Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup
Category 3 water and sewage backups — containment, removal of porous materials, cleaning and disinfection.
Call (916) 209-0476Our Approach to Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup
Sewage backups are classified as Category 3 water — contaminated water that carries real health risk — and they're handled differently from a clean water loss from the first step.
We contain the affected area, remove porous materials that can't be safely disinfected (carpet, some drywall, insulation), and clean and disinfect everything else to industry protocol before any rebuild begins.
This isn't a job to wait on or handle with a wet vac and good intentions — the contamination risk is real, and it grows the longer it sits.
How We Handle a Category 3 Loss
We start by containing the affected area to stop contamination from spreading, then remove porous materials that have absorbed the contaminated water — carpet, carpet pad, and often the bottom portion of drywall — since these can't be reliably disinfected. Everything that can be saved gets cleaned and disinfected to industry protocol, and we use PPE and containment appropriate to the actual contamination level throughout, not just for show.
Health Risks and Why Speed Matters
Category 3 water can carry bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and the risk grows the longer it sits and the more it's disturbed without proper containment. This isn't a situation where waiting a day or handling it yourself with a wet vac is a safe shortcut — improper handling can spread contamination to previously unaffected areas of the home.
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup FAQ
Is it safe to clean up a sewage backup myself?
We don't recommend it — Category 3 water carries real contamination risk, and materials that look salvageable often aren't once they've absorbed it.
What happens to my carpet or drywall after a sewage backup?
Porous materials that can't be safely disinfected are removed and disposed of properly; everything else is cleaned and disinfected to protocol.
Is it safe to be in the house during a sewage cleanup?
We'll advise you on which areas to avoid during active work, and typically the affected area is contained so the rest of the home remains usable, though severity varies by situation.
What causes a sewage backup?
Common causes include tree root intrusion into sewer lines, aging or blocked municipal lines, and failed sump pumps or sewage ejector systems, especially in homes with basements or lower levels below the main sewer line.
Is sewage backup covered by insurance?
Standard homeowners policies often exclude sewage backup unless you carry a specific sewer backup rider — it's worth checking your policy. We document the damage either way.
How long does sewage cleanup take?
A contained, quickly-addressed backup might take 3-5 days; larger losses involving more materials removed and replaced take longer.
Other Fire, Smoke & Sewage Services
Fire & Smoke Damage Cleanup
Soot and smoke residue cleaning, odor removal and board-up after a fire.
Learn more →Water Damage Restoration
Extraction, structural drying and moisture monitoring after burst pipes, supply-line failures and flooding.
Learn more →Contact Us
Tell us what happened and we will walk you through what needs to happen next — or call and speak to one of the owners.
We're open now — we answer 24/7, call and you'll reach a person.