How To Clean Up After Sewage Damage
3/16/2023 (Permalink)
A sewage backup is a very serious issue and can cause a lot of damage to your home. It's important that you take the time to clean up after sewage damage in your home or business as soon as possible, but it's also important that you do so safely. We always recommend calling in professionals to deal with the aftermath of a sewage backup. Below are the steps they will take.
Prevention is better than cure.
Prevention is better than cure. It's a saying that's been around for ages, and it holds true when it comes to sewage damage in your basement. The best way you can prevent this disaster from happening is by checking your plumbing system regularly and making sure that everything is working properly. If you have any concerns about the state of your plumbing, don't hesitate to call in a professional plumber who can inspect it for problems before they become serious issues.
Safety First
Before you begin the cleanup process, it's important to take a few precautions. First and foremost, make sure that everyone is out of the affected area.
Next comes personal protective equipment (PPE): rubber boots, gloves, and eyewear are essential items here--don't touch anything without these on! You'll also want a mask over your mouth so you don't breathe in any sewage-related bacteria or viruses that might be present in the water.
Locate The Source
When you're dealing with a sewage backup, you'll want to do is locate the source of the problem. If there's no main shut-off valve in your basement or crawlspace, look for it on an outside wall near where water flows into your home. Then turn off all water sources (including toilets) from there until everything stops flowing into the area where sewage backup occurred.
Clear The Affected Areas
Once you have removed all of the water, it is important to remove any damaged materials. Anything that has been saturated with sewage should be discarded as it could cause further damage to your home or basement. In addition to removing any damaged items, be sure to remove any debris that could cause further damage if left behind after cleanup. It's also advisable for homeowners who are unsure whether something is contaminated to not touch it at all until professionals can asses the affected materials.
Remove Sewage Water
Now that you've removed the sewage water, it's time to begin cleaning up your basement. The first step is using a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much of the remaining liquid as possible from your basement flooring and walls. After removing as much water as possible with a wet vac, soak up any remaining moisture in hard-to-reach areas like corners and edges of rooms.
Clean & Sanitize
You should also clean and sanitize the affected area. If you have sewage damage in your basement, use a disinfectant to clean the affected area. A disinfectant will kill any bacteria that might be present in the water or on surfaces where it has been touched and prevent mold and bacteria growth. Professionals will also use special equipment and cleaning solutions to remove any odor left behind.
Dry Out The Area
The last step of removing moisture after a loss is to dry out the area. To do this effectively, you'll need to use powerful fans and dehumidifiers. Fans will help circulate air throughout your home, which helps with drying out the affected area. Dehumidifiers are another way of removing moisture from the air, as they pull water from their surroundings and store it in a tank for later removal from your home.
Sewage Backups Can Be Cleaned
Sewage backup can be cleaned up, but it takes a lot of work by trained professionals. If you're not careful, you could make your problem worse or spread it to other parts of your home.
In order to prevent sewage backups in the future, we recommend that you call a professional plumber to check out your pipes and drains regularly. They will be able to tell if there are any problems with them and fix them before a loss occurs.
If your home or business has suffered from a sewage backup, it is important to call in professionals who have experience dealing with this type of damage. They will know how best to handle the situation and get your property back up and running again!