1. Protect people first
Residents, tenants and staff are moved out of the area while the crew sets up protective gear and containment.
Lavaca, San Antonio, TX · Bexar County
Standing sewage in a Lavaca rental or shop cannot wait for the next business day. Call (877) 812-4220 to get containment, sewage removal, disinfection and a final check of the affected area.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
A sewer backup is wastewater forced back up through a drain or toilet into living space. Sewage backup cleanup removes that wastewater, disposes of contaminated materials and treats surfaces and odors.
When sewage backs up in your Lavaca property, call Lavaca Biohazard Cleanup Help for a crew that treats it as a Category 3 biohazard. The team removes the sewage, discards contaminated materials and disinfects the affected area in Bexar County with EPA-registered products.
Many homes in San Antonio, about 42%, date from before 1980. Older plumbing is a common source of backups, and older flooring and trim soak up sewage deeply. Renters make up about 48% of households in San Antonio. Tenants should tell the landlord right away, and the cleanup team can provide documentation for the lease and any claim.
The work often covers:
Residents, tenants and staff are moved out of the area while the crew sets up protective gear and containment.
Wastewater is taken out of the building, and standing liquid in crawl spaces or low corners is cleared.
Carpet, padding, drywall and insulation that soaked up sewage are cut out, bagged and hauled away as contaminated waste.
Remaining surfaces are washed and disinfected, and odor is removed at its source rather than covered up.
Most sewage & biohazard cleanup jobs in Lavaca, San Antonio, TX cost between $1,500 and $10,000, based on published cost guides.
Materials that must be removed change the scope of the job. Carpet and padding are quick to take out, while soaked drywall, cabinets and insulation add labor and disposal.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Most homeowners | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Category 3 sewage | $7.50 - $7.50 per square foot |
| Category 3 sewage | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Typical project | $2,000 - $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.
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.
Usually not. Carpet and padding soak up Category 3 water and cannot be reliably made safe, so they are cut out and discarded. Hard surfaces, sealed wood and items in closed containers can often be cleaned and kept.
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.
If sewage is still coming up, a plumber may need to stop the source. If sewage is already on the floor, a cleanup team can start containing it at once. Many property owners call both, and it does not matter much which is first. Sewer backup companies and plumbers often work one after the other on the same job.
Worker safety falls under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. Companies that haul other people's untreated medical waste register with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Plumbing and sewer rules vary by city and utility.
Common signs include a sewer smell in the yard or crawl space, soft or damp ground near the foundation, gurgling drains and slow drains in several fixtures at once. A plumber can confirm the leak. Once it is found, a cleanup team can take care of the contaminated soil, materials and odor.
See all biohazard cleanup services in Lavaca, San Antonio, TX →
Call (877) 812-4220 any hour and describe what is on the floor.
Call (877) 812-4220