Residential Water Damage: What To Do If You Have a Sewer Backup in Chicago & the North Shore

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is here to Help

It’s every Chicagoland homeowner’s nightmare: after a heavy summer storm, an autumn downpour, or sudden spring thaw, you walk downstairs to your basement and find sewage water bubbling up from the floor drain. Sewer backups aren’t just smelly and stressful — they’re dangerous. Sewage water, also known as Category 3 “black water,” is loaded with bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxic contaminants that pose serious health risks to you and your family.

In Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore suburbs like Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Highland Park, sewer backups are a recurring problem due to aging infrastructure and increasingly intense storms. If you ever face this emergency, knowing what to do — and acting quickly — can protect your property, your health, and your finances.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve helped thousands of Chicagoland homeowners recover from sewage disasters. This guide will walk you through causes, prevention, insurance tips, and why professional help is the safest (and fastest) path to recovery.

What Is a Sewer Backup?

A sewer backup happens when wastewater can’t properly flow through municipal mains or your home’s drainage pipes, forcing sewage back into your home. The most common entry point? The basement.

Common Causes:

• Overloaded city mains: Heavy rain overwhelms Chicago’s combined sewer system, forcing sewage back into homes.
• Tree root intrusion: Roots from old oaks in neighborhoods like Swainwood in Glenview or Sherwood Forest in Highland Park can invade clay pipes and cause blockages.
• Collapsed or aging pipes: Older homes in Evanston’s Ridge Historic District or Wilmette’s East Wilmette often still rely on outdated sewer laterals.
• Grease and improper disposal: Pouring cooking oil or flushing wipes can trigger localized backups.

When this happens, wastewater may gush through floor drains, toilets, or sinks — bringing pathogens and structural damage with it.

Learn more: Residential Water Damage Restoration Services

Why Sewer Backups Are So Dangerous

Unlike a burst pipe or a leaking water heater, sewage water is classified as Category 3 Black Water under the IICRC S500 Standard. It is considered grossly contaminated and can include:

• Bacteria & Viruses: E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A.
• Parasites: Giardia, Cryptosporidium.
• Chemicals & Toxins: Pesticides, industrial runoff, and heavy metals.

Health Risks:

• Gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea).
• Skin infections and rashes.
• Respiratory complications if mold develops.

And mold will develop quickly — within 24–48 hours of a sewage event.

Learn more: Do I Really Need Mold Remediation?

Immediate Steps to Take (Homeowner Action Plan)

If you discover a sewer backup:

1. Stop using water immediately — don’t flush toilets, run sinks, or use appliances.
2. Turn off electricity in the affected area if safe to do so.
3. Keep people and pets away. Sewage is hazardous on contact.
4. Document the damage with photos/videos for insurance purposes.
5. Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons right away at (773) 376-1110.

Do not attempt to clean sewage on your own. Even with bleach, you won’t be able to fully sanitize, and improper handling can spread contaminants.

Related guide: The 5 Hidden Signs of Water Damage Most Homeowners Miss

Sewer Backups & Homeowners Insurance

Here’s the tough news: most homeowners insurance policies do not cover sewer backups unless you’ve added a specific rider or endorsement. In Chicagoland, where storms frequently overwhelm drainage systems, this extra coverage is worth every penny.

Key Tips:

• Check your policy: Look for “Sewer Backup Coverage” or “Water Backup Endorsement.”
• Ask your agent: Riders typically cost less than $100 per year.
• Document everything: Insurers require proof of contamination, damage, and professional mitigation.

ServiceMaster By Simons is a Quality Restoration Vendor (QRV), which means we’re pre-approved by major insurers. We communicate directly with your insurance adjuster so you don’t have to act as middleman.

Learn more: The Complete Guide to Water Damage Insurance Claims in Illinois

Causes of Sewer Backups in Chicago & the Suburbs

Tree Root Intrusion

Neighborhoods with older landscaping, such as Kenilworth Gardens in Wilmette or Mission Hills in Northbrook, are notorious for tree roots invading sewer laterals.

Heavy Rain & Flash Flooding

During events like Hurricane Ike in 2008, municipal mains were overwhelmed, sending sewage into homes in Lake Forest, Glencoe, and Winnetka. With climate change driving more intense downpours, this risk is growing.

Learn more: How to Protect Your Basement From Flash Floods — A Guide for North Shore Homeowners

Aging Infrastructure

Homes built before 1960 in Evanston’s Dempster Corridor or Skokie Ridge often rely on clay or cast iron pipes that corrode and collapse.

DIY vs. Professional Cleanup

Can you clean a sewer backup yourself? No.

• Home remedies (bleach, vinegar) don’t kill every pathogen.
• Without PPE, exposure is almost guaranteed.
• Improper cleanup can make a bad situation worse — sewage can seep into walls and flooring, leaving behind contamination you can’t see.

Professional remediation involves:

• Full containment and negative air pressure.
• Truck-mounted extraction.
• Antimicrobial treatments.
• Drying and dehumidification.
• Removal and safe disposal of contaminated materials.

Related reading: Why Hoarding Cleanup Should Only Be Done by Professionals

How ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Handles Sewer Backups

As an IICRC Certified Firm, we follow the S500 standards for sewage remediation. Our process includes:

1. Assessment & Documentation
   • Locate the source of the backup.
   • Map the flow of contamination with thermal imaging.
   • Identify affected areas: walls, floors, furniture, personal contents.
2. Extraction & Removal
   • Truck-mounted and portable extractors.
   • Removal of contaminated carpet, drywall, and insulation.
3. Sanitization & Drying
   • EPA-approved antimicrobial solutions.
   • Negative air fans, HEPA vacuums, and desiccant dehumidifiers.
4. Restoration & Rebuild
   • Flooring replacement, drywall repair, painting.
   • Full rebuild services available.

Explore: Our Full Restoration Services

Sewer Backups by the Numbers

• Average cost of sewage cleanup in Chicago: $4,000–$10,000+ depending on contamination and damage.
• Mold growth risk: Begins in as little as 24 hours after water exposure.
• Chicago’s infrastructure age: Many sewer mains are 100+ years old, particularly on the North Side and older suburbs like Oak Park and River Forest.

Learn more: The 2025 Chicago Water Damage Report

FAQs

Q1: What should I do first if my basement floods with sewage?
Turn off electricity in the affected area, stop using plumbing, keep people and pets out, document the damage, and call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons at (773) 376-1110.

Q2: Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backups in Chicago?
Usually not — you need a specific sewer backup rider. See our insurance claims guide.

Q3: How dangerous is sewer backup water?
It’s Category 3 “black water,” containing bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxic chemicals. Direct exposure can make you seriously ill.

Q4: Can a sewer backup cause mold?
Yes. Mold can begin growing in as little as 24–48 hours. Professional Mold Remediation is often necessary after sewage cleanup.

Q5: How can I prevent sewer backups in older homes?
Install a backwater prevention valve, replace old clay pipes with PVC, dispose of grease properly, and have your drains inspected regularly. Homes in Wilmette, Highland Park, and Skokie are especially at risk.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration brand. Locally, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has provided 40+ years of trusted service across Chicago, North Shore, Lake County, and Oak Park/River Forest.

Led by CEO Nasutsa Mabwa and Sam Simon, IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer, our award-winning team has earned:

• 2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree (#2507, 169% growth)
• 2024 Chicago Star Award
• 2021 SB100 Best of Small Business
• 2020 BBB Torch Award
• Stevie® Award for Business Excellence

We are proud members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and an IICRC Certified Firm.

Learn more in our book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset.

Our Services

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Specialty Cleaning