Certified Cleanup for the Messes Nobody Should Face Alone
Some property emergencies are unpleasant. Others are genuinely dangerous — and a few are heartbreaking. Biohazard cleanup covers all three: raw sewage in a living space, a trauma or crime scene, an unattended death, or a home overwhelmed by hoarding. These situations involve pathogens that can cause serious illness, and they involve people going through one of the hardest days of their lives. DRYmedic of Charleston handles both sides of that equation — the science and the humanity — with certified crews, professional protective equipment, and genuine compassion.
We respond 24/7 across the Charleston metro, from downtown and James Island to Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Summerville. Every job is contained, cleaned, disinfected with EPA-registered products, and verified before we call it done.
Sewage Backups: A Lowcountry Reality
When a hard Lowcountry downpour dumps inches of rain in an afternoon, older drain and sewer systems around Charleston can simply run out of capacity — and the overflow finds its way back up through floor drains, tubs, and toilets. Aging sewer laterals, root intrusion, and grease blockages cause the same result on a dry day. However it happens, sewage in your home is classified as Category 3 water: grossly contaminated water carrying bacteria like E. coli, viruses, and parasites.
Category 3 losses can't be handled like a clean-water leak. Porous materials that absorbed sewage — carpet and pad, drywall, insulation, particleboard — generally must be removed and disposed of properly, not just dried. Our crews contain the affected area, extract the waste, remove contaminated materials, clean and disinfect every remaining surface with EPA-registered disinfectants, and then dry the structure to verified standards. If the backup soaked walls or flooring beyond the visible mess, our water damage restoration team handles the structural drying and repairs as part of the same job.
Why DIY Sewage Cleanup Is a Bad Idea
- The pathogens are invisible. A floor can look clean and still harbor infectious bacteria in grout lines, under baseboards, and inside wall cavities.
- Household products don't disinfect Category 3 contamination. Consumer cleaners and a mop aren't designed for this — and a shop vac can aerosolize contaminated water into the air you breathe.
- Porous materials can't be saved by scrubbing. Sewage-soaked carpet and drywall need removal and compliant disposal, not deodorizer.
- Incomplete cleanup invites mold. In Charleston's humidity, any moisture left behind becomes a mold remediation job within days.
Trauma & Crime Scene Cleanup — Discreet and Compassionate
After a traumatic event, the last thing a family should have to do is clean the scene themselves. Our trauma cleanup crews arrive discreetly — unmarked vehicles are available on request — and work quietly and respectfully, coordinating with law enforcement and other authorities whenever an investigation is involved. We never begin work until the scene has been released.
Blood and bodily fluids are treated as biohazardous under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Our technicians work in full personal protective equipment, contain the affected area, remove and package biohazardous waste for compliant disposal, and clean and disinfect all remaining surfaces with hospital-grade, EPA-registered products. Just as important: we treat every family with patience and compassion. You will not be rushed, and nothing about your situation will be discussed with anyone who doesn't need to know.
Unattended Death Cleanup
When a death goes undiscovered for a period of time, decomposition creates biological contamination and odor that penetrate flooring, subfloor, and the surrounding air. This is not something family members should attempt to address — physically or emotionally. We handle the entire remediation: containment, removal of affected materials, deep cleaning and disinfection, and professional odor neutralization. Where personal belongings can be safely cleaned and preserved, our contents restoration team documents and restores them with care, because we understand those items may matter more now than ever.
Hoarding Cleanup
Hoarding situations often involve more than clutter — accumulated waste, animal contamination, pests, and hidden structural moisture are common. We approach these projects without judgment and at a pace the family or property owner is comfortable with. Our crews sort methodically, set aside valuables and documents for the family's review, remove biohazardous material safely, and clean and disinfect the home so it's livable again. If the process uncovers water damage or mold — which it frequently does — we remediate that too.
Standards, Disinfection & Disposal You Can Trust
Biohazard work is governed by real rules, and we follow them. Our crews are trained to OSHA bloodborne pathogen requirements, use EPA-registered disinfectants applied per label instructions, and package and dispose of biohazardous waste through compliant channels — it never goes in a curbside bin. Everything is documented, which also matters for your insurance claim: many biohazard and sewage losses are covered in whole or in part, and we work with your carrier from the first phone call, just as we do on every commercial and residential loss we handle.
Frequently Asked Questions — Biohazard & Sewage
Is sewage cleanup covered by insurance?
Many policies cover sewage backups only if you carry a water backup endorsement — a common add-on in Charleston, where heavy rain regularly overwhelms older drain systems. We document the loss thoroughly and work directly with your carrier so you know exactly where you stand.
How discreet is your trauma cleanup service?
Very. We can arrive in unmarked or low-profile vehicles on request, work behind closed doors, and keep every detail confidential. Our crews are trained to treat families with compassion and to coordinate respectfully with law enforcement when needed.
Why can't I clean up sewage myself?
Sewage is Category 3 water — it carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illness on contact or through the air. Household cleaners and shop vacs can't disinfect porous materials, and improper cleanup often spreads contamination instead of removing it.
How soon can you respond?
We answer and dispatch 24/7, 365 days a year from our James Island location. Biohazard and sewage calls are treated as emergencies — the longer contamination sits, the further it spreads into flooring, drywall, and the air in your home.