Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in Wisconsin includes 162 ZIP codes, with local pages for Appleton, Oshkosh. Call with your ZIP to confirm a company serves your address.
Heavy storms back up sewers and flood basements, especially in older neighborhoods. Rivers like the Wisconsin, Fox and Rock flood during snowmelt and heavy rain.
In Milwaukee: Heavy storms back up sewers and flood basements, especially in older neighborhoods. In Madison: Record rain in August 2018 flooded the west side and raised Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. In Green Bay: Snowmelt and rain flood basements and overwhelm sump pumps. In Racine: Heavy rain raises the Root River, flooding low areas, as in June 2008.
Basements are standard, with many older homes in Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay that have original clay sewer laterals and stone foundations.
Wisconsin requires dwelling contractors to hold a Dwelling Contractor credential from the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to pull permits for one- and two-family homes.
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 Wisconsin
- 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
- Wisconsin
Other risks in Wisconsin
Frozen pipes and ice dams
Long, cold winters freeze pipes and create ice dams.
Lake-effect snow
Areas near Lake Superior and Lake Michigan get heavy lake-effect snow, which creates heavy roof loads and ice dams.
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 Wisconsin 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
How do I prevent frozen pipes in Wisconsin?
Insulate pipes in exterior walls and crawlspaces, seal drafts, keep the heat at least 55°F, and drip faucets during extreme cold.
How do I verify a Wisconsin contractor?
Search for a Dwelling Contractor credential on the Wisconsin DSPS license lookup.
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 Wisconsin
Other services in Wisconsin
Related pages
More about water and storm damage in Wisconsin, 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.