Sewer Backup Basement Restoration

The challenge

The sewer main backed up and flooded this basement bathroom and laundry area. A sewer backup is Category 3 water — contaminated at the source — so the affected finishes could not be dried in place and salvaged. The bathroom was dated and plain to begin with.

Our approach

The bathroom was taken down to studs and subfloor — walls, flooring, and fixtures out — rather than patched around the wet areas, because contaminated water leaves porous materials unsalvageable. Demolition opened the walls back to the drain line and the stripped floor carried through to the laundry area.

The results

The rebuilt bath is bright and transitional. Dark gray shiplap wainscot and light gray plank flooring add height to a small room, and yellow patterned wallpaper brings color above the shiplap. A new white shower surround with built-in corner shelves replaced the old corrugated stall.

Cause of loss: the sewer main from the basement to the street backed up and flooded the basement bathroom and laundry area. Style direction: transitional, savvy, bright.

A sewer backup is not a clean-water loss. Category 3 water is contaminated at the source, which is why sewer damage required a total gut of the existing bathroom’s walls and flooring rather than drying the room out and saving what was there. Demolition took the bathroom back to bare studs and subfloor and opened the wall to the drain line underneath.

That gave the rebuild a blank slate to work with. New dark gray shiplap walls and light gray flooring add height to this small but stylish bath, and bright yellow patterned wallpaper adds color and cheerfulness above the shiplap line. The old corrugated shower stall was replaced with a white surround with built-in corner shelves, and the laundry area next door was brought back with the same flooring so the two rooms finally read as one space.

Before & After

Dated basement bathroom before sewer backup restoration, with an old wall-hung sink, separate hot and cold taps, and plain cream walls — Basement bathroom

The same basement bathroom rebuilt with dark gray shiplap wainscot, yellow patterned wallpaper, an oval mirror, and a new wall-hung sink — Basement bathroom

Narrow basement shower stall before restoration, with a corrugated panel surround and a fabric shower curtain — Shower

The same shower alcove with a new white shower surround, built-in corner shelves, and a striped curtain after basement restoration — Shower

Basement laundry area before restoration, with a stacked washer and dryer, wire shelving, and layered rugs on the original flooring — Laundry area

The same basement laundry area after restoration, with light gray plank flooring, finished walls, and a doorway opening to the rebuilt bathroom — Laundry area

Sewer Backup Basement Restoration

The challenge

Our approach

The results

Before & After

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