# SewageCleanup.ca

> Sewage backup cleanup, done safely — what to do first, what must go, who to call, and how the claim works. SewageCleanup.ca is part of the HAUSE Sewer network — an independent Canadian information and service-request network (not a contractor). Contact: sewers@hause.ca, 403-679-3100.

Sewage backup cleanup is the work of making a building safe and sanitary after wastewater flows back through its drains. It means stopping the water and clearing the line, removing porous materials that sewage soaked, cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, and drying the structure within about 48 hours to prevent mould, while documenting everything for insurance.

## Guides

### Cities
- [Sewage Backup Cleanup in Edmonton](https://sewagecleanup.ca/edmonton/): Sewage backup cleanup in Edmonton: reporting to EPCOR, who owns which part of the sewer line, cleanup costs, and EPCOR's backwater valve subsidy.
- [Sewage cleanup across Canada](https://sewagecleanup.ca/locations/): Sewage cleanup across Canada, city by city: who to call, who owns the sewer line, what City crews do, and flood-protection subsidies in five cities.
- [Sewage Backup Cleanup in Montreal](https://sewagecleanup.ca/montreal/): Sewage backup cleanup in Montréal: post-flood steps, the 50 cm drywall rule, bylaw 11-010 on backwater valves, 311 checks, and RénoPlex aid.
- [Sewage Backup Cleanup in Toronto](https://sewagecleanup.ca/toronto/): Sewage backup cleanup in Toronto: calling 311, City versus owner responsibility, claims against the City, safe cleanup and the flooding subsidy.
- [Sewage Backup Cleanup in Vancouver](https://sewagecleanup.ca/vancouver/): Sewage backup cleanup in Vancouver: 3-1-1 or a plumber, who can request a City sewer crew, how charges are decided, and cleaning up afterwards.

### Cleanup
- [DIY vs professional sewage cleanup: what you need to know](https://sewagecleanup.ca/blog/diy-vs-professional-cleanup/): DIY vs professional sewage cleanup: the four triggers for calling a pro, how to clean a small hard-surface spill safely, and what each option costs.
- [How to disinfect after a sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/guides/disinfecting-after-sewage-backup/): How to disinfect after a sewage backup: why cleaning comes first, using bleach and other disinfectants safely, contact time, and cleaning your tools.
- [Drying out and preventing mould after a sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/guides/drying-and-mould-after-sewage-backup/): Drying and mould after a sewage backup: the 48-hour window, dehumidifiers versus open windows, moisture readings and when mould needs a professional.
- [What to throw away after a sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/guides/what-to-throw-away-after-sewage-backup/): What to throw away after a sewage backup, item by item: carpet, drywall, furniture, food, toys and appliances, and what can be cleaned and kept.
- [Working with a restoration company after a sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/guides/working-with-a-restoration-company/): Working with a restoration company after a sewage backup: choosing one, questions to ask, reading the scope, direction-to-pay forms and sign-off.

### First steps
- [Warning signs of an impending sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/blog/warning-signs-sewage-backup/): Warning signs of a sewage backup: gurgling, slow drains, water at the floor drain, sewer odour and storm surges, and how to shrink a future cleanup.
- [What to do in a sewage emergency](https://sewagecleanup.ca/emergency-guide/): Sewage emergency guide: what to do and not do in the first hours of a sewage backup, from power and gas safety to stopping water use, photos and who to call.

### Insurance
- [How to document water and sewage damage for insurance](https://sewagecleanup.ca/blog/document-water-damage-insurance/): How to document water and sewage damage for insurance: a photo plan, a contents inventory, receipts, moisture records and a call log adjusters can use.

### Prevention
- [Backwater valves after a sewage backup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/guides/backwater-valves-after-a-sewage-backup/): Backwater valves after a sewage backup: why a valve may not have helped, how to check and clean one after a flood, and subsidies in three cities.

### Safety
- [Health risks associated with sewage exposure](https://sewagecleanup.ca/blog/health-risks-sewage-exposure/): Health risks of sewage exposure: how germs get in during cleanup, sewer gas, later mould, who must stay away, what to wear and when to see a doctor.

### Services
- [Commercial sewage backup and water damage cleanup](https://sewagecleanup.ca/services/commercial/): Commercial sewage backup cleanup for offices, shops, restaurants and warehouses: assessment, containment, reopening, staff safety and claim records.
- [Home sewage backup cleanup services](https://sewagecleanup.ca/services/residential/): Home sewage backup cleanup explained: extraction, removal, disinfection, odour control and drying, plus how houses, suites and condos differ.

## Tools, costs and reference
- [How much does sewage cleanup cost?](https://sewagecleanup.ca/costs/sewage-cleanup-cost/): Sewage cleanup cost in Canada, 2026 planning ranges: clearing the line, one room, a finished basement, contents, mould and rebuild, and what moves the price.
- [Sewage Backup Checklist](https://sewagecleanup.ca/tools/sewage-backup-checklist/): Sewage Backup Checklist: 24 tickable steps in six stages, each stamped with the time you ticked it, plus a plain-text log you can paste into claim notes.
- [Sewage Cleanup Triage](https://sewagecleanup.ca/tools/sewage-cleanup-triage/): Sewage Cleanup Triage: answer six questions about the water, the area, what got wet and who lives there to see if it is an owner job or a pro job.
- [Sewage Backup Cleanup in Calgary](https://sewagecleanup.ca/calgary/): Sewage backup cleanup in Calgary: the City's three steps, how 311 decides plumber or City crew, who owns the service line, and safe basement cleanup.
- [Sewage cleanup glossary](https://sewagecleanup.ca/glossary/): Sewage cleanup glossary: plain definitions of the terms restorers, adjusters and cities use, from black water and backwater valve to proof of loss.
- [Sewage cleanup: frequently asked questions](https://sewagecleanup.ca/faq/): Sewage cleanup FAQ: straight answers on safety, insurance, what to discard, drying, costs, city responsibility and prevention after a sewage backup.

## Network
- [PipeCleaning.ca](https://pipecleaning.ca/): The Canadian field manual for cleaning drain and sewer pipes — by method, by material, by house.
- [SewerQuotes.com](https://sewerquotes.com/): What sewer work should cost, what a fair quote contains, and how to compare three of them.
- [SewerInspector.ca](https://sewerinspector.ca/): Sewer camera inspections, explained frame by frame — before you buy, renovate or dig.
- [DrainAugering.ca](https://drainaugering.ca/): Find the clog, pick the right cable, and know when augering is the wrong tool.
- [SewerCleaners.ca](https://sewercleaners.ca/): Hiring a sewer cleaner, keeping the line clear, and stopping backups before they start.
- [SewerRoots.ca](https://sewerroots.ca/): Tree roots in sewer lines — why they get in, which trees are worst, and how to stop them for good.
- [SewerJetting.ca](https://sewerjetting.ca/): Hydro jetting, pressure by pressure — what it clears, what it can break, and when it is worth it.

## Optional
- [Full text for language models](https://sewagecleanup.ca/llms-full.txt)
- [Editorial standards](https://sewagecleanup.ca/about/)