we specialize in providing comprehensive emergency Sewage Cleanup
If wastewater is backing up into your home or business, stay out of the affected area, keep children and pets away, stop using toilets and drains, and call NorthStar Restoration Services at (715) 302-0529. Our local, IICRC-certified team provides 24/7 Sewage Cleanup throughout Wausau and surrounding Central Wisconsin communities. We assess the contamination, control its spread, remove affected materials, clean and dry the structure, and coordinate repairs so you have one accountable restoration partner.
We are on call day and night for emergency sewage removal. NorthStar is licensed and insured, has completed more than 500 projects, and has earned 300+ customer reviews. Our goal is to reach emergency sites within 60 minutes; actual arrival time can vary with weather, road conditions, location, and safe site access.
Need help now? Call (715) 302-0529 or request an emergency response. Do not wait for visible water to disappear—contamination can migrate beneath floors and behind walls.
What to Do Right Now After a Sewage Backup
- Keep everyone away. Close the door to the affected room if you can do so without stepping in wastewater. Keep children, pets, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system out of the area.
- Avoid direct contact. Do not walk through the water or touch contaminated items with bare skin. If contact occurs, wash exposed skin with soap and clean water. Contact a healthcare professional if contaminated water reaches an open wound or you develop symptoms.
- Stop adding water. Stop flushing toilets, running sinks, using washing machines, or operating dishwashers. If a fixture is overflowing and the shutoff is safely accessible from a dry area, turn it off.
- Treat electricity as a hazard. Do not enter standing water near outlets, appliances, power strips, or an electrical panel. Ask the fire department or a qualified electrician for help when electrical risk is possible.
- Do not spread contamination. Avoid household fans, shop vacuums, or walking between the affected area and clean rooms. Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners.
- Call the right responders. Contact NorthStar for restoration and a licensed plumber, septic professional, or municipal utility when the source requires repair. If your loss involves a clean-water pipe or widespread flooding, our water removal team can coordinate the appropriate response.
- Document only from a safe place. Take photos or video without entering the affected zone, then notify your insurance carrier. Coverage depends on the cause, your policy, exclusions, and any sewer-backup endorsement.
The CDC advises removing sewage-contaminated drywall and insulation and thoroughly cleaning wet items and surfaces. The EPA also advises avoiding contact with backed-up sewage because it may contain harmful pathogens.
Why Sewage Water Requires a Professional Response
Water from a sewer line, septic system, or toilet containing waste is generally treated as highly contaminated Category 3 water. It can carry microorganisms and other contaminants through carpet, padding, drywall, insulation, subflooring, cabinets, and contents. The visible puddle is only part of the loss; moisture and residue can remain in seams, wall cavities, and porous materials.
That is why black water cleanup requires more than pumping and deodorizing. A trained team must establish safe work zones, prevent cross-contamination, determine what can be cleaned, remove materials that cannot be reliably restored, and confirm that the structure is dry. Decisions are based on the water source, exposure time, material type, extent of absorption, building conditions, and applicable restoration standards—not appearance alone.
A single fixture failure may call for toilet overflow cleanup, while simultaneous slow drains, gurgling fixtures, or wastewater at a floor drain can indicate a blocked sewer lateral or municipal problem. A basement sewer backup may also result from root intrusion, grease buildup, damaged piping, heavy inflow, a failed ejector pump, or a septic-system issue. NorthStar addresses the building recovery and coordinates with the appropriate source-repair professional when needed.
What Our Sewage Cleanup Service Includes
Each project begins with a site-specific assessment. The recommended scope may include:
- Emergency safety controls, source verification, and containment
- sewage backup cleanup for affected rooms and contents
- contaminated water removal with professional extraction equipment
- Careful removal of non-restorable porous materials
- Cleaning of salvageable hard surfaces and structural components
- sewage odor removal by addressing residue and affected materials at the source
- Drying, humidity control, and ongoing measurements
- Photo records, a documented scope, and communication with the property owner
- Repair or reconstruction of removed drywall, flooring, trim, cabinetry, or other components when authorized
The exact sewage damage cleanup plan depends on what happened in your property. Before work starts, we explain immediate priorities, known conditions, next steps, and where source repair or specialized testing may be required.
