Sewer Backup Cleanup and Sewage Removal
When sewage comes up through a floor drain or toilet, the water in your basement is contaminated, and everything it touches has to be treated as a health hazard. DKI Simcoe Muskoka extracts the sewage, removes contaminated materials, cleans and disinfects the structure, dries it to a measured standard and rebuilds. Our crews cover Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil and the rest of Simcoe County and Muskoka, 24 hours a day at 1-800-228-7739.
Why a Sewage Backup Needs Professional Cleanup
The restoration industry standard, IICRC S500, classifies sewage as Category 3 water, the most contaminated kind. It carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that soak into drywall, carpet, underpad, insulation and wood. A mop and household disinfectant won’t reach what has wicked into those materials, and leftover moisture can turn into mould within days.
Our crews wear protective equipment, remove the porous materials that can’t be safely cleaned, disinfect what remains, and keep the work area separated from the rest of the house. Every step is photographed and logged for your insurer.
Stay out of the water, stop running taps and flushing toilets, and call us. Sewage can keep rising while the line is backed up.
Our Sewer Backup Cleanup Process
A sewage job follows a stricter process than a clean-water leak, because the goal is a sanitary building, not just a dry one.
We work directly with your adjuster from the first visit, and one project lead keeps you updated until the basement is finished again.
Safety Check and Extraction
Power to wet areas is made safe, the backup is stopped or isolated, and standing sewage is pumped out and extracted by technicians in protective gear.
Removal of Contaminated Materials
Carpet, underpad, drywall below the water line, insulation and other porous materials soaked by sewage are cut out and bagged for disposal.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Concrete, framing and other hard surfaces are cleaned and treated with antimicrobial products, and salvageable contents are packed out for cleaning.
Drying and Odour Control
Air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure to target readings, while HEPA air scrubbers and deodorization deal with lingering sewage odour.
Repairs and Reconstruction
Our own crews replace drywall, insulation, flooring and trim, so the basement goes from contaminated to finished with one company.
Why Sewers Back Up in Barrie, Orillia and Cottage Country
In town, most backups happen during intense summer storms and the spring melt, when stormwater and groundwater get into the sanitary sewers and the system can’t keep up, pushing sewage back up through the lowest drains in the house. Others start at home: a sewer lateral clogged by tree roots or grease, a sagging or collapsed older pipe, or a sump pump discharging into the sanitary line.
On rural properties and at the cottage, the cause is usually the septic system: a tank that needs pumping, a failed effluent pump, or a bed saturated by spring runoff. We clean up inside the building, and a licensed septic contractor should inspect the system before it is used again.
A backwater valve, a camera inspection of your sewer lateral and keeping grease out of the drains are the best protection against a repeat.
Sewer Backup Cleanup Near You
We clean up sewer backups in finished basements across Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, Bradford, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland and Penetanguishene, and septic backups at homes and cottages in Oro-Medonte, Muskoka and Parry Sound.
For clean-water leaks, burst pipes and flooding, see our water damage restoration service. Call 1-800-228-7739 any time.
DKI - Simcoe Muskoka Offers...
At DKI - Simcoe Muskoka, we know that dealing with property damage is overwhelming—that’s why our crews are ready to respond 24/7, every day of the year. With roots going back to 1961 and IICRC-certified technicians, we bring the knowledge, speed, and care needed to restore your home or business efficiently. From the moment you call, a dedicated Project Manager will guide you through the process, keeping you informed every step of the way. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results while providing the compassion and support you need to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Quick Mobilization
24/7 emergency restoration and board-up services available 365 days a year.
Expertise
Fully trained and certified IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) staff, backed by a company that has been building and restoring since 1961.
Strong Communication
A project Manager assigned to your claim from start to finish, updating you throughout the process.
Quality Assurance
Making sure you are happy with the final result of the work done and standing behind the work we do.
Compassionate Team
We understand how hard the situation is and our team will do what we can to get you back to normal sooner.
Sewer Backup Questions
Straight answers for homeowners dealing with sewage in the basement.
Does home insurance cover sewer backup in Ontario?
Only if your policy includes sewer backup coverage, which in Ontario is usually an optional endorsement with its own limit. A standard policy that covers sudden water damage from a burst pipe often won’t cover water or sewage that comes up through a drain. Check your policy or call your broker, and report the loss quickly. We document the cause, the contamination and the damage for your adjuster.
What should I do first when sewage backs up into my basement?
Stop using water in the house: no flushing, laundry, showers or dishwasher, because it all drains to the same pipe. Keep children and pets out of the area. Turn off power to the basement only if you can do it from a dry spot. Take photos, then call your insurer and our 24/7 line at 1-800-228-7739.
Can sewage-soaked carpet and drywall be cleaned and kept?
Generally no. Under the IICRC S500 standard, porous materials such as carpet, underpad, drywall and insulation that have been soaked by sewage are removed and replaced, because they can’t be reliably disinfected. Hard surfaces like concrete, tile and framing can usually be cleaned, disinfected and dried. Some contents can be professionally cleaned, and we go through them with you.
Is it safe to stay in the house after a sewer backup?
If the contamination is limited to the basement and the area is closed off, many families stay upstairs during the cleanup. Young children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system should stay away from the affected area. If the only bathroom or the furnace room is affected, your adjuster may approve additional living expenses.
How can I prevent another sewer backup?
Have a plumber install a backwater valve on the main sewer line and run a camera through your lateral to check for roots, sags or a collapse. Keep grease, wipes and other debris out of the drains, and make sure your sump pump discharges outside rather than into the sanitary sewer. Many Ontario municipalities offer subsidies for backwater valves, so ask your town.
My cottage septic system backed up. Can you help?
Yes, with the inside of the building. We extract the wastewater, remove contaminated materials, disinfect and dry. Have a licensed septic contractor pump the tank and inspect the system before you start using water again, especially in spring when the bed may be saturated.
Have An Emergency?
Call Us Right Away
Emergency Line
1-800-228-7739