You flushed, and the shower drain in the basement started gurgling. Minutes later, raw sewage was coming up through the floor drain and both toilets. This is Category 3 blackwater, loaded with bacteria and viruses, and it is not something to mop up with household cleaners.
Free referral to independent, licensed and insured local pros. Zip codes served include 60018 60649 60641 60640 60643 60642 60645 60644 60647 60646 60616 60617 60614 60615 60612 60613 60610 60611 60618 60619 60827 60661 60660 60638 60639 60634 60636 60637 60630 60631 60632 60633 60605 60604 60607 60606 60601 60603 60602 60609 60608 60106 60659 60652 60653 60656 60657 60654 60655 60651 60623 60622 60621 60620 60626 60625 60624 60629 60628 60707 60499 60664 60666 60668 60669 60670 60673 60674 60675 60677 60678 60680 60681 60684 60685 60686 60687 60688 60689 60690 60694 60695 60696 60699.

Sewage is a health hazard first and a water problem second. A Water Damage is a free referral service that connects you with independent, licensed and insured contractors near Chicago who are equipped for Category 3 blackwater, including protective gear, containment, and hospital-grade disinfectants.
Expect Tyvek-style suits, respirators, and gloves. Contaminants stay in the work zone, not tracked through your home.
Containment walls and HEPA filtration keep sewage odors and particles from spreading through the house.
Each contractor carries independent licensing and insurance. Ask for proof before work begins, especially for biohazard work.
You get a written estimate that covers removal, disinfection, and drying before work starts.

Proper sewage remediation is methodical. Contamination is removed, every surface is disinfected, and only then does drying begin.

Liquid sewage and solids are extracted with dedicated equipment and disposed of according to local rules, not dumped down another drain.
Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, and particleboard that touched sewage cannot be reliably disinfected and are bagged and removed.
Concrete, framing, and tile are cleaned and disinfected with EPA-registered products at the correct dwell time.
After disinfection, HEPA air scrubbers and odor control treatments remove lingering sewage odor from the air and structure.
Some contractors use ATP surface testing to confirm cleaning worked. Then drying equipment runs until materials read dry.
Tell dispatch which drains are backing up and how far the sewage spread.
You will get an arrival time and safety reminders while the crew is on the way.
The pro sets up containment, assesses how far contamination reached, and gives you a written estimate before removal begins.
Contaminated materials are removed, surfaces disinfected, odors treated, and the area dried. The contractor may recommend a plumber to clear or camera the main line.
Stop using water and keep everyone away. Help can be on the way now.
Main line backed up into the basement shower and floor drain. The crew showed up in full suits, sealed off the basement, and cleaned it like a hospital. No smell after they left.
Carmen E.Main line backup, basementHonest about what had to be thrown away and why. I appreciated the explanation.
Steve R.Toilet overflow into finished roomI have little kids, so I was worried. They set up an air scrubber and plastic walls so nothing spread upstairs.
Jenna P.Sewage backup, family homeThey recommended a plumber to camera the line afterward. Turned out to be tree roots. Glad we found it.
Omar H.Recurring sewer backup

It is Category 3, meaning grossly contaminated. That category triggers full biohazard protocols.
It depends on the size of the backup and where it is. Small contained areas may be fine with containment in place. Large backups, or households with infants, elderly, or immune-compromised people, often warrant staying elsewhere.
Tiny spills on tile may be manageable with protection. Anything soaked into carpet or walls should be handled by a pro.
Often only with a sewer backup add-on. Your agent can tell you what your policy includes.
Tree roots, grease clogs, damaged pipes, and city sewer overloads are the usual culprits.
No. We connect you with independent local pros. Verify their license and insurance before work starts.

Calls from Chicago and zip codes such as 60018 60649 60641 60640 60643 60642 60645 60644 60647 60646 60616 60617 60614 60615 60612 60613 60610 60611 60618 60619 60827 60661 60660 60638 60639 60634 60636 60637 60630 60631 60632 60633 60605 60604 60607 60606 60601 60603 60602 60609 60608 60106 60659 60652 60653 60656 60657 60654 60655 60651 60623 60622 60621 60620 60626 60625 60624 60629 60628 60707 60499 60664 60666 60668 60669 60670 60673 60674 60675 60677 60678 60680 60681 60684 60685 60686 60687 60688 60689 60690 60694 60695 60696 60699 are routed to local biohazard-equipped pros.
Nearby cities are listed below.
