Protect Your Home from Dangerous Sewage Backups
When a sewage backup happens, there’s no time to waste. It’s one of the most hazardous and disruptive types of water damage a homeowner can face — contaminating your floors, walls, and belongings with harmful bacteria. In North Nashville, TN, where older sewer systems, clay pipes, and heavy rainfall collide, this problem is more common than most realize.
According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, more than 21% of wastewater systems across the state are under enforcement orders for infrastructure issues (source). Combine that with Nashville’s average of over 50 inches of rain each year, and you have the perfect conditions for basement flooding and sewer overflows.
At WFM Restoration, we provide 24/7 emergency sewage cleanup and restoration for homeowners across North Nashville, Germantown, Bordeaux, and nearby communities — restoring your home safely, quickly, and thoroughly.
Life in North Nashville: A historic neighborhood with modern challenges
North Nashville is known for its historic homes, cultural landmarks, and community pride. The area’s older brick homes, vintage cottages, and mid-century houses bring charm but often include outdated plumbing systems. Many properties still rely on clay or cast-iron sewer lines, which are prone to cracks, corrosion, and tree root intrusion.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding — now 4x more likely than decades ago (WPLN News) — increase pressure on both private plumbing and the city’s combined sewer network. When the system overloads, contaminated water can backflow through floor drains, toilets, or bathtubs, especially in basements and crawl spaces.
Our team has years of experience handling flood cleanup, burst pipe restoration, sump pump failure cleanup, and sewage removal for homeowners across North Nashville, Germantown, Bordeaux, and Metro Center.
Common causes of sewage backups in North Nashville homes
Sewage backups rarely happen without warning. In many North Nashville homes — especially those with older plumbing or clay sewer lines — small issues like slow drains or minor leaks can quickly turn into major overflows. The combination of aging infrastructure, heavy rainfall, and everyday household habits often creates the perfect storm for a backup. Understanding these causes can help you spot problems early and take preventive action before contamination spreads.
Sewage backups usually happen when blockages or structural issues prevent wastewater from flowing out properly. Some of the most common causes include:
- Tree-root intrusion into older clay or cast-iron sewer lines
- Heavy rainfall and flash flooding overloading city drains
- Grease, wipes, and debris clogging household pipes
- Collapsed or broken sewer laterals due to aging infrastructure
- Faulty sump pumps or missing backwater valves
Even small plumbing clogs or cracks can trigger a large-scale flooding or burst-pipe incident if pressure builds up. That’s why timely inspection and professional sewage cleanup are essential to protect your home and prevent recurring damage.
Where Does Sewage Damage Usually Occur in Homes?
When a sewage backup strikes, the contaminated water doesn’t spread evenly — it follows gravity, plumbing connections, and weak spots in your home’s drainage system. In North Nashville, where many houses have basements, crawl spaces, and older plumbing lines, these problem areas are hit first and hardest. Knowing where sewage damage tends to appear can help you act fast, protect your property, and avoid serious health hazards.
Sewage problems in North Nashville typically affect:
- Basements and crawl spaces – These are the lowest points in your home where wastewater naturally collects. Standing sewage here can soak into concrete, wood, and insulation, leading to long-term odor and mold growth.
- Laundry rooms and bathrooms – Floor drains, and low plumbing fixtures are often the first to back up when the main sewer line is overloaded.
- Kitchens – Grease buildup, food particles, and soap residue can block drainpipes, causing waste to push back up through sinks or dishwashers.
- Yard or exterior cleanouts – During heavy rain, these outdoor access points can overflow, spreading contaminated water into your yard or foundation.
Our Step-by-Step Sewage Backup Cleanup & Restoration Process
Our certified team follows the IICRC S500 & S520 standards to ensure complete and lasting results.
- Emergency Assessment & Containment
We inspect, document, and isolate the affected zones to stop contamination from spreading.
- Water Extraction & Waste Removal
Using commercial-grade pumps and truck-mounted extractors, we remove standing sewage and debris quickly.
- Deep Cleaning & Disinfection
We apply EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions, clean all surfaces, and remove porous materials that can’t be safely salvaged.
- Drying & Dehumidification
Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers remove hidden moisture, preventing mold and mildew.
If moisture remains, we perform full mold inspection, HEPA vacuuming, and air scrubbing to ensure safe indoor air quality.
- Structural Repairs & Odor Removal
We replace damaged drywall, flooring, and insulation, then use ozone or hydroxyl treatments to neutralize lingering odors.
We Work Directly with Your Insurance for a Hassle-Free Process
How to prevent future sewage backups
Prevention saves money and stress. Here’s how you can reduce your risk:
- Install a backwater valve to block reverse flow during heavy rain
- Schedule annual sewer camera inspections
- Avoid flushing wipes, feminine products, or paper towels
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear to divert stormwater
- Maintain a sump pump with battery backup in flood-prone basements
- Repair cracks or leaks in your foundation and sewer lines early
You can find more guidance on reducing sewer-overflow risk from Metro Water Services (Nashville.gov Flood Risk Info).
