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Sewer Backup Cleanup in Cicero, IL

When the combined sewer fills in a heavy storm, it comes up through floor drains, laundry tubs and basement toilets. That water carries sewage. Call and we will remove it safely and disinfect what is left.

Call now: (708) 360-8574
  • Water removal and drying
  • Sewer backup cleanup
  • Photos and moisture logs for insurance
Worker clearing contaminated debris from a flooded lower level

Before help arrives

Then call. We will take it from there.

  1. 1Keep children and pets out of the area.
  2. 2Stop using water: no laundry, dishwasher, showers or flushing.
  3. 3Do not touch the water without rubber boots and gloves.
  4. 4Take photos and video of the water and the drain it came from.

What is sewer backup cleanup?

Sewer backup cleanup is the safe removal of contaminated water that came up through drains or toilets, followed by removing porous materials it touched, cleaning and disinfecting every surface, and drying the space. It needs protective gear and a different process from a clean-water leak, because the water carries bacteria and other pathogens.

Last updated . Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Signs it is a sewer backup, not a leak

Clean-water leaks and sewer backups look alike at first. Treat it as sewage if:

  • Water rose up through the basement floor drain, laundry tub or basement toilet
  • It happened during or right after heavy rain
  • The water is grey or brown, or has debris in it
  • There is a sewage smell
  • Neighbors on the same block have water in their basements too
  • Drains upstairs gurgle or drain slowly
Dirty flood water standing in a finished lower level

How sewer backup cleanup works

The process protects your health first and the building second.

  1. 1

    Protect people

    Crews wear protective suits, gloves, boots and respirators. Affected areas are kept separate from the rest of the home.

  2. 2

    Remove the water

    Contaminated water is pumped out once the street sewer has drained, so it does not keep coming back.

  3. 3

    Remove porous materials

    Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation and paneling that touched sewer water are cut out and bagged. They cannot be reliably disinfected.

  4. 4

    Clean and disinfect

    Concrete, framing and hard surfaces are cleaned, then treated with disinfectant. Contents are sorted with you and photographed.

  5. 5

    Dry and verify

    Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the space. Moisture readings confirm it is dry before any rebuilding.

Cutting out contaminated drywall above the water line

Not sure how bad it is?

A two-minute call and a few questions usually tell us what the job needs.

Call now: (708) 360-8574

Why sewers back up in Cicero

Cicero's sewer system is combined: the same pipes carry rain from the streets and roofs and wastewater from every home. In dry weather that works. In a heavy storm the pipes fill, and the water looks for the lowest opening. In most homes, that is the basement floor drain.

Small pipes, big storms

According to the Town's sewer master plan, much of Cicero's system can carry about a six-month storm before it surcharges and basements back up. The street sewers range from 12 to 36 inches across and feed brick interceptors built in the early 1900s. Everything flows south to the MWRD's Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. When the plant and the Deep Tunnel are full, there is nowhere else for the water to go.

The upstream problem

Cicero's sewers also carry flow coming in from Chicago, Berwyn and Oak Park, so rain that falls outside town can still fill Cicero's pipes. That is why the Town says long-term fixes need several agencies, and recommends homeowners install a backflow preventer in the meantime.

After July 2023

The July 2, 2023 storm dropped 8.6 inches on Cicero. Homes without backflow preventers had sewer water several feet deep in their basements. If your home flooded then, you may qualify for the Town's Basement Flood Prevention Program, which helps pay for backflow systems.

What affects the cost of sewage cleanup

Sewage jobs cost more per square foot than clean-water jobs because of the safety work. The main factors:

Area affected
A puddle around the floor drain is very different from sewer water across a finished basement.
Finished materials
Every porous material the water touched is removed, so carpet, drywall and paneling add removal and disposal.
Contents
Furniture, clothing, toys and stored items have to be sorted, documented and usually discarded.
Depth
Water that reached the furnace, water heater or wiring adds replacement and safety checks.
Time
Sewage left for days soaks deeper and smells worse, which adds cleaning work.
Rebuilding
Replacing drywall, flooring and trim is separate from the cleanup itself.

Prices are not quoted online. A fair estimate comes after the damage has been measured on site.

Is a sewer backup covered by insurance?

Usually only if you have a sewer backup endorsement (sometimes called a water backup or sump overflow rider) on your homeowners policy.

  • A standard homeowners policy usually excludes water that backs up through sewers or drains.
  • A standard flood policy usually does not cover sewer backup either, unless flood water outside caused it. The Illinois Department of Insurance suggests asking your agent how your policy defines flood, sewer backup and sump pump losses.
  • Endorsements often have a dollar limit. Check yours before a storm, not after.

Photograph the water, the drain and every damaged item before cleanup starts.

Sources

General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Check your own policy for what it covers.

Sewer Backup Cleanup: common questions

Is sewer backup water dangerous?

Yes. It can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. Keep children, pets and anyone with a weak immune system away, and do not touch it without rubber boots and gloves.

Can I clean up sewer water with bleach?

Bleach does not make carpet, drywall or insulation safe once sewage has soaked in. Those materials need to be removed. Hard surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected after the water and debris are gone.

Why does it happen every big storm?

Because your floor drain connects to the same combined sewer as the street. When the sewer is full, water rises to the lowest opening. A backflow preventer or overhead sewer stops that, but it should be installed by a licensed plumber.

Does the Town of Cicero help pay for backflow valves?

The Town runs a Basement Flood Prevention Program for eligible owner-occupants whose homes flooded in 2023. It has income limits and requires sewer backup coverage. See the Town's program page for current rules.

Who should I call first, the town or a cleanup company?

If the backup affects many homes on your block, report it to the Town of Cicero. Then start cleanup: sewer water should not sit in a basement any longer than it has to.

Related services

We also serve nearby towns

Serving Cicero and the near west suburbs, including:

Water still coming in? Call now.

Shut off the water if you can do it safely, keep away from wet outlets, and call. We will talk you through the next few minutes and get help moving.

(708) 360-8574Call now
Call now: (708) 360-8574