1. Assessment of the spill
A cleanup technician looks at where the sewage came from, which rooms it reached and which materials it touched.
Old Town, Portland, OR · Multnomah County
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup in Old Town, Portland, OR
Wastewater has come up through a drain in Old Town and the smell is spreading. Call (877) 812-4220 to get the sewage removed, what cannot be saved discarded and the rest sanitized.
- Answered 24/7
- Unmarked vehicles
- OSHA bloodborne pathogen protocols
- Insurance claim help
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Professional Sewage Cleanup for Old Town Properties
Sewage is classed as Category 3, the most contaminated level of water, sometimes called black water. Category 3 cleanup uses personal protective equipment, sealed disposal and EPA-registered disinfectants.
If sewage has reached your home, rental or business in Old Town or elsewhere in Multnomah County, get raw sewage cleanup, sewage removal and disinfection from Old Town Biohazard Cleanup Help. A cleanup team works in protective equipment and follows OSHA safety rules for infectious materials.
Many homes in Portland, about 63%, date from before 1980. Older plumbing is a common source of backups, and older flooring and trim soak up sewage deeply. With roughly 44 inches of annual rainfall in Old Town, saturated ground and storm runoff add pressure to sewer pipes, a common cause of basement and crawl space backups.
What sewage & biohazard cleanup covers:
- Containment and negative air to keep contamination out of unaffected rooms
- Decontamination of HVAC components and air paths when sewage odor has spread
- Spot checks of the affected area and documentation for insurers and landlords
- Raw sewage removal from floors, basements, crawl spaces, garages and utility rooms
- Disinfection of hard surfaces, framing and subfloors with EPA-registered products
From Sewer Backup to Safe Space: The Process in Old Town, Portland, OR
2. Pump and remove
Wastewater is taken out of the building, and standing liquid in crawl spaces or low corners is cleared.
3. Take out what absorbed it
Porous items soaked by Category 3 water are removed, and the crew sorts belongings into keep and discard with the owner.
4. Treat and verify
Disinfectant is applied to every affected surface, the space is dried and aired out, and the crew inspects the finished work.
Sewage & Biohazard Cleanup Cost in Old Town, Portland, OR
Sewage & biohazard cleanup in Old Town, Portland, OR typically costs $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Whether the area has finished surfaces or bare concrete affects the work. Sealed floors disinfect easily, while wood and unsealed masonry need more attention.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Category 3 sewage | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Most homeowners | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Typical project | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $7.50 - $7.50 per square foot |
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.
Sewage Cleanup Frequently Asked Questions in Old Town, Portland, OR
What illnesses can raw sewage cause?
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.
How do I disinfect a basement after a sewer backup?
After the sewage and soaked materials are out, floors and walls are scrubbed with a cleaner, then treated with an EPA-registered disinfectant used by label directions. Unsealed concrete can hold odor and needs extra attention. Crews often handle this step with professional equipment.
Do plumbers clean up sewage?
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.
What is Category 3 water, also called black water?
Category 3 water is the most contaminated level, and sewage is the standard example. It can carry disease-causing germs and should never be cleaned with household supplies alone. Flood water that touched sewage is treated the same way.
Is sewage cleanup the same as water damage restoration?
No. Water from a clean source can often be dried in place, but sewage is a biohazard that requires removal of contaminated materials and disinfection. Drying alone does not make a sewage-affected space safe.
Is a sewage backup a biohazard?
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.
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Need sewage removal in Multnomah County?
Call Old Town Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 any hour, including nights and weekends.
Call (877) 812-4220