Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Virginia
Sewage backups, contaminated floodwater and other biohazards are Category 3 losses. They need protective equipment, removal of porous materials that were touched, cleaning and disinfection of everything else, and careful drying.
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Virginia: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in Virginia includes 35 ZIP codes. Call with your ZIP to confirm a company serves your address.
Norfolk and Virginia Beach see recurrent tidal flooding, plus surge and heavy rain from hurricanes and nor'easters.
In Virginia Beach: High tides, nor'easters and tropical storms flood low-lying neighborhoods. Hurricane Matthew in 2016 caused widespread flooding in the city. In Norfolk: High tides regularly flood streets and low yards in neighborhoods along the Lafayette and Elizabeth rivers. In Arlington: The July 8, 2019 storm flooded basements, roads and homes across Arlington within an hour. In Alexandria: Old Town's waterfront floods during high tides and coastal storms.
Housing ranges from colonial-era homes to large post-1990 suburban subdivisions. Crawlspace foundations are common in the south and center of the state, basements in the north.
Virginia requires contractors to be licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors. Check the license class and number.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Virginia
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Sewage & biohazard
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Protect people and contain the area
- Area
- Virginia
Other risks in Virginia
Crawlspace moisture and mold
Humid summers keep crawlspaces damp across central and southern Virginia, leading to mold and wood rot.
Freeze damage and basements
Northern Virginia homes with finished basements are vulnerable to frozen pipes, sump failures and storm water.
Signs you need sewage & biohazard cleanup
- Water or waste coming up through floor drains, toilets or tubs
- A strong sewage smell in a basement or bathroom
- Floodwater that entered the home from outside
How the work is done
Protect people and contain the area, then Remove contaminated water, then Remove porous materials, then Clean and disinfect, then Verify and rebuild. See the full sewage & biohazard cleanup process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Virginia quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of sewage & biohazard cleanup cost factors.
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup questions
Does flood insurance matter outside Virginia's coast?
Yes. Flash flooding and river flooding affect inland areas too, and homeowners policies don't cover rising water.
How do I verify a Virginia contractor?
Use the DPOR license lookup to check the contractor's Board for Contractors license and class.
Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
A small backup on a hard, non-porous floor sometimes can be with gloves, boots and disinfectant. Anything that reached carpet, drywall or other porous materials needs professional cleanup.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backups?
Usually only with a sewer or drain backup endorsement. Flooding from outside needs a flood policy.
Cities in Virginia
Other services in Virginia
Related pages
More about water and storm damage in Virginia, or see sewage & biohazard cleanup nationwide.
Related services
Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage cleanup treats the water as Category 3 (grossly contaminated): crews in protective gear remove it, discard porous materials it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the structure.
Learn more
Biohazard cleanup
Biohazard cleanup removes and disposes of blood, bodily fluids and other potentially infectious material, then cleans and disinfects the area so it's safe to use.
Learn more
Flood damage cleanup
Flood cleanup treats outside floodwater as contaminated: it removes water and mud, cuts out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline, sanitizes, and dries the structure.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.