Get sewage cleaned out of your home safely

Most sewers in the Chicago area carry sewage and storm runoff in the same pipes, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). When rain enters the local sewer faster than it can flow through, the water rises and can push into basements through private sewer drains. Blockages or damage in your own private sewer line can also cause backups.

Yes. Sewage falls in the most contaminated category of water damage, called black water, and the CDC warns that water containing sewage can cause illness and infect open wounds. The EPA advises calling a professional when water damage is caused by sewage.

The EPA recommends calling in a professional when water or mold damage comes from sewage or other contaminated water. Sewage soaks into porous materials and wall cavities that are hard to see, and the cleanup calls for protective gear. If you have to step in before we arrive, wear rubber boots, gloves and goggles, and wash your hands afterward.

Non-porous items like metal, plastic and glass can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Porous items soaked with sewage, like carpet, pad, upholstered furniture and wet drywall, often have to be removed. We photograph and list everything that goes so your adjuster has a record before anything leaves the house.

Triple-I says a properly installed and maintained backwater valve lets sewage go out but not come back in, and the City of Chicago's emergency management office recommends check valves in sewer traps. Keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of drains. A licensed plumber can inspect your private sewer line for roots or cracks.

If streets on your block are flooded or catch basins are clogged, report it to 311. The MWRD also advises residents to notify their municipality when flooding happens. The private sewer line that runs from your home to the street is a separate issue a licensed plumber can check.