Our Sewer Backup Restoration Process
1. Emergency Call and Safety Assessment
We ask what happened, when it began, which rooms are affected, whether electricity or structural damage may be involved, and whether anyone has had direct contact. On arrival, the crew confirms safe access, identifies visible migration paths, and creates an initial work plan.
2. Source Control and Containment
Restoration cannot succeed while wastewater is still entering the building. We help determine whether the cause points to an interior plumbing failure, sewer lateral, septic system, pump, or municipal line. Where appropriate, we coordinate with a plumber or utility. Physical barriers, controlled access, and appropriate protective equipment help separate the work zone from clean spaces.
3. Extraction and Gross Contaminant Removal
The team performs wastewater extraction and removes solid debris using equipment suited to the conditions. This initial step reduces the volume of contamination and makes affected surfaces accessible for detailed evaluation and cleaning.
4. Material and Contents Evaluation
Porous materials that have absorbed wastewater may not be reliably restorable. Carpet pad, insulation, drywall, particleboard, and certain upholstered items often require removal, while some nonporous or semi-porous materials may be cleaned after evaluation. Category 3 water removal is performed with attention to containment, handling, and applicable disposal requirements.
5. Cleaning and Decontamination
Remaining soil is physically removed before compatible products are applied according to their labels. The crew completes sanitization and disinfection of cleanable surfaces within the approved scope. For losses involving broader biological contamination, learn about our biohazard response capabilities.
6. Drying and Moisture Monitoring
After contaminated materials are addressed, we position professional air movement and dehumidification equipment as conditions allow. The structural drying plan targets remaining moisture in salvageable materials. Repeated moisture detection readings help the team adjust equipment and document progress instead of relying on touch or appearance.
7. Odor Control and Verification
Persistent odor usually means a source or affected material still needs attention. We inspect concealed areas, remove remaining residue where accessible, and use appropriate odor-control methods after physical cleaning. The project team reviews drying data, completed work, and any remaining repairs with you before the mitigation phase closes.
8. Repairs and Final Walkthrough
When materials must be removed, NorthStar can coordinate water-damage repairs and reconstruction. The goal is a clear transition from emergency mitigation to rebuilding, followed by a walkthrough of the completed scope.
Certified Sewage Removal
Your safety and confidence begin with a proven, professional plan. Our certified professional sewage cleanup services follow strict industry standards to ensure complete decontamination.
STEP 01
Safety and Assessment
We secure the affected area and identify the source of the sewage backup. Using advanced moisture detection tools, we assess contamination levels and create a detailed sewage damage cleanup plan tailored to your property.
STEP 02
Extraction and Removal
Our powerful extraction equipment removes all standing sewage water. Damaged and contaminated materials such as carpet, padding, and drywall are safely removed and disposed of according to regulations.
STEP 03
Drying & Dehumidification
Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers remove hidden moisture. This prevents warping,
STEP 04
Cleaning & Sanitization
We apply hospital-grade disinfectants to all affected surfaces to eliminate bacteria and pathogens. Advanced deodorization techniques, including thermal fogging, remove lingering odors completely.
Residential and Commercial Wastewater Recovery
For residential sewage remediation, we focus on isolating the affected space, protecting unaffected rooms, explaining contents decisions, and helping families understand when areas can be used again. Common losses include bathroom overflows, finished-basement backups, floor-drain releases, ejector-pump failures, and septic problems.
Commercial sewage remediation requires the same safety discipline plus attention to occupants, tenants, inventory, accessibility, operating hours, and business continuity. We can phase work when conditions allow and coordinate with facility managers and other trades. Property owners and managers can review our commercial wastewater response service and create a Priority Response Emergency Plan before the next loss.
