Sewage & biohazard · Emergency service
Sewage backup cleanup in Philadelphia, PA
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. Don't try to clean sewage with household products and a mop.
Sewage backup cleanup in Philadelphia: local conditions
Partner coverage for sewage and biohazard cleanup in Philadelphia currently includes 86 ZIP codes: 19019, 19092, 19093, 19101, 19102, 19103, 19104, 19105, 19106, 19107, 19108, 19109, 19110, 19111, 19112, 19113, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19118, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19150, 19151, 19152, 19153, 19154, 19155, 19160, 19161, 19162, 19170, 19171, 19172, 19173, 19175, 19176, 19177, 19178, 19179, 19181, 19182, 19183, 19184, 19185, 19187, 19188, 19190, 19191, 19192, 19193, 19194, 19195, 19196, 19197, 19244, 19255. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
About 60% of Philadelphia is served by combined sewers, which can back up into basements during heavy rain. Most Philadelphia rowhomes have a basement floor drain tied to the sewer lateral. When the city sewer surcharges in heavy rain, those drains are the first place water comes in, and the city's Basement Protection Program offers backwater valves to eligible homeowners.
Rowhomes share party walls, and many still have original cast-iron drains and clay sewer laterals. Flat rowhome roofs need regular recoating, and leaks often show up in top-floor ceilings.
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 Philadelphia, PA
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Sewage backup cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Sewage & biohazard
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Protect
- Area
- Philadelphia, PA
Other risks in Philadelphia
Basement flooding in storms
The remnants of Ida in 2021 flooded basements and neighborhoods along the Schuylkill River, including Manayunk and Eastwick.
Flat roof leaks
Rowhome flat roofs pond water and leak when coatings age, damaging top-floor ceilings.
Older water mains
Philadelphia's aging water mains break, especially in winter cold snaps, and a main break can flood basements along an entire block.
Signs you need sewage backup cleanup
- Water coming up from floor drains, tubs or toilets
- Gurgling drains
- Sewage odor in the house
How the work is done
Protect, then Remove, then Disinfect, then Dry. See the full sewage backup cleanup process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Philadelphia 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 backup cleanup cost factors.
Sewage backup cleanup questions
Do I need a permit for water damage repairs in Philadelphia?
Cleanup doesn't. Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Who's responsible when water comes through a Philadelphia party wall?
It depends on the source and whether it was sudden. Your homeowners policy usually covers your damage, and insurers settle responsibility between neighbors.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only with a water or sewer backup endorsement, which most insurers offer as an add-on. Check your declarations page.
Is sewage cleanup dangerous?
Yes. Sewage contains bacteria, viruses and parasites. Professional crews use protective equipment and disinfectants for this reason.
Related pages
Other services in Philadelphia
More about water and storm damage in Philadelphia, or see sewage backup cleanup nationwide.
Related services
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 moreEmergency water extraction
Water extraction is the first step of any water loss: removing standing and absorbed water with powerful pumps and extractors before drying starts.
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.