How do I disinfect my basement after a sewer backup?
Remove everything porous that touched the sewage, wash hard surfaces with detergent, apply a disinfectant for the full contact time, then dry the space completely and confirm with readings. Wear gloves, boots, eye protection and a mask. Heavily affected basements are best left to a trained crew.
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The disinfection process
- Protect yourselfWaterproof gloves and boots, eye protection and a respirator or mask.
- Remove porous itemsCarpet, underpad, drywall, insulation and cardboard are discarded.
- WashScrub hard surfaces with detergent and rinse, extracting the rinse water.
- DisinfectApply a disinfectant to the surface and keep it wet for the label's contact time.
- DryRun fans and a dehumidifier until readings reach the dry target.
What can and cannot be disinfected
Concrete, tile, sealed wood and metal can be cleaned and disinfected. Carpet, drywall, insulation, upholstered items and unsealed wood absorb contamination and are removed. Contents that cannot be cleaned are discarded after you have photographed them for your records.
Wooden studs touched by sewage are cleaned and treated, and dried before the wall is rebuilt.
Why a crew does it differently
Professional work separates the area with containment, uses extraction equipment and disinfectants suited to the job, and verifies the result with moisture readings. It also keeps contamination from travelling through the house on boots and equipment. Our sewer backup service in Scarborough follows that sequence, and the drying timeline explains how long drying takes.
If you see mould afterwards, our mould removal service applies.
Disposal and laundry
Bag contaminated materials in heavy bags and follow your municipality's guidance for disposal. Wash clothing and linens that were exposed separately and in hot water. Do not use a kitchen sink to clean tools or boots.
Photograph what you throw out, which helps with any insurance claim.
What to ask before you start yourself
Ask whether the water was only in a small area of hard floor. If carpet, drywall or insulation is involved, or if the backup was large, call a crew. The assessment is free, and a written scope and price come before any work begins. We bill your insurer directly where the insurer allows it.
Related questions
Does Lysol disinfect sewage?
A household disinfectant may be fine on a small hard surface, but it does not make soaked materials safe. Read the label and ask a professional for larger areas.
How long should the disinfectant stay on?
As long as the label states, usually several minutes while the surface stays wet.
When can I use the basement again?
After materials are removed, surfaces disinfected and the structure is dry.
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