What to Throw Out After a Sewage Backup (and What Can Be Saved)

Reviewed by Tyler Bennett, Restoration Project Manager, IICRC WRT/ASD #291438, October 2026.

Short answer: Under the IICRC S500 standard, porous materials that touched Category 3 sewage are removed and discarded: carpet and pad, saturated drywall and insulation, mattresses, upholstered furniture, particleboard and paper. Hard, non-porous items like metal, glass, ceramic and sealed surfaces can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Photograph and list everything before it goes, for your insurance claim.

Usually discarded

• Carpet and carpet pad
• Saturated drywall, insulation and baseboard
• Mattresses, box springs and pillows
• Upholstered furniture that was soaked
• Particleboard and laminate furniture
• Paper, books and cardboard
• Food, medicine and cosmetics that were exposed
• Stuffed toys and children’s items that can’t be laundered hot

Usually cleaned and kept

• Metal, glass and ceramic items
• Hard plastic that can be disinfected
• Sealed solid wood furniture that wasn’t soaked
• Tile, stone and sealed concrete floors
• Some washable clothing and linens after professional cleaning

How to decide on the hard cases

• How long it sat in sewage
• Whether the material is porous
• Whether it can be cleaned at high temperature
• Its value, including sentimental value; some items are worth specialized cleaning

4Sure’s contents work is led by Sophia Nguyen, Contents Cleaning & Restoration Specialist (IICRC WRT/ASD #646353).

Document before it goes

1. Photograph each item where it was found.
2. List it with an approximate age and value.
3. Keep a sample of materials if your adjuster asks.
4. Keep receipts for anything you replace right away.

Common questions

Can carpet be saved after a sewage backup?

No. Under IICRC S500, carpet and pad that were in contact with Category 3 sewage are removed and discarded.

What about hardwood and tile floors?

Tile and sealed hard surfaces can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Hardwood that absorbed sewage usually has to be removed, especially if water got under it.

Can clothing be washed after a sewage backup?

Some washable clothing can be professionally cleaned. Items that were soaked for a long time or that cannot be laundered at high temperature are usually discarded.

Should I throw things out before the adjuster sees them?

No. Photograph everything first and list it. Your adjuster may want to see damaged items or proof of them. 4Sure documents every discarded item for your claim.