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.
One free call connects you with an independent local specialist. Areas served include zip codes 97227 97221 97220 97229 97203 97202 97201 97206 97205 97204 97209 97208 97258 97266 97218 97236 97232 97233 97230 97239 97219 97214 97215 97216 97217 97210 97211 97212 97213 97207 97228 97238 97240 97242 97250 97251 97252 97253 97254 97256 97280 97282 97283 97286 97290 97291 97292 97293 97294.

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 Portland 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.
Plastic barriers seal off the affected area, and HEPA air scrubbers create negative pressure so contaminated air does not drift into clean rooms.
Confirm license and insurance on arrival. Biohazard jobs should only go to properly insured pros.
Pricing for each phase is written down and approved by you first.

Sewage cleanup follows a strict order: contain, remove, clean, disinfect, verify, then dry. Skipping a step can leave pathogens behind long after the smell is gone.

Sewage is pumped and vacuumed out with equipment reserved for contaminated water, then disposed of properly.
Carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, and particleboard that touched sewage cannot be reliably disinfected and are bagged and removed.
Hard surfaces are scrubbed, then treated with EPA-registered disinfectants left on for the full contact time listed on the label.
After disinfection, HEPA air scrubbers and odor control treatments remove lingering sewage odor from the air and structure.
Cleanliness is checked, sometimes with ATP swab testing, before drying gets the area ready for rebuild.
Tell dispatch which drains are backing up and how far the sewage spread.
A local contractor calls back with an arrival window and reminds you to keep everyone away from the contaminated area.
Containment goes up first, then the pro maps the contamination and provides a written quote.
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.
Raw sewage is a health risk. Get a protected crew out fast.
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, basementThey explained why the carpet and bottom of the drywall had to go. Not what I wanted to hear, but it made sense once they mentioned what is in sewage.
Steve R.Toilet overflow into finished roomWith kids in the house, I wanted it contained. The plastic barrier and air scrubber kept it all downstairs.
Jenna P.Sewage backup, family homeAfter cleanup, they suggested a camera inspection. Tree roots in the main line, now fixed.
Omar H.Recurring sewer backup

Sewage is Category 3 water, the most contaminated class. It contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites and requires protective gear, removal of porous materials, and disinfection.
Small, contained jobs may be fine. For large backups or vulnerable family members, staying elsewhere is often safer.
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.
Common causes include tree roots in the main line, grease buildup, collapsed or bellied pipes, and municipal sewer overloads during heavy rain.
No. We connect you with independent local pros. Verify their license and insurance before work starts.

Calls from Portland and zip codes such as 97227 97221 97220 97229 97203 97202 97201 97206 97205 97204 97209 97208 97258 97266 97218 97236 97232 97233 97230 97239 97219 97214 97215 97216 97217 97210 97211 97212 97213 97207 97228 97238 97240 97242 97250 97251 97252 97253 97254 97256 97280 97282 97283 97286 97290 97291 97292 97293 97294 are routed to local biohazard-equipped pros.
See nearby cities in the list below.
