In Washington, many biohazard cleanups start in the basement. Older parts of the city are served by a combined sewer system that carries both sewage and rain, and heavy storms can push sewage back into row house basements. Hoarding, trauma scenes and animal waste need careful, trained 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 Washington 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 Washington
Combined sewers
Older parts of the District use a combined sewer system that carries both rainwater and sewage. In very heavy rain it can back up into low basements.
Flash flooding
Intense storms can flood streets and basements fast. In July 2019, a sudden downpour flooded parts of the city in about an hour.
Row house basements
Many homes are row houses with finished basements below street level, which are the first places sewage and flood water reach.
Summer heat
Hot, humid summers speed up decay and odor after an unattended death or a sewage spill.
Areas across Washington
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Washington, including neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Petworth, Bloomingdale, Navy Yard, Brookland and Anacostia, and in nearby cities such as Arlington, Alexandria, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Takoma Park and Hyattsville.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Washington. 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 Washington, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the DC Department of Buildings. Homes in other cities, such as Arlington, Alexandria or Silver Spring, follow the rules of that city or county.
In the District, home improvement contractors must be licensed through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, and you can check a license online.
Seasonal risks in Washington
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.
- Summer: thunderstorms bring flash floods and sewer backups.
- Hurricane remnants: tropical rain can overwhelm sewers in late summer and fall.
- Summer heat: speeds up decay and odor.
- 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 flooded before
- Check whether your insurance includes sewer backup coverage
- Keep valuables off basement floors
- Report sewer problems in the street to DC Water
- Keep drains clear of grease, which causes backups
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 Washington just as it does everywhere else.
Washington questions
Who handles sewer problems in DC?
DC Water runs the public sewer system. Report backups or overflows in public areas to DC Water. Cleanup inside your home is usually the homeowner’s responsibility.
Does insurance cover a sewer backup in my basement?
Often only with a sewer backup endorsement. Flood water from outside needs separate flood insurance.
Is there help with crime scene cleanup costs in DC?
The District’s Crime Victims Compensation Program may help eligible victims with some costs. Check with the program directly.
Does Sifixit have an office in Washington?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Washington 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.