We proudly provide sewage backup cleanup, water extraction, and mold remediation throughout North Nashville, including the 37207 and 37208 zip code areas, as well as nearby communities such as Germantown, Bordeaux, and Metro Center.
📞 Call (615) 903-8358 now for professional water mitigation in North Nashville. We’ll stop the water damage, protect your property, and restore your peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sewage cleanup covered by homeowners insurance?
In most cases, yes — if the damage wasn’t caused by negligence or lack of maintenance. Policies typically cover sudden events like burst pipes, drain overflows, or flooding from city sewer lines. We work directly with your insurance company to simplify claims and ensure your coverage is maximized.
Does sewage damage cause mold?
Yes — within 24 to 48 hours, lingering moisture from sewage water can trigger mold growth. That’s why our cleanup process always includes dehumidification, air drying, and mold remediation to prevent future issues.
Do you service all of North Nashville?
Yes — we proudly serve homeowners across North Nashville (ZIP codes 37207 and 37208), including Germantown, Bordeaux, Metro Center, and surrounding Davidson County neighborhoods.
My toilet and bathtub are bubbling — does that mean a backup is coming?
Yes, bubbling or gurgling drains are early pressure signs in your plumbing system. It means air is trapped due to a blockage somewhere in your main sewer line. If multiple drains bubble at once, especially after flushing, call for an inspection and drain camera service immediately before wastewater starts backing up into the home.
The water from my drain smells like rotten eggs — is that sewage or something else?
That sulfur smell usually indicates hydrogen sulfide gas, which comes from decomposing organic waste in standing sewage or a dry P-trap. If you notice the smell along with slow drains or damp floors, it’s likely a partial sewer blockage and not just a vent issue. Professional odor removal and pipe cleaning will resolve both the smell and source.
Can sewage water soak into concrete or wood?
Yes. Even though concrete looks solid, it’s porous — meaning sewage and bacteria can seep deep inside the surface. Wood framing, studs, and subflooring absorb contaminated moisture and can grow mold or rot. That’s why proper water extraction, disinfecting, and drying are critical — mopping or bleach alone won’t remove embedded waste.
Why is my sump pump pumping water into the basement instead of out?
If your sump pump fails or its discharge line freezes, the system may push water back into the pit — or worse, recirculate contaminated water. Sometimes, sewage from an overloaded municipal drain finds its way into your sump basin. A sump check valve and annual maintenance can prevent this.
My insurance says the damage is “excluded” — what can I do?
Some basic homeowner policies exclude sewer and drain backup coverage, but you can add it as an endorsement for a small cost. If you already have the coverage, we can document the contamination, moisture readings, and cause of loss to help you appeal or process your claim. Always ask your agent about “water backup from sewers and drains” coverage.
How do I know if the backup came from my home’s pipes or the city sewer line?
A licensed restoration technician or plumber can perform a camera inspection to trace where the blockage occurred.
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If the clog is on your property (before it meets the city line), it’s typically the homeowner’s responsibility.
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If it’s in the main city line, Metro Water Services may be liable.
In either case, immediate sewage removal and drying are necessary to stop damage from spreading.
Other Serving Locations:
Basement Flood Cleanup in Nashville, TN
Water Damage Cleanup in Nashville, TN
Water Damage Restoration in Oak Hill, TN
Learn more about protecting your home from water & sewage damage
Recent Reviews
"Rigo to the rescue !! WFM was actually called by my neighbors who broke a pipe upstairs instead of calling a plumber to make the fix. After the fire department came to turn off the water since those fools broke a main line, Rigo came down to my unit and opened a repair case for my severely flooded Condo. He truly went above and beyond capturing all the damage as it was happening. The company continued with demo and a pack out done with such care. I would have been so lost without him! The office team is also extremely communicative very happy with the service in such a stressful event."
"Had these guys out last year after a water leak and they were able to work with me and my insurance company to fix my bathroom, even helping me save my vintage pink tub and tile. Now I've called them for more work and look forward to another stellar job."
"I had a water leak emergency in the middle of the night and called WFM Restoration. Jonatan Miranda responded quickly and was incredibly friendly and helpful. He walked me through all the initial steps I needed to take during a very stressful situation and even assisted with filing the insurance claim, which was a huge relief. Since then, the entire company has been consistently responsive and professional. They've done a great job keeping the damage contained and making sure everything is handled properly. I highly recommend WFM Restoration if you ever find yourself in a similar situation!"
"Everyone was kind, courteous and understanding of the situation and promptly went to work to remediate the damage. They were very respectful of our property, assisted me in packing and moving boxes, contained the wet areas and left our house is an orderly manner when they were complete. If you have a flood, don't hesitate to contact WFM Restoration."
"Sergio was a big help and came quickly to assess a problem we discovered and within 3 hours the plumbers had found the issue and then had us reach out and call WFM and Sergio who then quickly made it to the house and filed the claim and everything was taken care of all within 3 hours! Super quick and very easy and professional to deal with. Highly recommend. The young lady on the phone as the point of contact was also super friendly and attentive as well. All in all 5 stars!"
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