Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Ohio
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 Ohio: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in Ohio includes 581 ZIP codes, with local pages for Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Springfield. Call with your ZIP to confirm a company serves your address.
Older combined sewers and aging laterals back up into basements during heavy rain. The Ohio, Muskingum, Great Miami and other rivers flood communities in their valleys.
In Columbus: Heavy rain overwhelms older sewers and backs water into basements. In Cleveland: Combined sewers back up in heavy rain, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's Project Clean Lake is building tunnels to reduce overflows. In Cincinnati: Combined sewers in older neighborhoods back up during heavy rain. In Toledo: Flat terrain and older sewers mean heavy rain backs water into basements.
Early-1900s homes are common in the cities, with mid-century suburbs and newer subdivisions around Columbus. Many older homes have clay or cast-iron sewer laterals and original drain tile that clog or collapse.
Ohio doesn't license residential general contractors statewide. Cities and counties license them locally. The state licenses commercial HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors.
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 Ohio
- 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
- Ohio
Other risks in Ohio
Frozen pipes
Cold snaps freeze pipes, especially in older homes.
Severe storms and tornadoes
Spring and summer thunderstorms bring damaging winds, hail and occasional tornadoes that damage roofs and siding, letting rain into homes.
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 Ohio 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
Is sewer backup covered in Ohio?
Usually only with a sewer or water backup endorsement on your policy.
Do Ohio residential contractors need a license?
Licensing for residential contractors is local. Check with your city or county building department.
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 Ohio
Other services in Ohio
Related pages
More about water and storm damage in Ohio, 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.