Insurance Support Without Coverage Promises
Some property policies exclude sewer or drain backups unless an endorsement has been added. Others may respond differently depending on whether the cause is an off-premises sewer, failed sump pump, septic issue, plumbing overflow, or flood. Your insurer interprets the policy and makes the coverage decision.
NorthStar can provide insurance documentation such as site photos, moisture readings, affected-area notes, equipment records, and an itemized restoration scope. We can communicate with your adjuster about the work performed, but we do not promise coverage or claim approval. When it is safe, preserve receipts and avoid discarding items until they have been documented or your insurer gives direction.
Why Wausau Property Owners Choose NorthStar
- Local 24/7 availability: Our Wausau-based team responds to emergencies throughout the region.
- Certified restoration capability: NorthStar is IICRC certified, licensed, and insured.
- One accountable team: We can manage mitigation, drying, repair coordination, and the final walkthrough.
- Documented process: We explain the scope, record conditions, and keep property owners informed.
- Established local proof: NorthStar reports 500+ completed projects and has earned 300+ customer reviews. See recent projects and customer feedback.
Choosing an emergency restoration company is easier when its claims can be checked. Our local restoration experts serve homes, businesses, property managers, and insurance professionals from 4900 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401. Read why same-day action matters after a wastewater release or contact NorthStar to discuss your property.
Service Area Around Wausau
Our Central Wisconsin restoration team supports Wausau and nearby communities, including Weston, Mosinee, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Minocqua, and other service areas based on crew availability. Dispatch timing varies by location and conditions, so call to confirm the fastest available response for your address.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Stay out of the affected area and prevent other occupants and pets from entering. Whether the rest of the building can remain occupied depends on the size and location of the loss, air movement, access routes, electrical conditions, and whether contamination has spread. The responding team can assess those conditions on site.
Small, contained losses may complete the mitigation phase in a few days, while widespread contamination, concealed moisture, material removal, or reconstruction can take longer. After inspection, NorthStar can outline the expected phases and update the schedule as drying and repair conditions become clear.
Avoid DIY work when wastewater contains fecal matter, has spread into porous materials, involves electrical risk, affects HVAC components, or reaches multiple rooms. Even a small visible area may extend beneath flooring. Call for an assessment before using household fans, a shop vacuum, or chemical mixtures.
Salvageability depends on material, contamination level, absorption, exposure time, condition, and whether the item can be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Some hard, nonporous items may be restorable; contaminated carpet pad, insulation, and other deeply absorbent materials often are not. Sentimental or high-value contents should be evaluated individually.
It depends on the policy and cause. Standard policies may exclude sewer or drain backup unless you purchased an endorsement, and flood-related losses are often handled separately. Notify your carrier promptly and ask which documentation and emergency actions it requires.
NorthStar restores the affected building and contents. A licensed plumber, septic contractor, or municipal utility may need to clear or repair the source. We can coordinate the restoration sequence so extraction does not begin before the inflow is controlled.
Odor control begins by removing wastewater, residue, and materials that cannot be restored. The team then cleans salvageable surfaces, dries the structure, checks concealed areas, and applies an appropriate treatment if needed. Covering the smell without removing the source is not a complete solution.
Yes. If inspection finds microbial growth outside the wastewater work scope, NorthStar can evaluate the need for mold remediation and explain the recommended next step. Separate containment or testing may be appropriate depending on conditions.
Yes. NorthStar serves commercial buildings, rental properties, multifamily communities, offices, retail spaces, and other facilities. We coordinate access, occupant communication, work zones, and repair phases with the property’s responsible representative.
Proudly Serving Central Wisconsin
Call Now for Sewage Cleanup in Wausau
Keep people and pets away from the affected area, stop using plumbing fixtures, and call NorthStar Restoration Services. We are available 24/7 to assess the loss, limit contamination, explain the restoration plan, and start the appropriate response.
Call (715) 302-0529 for emergency service or send NorthStar your project details.
Emergency response times vary with weather, distance, road conditions, crew availability, and safe access. Health and safety guidance on this page is general information and does not replace advice from public-health, medical, electrical, plumbing, or insurance professionals.