Water Damage Restoration · Sewage Backup Cleanup
Sewage Backup? Safe 24/7 Cleanup for Portland OR & Vancouver WA
IICRC Cat-3 certified crew on-site in 90 minutes with full PPE, containment, and biohazard protocol.
Full PPE + HEPA containment
IICRC S500 Classification
Sewage Is Category 3 Black Water, Here Is Why That Matters
Sewage backup is not a plumbing inconvenience. IICRC S500 classifies it as Category 3 black water, carrying bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that make people sick. Keep everyone including pets out of the affected area until a certified crew has completed extraction and disinfection.
Serious Health Risk
Sewage carries E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Hepatitis A. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at highest risk. Do not enter the space.
Why DIY Fails
Household bleach does not penetrate porous materials deeply enough. IICRC S500 requires removing all wet porous materials and applying hospital-grade EPA-registered disinfectant. DIY attempts leave hidden pathogens.
90-Minute Response
The sooner we arrive, the less contamination penetrates porous surfaces and the fewer materials require removal. Speed directly reduces your out-of-pocket cost.
Know What You’re Dealing With
The Three IICRC Water Categories
The category drives the entire cleanup protocol, what PPE we wear, what materials must be removed, and how we document the claim.
Category 1
From a supply line, tub overflow, or rain intrusion. Most materials can be dried and saved when we arrive quickly.
Category 2
From a dishwasher, washing machine, or standing clean water past 48 hrs. Contaminated but not sewage, requires antimicrobial treatment.
Category 3
Sewage from toilet overflows, sewer line backups, or standing water past 48 hours. Full PPE, containment, material removal, and EPA-registered disinfection required.
Note: a toilet overflow where only clear water and paper overflowed may be Category 2. Any backup from the main sewer line or involving fecal matter is definitively Category 3.
Honest Scope Assessment
What Has to Be Removed After a Sewage Backup
Some things must go; some things can be saved. We walk through the scope before any demo begins, no surprises.
Typically Must Be Removed
Carpet and pad; drywall below the water line plus 12 inches above; wall and ceiling insulation; particle-board cabinetry at floor level; laminate flooring with porous underlayment; upholstered furniture if contacted.
Often Salvageable with Treatment
Solid wood cabinet doors and frames; porcelain fixtures; metal fixtures and hardware; tile and sealed concrete flooring; personal items on high shelves not contacted; appliances above the water line.
Everything Documented Photographically
All removed materials are logged and photographed for the insurance file. RescueHero’s construction crew, rooted in Paliy Construction since 2003, handles the rebuild, one team, one point of contact.
Coverage Questions Answered
Does Insurance Cover Sewage Backup Cleanup?
Standard HO-3 policies do not cover sewer backup by default, it requires a separate endorsement. Here is what to check right now.
Check Your Declarations Page
Look for “sewer backup coverage” or “water backup and sump pump overflow.” This endorsement costs ~$50–150/year and many homeowners have never added it. If you don’t have it, the event itself may not be covered.
Municipal Sewer Overflows
If the city sewer line backed up into your home (not your private lateral), you may have a separate claim against the municipality. Timing documentation and a city statement are required.
We Document Everything
Our team photographs and logs all damage before extraction begins, photos, moisture readings, material removal logs, and daily drying reports. Incomplete documentation is the most common reason sewage claims are delayed. We prevent that.
Why RescueHero
Disaster Is Stressful Enough
We take the weight off your shoulders, fast response, real expertise, and an insurance process we handle for you.
Fast 24/7 Response
We answer day or night and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less, because water damage spreads by the hour.
We Handle Your Insurance
We document the loss and bill your insurance company directly, so you can focus on your family.
IICRC-Certified Crews
Trained, certified technicians using industrial drying, thermal imaging and proven methods to restore your home.
Local Experts Since 2003
Two decades restoring Portland-metro homes and businesses, ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors.
How It Works
Three Steps to Your Home Restored
A clear, calm process from your first call through the final repair.
Call & Rapid Response
Call (360) 300-4111 any time. We dispatch a crew and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less to assess the damage and stop it from spreading.
Mitigate & Dry
We stop the source, extract water, and set up industrial drying to prevent mold and further loss, documenting everything for your claim.
Restore & Rebuild
From repairs to full reconstruction, we return your home to pre-loss condition and handle your insurance claim from start to finish.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Fully licensed in Oregon & Washington (WA #PALIYCL840CR · OR CCB #178996), with full insurance for your peace of mind.
IICRC Certified
Our technicians are trained and certified to IICRC industry standards for water, fire and mold restoration.
Workmanship You Can Trust
We don’t leave until it’s done right, restored to pre-loss condition or better.
Insurance Claims Made Easy
We Work Directly With Your Insurance
A sewage backup claim involves documentation that most homeowners are not prepared for. We photograph every step, log all materials removed, and bill your insurance company directly, so you have a clean, complete claim package from day one.
- Billed directly to your insurance carrier
- Full photo & moisture documentation
- We advocate for a fair, complete claim
- You choose your contractor, not the insurer
Built on Trust
Two Decades of 5-Star Craftsmanship
RescueHero is the restoration arm of the Paliy family’s construction company, rated 5.0 on HomeAdvisor and ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors by BuildZoom. The same proven team and standards, now restoring homes and businesses after disaster.
“The work was done efficiently and professionally, with very good communication.”
“Great work! Fast, clean, customer friendly!”
“Art and David were extremely professional and answered all my questions while installing our new floors.”
Verified reviews of the Paliy family’s construction & remodeling work (BuildZoom). Restoration reviews coming as RescueHero launches.
Questions & Answers
Sewage Backup Cleanup: Frequently Asked Questions
Is sewage backup dangerous to my health?
How fast can you respond to a sewage backup in Portland or Vancouver?
Can I clean up a sewage backup myself?
My toilet overflowed. Is that a sewage backup?
How long does sewage backup cleanup take?
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Where We Work
Serving the Portland & Vancouver Metro
Fast, local response across the entire Portland/Vancouver metro. Our crews are based right here, so when you call, help is already on the way.
View All Service Areas
Sewage Backup Is a Biohazard. Don’t Wait.
One call starts the rescue. We’ll be on the way, and we’ll handle your insurance from here.
Get Help Now
Tell Us What Happened
Tell us what happened and we’ll call you right back. For an active emergency, please call or text (360) 300-4111, we answer 24/7.