1. Stop the spread
Doors are closed, vents covered and the work area is isolated so contamination stays where it started.
Richmond, Philadelphia, PA · Philadelphia County
Dealing with a sewer backup in Richmond, Philadelphia, PA? Call (877) 812-4220, day or night. You get sewage cleanup, removal of soaked carpet and insulation, and disinfection of floors and walls.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Sewage removal is only the first stage of the job. The harder work is finding where the liquid traveled, taking out porous materials such as carpet padding and drywall, and disinfecting everything it touched.
Need residential or commercial sewage cleanup in Richmond or nearby parts of Philadelphia County? Call Richmond Biohazard Cleanup Help for help in your basement, crawl space, garage, restroom, kitchen or utility room, wherever wastewater has spread.
Richmond typically receives about 51 inches of rain a year, and heavy storms can overwhelm sewers and send wastewater up through drains. About 83% of homes in Philadelphia were built before 1980, and older clay or cast iron sewer pipes crack and clog with roots over time.
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Richmond usually includes:
Doors are closed, vents covered and the work area is isolated so contamination stays where it started.
Wastewater is taken out of the building, and standing liquid in crawl spaces or low corners is cleared.
Carpet, padding, drywall and insulation that soaked up sewage are cut out, bagged and hauled away as contaminated waste.
Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and disinfected, odor is treated, and the crew checks the area before it is cleared for use.
Most sewage & biohazard cleanup jobs in Richmond, 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 |
|---|---|
| Published span | $1,500 - $8,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $7.50 - $7.50 per square foot |
| Typical project | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Most homeowners | $2,000 - $10,000 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: Bob Vila, Fixr, BioCleaners Directory, Biohazard cleanup company pricing guide. Price drivers include square footage affected, category of water, porous materials that must be removed, drying time. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
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.
Watch for a rotten-egg or sewer smell, wet spots or stains on floors and walls, unusually green grass over a pipe, and multiple drains backing up at the same time. If any of these show up, keep people away from the area and have the cause checked.
If sewage is still coming up, a plumber may need to stop the source. If sewage is already on the floor, a cleanup team can start containing it at once. Many property owners call both, and it does not matter much which is first. Sewer backup companies and plumbers often work one after the other on the same job.
Usually not. Carpet and padding soak up Category 3 water and cannot be reliably made safe, so they are cut out and discarded. Hard surfaces, sealed wood and items in closed containers can often be cleaned and kept.
Yes. Commercial sewage cleanup in restaurants, offices, shops and apartment buildings follows the same biohazard steps, with added attention to keeping part of the building usable and to documentation for managers and insurers.
Symptoms such as stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea can start within hours or take a few days. Anyone with symptoms after exposure should contact a doctor. Children, older adults and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk.
See all biohazard cleanup services in Richmond, Philadelphia, PA →
A cleanup team can start with a safe plan as soon as you call.
Call (877) 812-4220