The national average for sewage cleanup costs about $7 per square foot. However, several factors will impact the overall cost. While you can clean up a raw sewage backup on your own, it poses a significant health risk to your family and pets. We look at factors that impact the sewage cleanup cost and steps to take to ensure you are safe during cleanup.
How Much Does Cleaning Up a Sewage Backup Cost?
While raw sewage cleanup costs about $7 per foot, several factors determine the total price. Additionally, this is just an average and your cost could be higher or lower.
1. Amount of Sewage
One of the biggest factors that drive up the cost is the amount of sewage involved. The amount of sewage depends on what caused the sewer line clog and how much wastewater is involved.
2. Size of the Area
Another important factor in the cost of sewage cleanup is the size of the area. A backup in a small laundry room is less expensive to repair than if the sewage covers your entire basement.
3. How Long the Sewage Sits
Since a major part of sewage is water, it can soak into flooring, walls, and cabinets. The longer the sewage is left in your home, the more will soak in and cause damage.
4. Plumbing Repairs
Depending on the cause of the backup, you may need plumbing repairs as well. For example, it’s more expensive to repair a cracked sewer line than it is to just clear a clog.
5. Amount of Reconstruction
Sewage cleanup costs also include repairing and restoring your home as well. It’s less expensive to clean and repair an unfinished basement than a finished family room.
6. Materials Involved
Finally, the materials damaged in the backup can increase the cost as well. While you can usually save tile floors, carpeting usually needs to be replaced and drives up the cost.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to predict how much cleaning up sewage will cost without seeing the extent of the damage firsthand. Also, your home insurance may cover damage from a sewage backup.
Does Home Insurance Cover Sewage Cleanup?
In some cases, your home insurance will cover the cost of cleaning up sewage. The main exception is when the backup is caused by storm flooding. If you are concerned about whether your damage is covered, contact your insurance company.
Additionally, our restoration specialists are happy to call your insurance company with you. They speak the language, can explain the damage to your adjuster, and even help translate what your adjuster says.
Plus, they can bill your insurance directly. This makes the entire process easier on you, saving you time and helping to restore your home as soon as possible.
What are the Advantages of Hiring a Restoration Company?
Although you can clean up raw sewage on your own, sewage cleanup and removal companies have the training and equipment to restore your home fast. They not only address the health risks but also help limit the amount of damage.
- Training and certifications to clean and repair your home fast
- Truck-mounted pumps to remove sewage fast
- High-volume fans and structural drying dehumidifiers to quickly dry out your home
- Commercial cleaners and disinfectants to kill bacteria
- Tools and equipment to restore your home to its pre-loss condition
Do you have a sewage backup in your basement or home? Call 1-888-443-3110 now for a free quote and immediate sewage cleanup.
