Sewage backup is annoying. Here’s how to deal with it!
What Causes a Sewage Backup?
Before jumping to the sewage backup cleanup side of things, it helps to understand how this problem came to be. Several potential circumstances can be at play, including:
- Sewer lines become blocked or clogged.
- Flooding or heavy rainfall that leads to sewers overflowing.
- Malfunctions being present in sump pumps or sewage ejection systems.
- The presence of tree root intrusion, which can lead to disrupted sewer lines.
Regardless of the reason, these things can happen incredibly quickly, and they’re usually unexpected too. Still, you must take the right measures in the shortest possible order. After all, your health is at risk and the potential damage could spiral out of control.
Never Neglect Your Sewage Backup Cleanup Safety Checklist
First, you’ll want to go through your safety checklist. Considering the different kinds of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that may be present, you can never be too careful. Thankfully, it’s all neatly arranged in the straightforward table below.
| What to Do | Why You Should Do It |
| Wear personal protective gear. | A face mask/respirator, goggles, boots, and rubber gloves are recommended. |
| Ensure children and pets are kept away. | Pets and children may not understand the situation, which means they can expose themselves to sewage water, leading to health complications later. |
| Keep the area ventilated. | Contaminated air in inhalation is a serious concern, so open windows and doors to allow ventilation, which minimizes risk factors. |
| Ensure there is no direct contact. | If possible, do not touch the sewage water. You also want to avoid stepping into it. |
Before the Cleaning
What happens before a sewage backup cleanup is as important as what you do once you get started. The first step is always the assessment. Try to pinpoint where the backup is coming from.
With that out of the way, you then want to note the areas of the property that have been affected by the problem. This may include personal belongings, walls, floors, etc. You also want to take the time to note any structural damage, as well as the volume of sewage water present.
After the assessment, it’s time to stop the flow. Getting the main water supply turned off may be necessary here, especially if there is a clogged line at play. Doing this will prevent the overflow from going further out of control.
Bear in mind that you may not be able to easily identify the source of the backup, which is an indication that a professional needs to be called in to address the issue.
If the flow was successfully stopped, then removing sewage water needs to be taken care of before any cleaning of the backup can happen. For smaller amounts, wet-dry vacuums, mops, and buckets may be used. Submersible pumps can help when there is more to deal with, but this is usually a greater indication that the experts need to be brought in.
Time to Clean and Disinfect
At this point, the removal should be over, and this is where the sewage backup cleanup and disinfection start.
Porous materials, such as carpets, insulation, and upholstered furniture, should be removed. Next, proceed to clean hard surfaces such as walls, floors, and other fixtures with a detergent solution.
Once cleaned, a disinfectant solution needs to be used, as this will ensure that any remaining pathogens and bacteria are killed. Regardless of which product is used, manufacturer guidelines for application should be followed.
Finally, properly ventilate the building by opening any doors and windows. If available, a dehumidifier or fan should be used to evenly and completely dry any affected area.
Consider a Professional Touch
If a cleanup of a sewage backup is necessary, it’s usually best to leave it to the professionals. Even when the spill is mild, you wouldn’t believe the extent of the potential danger that exposure could mean. Additionally, there is no guarantee that your attempt will eliminate all pathogens, regardless of how comprehensive you are.
Fine Restoration offers best-in-class sewage backup cleanup in Kansas City. You’re getting expert services from a locally owned, licensed, and insured company with the qualifications and tools to keep you safe.
We are fully IICRC certified, and our team will quickly and effectively clean the backup. Our proven approach also prevents any harm to you or your loved ones.
Give us a call today at (913) 225-9718!
