How Much Does Sewage Backup Cleanup Cost?
At Keystone Restoration’s 2026 rates, sewage cleanup in Salt Lake County comes to about $4,150–$4,800 for a bathroom and $10,750–$12,950 for a 600 sq ft finished basement. Sewage is IICRC Category 3 water. It carries bacteria and viruses, so the job requires containment, protective gear, air filtration, and removal of anything porous it touched, like carpet, pad, the bottom of the drywall, and insulation. That’s why sewage sits at the top of every price range.
These are estimates based on our standard rates, not a quote. Your price depends on what we find on site. Moisture inspection is free.
Seth Saxton, Owner, Keystone Restoration · IICRC-certified technician (WRT, AMRT, ASD)
Last updated: October 2026
Common sources
- Main sewer line backup (tree roots, blockages)
- Toilet overflow with waste
- Floor drain backup in a basement
- Outside floodwater entering the home
Example 1: Finished basement, main line backup
About 600 sq ft of carpet, 4 ft drywall cut, insulation removed. Called in after hours. 5 days of drying.
| Line item | Quantity | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency service call (after hours) | 1 | $350–$400 |
| Setup and cleaning | 1 | $600–$800 |
| Water extraction, carpet | 600 sq ft | $900–$1,200 |
| Air movers | 75 fan-days | $1,875 |
| Dehumidifiers | 15 dehu-days | $1,310–$1,500 |
| Air scrubber (HEPA) | 10 scrubber-days | $700–$800 |
| Daily monitoring visits | 5 visits | $750 |
| Carpet pad removal | 600 sq ft | $600–$900 |
| Carpet removal | 600 sq ft | $750–$1,200 |
| Baseboard removal | 120 linear ft | $180–$240 |
| Drywall removal | 480 sq ft | $720–$960 |
| Insulation removal | 240 sq ft | $360–$480 |
| Antimicrobial application | 600 sq ft | $180 |
| HEPA vacuuming | 600 sq ft | $300 |
| Containment barrier | 200 sq ft | $200 |
| Zipper doors | 2 doors | $35–$40 |
| PPE | 10 person-days | $500 |
| Dump fee | 2 loads | $450–$600 |
| Estimated total | $10,760–$12,925 |
Example 2: Bathroom, toilet overflow with waste
About 150 sq ft including the hallway, LVP flooring. 4 days of drying.
| Line item | Quantity | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency service call | 1 | $300–$350 |
| Setup and cleaning | 1 | $600–$800 |
| Water extraction, hard floor | 150 sq ft | $170–$225 |
| Air movers | 20 fan-days | $500 |
| Dehumidifiers | 4 dehu-days | $350–$400 |
| Air scrubber (HEPA) | 4 scrubber-days | $280–$320 |
| Daily monitoring visits | 4 visits | $600 |
| LVP/vinyl removal | 150 sq ft | $300–$375 |
| Baseboard removal | 50 linear ft | $75–$100 |
| Drywall removal | 100 sq ft | $150–$200 |
| Antimicrobial application | 150 sq ft | $45 |
| HEPA vacuuming | 150 sq ft | $75 |
| Containment barrier | 80 sq ft | $80 |
| Zipper doors | 1 door | $20 |
| PPE | 8 person-days | $400 |
| Dump fee | 1 load | $225–$300 |
| Estimated total | $4,170–$4,790 |
Why sewage costs about twice as much as clean water
- Nothing porous is saved. Carpet, pad, insulation and the lower drywall all go. On a clean water job, carpet is often dried in place.
- Containment. Plastic barriers and zipper doors keep contamination from spreading to the rest of the house.
- Air filtration. HEPA air scrubbers run alongside the drying equipment.
- Protective gear. Technicians wear PPE the entire time they’re on site.
- More disposal. Contaminated materials usually fill more than one dump load.
Insurance: check this first
Most standard homeowners policies in Utah do not cover sewer backup unless you added a sewer or water backup endorsement. Look for that endorsement in your policy, or call your agent before the job starts so you know what’s covered. Utah Insurance Department guidance: insurance.utah.gov.
More pricing
Straight Answers
FAQ
Is sewage dangerous to clean up myself?
Yes. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Keep kids and pets out of the area and don’t run the HVAC if it’s pulling air from that space.
Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?
No. IICRC standards call for removing porous materials contaminated by Category 3 water.
What does Category 3 mean?
It’s the IICRC classification for grossly contaminated water: sewage, floodwater, or any water that’s been sitting long enough to grow bacteria.
Sewage in the Basement? Don’t Touch It. Call.
Call (801) 948-2501. We arrive equipped for Category 3 water, and the estimate is itemized before any work starts. 24/7.
(801) 948-2501Answered 24/7 by a real person — never a machine