Pittsburgh’s older homes, steep hills and aging sewer system shape its biohazard cleanups. Much of the region is served by combined sewers that carry both sewage and rain, and heavy storms can push sewage into basements. Hoarding, trauma scenes and animal waste need careful cleanup too.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent biohazard cleanup provider that serves the Pittsburgh area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Why biohazard cleanup is needed in Pittsburgh
Combined sewers
Much of the Pittsburgh area uses combined sewers that carry both rainwater and sewage, and heavy storms can overload them and back up into basements.
Older homes and basements
Many homes are decades old, with basements, floor drains and aging sewer laterals that can crack or fill with roots.
Hoarding
Hoarding cleanup often uncovers mold, pests and hidden sharp objects in built up items.
Rodents and animal waste
Rodents and other animals can nest in attics and basements, leaving droppings and urine soaked insulation.
Areas across Pittsburgh
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Pittsburgh, including neighborhoods such as Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, the South Side, Bloomfield, Mount Washington and Brookline, and in nearby places such as Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Penn Hills, Monroeville, McKeesport and Cranberry.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Pittsburgh. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Pittsburgh, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Homes in other cities, such as Mount Lebanon, Penn Hills or Monroeville, follow the rules of that city or county.
In Pennsylvania, most home improvement contractors must register with the Office of Attorney General, and you can check a registration online.
Seasonal risks in Pittsburgh
If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911. After a death or a crime, the police and medical examiner must finish their work before cleanup begins.
- Spring and summer: heavy storms bring sewer backups.
- Winter: freezes can crack old sewer and water lines.
- Fall and winter: rodents move indoors.
- All year: hoarding and trauma cleanup can be needed at any time.
Be prepared
- Ask a plumber about a backwater valve if your basement has backed up before
- Check whether your insurance includes sewer backup coverage
- Keep valuables off basement floors
- Report public sewer problems to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
- Keep drains clear of grease
Learn more before you call
Our main biohazard cleanup guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Pittsburgh just as it does everywhere else.
Pittsburgh questions
Who handles sewer problems in Pittsburgh?
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority handles public sewer lines in the city. Cleanup inside your home is usually the homeowner’s responsibility.
Is there help with crime scene cleanup costs in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program may help eligible victims with crime scene cleanup costs. Check with the program directly.
Does insurance cover a basement sewer backup?
Often only with a sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy.
Does Sifixit have an office in Pittsburgh?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Pittsburgh area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.