Why Only Professionals Should Tackle Raw Sewage Cleanup

Sam Simon

June 28, 2025

Raw sewage is a toxic health hazard — not a DIY cleanup. Learn why only trained professionals should handle sewage spills and how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons keeps Chicagoland properties safe.

The Truth About Raw Sewage Cleanup — Don’t Do It Yourself

If you’ve ever smelled sewage in your Chicagoland home or business, you know how gut-wrenching it is. But the odor is just the beginning. Raw sewage — or "black water" — is a Category 3 biohazard, and cleaning it up without proper protection can result in severe illness or even death.

Let’s break down why only professionals like ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons should handle sewage backups, what’s at risk, and how we safely restore contaminated spaces.

What Exactly Is Raw Sewage?

Raw sewage is untreated wastewater containing a mix of:

Human waste (urine and feces)
Toilet paper and hygiene products
Pathogens, viruses, and bacteria
Fats, oils, and greases
Industrial or household chemical runoff

It’s officially categorized as black water, and it’s considered the most dangerous type of water contamination in homes and businesses.

Why Is Raw Sewage So Dangerous?

Raw sewage is a breeding ground for diseases including:

E. coli
Salmonella
Hepatitis A
Norovirus
Rotavirus
Giardia & Cryptosporidium

Exposure can cause skin infections, vomiting, respiratory infections, neurological damage, or even death, especially in children, seniors, or immunocompromised individuals.

How Do Professionals Handle Sewage Safely?

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we follow strict IICRC S500 and OSHA protocols. Our crews wear full-body PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including:

Hazmat suits
Gloves and rubber boots
Full-face respirators with filtration
Eye protection
Sanitizer wipes and mobile decontamination equipment

We also use:

EPA-registered disinfectants
Commercial HEPA filtration and air scrubbers
Controlled demolition and containment zones
Moisture meters to verify drying before rebuild

Can I Do Anything to Protect My Family Before Help Arrives?

Yes — if you’ve experienced a sewage backup:

Keep everyone (especially kids, pets, elderly) out of the area
Do not attempt to vacuum or mop contaminated water
Shut off the HVAC to prevent airborne spread
Do not handle personal items or furniture in the affected area
Open windows to ventilate if safe to do so

Then call us immediately at (847) 316-9145.

What Can Be Saved After a Sewage Backup?

Not everything contaminated by sewage can be restored. We follow a strict protocol:

Non-Salvageable Items:

Carpet and padding
Upholstered furniture
Mattresses and stuffed toys
Books and cardboard
Drywall, insulation, and baseboards

Salvageable Items:

Hard surfaces (tile, metal, sealed wood)
Concrete
Launderable fabrics (clothes, towels, bedding)
Undamaged furniture legs or frames (if not porous)

Every job is evaluated on-site. We document and photograph damage for insurance purposes and only recommend disposal when absolutely necessary.

What Causes Sewage Backups?

Tree root intrusion in sewer lines
Blocked or collapsed pipes
Overwhelmed municipal systems during storms
Grease and hygiene products flushed into plumbing
Poorly maintained septic systems

🛠 Regular maintenance and inspections can help reduce risk — but once a backup happens, only pros should touch it.

Don’t Risk It — Call the Pros

If your home or business experiences a sewage spill, toilet overflow, or basement backup, don’t attempt DIY cleanup.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons offers:

24/7 Emergency Water & Sewage Cleanup
Biohazard Decontamination Services
Commercial Water Damage Services

We serve Chicago, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Northbrook, and the entire North Shore with rapid response and certified expertise.

FAQ: Raw Sewage Cleanup

Is it safe to clean sewage myself if I wear gloves and a mask?
No. Standard masks and gloves won’t protect you from airborne pathogens or skin exposure. Full PPE and containment protocols are required.

Will insurance cover raw sewage damage?
Often yes — especially if the cause was sudden and accidental. We assist with documentation and claims.

How quickly should sewage cleanup start?
Immediately. Pathogens multiply within hours. The longer it sits, the worse the contamination and damage.

Can sewage cause mold problems?
Yes. Moisture from sewage feeds mold spores, which can begin growing in 24–48 hours. Mold remediation may be required after cleanup.

Do you serve both homes and commercial properties?
Absolutely. We serve homes, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, retail, and more.

📘 About Our Book — RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset
Co-authored by Sam Simon, RESTORE is a practical guide that empowers homeowners to prevent, respond to, and recover from water, fire, and mold disasters. Learn how to protect your most valuable investment with expert insights from decades in the restoration industry.
➡️ Order your copy on Amazon

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is part of the nation’s oldest restoration company, founded in Chicago in 1929. Locally, we’ve served Chicagoland for over 40 years, specializing in water, sewage, fire, and mold disasters for both residential and commercial clients.

We're proud to be:

IICRC Certified
MBE/WBE Certified
2020 BBB Torch Award Winner
Skokie Business of the Year – Honorable Mention

📍 Serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, Evanston, Wilmette, Northbrook, Skokie, and more.
📞 Call us 24/7 at (773) 376-1110 or visit our homepage.

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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