Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in South Carolina
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 South Carolina: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in South Carolina includes 59 ZIP codes, with local pages for Charleston, North Charleston. Call with your ZIP to confirm a company serves your address.
Coastal communities face surge and wind, and Charleston sees frequent tidal flooding. Stalled storms can produce historic rainfall inland, as in the 2015 Columbia floods.
In Charleston: King tides regularly flood downtown streets, and the frequency of tidal flooding has increased sharply in recent decades. In Columbia: The October 2015 flood breached dams and flooded homes along Gills Creek and other streams. In Greenville: Heavy rain raises the Reedy River and floods nearby low areas. In Myrtle Beach: Florence's 2018 rain flooded homes across Horry County for weeks.
Historic homes in Charleston and Beaufort, crawlspace homes statewide, and newer slab subdivisions around Greenville, Columbia and the coast.
South Carolina requires residential builders and specialty contractors to be licensed or registered with the Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR). Check the license before hiring.
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 South Carolina
- 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
- South Carolina
Other risks in South Carolina
Humidity and mold
Crawlspaces and attics stay humid, and mold follows leaks quickly.
Ice storms upstate
Upstate South Carolina, around Greenville and Spartanburg, occasionally sees ice storms that knock out power and freeze pipes in crawlspaces.
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 South Carolina 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 tidal flooding covered by insurance in South Carolina?
No. Tidal flooding and surge are covered only by flood insurance, not homeowners policies.
How do I verify a South Carolina contractor?
Search the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for Residential Builders Commission licenses.
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 South Carolina
Other services in South Carolina
Related pages
More about water and storm damage in South Carolina, 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.