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Sewer backup cleanup in Detroit, MI
Sewage up the floor drain, the basement toilet or the tub. It's contaminated water, so cleanup needs protective gear. Call and say where it came up and how much is there.
Call the line
(313) 788-9835You'll talk to a Detroit-area restoration company. Say where the water is coming from.
Right now
Right now, in this order
From CDC, EPA and DWSD guidance.
- Keep kids and pets out. Don't touch the water without rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles (CDC).
- Stop running sinks, the washer and the dishwasher. That water drains to the same place.
- Call DWSD at 313-267-8000 to report the backup and get a service request number. You need it for the claim.
- Photograph the water, the drain and every damaged item before anything is moved.
Why sewage cleanup is a different job
EPA's drying rules for clean water don't apply to sewage. EPA says not to run fans until the water is known to be clean, and that sewage cleanup calls for protective gear and containment under OSHA rules.
CDC's rule for what's left: throw away anything you can't clean or dry quickly, and remove drywall and insulation that sewage touched. Carpet and pad that sat in sewage don't come back.
How it gets into the house
Detroit's sewers carry rain and wastewater together. The City's handbook says sewage typically enters through floor drains, sewer cleanouts and basement toilets, sinks and showers, whichever fixture sits lowest.
Not every backup is the city's. You own the sewer line from where it leaves your house, and DWSD says property owners have to maintain it. Tree roots or a clog in your own lateral can back up a basement on a dry day. The handbook puts snaking at about $75 to $150 and lateral repair at $5,000 to $20,000 (2022 figures).
The claim clock starts now
Under Michigan law you have 45 days from discovering the damage to give DWSD written notice. Call 313-267-8000 for the service request number first, then file the online Notice of Claim. The DWSD claim guide has each step and what to keep.
Keep receipts for the cleanup, repairs and anything you replace. DWSD's own flood checklist asks for photos and receipts.
Related
Questions people ask
Can I clean sewage myself?
EPA says contaminated water calls for a professional. If you do any of it, wear an N-95, goggles and gloves, never mix bleach and ammonia, and don't run fans until it's clean.
Does DWSD pay for the cleanup?
Only if the claim is approved. The City's handbook says a claim is likely denied if the sewer was just overwhelmed by rain with no system failure causing at least half the problem. File within 45 days anyway.
How do I stop it happening again?
DWSD suggests snaking your sewer line at least once a year and a backwater valve. See flooded basement prevention for the rest.