The Ultimate Guide to Sewage Cleanup in Chicago’s North Shore (And Why You Shouldn’t DIY It)

The Ultimate Guide to Sewage Cleanup in the North Shore - ServiceMaster By Simons.

If you’re a homeowner in Chicago’s North Shore and you've experienced a sewage backup, you know it’s more than just a messy inconvenience — it’s a serious health hazard. Whether it’s a basement backup in Winnetka, a sump pump failure in Lake Forest, or storm-related sewer overflow in Evanston, the risk of contamination and long-term damage is real.

At ServiceMaster By Simons – North Shore, we’ve been providing sewage cleanup services in the North Shore for over 30 years. Our certified technicians are trained to safely extract, disinfect, and restore your property using industry-approved protocols — fast, discreetly, and with minimal disruption.

💩 What Causes Sewage Backups in North Shore Homes?

Sewage backups can happen for a variety of reasons, especially in older or custom homes across the North Shore:

• Aging sewer lines or tree root intrusions
• Heavy rains and overburdened municipal systems
• Failed sump pumps or ejector pumps
• Clogged drains or household plumbing failures

Homes in neighborhoods like East Wilmette, Skokie Ridge in Glencoe, or Evanston’s Ridge Historic District are particularly vulnerable due to proximity to aging infrastructure and dense tree coverage.

⚠️ Why You Should Never DIY Sewage Cleanup Raw sewage is considered Category 3 water damage — the most dangerous classification. It can contain:

• E. coli, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other pathogens
• Toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide
• Hazardous biological contaminants from waste materials

Attempting to clean it yourself puts your health at risk and can spread contamination throughout your home. Plus, insurance companies may deny coverage if proper mitigation isn’t performed by certified professionals.

🧰 Our Certified Sewage Cleanup Process

We follow IICRC S500 and OSHA-compliant procedures to ensure your home is thoroughly cleaned and safe to reoccupy:

1. Emergency Response & Containment
   We respond 24/7 to contain the contaminated area and prevent further spread.
2. Extraction & Disposal
   All standing sewage is extracted using professional vacuums and disposed of per EPA guidelines.
3. Disinfection & Decontamination We apply commercial-grade antimicrobials to all surfaces, including floors, walls, and personal contents.
4. Structural Drying Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers remove excess moisture to prevent secondary water or mold damage.
5. Odor Removal Ozone machines and HEPA air scrubbers eliminate lingering sewage odors.
6. Final Clearance Testing (Optional) Third-party testing is available upon request to confirm safe conditions post-remediation.

🧐 Why North Shore Homes Require Specialized Sewage Cleanup Our local clients aren’t just looking for a mop and bucket — they need white-glove restoration that respects their property and privacy. Here’s what makes our service ideal for North Shore homes:

👉 We’re based in Skokie, IL, with fast access to all North Shore suburbs

👉 We’ve served Lake, Cook, and DuPage counties for 30+ years

👉 We are MBE/WBE Certified, award-winning, and IICRC Master Restorers

👉 Our teams are uniformed, background-checked, and trained in high-end residential care

📍 Areas We Serve
We specialize in sewage cleanup in North Shore IL, including:

• Winnetka: Hubbard Woods, Indian Hill
• Glencoe: Skokie Ridge, downtown Glencoe
• Lake Forest: Conway Farms, East Lake Forest
• Evanston: Dempster Street Corridor, Ridge District
• Wilmette, Northbrook, Glenview, Highland Park, and surrounding suburbs

🔗 Related Services

Sewage backups often require additional services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Structural drying and reconstruction
• Disinfection and odor removal
• Soft Goods and content pack-out

We manage the entire recovery, so you don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors or risk gaps in service.

❓ FAQ: Sewage Cleanup in the North Shore

Q: Will my insurance cover sewage backup cleanup?

A: Most policies cover it if you have a sewer backup rider. We can help document everything for your claim.

Q: How soon should I respond to a sewage backup?

A: Immediately. The longer sewage sits, the more dangerous and expensive cleanup becomes.

Q: How long does cleanup take?

A: Most sewage cleanup jobs take 1–3 days, depending on square footage, saturation, and drying needs.

📞 Need Sewage Cleanup in North Shore IL? Call Us Now.

Sewage backups are emergencies. If you’re facing one in

Winnetka, Glencoe, Evanston, or any North Shore community, call ServiceMaster By Simons – North Shore office at 847-316-9145, or contact us online.

We’re certified, experienced, and ready to restore your home — safely, thoroughly, and fast.

👤 About the Author

Sam Simon is the owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a multi-award-winning disaster restoration company serving Chicago and the North Shore. With 30+ years of experience and IICRC Master Certification, Sam is an expert in water damage, mold remediation, fire recovery, and sewage cleanup. He co-authored RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset and leads one of the most trusted teams in the restoration industry.