Raw sewage is the most contaminated water that can enter a building. The IICRC S500 standard classifies it as Category 3 (black water): it carries bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, viruses, and parasites. Anything porous it touches, including carpet, pad, drywall, baseboards and cabinet bottoms, generally has to be removed, not dried. Our sewage cleanup in Fort Myers follows those rules for homes, condos and businesses.
Sewer backup cleanup
Sewer backups in Lee County usually come from a blocked lateral line between the house and the main, tree roots, grease buildup, or heavy rain overloading the system during the summer wet season and tropical storms. Wastewater comes up through the lowest drains: shower pans, floor drains and first-floor toilets. We stop the spread, extract the water, remove affected materials, clean and disinfect, and dry the structure with commercial dehumidifiers so mold doesn't follow. In Southwest Florida's humidity, mold can take hold within 24 to 48 hours.
Toilet overflow cleanup
A toilet overflow may look minor, but if it contained waste it's still Category 3. Water runs under vanities, into wall cavities and, in condos, through the ceiling of the unit below. We trace moisture with meters and thermal imaging, remove what's contaminated, and document everything for insurance and your HOA.
Septic failures in Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral
Much of Lehigh Acres and parts of Cape Coral still rely on septic systems. When a drainfield fails or a tank backs up, sewage can surface in yards or come back into the house. We clean up the interior and exterior contamination. Your septic contractor handles the pumping and repair.
Human waste, urine and droppings
Our sewage crews also handle concentrated waste that isn't from a pipe: human feces cleanup in homes and businesses, severe pet urine saturation in rental units, and rodent droppings in attics and garages. Mouse and rat droppings can carry hantavirus, so we wet and disinfect them before removal instead of sweeping or vacuuming. For vomit, blood and other fluids, see our biohazard cleanup service. If a pathogen outbreak is involved, see infectious disease cleanup.
Technician insight
Never run a shop vac on sewage and then use it for anything else. The motor exhaust aerosolizes bacteria, and the vacuum itself becomes contaminated. Extraction equipment for Category 3 should be dedicated and disinfected.
Sewage Cleanup Services We Offer
✓Sewer Backup Cleanup
Extraction, material removal, disinfection and drying after a main or lateral line backup.
✓Toilet Overflow Cleanup
Category 3 cleanup of bathrooms, adjacent rooms and units below after a waste-containing overflow.
✓Septic Backup Cleanup
Interior and exterior cleanup after septic tank or drainfield failures.
✓Human Feces & Urine Cleanup
Removal and disinfection of human waste from homes, businesses and public spaces.
✓Pet Urine & Rodent Dropping Removal
Removal of urine-saturated materials and hantavirus-safe cleanup of mouse and rat droppings.
Pricing
Sewage cleanup cost is driven by square footage, how long the water sat and how much material must come out. Many policies cover sudden backups, some only with a sewer-backup endorsement. We document the loss for your claim.