When a sewer line is obstructed, the sewage that is thick and dark is dangerous to your health. This sewer water is extremely unsanitary, containing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and pathogens. All of these dangerous germs can pose a serious health risk and lead to many illnesses if humans or animals suffer exposure. If it happens that you experience sewage backup on the premises of your home or business, or a toilet backup in either location, repairing either one is of the highest priority. Having this unsanitary sewer water in your home is not safe and should be removed quickly. Also, knowing what is causing the sewer obstruction may aid in stopping this potentially hazardous incident. To help you in handling sewage backups in your home or business, here’s a list of things that may help:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Clogged Sewer Line – Sewage backs up into your home or business when your drain lines or main sewer lines become blocked. For example: if one toilet starts a sewage backup, the connected drain and/or many toilets and the main line may become fouled.
  • Imposing Tree Roots – Trees that have large strong plentiful roots have the ability to grow through and around pipes, even crushing sewer pipes. Tree roots can extend out to a long distance and wreak havoc on your pipes, causing a sewer backup. Keep an eye out for roots near your drain lines or septic tank area to guard from damage.
  • Aging & Damaged Sewer Lines – Older sewer lines, pipes, drains and septic systems can fail by slowly cracking and failing over time – leading to sewage backups, water filled homes, and basements full of sewer water. Keep in mind the age of your home and community and look out for these potential problems.
  • Large Rainfall Amounts – Large amounts of rainfall can overcome your main storm and sewer mains. If it turns out that your public sewers can’t handle large rainfall levels, the water can make its way into the sewer lines connected to the mainline, and place your home or business in a possibly dangerous exposure of sewer backup. There is a risk of genuine health issues when in and around rising waters in your town or city that happens from flooding in rivers and streams, hurricanes, and other associated weather, when water blends 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 convert to be aerosolized and present a threat of inhaling in these contaminants. Be sure to use proper PPE to guard against these dangerous risks.

Our Metro-East Illinois and St. Louis process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

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

1. Ensure all personnel and occupants remain safe by restricting access to the site to restoration employees only in order to prevent any health-related issues.

2. Health and Safety checks and assessment of the entire work premises.

3. Be positive that all restoration employees are equipped with the precise personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes but is not limited to:

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

4. Engineering controls utilized and condemnatory barriers used (if needed) stopping cross-contamination.

5. Eradicating all potential hazards and safety risks if possible.

6. Clearing the work area of all bulk water, soil, and contaminates.

7. Removing any and all porous and semi-porous contaminated articles that are unable to be saved, which includes but is 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. A clearance test by a third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is recommended to ensure the building is returned to a pre-affected condition for health and safety.

11. All materials affected by water to be dried and returned to pre-loss standard

12. All equipment used on the project to be cleaned after restoration completion

13. All demo materials removed from the building

For Professional Sewage Cleanup in Metro-East Illinois and St. Louis, Call PuroClean!

Contact the PuroClean specialists for sewage abatement, cleaning and remediation. Whether it’s from a blocked toilet, flood waters or sewer pipe backups to take care of the problem for your home or business. PuroClean uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and cleansing tools to completely and efficiently clean and restore all affected items and structures.

The sheer value of our sewer water removal and cleaning services, in addition to the speed in which we deliver the work, as well as our empathy demonstrated throughout the entire project helps make PuroClean your ideal damage remediation and restoration company. We strive to do everything feasible and within our power to restore and rescue properties in all the neighborhoods that make up our coverage areas.

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

FAQ

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 [...]

Can pets at home spread the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV, also known as COVID-19)?

There is currently no evidence that household pets can be infected with or transmit the Coronavirus.  However, the CDC recommends having limited contact with household pets and other animals until [...]

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 [...]

How can I properly disinfect my home to keep it germ-free during my pregnancy after someone sick has visited my home?

As of March 17, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not have information specifically regarding how pregnant women are reacting to COVID-19 exposure. However, it should be noted [...]

How contagious is the Coronavirus?

According to the World Health Organization, transmission appears to be limited; however, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk [...]