Sewage flooding, normally occurring from the basement or bathroom, is a crucial problem that needs to be addressed immediately. When there are minor flood incidents which you can tackle yourself, sewage flood cleanup entails several risks that would not make it DIY-friendly. If you are considering cleaning up sewage flooding yourself, you might set your health, home, and wallet at risk.
Sewage consists of greywater (from utilities like sinks, showers, tubs, and dishwashers) or worse — black water. It is the water used to flush toilets mixed with the individual waste that it flushes away. Sewage backups in your home can result from different causes — clogs from the home’s drain pipes, tree roots, damaged sewer lines, and much more.
Sewage, especially black water, contains contaminants ranging from viruses and parasites to germs and fungi.
Mold growth is just another risk when trying DIY sewage cleanup. Flu vulnerability can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and individuals with compromised immune systems. Flooding provides ideal conditions for mold to develop since it merely needs moisture, organic substance, and optimum temperature. What is worse — it can grow within just 24 to 48 hours of the incident.
However, the greatest danger is not the chance of disorder, but the possibility of electrocution or burst. Never go into a flooded area or light matches until the utility companies have shut off the gas and electric service.
It’s also advisable to never enter your house if the main power switch was not turned off before the flood. Touching electric lines, cables, equipment, and fittings during and after a flood, in spite of the power, switched off, can be dangerous.
Why Sewage Flood Cleanup Requires Professional Restoration
Water damage is a complicated issue, therefore the more you wait to manage standing water, the greater the harm to your home. Your carpets, your furniture, your own walls, plus a great deal more, will be compromised without rapid and suitable intervention.
What’s more, sewage flood recovery introduces unique challenges and very real risks. Professional restoration technicians use the correct equipment and follow standard safety procedures and remediation methods that average homeowners wouldn’t normally have access to.
In a nutshell, here’s what professionals do to revive your property:
- Pump out polluted water and eliminate debris
- Identify and address the root of the sewage backup
- Remove and replace damaged drywall and flooring if necessary
- Use industrial dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to speed up the drying process
- Sanitize the area using specialized cleaners and procedures; this helps remove bacteria and mold to prevent health risks and preserve infrastructure and belongings.
A seasoned restoration company can also assist with the insurance claims process.
Considering the difficulty and health risks of DIY sewage cleanup, we strongly recommend that you leave this crucial task in the hands of professionals. You can count on our own IICRC-certified PuroClean teams 24/7 for water damage repair services and emergency cleanup services, which means you can rest easy knowing that your home will return in order quickly and efficiently. Check out the PuroClean services for more information.
