1. Protect people first
Residents, tenants and staff are moved out of the area while the crew sets up protective gear and containment.
San Rafael, CA · Marin County
Sewage backing up into a San Rafael home or business? Call (877) 812-4220 any hour to get a cleanup team that removes raw sewage, takes out soaked materials and disinfects the affected area.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Sewage cleanup is the removal of raw sewage and everything it soaked into, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the affected area. Because sewage carries bacteria and viruses, it is handled as a biohazard.
Need residential or commercial sewage cleanup in San Rafael or nearby parts of Marin County? Call San Rafael Biohazard Cleanup Help for help in your basement, crawl space, garage, restroom, kitchen or utility room, wherever wastewater has spread.
About 71% of homes in San Rafael were built before 1980, and older clay or cast iron sewer pipes crack and clog with roots over time. Marin County carries a Relatively High river flood risk rating from FEMA, and rising water can overload sewer pipes and push wastewater back up through floor drains.
The work often covers:
Residents, tenants and staff are moved out of the area while the crew sets up protective gear and containment.
Crews wear respirators, gloves and suits, then place barriers and signs so people and pets stay out of the contaminated zone.
Framing, subfloor and concrete are cleaned and treated, since sewage can soak into surfaces that look dry.
Disinfectant is applied to every affected surface, the space is dried and aired out, and the crew inspects the finished work.
Most sewage & biohazard cleanup jobs in San Rafael, CA cost between $1,500 and $10,000, based on published cost guides.
Odor treatment, air movement and drying needs vary by building. A closed-up space with ducted air may need extra steps to clear the smell.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Most homeowners | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Published span | $1,500 - $8,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $7.50 - $7.50 per square foot |
| Category 3 sewage | $2,500 - $10,000 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: Bob Vila, Fixr, BioCleaners Directory, Biohazard cleanup company pricing guide. Price drivers include square footage affected, category of water, porous materials that must be removed, drying time. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
Yes. Raw sewage is Category 3 contamination and can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. That is why cleanup crews wear protective gear and remove porous materials instead of just drying them.
Keep people and pets out, turn off power if water is near outlets, and avoid touching the sewage. Safe cleanup needs protective gear, extraction, removal of soaked materials and disinfection. For anything more than a small spill, a cleanup company is the safer choice.
Plumbers usually clear the blockage or repair the pipe, but most do not remove contaminated materials or disinfect the space. A sewage cleanup company picks up where the plumber stops, and the two jobs often happen in sequence.
Sewage can carry germs such as E. coli, norovirus, hepatitis A and Giardia. They spread through skin contact, splashes and hand to mouth contact. Washing well and wearing protection reduce the risk, but removal by a crew reduces it most.
Often only with an added endorsement. Many standard policies treat sewer or drain backup separately from sudden water damage. Call your insurer before cleanup begins, take photos and keep receipts, and ask what they need to see.
Treat it as raw sewage. Keep people out of the bathroom, stop using the fixture and call for cleanup. The liquid can reach under flooring and into walls, so a crew checks beyond the visible puddle.
Keep people and pets out, then call (877) 812-4220.
Call (877) 812-4220