Modern Commercial Building — Example of Properties We Serve for Sewer Backup & Water Damage Restoration

Commercial Water Damage: What Do I Do If My Business Has a Sewer Back Up?

Sam Simon

June 25, 2025

A sewer backup at your business can cause major disruptions, health hazards, and costly repairs. Learn how to respond fast and restore your property with help from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.

A Sewer Backup at Your Business? Here’s What to Do Immediately

When sewer water invades your commercial property, it’s more than just an inconvenience — it’s a serious threat to your business, employees, and customers. Sewer backups can lead to dangerous health conditions, structural damage, and lost revenue. If your business suffers a sewer backup, the first and most important step is to contact a professional water damage restoration company like ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. We’re here 24/7 to minimize damage and get you operational again.

What Is a Commercial Sewer Backup?

A sewer backup occurs when wastewater from the city sewer line or your building’s main sewer pipe reverses flow and enters your business. This typically happens due to:

Heavy rain or flooding that overwhelms city sewer systems
Blockages caused by grease, debris, or foreign objects
Tree root intrusion into sewer pipes
A damaged or collapsed sewer line

When this happens, contaminated water can rise through floor drains, toilets, or sinks, flooding your property with dangerous black water.

What Causes Sewer Backups in Commercial Buildings?

Tree Roots: Roots seek moisture and can break into sewer lines, causing blockages.
Sanitary Main Blockage: When the city’s main sewer line is clogged, waste can back up into businesses.
Improper Waste Disposal: Grease, paper products, or foreign items flushed or drained can create clogs.
Illegal Plumbing Connections: Connecting sump pumps or drains to the sanitary sewer can overwhelm the system and cause backups.

Does Business Insurance Cover Sewer Backup Damage?

Most commercial property insurance policies do not cover sewer backup damage unless you have specifically added sewer backup coverage. Talk to your insurance agent to review your policy and ensure you have protection.

How to Prevent Sewer Backups in Your Business

Proper grease disposal: Never pour grease down the drain; let it cool and dispose of it in the trash.
Only flush approved materials: Avoid flushing paper towels, feminine products, or wipes.
Install a backwater prevention valve: This valve can stop sewage from backing up into your business.
Replace aging pipes: Modern plastic pipes are less prone to damage from tree roots.
Keep stormwater out of the sanitary system: Don’t connect sump pumps or French drains to sanitary lines.

Why You Should Never DIY Sewer Backup Cleanup

Sewer water (Category 3 "black water") contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Exposure can cause:

Hepatitis A
Skin infections and rashes
Respiratory issues
Gastrointestinal illnesses

Professional restoration companies like ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons have the proper PPE, cleaning agents, and equipment to handle hazardous materials safely.

Our Sewer Backup Cleanup Process

When you call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, here’s what to expect:

Emergency response and damage assessment
Source identification and containment
Thermal imaging and moisture detection
Sewage extraction using truck-mounted and portable units
Sanitization with EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions
Drying and dehumidification
Removal and replacement of damaged materials as needed

Equipment We Use

Our advanced technology ensures thorough cleaning and drying:

Truck-mounted extractors
Portable water extraction units
Industrial dehumidifiers
High-velocity air movers
Negative air machines
Moisture meters and thermal cameras
Wood floor drying systems
Antimicrobial treatments

What Does Sewer Backup Cleanup Cost?

Costs depend on the severity of damage:

Category 1 (clean water): ~$2,700
Category 3 (black water): $4,000+
Structural repairs: $5,000 and up depending on extent of damage

We work directly with your insurance provider, helping you navigate the claims process efficiently.

FAQ

Q: Is sewer backup covered by insurance?
A: Not always. You typically need to add sewer backup coverage to your policy.

Q: How fast should I act after a sewer backup?
A: Immediately. The longer contaminated water sits, the greater the risk of damage and health hazards.

Q: Can I clean it myself?
A: No. Black water requires professional cleaning to ensure safety and compliance with health standards.

Trust ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons — Chicago’s Restoration Experts

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration company. Locally, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has 40+ years of experience helping Chicagoland businesses recover from disaster. We’re:

IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorers
MBE/WBE certified
Part of ServiceMaster’s Quality Restoration Vendor (QRV) program
Experts in commercial water damage restoration
Experts in commercial fire damage restoration
Experts in commercial mold remediation

Call Us 24/7

If your business suffers a sewer backup, don’t wait. Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons at (773) 376-1110 or visit our website to request immediate assistance

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile

Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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