When sewer pipes become blocked, the thick, black water that presents as sewage is a health danger, and is extremely unsanitary as it contains contaminants such as pathogens, bacteria, and viruses that can present a risk of severe illness if exposed to humans or animals. If you have a sewer backed up in your basement, or your toilet has backed up, you will need to fix it quickly, or you will end up with dirty water all over your home or business. Knowing the cause of sewer backups, however, may help you prevent a hazardous situation in your basement, home or business. Following is a list of items that may help to prevent and deal with sewage backups:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Blocked Drain Pipes – Sewage backs up into your home or business when your drain pipes or main sewer pipes become blocked. As an example: if one bathroom starts a sewage backup, the connected drain and/or numerous toilets and the main line may become caught up in the problem.
  • Imposing Tree Roots – Trees that have large strong long roots have the potential to grow through and around pipes, even demolishing sewer pipes. Tree roots can extend out to a long distance and wreak havoc on your pipes, leading to a sewer backup. Be very aware of roots near your sewer mainline or septic tank area to protect them from damage.
  • Aging & Damaged Sewer Lines – Aging sewer lines, pipes, drains and septic systems will fail by slowly cracking and crumbling over time – resulting in sewage backups, flooded homes, and basements full of sewage. Keep in mind the age of your home and community and keep an eye out for these potential problems.
  • Heavy Rainfall Amounts – Large amounts of rainfall can overwhelm your main storm and sewer mains. If it happens that your public sewers can’t handle large rainfall amounts, the flooding can work its way into the sewer lines linked to the mainline, and place your home or business in a likely dangerous risk of sewer backup. There is a risk of severe health issues when in and around flooding waters in your town or city that happens from flooding in rivers and streams, hurricanes, and other similar weather, when water combines with sewage, contaminants and chemicals. When wading in these waters use extreme caution, and also when the water recedes and starts drying. Organic matter that is dried out can then become aerosolized and present a threat of inhaling in these contaminants. Be positive to use proper PPE to guard against these dangerous risks.

Our Bryan/College Station and Brazos Valley process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

The PuroClean process for cleaning and restoring Category 3 water, which is sewer and polluted water backup cleaning and restoration as set forth by IICRC industry standards, consisting of:

1. Ensuring safety for all employees and occupants by placing strict rules on site access to remediation personnel only in order to prevent health related occurrences.

2. Valuation of the jobsite along with health and safety surveys.

3. Ensure all remediation employees are supplied with and use the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes, but isn’t limited to the following:

  • Rubber boots with steel toes and shank
  • Full-face respirator
  • Full body suit protection
  • Nitrile and cut resistant gloves

4. Institute engineering controls, critical barriers if required to prevent cross-contamination.

5. Preventing all potential dangers and safety risks if possible.

6. Removal of bulk water, dirt, and contaminates.

7. Disposal of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials that are not salvageable, which can be but are not limited to:

  • Carpet, rugs, pad, or underlayment
  • Gypsum board (Drywall)
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Padded and upholstered items

8. Cleaning procedures implemented, as well as the use of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Full physical cleaning of all structure items that remain

10. We recommend using a third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) to conduct clearance testing to ensure the building is returned to a sanitary pre-loss state for health and safety.

11. All materials affected by excess waters are to be dried and returned to pre-loss dry condition

12. Post restoration cleaning of all equipment used

13. All demo materials removed from the building

For the Perfect Professional Bryan/College Station and Brazos Valley Sewage Cleanup Company, Call PuroClean Today!

Contact the PuroClean specialists for sewage removal, cleaning and restoration. Whether it’s from a clogged toilet, flood waters or sewage drain backups to manage the problem for your home or business. PuroClean uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and cleansing tools to completely and effectively clean and salvage all affected items and structures.

The sheer quality of our sewage removal and cleaning services, in addition to the speed in which we deliver the work, as well as our compassion demonstrated throughout the process helps make PuroClean your perfect damage remediation and restoration firm. We vow to do everything possible and within our power to fully remediate properties in all the neighborhoods that make up our coverage areas.

*Not all PuroClean offices offer sewage cleanup and sanitation cleaning services.

FAQ

What is Biohazard?

Biohazards are any biological contaminants such as those found in sewage, mold, or any viral or bacterial contamination such as MRSA. Biohazards also include toxins found in decaying organisms, as well as [...]

Should I wear a face mask to prevent infection?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requests that we all do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  We can do this by avoiding close contact [...]

Can I use household products to prevent the Coronavirus?

There is no proven home remedy for this virus.  Extreme heat or cold, nasal saline solutions, eating or applying garlic or onions to the skin, spraying alcohol or chlorine on [...]

Is blood a biohazard?

Blood itself is not a biohazard, it’s what may be in the potentially hazardous blood, such as bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) or infectious microorganisms, that can cause diseases. [...]

How can I sterilize my home after taking care of a patient with the Coronavirus?

Cleaning your home after it has been compromised by someone with the Coronavirus infection is an important followup to keeping yourself and your family members safe.  Be sure to thoroughly [...]