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Sewage Backup: What to Do in the First Hour

Updated 2026-11-06

Technician extracting sewage water from a flooded room

Practical first steps for California homeowners dealing with a sewage backup.

Stay safe

Keep children and pets away, avoid touching sewage water, and turn off electricity to affected areas if it is safe to do so.

Stop the flow

Stop using water in the home and call a plumber to find and fix the blockage.

Document the damage

Take photos for insurance before anything is moved.

Call for cleanup

Sewage is black water. Professional extraction, removal of soaked materials, disinfection and drying should start quickly to limit mold and contamination.

Get Help

If you need help now, see our sewage cleanup service page or call (323) 329-3559. You can also find your city on the locations page.

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