1. Walk through the damage
Technicians trace the sewage from the source to the farthest wet spot, including under cabinets and into wall bases.
Philadelphia, PA · Philadelphia County
Is there raw sewage on the floor in Philadelphia? Keep everyone out and call (877) 812-4220. Crews in protective gear pump out and remove the sewage, tear out contaminated drywall and carpet, and disinfect what remains.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Sewage damage cleanup covers the liquid, the stains and the germs it leaves in flooring, walls, insulation and stored items. Porous materials that soak up sewage usually cannot be made safe and are removed.
If sewage has reached your home, rental or business in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Philadelphia County, get raw sewage cleanup, sewage removal and disinfection from Philadelphia Biohazard Cleanup Help. A cleanup team works in protective equipment and follows OSHA safety rules for infectious materials.
Renters make up about 48% of households in Philadelphia. Tenants should tell the landlord right away, and the cleanup team can provide documentation for the lease and any claim. Philadelphia typically receives about 51 inches of rain a year, and heavy storms can overwhelm sewers and send wastewater up through drains.
The work often covers:
Technicians trace the sewage from the source to the farthest wet spot, including under cabinets and into wall bases.
Wastewater is taken out of the building, and standing liquid in crawl spaces or low corners is cleared.
Liquid is removed first, then anything that cannot be cleaned, such as soaked flooring and wall board.
Disinfectant is applied to every affected surface, the space is dried and aired out, and the crew inspects the finished work.
Most sewage & biohazard cleanup jobs in Philadelphia, PA cost between $1,500 and $10,000, based on published cost guides.
Odor treatment, air movement and drying needs vary by building. A closed-up space with ducted air may need extra steps to clear the smell.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Most homeowners | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $7.50 - $7.50 per square foot |
| Typical project | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $2,500 - $10,000 |
These ranges come from published cost guides (Bob Vila, Fixr, BioCleaners Directory, Biohazard cleanup company pricing guide) and are not a quote for Philadelphia. Price drivers include square footage affected, category of water, porous materials that must be removed, drying time. For a real number, call (877) 812-4220.
Sewage can carry germs such as E. coli, norovirus, hepatitis A and Giardia. They spread through skin contact, splashes and hand to mouth contact. Washing well and wearing protection reduce the risk, but removal by a crew reduces it most.
Drywall is porous and holds contamination that can spread germs and odor long after the surface looks clean. Crews usually cut out wall board that sewage touched, and often take out a margin above the wet mark to reach clean material.
If the cleanup missed contaminated materials, germs and odor can linger. That is why crews remove porous materials, disinfect every surface they touched and inspect the work. Thorough removal is what lowers the risk.
It depends on the cause, the lease and local law. A landlord's policy may cover the building, while a renter's policy may cover belongings. If the blockage was in a public sewer main, the city or utility may be responsible for the repair.
A very small spill on a hard floor can be handled with gloves, boots, eye protection and a disinfectant used by label directions. Anything that reached carpet, drywall or a large area needs professional cleanup, because hidden contamination is hard to see.
Common signs include a sewer smell in the yard or crawl space, soft or damp ground near the foundation, gurgling drains and slow drains in several fixtures at once. A plumber can confirm the leak. Once it is found, a cleanup team can take care of the contaminated soil, materials and odor.
Call Philadelphia Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 any hour, including nights and weekends.
Call (877) 812-4220