A Look At The Sewer Cleanup Process
Posted on: 30 May 2023
A sewer backup in your home is an emergency situation. It's not only unpleasant, sewage is toxic. Contact with sewage or anything that touched the sewage could make you very sick. That's why it's better to call a restoration company to deal with sewer cleanup instead of doing the work yourself. Here's how sewer cleanup might be done by professionals.
Take Protective Measures
Depending on how much water has flooded your home, the sewer cleanup crew may need to turn off the power and water. They'll also need to wear protective clothing, boots, gloves, respirators, and goggles. Working in a sewage backup area is dangerous. Even if the water seems fairly clear, it may still harbor dangerous bacteria, so everything has to be treated like it's contaminated and unsafe to touch or breathe in.
Get Rid Of Standing Water And Sludge
The sewer cleanup company needs to get rid of standing water quickly before mold starts growing. They may need to bail it out or use wet vacs. There might also be sludge on the floor that needs to be scooped up with a shovel and bagged to haul away. They'll also need to determine what can be saved, if anything. Most items that have sewage or sewage water on them need to be thrown out. However, furniture that only has the feet contaminated or some sentimental items might be saved. It takes the knowledge and experience of a professional to recognize what can be saved and what can't.
Sanitize The Space
Every room where the water touched has to be sanitized. If it's possible bacteria got in the duct system, your entire home may need to be sanitized along with the ducts to remove germs from the air. Hard surfaces can be sanitized with bleach and water. A sewer cleanup company may have other cleaning materials they can use, too. Before sanitizing, everything that is to be thrown out must be removed. This might include flooring, vanity cabinets, and drywall if the water was high enough. Also, hidden water has to be found and removed if there is any behind walls or under floors. After sanitizing the areas that need it, your home may need to be deodorized with odor-neutralizing machines so your home smells clean and fresh.
Restore Your Home
The final step is to replace the flooring and drywall so your home looks normal again. All the phases of sewer cleanup and restoration could take a matter of weeks, but drying out your house is the most important step, and hopefully, that can be done quickly if you handle the problem soon enough.
For more information about sewer cleanup in your home, reach out to a local service.
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