Gateway Restoration has issued a seasonal advisory to Valley homeowners about a hazard that can accompany summer storms: heavy monsoon rain may overwhelm municipal sewer systems and force contaminated water backward through a home's lowest drains, tubs, and toilets. According to the company, sewage that backs up into a living space generally falls under the water damage industry's most severe contamination category, which typically calls for professional extraction and sanitizing rather than surface cleaning.
The advisory connects the sewage backup risk to the broader stress that seasonal storms place on the region's buried infrastructure. Gateway Restoration points to what monsoon season does to underground water lines as part of the explanation for why backups can become more common between June and September. The company notes that Arizona's clay-heavy soil expands and shifts as it absorbs moisture, which can place added pressure on aging pipes. Municipal sewer systems can also experience elevated flows during intense rainfall, a factor that regional utilities have cited in public guidance on stormwater and wastewater capacity.
Gateway Restoration references guidance from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), which classifies sewage-contaminated water as Category 3, the most contaminated designation under the industry's S500 water damage standard. Category 3 water may carry bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants associated with health risks. The company notes that standing sewage can also soak into flooring, drywall, and subfloors, creating conditions that can lead to mold growth if the affected materials are not properly dried and treated.
"When sewage comes back up through a floor drain during a storm, it is not a mess a homeowner should handle alone," said Danjee Moser of Gateway Restoration. "That water is contaminated, and it can spread into materials people cannot see. Proper extraction, sanitizing, and drying are what make a home safe again, and that work requires certified equipment and training."
Gateway Restoration is licensed for both plumbing repairs and restoration work and holds certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. The company provides sewer backup cleanup and restoration in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley. Its documented process includes water extraction, sewer line inspection, source repair, contamination cleanup, and restoration of affected areas.
"Homeowners who act early tend to see less structural damage," Moser added. "The families that recover fastest are the ones who shut off the water, stayed clear of the affected area, and contacted a certified team rather than attempting cleanup themselves."
Gateway Restoration advises homeowners who discover water backing up through drains, tubs, or toilets during monsoon season to avoid contact with the contaminated water, shut off the main water valve where possible, and contact a certified restoration team rather than attempting cleanup on their own.
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Gateway Restoration is a Phoenix and Chandler-based company specializing in emergency water extraction and damage restoration for residential and commercial properties. The company offers plumbing and restoration services and maintains IICRC certification along with licensing in both plumbing and restoration work.
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For more information about Gateway Restoration, contact the company here:
Gateway Restoration
Danjee Moser
(480) 990-4142
service@gwraz.com
2301 S. Stearman Dr. #4 Chandler, AZ 85286