Toilet and sewer pipe backups can result in sewage entering your basement or other parts of your home or business. This dark, thick water is extremely hazardous and contains quite a lot of dangerous contaminants. These contaminants consist of pathogens, bacteria and viruses and present health risks and sickness dangers if humans or animals experience exposure. Repairing these problems ASAP is imperative, as is getting rid of the sewage from your home or business. Having knowledge of what may cause sewer backups may help you prevent a hazardous situation in your home or basement. Following is a list of things that may aid in stopping sewage backups that could occur in your home or business:

Causes of Sewage Backup

  • Heavy Rainfall – Excess rains can overwhelm your town or city’s storm sewer system. If this happens, the water can swell into the attached sewer lines bringing your home or business in possible compromise of water backflow. Surging rivers and streams, hurricanes and other related events can force flood and sewage waters to blend and present serious health related dangers. You should be highly cautious when walking in this type of water, and even stay cautious after the water recedes and dries up. It’s possible for the organic matter to become aerosolized and able to be inhaled, meaning there’s a chance you could breathe it into your lungs. To stop contact or risk of breathing in these contaminants, legitimate PPE should be used at all times.
  • Tree Roots – Trees can have strong roots that grow into water or sewer lines and crush or damage them. Damage to pipes and a sewage backup can also be caused by tree roots that aren’t even on your premises. Be very aware of any tree roots that can reach your water and sewer lines that lead to the central sewer line or septic system.
  • Old/Aging Sewer Pipes – Older and aging sewage systems are susceptible to breaking down and cracking, causing sewer backups, flooded basements along with entire home flooding. The older your neighborhood or home may raise the chance of this type of catastrophe occurring.
  • Clogged and Blocked Drain Pipes – If your home or business’s main sewer line or drain pipes become clogged, sewage may back up inside the building. A good example is: if a single commode causes a sewage backup, the drains connected to that toilet, or the main drain lines of more toilets, will also become backed up.
  • Old and/or Damaged Lines – Older sewage systems have a propensity to fail and crumble, leading to sewage backups and flooded dwellings full of sewage. If your home or neighborhood is older, the probability is greater that you’ll experience failing sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Heavy Rain – Heavy and sudden rainfall can overpower your local storm sewer lines quickly. If these public sewers can’t deal with excess downpours, water can backup and progress into connected sewer lines. This can put your dwelling at risk of backflow problems. Regional flood waters from events like surging rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any rainy weather events can cause clean water to blend with sewage water and other chemicals and contaminants that cause serious health consequences. Use extreme carefulness when wading in this type of water, but also remain cautious once it dries. The dried organic waste can turn aerosolized and turn respirable. Correct PPE needs to be utilized at all times to prevent contact and risk inhaling polluted air.
  • Blocked/Clogged Sewer Lines – A clogged pipe or sewer line can force sewage to back up into your dwelling or business. If only one commode becomes backed up, the sewage backup can spread on to the sewer lines and affect all attached toilets on that line.
  • Tree Roots – Tree roots can cause damage to water and sewer lines. The roots from large trees can make their way into and around the lines and damage them excessively. If the roots under your property are not the problem, roots from closely located trees can extend under property lines and ruin your sewer line, causing a sewage complication. Be super aware of all tree roots that could affect your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes that run to your septic tank.

PuroClean’s sewage cleaning and sanitation process in Chardon, OH

Our procedures for Category 3 water (also known as sewer and contaminated water backup) cleaning, adhering to the IICRC industry guidelines, consists of:

1. Ensure the safety of all personnel and non-personnel by tempering onsite access to remediation personnel only to prevent health-related dangers

2. Assessment of the building and Health and Safety surveys.

3. Ensure all remediation personnel are equipped with the proper 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. Institute engineering controls, firm barriers if suitable to prevent cross-contamination.

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

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

7. Eradication and disposal of all contaminated porous and semi-porous items that is not restorable – which can consist of but is not limited to:

  • Gypsum board (drywall)
  • Carpeting, rugs, pad, and/or underlayment
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Padded and upholstered belongings

8. Cleaning procedures put in place and the use of EPA approved biocides and antimicrobials

9. Physical cleaning of all remaining structure items

10. A clearance test by a third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is recommended to safeguard that the building is returned to a pre-loss condition for health and safety.

11. All items and structure affected by the water to be dried and returned to pre-loss dry standards

12. Post remediation cleanup of all equipment used

13. Transfer and disposal of all demo materials removed from the property

For Professional Sewage Cleanup in Chardon, OH, Call PuroClean!

What happens if a sewer main backup occurs in your home or business? The right answer is: Contact PuroClean! For the simple fact that PuroClean technicians are your absolute professionals for sewage abatement and cleaning services. With the latest and greatest equipment and cleaning tools, we efficiently restore, remediate and completely cleanse the affected parts in your home or business.

The high standard of our sewage removal and cleaning services along with the speed in which we complete the work, and the absolute care we demonstrate throughout the process make us your complete flood damage restoration and remediation company. PuroClean vows to do whatever it takes to save, clean and restore all properties that lie within our service areas.

*Not all PuroClean offices provide 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 [...]

Why can’t I clean up biohazard myself?

When a biohazard occurs, professionals are needed to clean and disinfect as improper treatment can spread contamination and lead to illness or life-threatening conditions. [...]

What does BBP mean?

Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs), as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens [...]

Is blood a biohazard?

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

Will my insurance cover crime scene cleanup?

Most homeowners insurance will cover crime scene (biohazard) cleanup. We recommend that you consult your insurance agent/carrier to find out if you can make a claim for your particular circumstance. [...]