reports, photos, and itemized invoices help with any claim.
Duration depends on the volume of contamination and the affected materials. Cleanup, extraction, and sanitization for a typical residential basement backup is generally completed in a single visit, with additional time for drying using air movers and dehumidifiers. Underlying repair work is scheduled separately once the area is dry.
Cleanup alone doesn't address the cause. Once the immediate situation is handled, a camera inspection identifies the underlying issue (root intrusion, broken pipe, collapsed section, grease buildup, or city main issue). A written repair plan is provided, and the homeowner can decide whether to proceed.
Denver's summer thunderstorm season — peaking in July — produces some of the highest-intensity rainfall events of the year. The city's combined sewer system in older neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Park Hill, Five Points, and Berkeley handles both stormwater and sewage in the same pipes. When storm volume exceeds system capacity, the overflow can push back up through the lowest-elevation fixture in nearby homes. Private sewer laterals with cracked joints compound the problem by allowing stormwater infiltration on top of normal household flows. Homes in Denver's older neighborhoods are at highest risk during any thunderstorm that drops more than 0.5 inches in under an hour.
The most effective preventive step is knowing your lateral's condition before storm season peaks. A camera inspection identifies any cracks, joint separations, or root intrusion that would allow stormwater infiltration during a heavy storm. Specific preventive options after inspection include: CIPP lining to seal cracked joints and eliminate infiltration points; root removal if root intrusion is present; and for homes in Capitol Hill, Park Hill, or Five Points with chronic storm-backup history, a backflow preventer on the basement floor drain. Call (303) 253-7246 to schedule a pre-storm-season camera inspection.
We serve the entire Denver metro area. If you're near Denver, we probably cover you too:
Book a $19 camera-first consultation and we'll diagnose the exact problem before quoting any repair. The $19 is credited to your job if you move forward.