Human Feces & Urine Cleanup in Lakewood Village, Long Beach, CA

It depends on the cause. Many homeowners policies cover sudden events, such as a toilet overflow, while some exclude long-term damage or neglect. Renters policies often cover the renter's belongings but not the building. Call the insurer before cleanup starts.

Strong fumes can cause headaches, nausea and irritation, especially in a closed room. Long-term exposure in a heavily contaminated home is a health concern. Leave the room, ventilate it and have a cleanup team remove the source.

Put on disposable gloves and eye protection, lift the waste with disposable towels and bag it. Then clean the area and disinfect it with an EPA-registered product by the label. Soaked porous materials usually have to be removed.

Relatives or an estate sometimes cover the cost. Free help exists in some places for people with low incomes, and a local social services office may know of it. Ask the cleanup team about payment plans too.

Yes. Human feces can carry bacteria and viruses such as E. coli, hepatitis A and norovirus. In large amounts, or when it soaks into building materials, it is cleaned with protective gear and disinfected like any other biohazard.

In a rental, the lease and local law decide who pays, and a landlord, an attorney or a tenant rights group can say. In most other cases the owner of the home or the person arranging the cleanup pays.