San Diego sewage cleanup
Our crew runs about half of its weekly volume on sewage cleanup calls in and around San Diego. The other half is everything else local-service. So yes, we know your area. If we can't get to you ourselves, we'll tell you who to call. Free consult either way.
Sewage Cleanup in San Diego — what's typical here
Most weeks we run 12–18 calls inside San Diego alone. Different houses, similar fixes — we've seen yours before.
That said, newer construction in San Diego has its own set of typical issues. We see both.
What's typical for this job
Sewage cleanup is regulated as Category 3 (black water) work under IICRC S500. That means biohazard PPE — Tyvek suits, respirators, full eye protection — for the crew, plus containment-zone protocol around the affected area.
Porous materials in direct contact with sewage cannot be effectively decontaminated. Carpet, padding, drywall to 12 inches above the line, baseboards, and unfinished wood typically require removal and disposal as biohazard waste.
Hard surfaces are sanitized with EPA-registered antimicrobials. Air scrubbers with HEPA and activated-carbon filters run during the work to control airborne pathogens and odor.
Documentation is critical. Insurance adjusters reject sewage claims that don't show category determination, S500 protocol followed, and EPA-product use logs.
Typical investment
Sewage cleanup small area (under 200 sqft) runs $3,500 – $7,800. Sewage cleanup mid-size (200-600 sqft) runs $7,800 – $18,000. Sewage cleanup large (whole basement) runs $18,000 – $50,000.
A recent sewage cleanup call
Last spring we got a call from a homeowner near the east San Diego. Raw sewage backed up through basement floor drain after city sewer main blockage. Diagnosis: municipal main blockage upstream. We Category 3 protocol, removed contaminated materials, full antimicrobial treatment, structural drying, claim filed against city for upstream cause, ran the test, and were out the door in about two hours. Total: $220 including parts.