What should be thrown away after a sewage backup?
Short answer: Discard anything porous that contacted sewage: carpet and pad, drywall and insulation wet at the base, particleboard furniture and cabinet bases, mattresses, upholstered furniture, pillows, stuffed animals, cardboard, paper goods, cosmetics, and any food or packaged food that contacted the water. Hard non-porous items, sealed surfaces, metal, glass, and most solid wood can be cleaned and disinfected.
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- Porous materials cannot be reliably disinfected and are discarded.
- Hard non-porous items can be cleaned with detergent and then disinfected.
- All food and beverages contacting sewage go in the trash, including sealed packaging.
- Photograph and inventory everything before disposal for your insurance claim.
- Some sentimental and high-value items can be sent to specialty restoration facilities.
Discard
- Carpet, carpet pad, and area rugs.
- Drywall and insulation wet at the base.
- Particleboard, MDF, and laminate furniture and cabinet bases.
- Mattresses, box springs, upholstered furniture, and cushions.
- Pillows, stuffed animals, and fabric toys.
- Cardboard boxes, books, and paper records that were saturated.
- Food, beverages, cosmetics, and medications that contacted the water.
- Baby items, bottles, and anything handled by small children.
Clean and Keep
- Glass, metal, hard plastic, and sealed ceramics.
- Solid wood furniture with intact finish, after cleaning and disinfection.
- Tile, sealed concrete, and non-porous flooring.
- Washable clothing and linens, laundered separately in hot water with detergent.
- Tools and hardware, cleaned and disinfected.
Specialty Restoration Candidates
Photographs, documents, artwork, electronics, and heirlooms sometimes can be recovered by specialty facilities using freeze drying, ultrasonic cleaning, or document restoration. Set them aside, do not attempt to clean them, and ask about contents restoration before discarding anything irreplaceable.
What To Do, Step By Step
- Photograph everything in place before removal.
- Build a written inventory with descriptions, ages, and approximate values.
- Bag discarded soft goods separately and label them for the adjuster.
- Set aside irreplaceable items for specialty evaluation.
- Keep disposal receipts and any haul-away documentation.
Exceptions and Important Considerations
- Local waste rules can limit curbside disposal of contaminated material; a restoration crew handles compliant disposal.
- High-value rugs may be worth specialty cleaning even after contamination; get an opinion before discarding.
- Appliances that contacted sewage need evaluation, since motors and insulation can be contaminated.
Related Questions
Washable fabrics can usually be laundered separately in hot water with detergent. Discard anything that cannot be fully laundered.
CDC guidance is to discard food that contacted flood or sewage water, including items in permeable packaging. Undamaged metal cans can sometimes be sanitized; when in doubt, discard.
For sewage contact, yes. Carpet and pad are removed and disposed of.
Often within contents limits when the loss is covered, which is why the inventory and photos matter. Your insurer decides.
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