Sewage backup cleanup in Fort Lauderdale
Sewage carries bacteria and other contaminants, so a backup is Category 3 water under the IICRC S500 standard, and the EPA advises calling a professional with experience in contaminated-water cleanup. It usually shows up first at the drain nearest the ground: a shower, a tub or a toilet on the ground floor.
In Fort Lauderdale, the city's inflow and infiltration program calls the sewer pipes on private property "sewer laterals" and asks owners to keep cleanouts capped and to replace broken or leaky sections located on their property. A clogged city sewer goes to the 24-hour Neighbor Service Center at 954-828-8000.
Your call is connected with an independent local company. Water category for this page: category 3 (black water).
Illustrative photo.
Right now
- 1Stop using every drain, toilet and appliance that drains water until the line is cleared.
- 2Keep children and pets out, and don't walk through the water barefoot.
- 3Don't run fans or the AC toward the affected room. They can spread contaminated droplets and odor.
- 4Check the cleanout cap in the yard. If it's overflowing, the blockage is likely between the house and the city main.
- 5Photograph the water and the drain for your records, then call the city if the problem may be in the street.
Fort Lauderdale facts for this problem
Clogged sewers and storm drains go to the City of Fort Lauderdale's 24-hour Neighbor Service Center at 954-828-8000.
The city says rainwater entering sewer pipes can more than triple wastewater volumes during major storms.
The city's inflow and infiltration program runs a hotline at 877-332-4037.
The city asks owners to keep sewer cleanouts capped and to replace broken sewer pipe on their own property.
The Fort Lauderdale record has 92 days since 2000 with 2.39 in. of rain or more, the wettest 1% of days on record.
Source: ACIS daily record, Fort Lauderdale Area record (now Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport), calculated by Lauderdale Flood Line on November 12, 2026.
The EPA advises a professional with contaminated-water experience when sewage caused the damage.
Source: EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home.
The city says rainwater leaking into sewer pipes can more than triple wastewater volumes during major storms. Its inflow and infiltration program runs a hotline at 877-332-4037; clogged sewers go to the 24-hour line at 954-828-8000.
Sources: City of Fort Lauderdale: Inflow and Infiltration; City of Fort Lauderdale: Sanitation Service Tips
What the work usually involves
Use this as a checklist when a company walks you through the job.
- ContainmentThe area is sealed off with plastic, and air is filtered so contamination stays in one place.
- RemovalPorous materials the sewage touched, such as carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall, are removed and bagged.
- Cleaning and disinfectionTile, framing and other remaining surfaces are cleaned and treated with a disinfectant.
- DryingDehumidifiers and air movers dry the structure only after it has been cleaned.
- RecordsThe source, the affected area and moisture readings are written down for you.
How insurance usually treats it
Many base homeowners policies exclude water that backs up through a drain unless the owner bought a water backup endorsement, which usually carries its own limit. A backup caused by a city main may follow a separate municipal process. Check your declarations page for a backup endorsement before work begins.
General information, not insurance advice. Your policy decides. Florida rules at a glance.
What changes the size of the job
- How many rooms the sewage reached and how long it stood
- Tile versus carpet or wood floors
- How much drywall and cabinetry has to be removed
- Containment and air filtration needed
- Drying time after cleaning
We don't quote prices. A company measures moisture on site and writes an itemized estimate.
Questions people ask
Who is responsible for a sewer backup in Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on where the blockage is. The city's inflow and infiltration program asks owners to replace broken sewer pipe on their own property and keep cleanouts capped. Problems in the city main go to 954-828-8000. Note the time you called.
Is it safe to stay home during a sewage backup?
Usually, if the water is confined to one area, everyone stays away from it, and nobody uses the plumbing until it's cleared. Keep young children, pregnant people and anyone with a weak immune system out of that part of the house.
Can carpet be cleaned after sewage reaches it?
Generally no. Carpet and pad soaked by Category 3 water are usually removed and replaced rather than cleaned.