Sewage backup cleanup in Jacksonville
On a slab house in Jacksonville, the shower, the tub and the toilets sit closest to the ground, so that is where sewage shows up when a line is blocked. The blockage can be in the house drain, the yard line to the street, or a city main.
The line is open 24/7 and connects you with an independent local company.
Right now
- 1Stop using water: no flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher.
- 2If sewage is coming in fast, call JEA's 24-hour line at (904) 665-6000.
- 3Keep everyone, especially children and pets, out of the area.
- 4Open a window if you can, and take dated photos of the spread.
What's going on
Sewage is Category 3 water. Porous materials it touches, such as carpet, pad and drywall, are usually removed, and every surface it reached is cleaned before drying.
JEA lists (904) 665-6000 as its 24-hour number for severe sewage backup or significant back-flow into a home. For property damage that JEA's own work caused, outside a storm, JEA sends residents to the City's customer service line at (904) 630-2489.
Water category: Category 3 (contaminated).
What changes the size of the job
- How far the sewage spread and into how many rooms
- Carpet versus tile
- How high it wicked up the drywall
- Whether the cause is in your line or the city's
No prices here: only a written estimate from the company that sees the house can give one.
How drying usually goes
- 1
Contain
The area is sealed off and air is filtered so contamination doesn't spread to clean rooms.
- 2
Remove
Contaminated carpet, pad, baseboard and lower drywall are bagged and removed.
- 3
Clean
Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and treated with a disinfectant.
- 4
Dry
Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the structure once it is clean.
- 5
Record
Readings, photos and the cause are recorded for your records and for the plumber.
Jacksonville facts for this problem
JEA lists (904) 665-6000 as a 24-hour number for severe sewage backup or significant water back-flow into a home.
Source: JEA: ContactThe City of Jacksonville says most flooding in the city comes in the rainy season, June to November.
Source: City of Jacksonville: Floodplain ManagementThe wettest day in the Jacksonville Area record is September 26, 1894, with 9.82 in..
Calculated by Jax Water Damage Hub: ACIS daily record, Jacksonville Area (calculated)EPA guidance: get wet materials and belongings dry within 24 to 48 hours, or mold can start.
Source: EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your HomeAny Florida contractor or mold license can be checked by name or number on the Florida DBPR license search.
Source: Florida DBPR license search
Insurance, in general terms
Water that backs up through drains is commonly excluded from a base homeowners policy unless a water backup endorsement was added. A backup caused by a city main can be handled differently. Check your declarations page.
Questions
- Who do I call when sewage backs up in Jacksonville?
- For severe sewage backup or a large back-flow into the house, JEA lists (904) 665-6000 as a 24-hour line. A plumber clears a blockage in your own line. A cleanup company handles the contaminated materials.
- Can I clean up sewage with bleach?
- The EPA advises professional help when water or mold damage comes from sewage. Porous materials it soaked usually can't be cleaned well enough to keep.
- Is a sewage backup a renter's problem or the landlord's?
- Tell the landlord or property manager right away, in writing, with photos. The building and its plumbing are the owner's responsibility.
Other water problems
Sewage backups in Jacksonville? The line is open now.
(904) 352-8877