Typical cleanout crew
Standard Cleaning
Standard cleaning only treats visible surfaces, leaving hidden pathogens and odors trapped deep within.
Remnant
Drug Decontamination
We eliminate biohazards at the molecular level, using advanced ATP testing to guarantee 100% decontamination.
From San Francisco to Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Oakland, and Sausalito, a technician is never far from the call.
How a Drug Incident Inside a San Francisco Property Affects the Building
The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported 589 accidental overdose deaths through the first 11 months of 2024, down from 760 over the same period in 2023, with the heaviest concentration historically in the Tenderloin. That is the context our crews respond into. The property side of the situation runs separately from the human side, and the contamination it leaves behind is invisible on day one.
Fentanyl absorbs into drywall paper and carpet padding. Methamphetamine settles into HVAC ductwork and porous surfaces. In San Francisco's older Victorian and Edwardian housing stock, the original redwood and plaster construction can hold residue in ways that newer materials do not, which often means a more extensive treatment sequence. The cleanup needs to be done by a properly registered company so the waste tracking runs from collection through final disposal.
Our Step-by-Step Drug Cleanup Process
Site Assessment
A technician evaluates the property, reviews any law enforcement documentation, and identifies the type and scope of contamination.
Containment Setup
Sheeting and air filtration close off the affected space so airborne particles and residues stay contained during the work.
Soft Good Removal
Mattresses, upholstery, carpet, padding, and porous items that have absorbed residue are extracted and bagged for disposal.
Surface Decontamination
Walls, ceilings, hard flooring, and fixtures are washed with chemistry suited to the specific drug residue present.
HVAC and Air Treatment
Ductwork is cleaned or replaced where needed, and HEPA scrubbers run until airborne contamination is cleared.
Clearance Testing
Surface samples are pulled and analyzed to confirm levels meet California decontamination standards.
How a Drug-Affected San Francisco Property Gets Tested and Cleared
The first step is sampling. The crew identifies what substance is present and how far the contamination has spread through the property before any cleaning chemistry is applied to a surface, because fentanyl and methamphetamine require their own respective chemistry, and a generic treatment will not pass a retest.
Through the cleaning phase, the protective layer is chemical-vapor-rated full-face respiration, sealed Tyvek, and doubled nitrile, with the affected portion of the property under sealed negative-pressure containment for the duration. For San Francisco's older Victorian and Edwardian housing stock, the treatment sequence factors in how original redwood and plaster materials hold residue, which often requires a longer or more layered treatment pass than newer materials would. Post-cleaning samples confirm the result. The complete file, sampling data, post-treatment numbers, disposal chain of custody, comes back to the property owner.
When Drug Cleanup Is Needed
Landlords clearing a rental after a tenant arrest, overdose, or eviction
Homebuyers and estate executors taking on a property with a contamination history
OSHA
Certified
24/7
Response
99.9%
Cleanup Success Rate
"Found out one of our rentals had been used as a meth lab. Remnant was certified for the work and got us through clearance testing. They knew exactly what the state required."
Still Have Questions?
Are you qualified to handle drug cleanup in California?
Our crews are trained in OSHA bloodborne pathogen and hazardous materials protocols, follow EPA and California DOH guidance, and work to the same 1.5 µg/100 cm² standard the state uses.
How much does drug cleanup cost?
It varies with the size of the property and how far the residue spread, but most jobs run from a few thousand to the low five figures. We provide a written estimate after testing.
How long does the cleanup take?
A smoking-only apartment usually clears in two to three days including lab turnaround. A full lab cleanup on a house generally runs one to two weeks.
Will my insurance cover it?
Often, especially when the contamination came from a tenant, a crime, or vandalism rather than the policyholder's own use. We document everything and work directly with your adjuster.