Gurgling drains, a sewage smell, or water coming up in a tub or floor drain all point to a backup. Stop using water in the house, keep children and pets out of the area, and call our 24/7 line. Do not try to clean it with bare hands or a household mop.
Gurgling drains, bad smells, water in the tub: what is going on?
Those symptoms usually mean a blockage or a failure in the line that carries waste out of the house. Water that cannot drain finds the lowest opening, which is often a shower, tub or floor drain.
A plumber finds and clears the blockage. Until that happens, any water you run in the house can add to the problem.
Why sewage is handled differently
Sewage contains bacteria and other contaminants. Industry standards classify it as the most contaminated category of water, so porous materials such as carpet, padding and drywall that it touches are generally removed rather than dried in place.
We wear protective equipment, contain the work area and discard affected materials properly. Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and sanitized.
Carpet and padding
Removed and discarded because they cannot be cleaned reliably.
Drywall and baseboards
Cut out above the water line and replaced after drying.
Hard floors
Cleaned and sanitized, then dried.
Furniture and belongings
Evaluated one by one and discarded when they cannot be cleaned.
Who handles which part
Hillsborough County Water Resources serves wastewater in unincorporated areas and has a call center at (813) 307-1000. If the blockage is in the county main, they handle it. If it is in your private line, you need a plumber. The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County oversees septic systems for homes that are not on sewer.
The county also runs a Septic and Low Pressure Sewer Conversion Initiative, so ask which category your address falls into.
Stop water use
Avoid flushing and running faucets until the line is cleared.
Contain and extract
We seal the area and extract contaminated water.
Remove and clean
Affected porous materials come out and surfaces are cleaned and sanitized.
Dry and verify
Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the area, and readings confirm completion.
Do not mix cleaning products
Never combine bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Open windows for ventilation and leave the heavy work to people with protective gear.
Sewage in your home right now?
Call the 24/7 line. Stay out of the area and we will help with the next steps.
What affects the size of the cleanup
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Amount and area | More volume and more rooms mean more removal and cleaning. |
| Materials affected | Carpet, padding and drywall come out, hard floors are cleaned. |
| Duration | Longer exposure means deeper contamination. |
| Source | A private line or a county main changes who clears the blockage. |
We explain scope and price before work starts, and you decide before we begin.
For flood-related sewage, see flood damage restoration. The Florida Department of Financial Services advises policyholders to report claims promptly, document damage and contact their insurer before signing a repair contract.
For reference, the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard is the published industry guide for water damage restoration. We use it as a reference point for how a job like emergency sewage backup cleanup in valrico, fl is measured, dried and documented, and it is named here as an industry standard and not as a certification claim.
Sewage backup questions from Valrico homeowners
Do you handle sewage backup emergencies at night or on weekends in Valrico?
Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, every day. A backup does not wait for business hours, so call as soon as you notice it.
Why are my drains gurgling and is that a sign of a backup?
Gurgling often means air is trapped by a blockage in the line. It can come before a backup, so stop using water and call a plumber and us if you see water rising.
Can I clean it myself?
Small spills on hard surfaces can be handled with gloves and proper disinfectant, but larger backups need protective gear and proper disposal. Call us for anything beyond a small spill.
Is my carpet ruined?
Carpet and padding touched by sewage are generally removed. We explain what we find before we cut anything.
Will I know the cost before work starts?
Yes. We explain the scope and how the price is set before work starts, and you decide before we begin.