What's included
- 24/7 contaminated-water response
- PPE and controlled work area
- Sewage and wastewater extraction
- Porous material removal
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Structural drying and verification
- Photo and scope documentation
- Complete basement reconstruction
Keep people out and stop using drains
If water is coming from a floor drain or contains sewage, keep occupants and pets away. Do not flush toilets or run sinks, laundry, or dishwashers because additional discharge can worsen a surcharge. Avoid contact with the water and do not enter if electrical or gas hazards may be present.
Contaminated porous material is not dried in place
Carpet, underpad, low drywall, insulation, and other absorbent finishes exposed to sewage generally require controlled removal. The goal is not to make a contaminated surface look clean; it is to remove material that cannot be safely restored, clean the remaining structure, and prevent cross-contamination into unaffected rooms.
Cleaning and drying are separate steps
Extraction and removal reduce the contamination load. The exposed structure is then cleaned and treated as the site conditions require, followed by controlled drying. Moisture readings confirm that framing and other retained materials are ready for repair rather than being closed while still damp.
Plan prevention after the emergency is stable
The City of St. Catharines Flood Alleviation Program may help eligible homeowners with approved backwater valves, sump systems, and related work. Eligibility and approval must be confirmed with the City before work begins. We keep the emergency cleanup scope separate from any later plumbing or prevention project.
From our work
How these jobs usually go
Each summary combines details from many similar jobs we have done. They describe our real work, not one specific property, and leave out homeowner details for privacy. These examples come from our flood and sewer-backup work in North York; we follow the same process for homes in St. Catharines.
Sewer backup in finished North York basements after a major Toronto flood
During a major Toronto flood, sewers backed up into finished basements across North York. Sewer water is contaminated, so anything porous it soaks is treated as unsalvageable.
- Extracted the standing water and removed the soaked flooring and drywall
- Cleaned and disinfected the exposed framing and concrete
- Checked framing and slab with moisture meters until they read dry
- Installed new drywall and flooring
Basements rebuilt with new walls and floors, documented for the insurance claim.
Heavily contaminated basement rebuilt as a new finished space
Where sewage sat longer or reached the furnace room, the damage went past the floor: walls, mechanical equipment and finishes were all affected.
- Removed contaminated flooring, walls and finishes
- Repaired or replaced affected HVAC components and ductwork
- Disinfected and dried the structure, confirmed with moisture readings
- Rebuilt the basement as a brand-new finished space
One crew handled the job from extraction through HVAC, walls, flooring and final finish.
Flooded basement cleanupBasement kitchen replaced after contaminated water
Cabinets, counters and lower finishes soak up contaminated water, and in some homes the flood reached a basement kitchen.
- Assessed how far the contamination reached before deciding what to keep
- Removed the affected cabinets, flooring and lower walls
- Dried and verified the structure with moisture meters
- Installed a new kitchen along with the walls and flooring
How much we replace depends on how contaminated the space is, not on a fixed package.
Reconstruction after a lossWhat the damage and a finished repair can look like
Example photos of different properties, not a documented before-and-after of one job.
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Official guidance used on this page
- City of St. Catharines: July 2026 flooding response and recovery
- City of St. Catharines: basement flooding guidance
- Health Canada: flood cleanup and indoor air quality
- City of St. Catharines: Flood Alleviation Program (FLAP)
Coverage and safety requirements vary by property and policy. Confirm decisions with the relevant authority, licensed trade, and your insurance representative.
