Toilet and sewer line backups could result in sewage entering your basement or other portions of your home or business. This dark, thick water is very hazardous and contains many dangerous contaminants. These contaminants are made up of pathogens, bacteria and viruses and present health risks and sickness dangers if humans or animals become exposed. Fixing these problems ASAP is highly important, as is getting rid of the sewage from your premises. Having information of what may cause sewer blockages may help you prevent a hazardous condition in your home or basement. Following is a list of things that may help prevent sewage backups that may occur in your home or business:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Drain Pipe Clogs – Sewage can back up into your home or business when either your drain lines or the main sewer line becomes clogged. For example, if one commode creates a sewage blockage, the drain connected to that toilet, or the mainline of more toilets, will likely also be clogged.
  • Tree Roots – Trees with large roots can move into pipes and cause holes or damage the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots on your property are not the issue, roots from adjoining property can reach your sewer line and damage it, causing a sewer backup. Always be cognizant of roots where your sewer lines to the street or septic system is placed.
  • Damaged Sewer Lines – Aging sewage systems may break down and crack, causing sewage blockages and flooded homes and basements. The older your area’s houses are, the greater chance of these types of problems.
  • Heavy Rainfall – Sudden large amounts of rain can put a strain on your area’s storm sewer mains. If the public storm sewers can’t handle excess rainfall, the water can make its way into attached sewer lines, which will put your home or business at risk of water backflows. Area-wide flooding waters from events such as rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, and other micro events can also combine with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful bacteria that can cause health-related issues. Extreme care and safety is needed when trying to walk in these waters, and even when the water recedes and begins to dry out. Dried out organic matter can then become aerosolized and become respirable. Proper PPE should be worn to avoid contact and the danger of breathing in this harmful matter.

Our Cranford, NJ process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

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 all personnel and occupants remain safe by limiting access to the site to restoration employees only in order to prevent any health-related problems.

2. Health & safety survey and complete building assessment.

3. Ensure all remediation personnel are equipped with the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). This may include but is not limited to:

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

4. Put engineering controls in place, as well as critical barriers if needed to stop any cross-contamination from occurring.

5. Completely getting rid of any potential safety risks if possible.

6. Disposal, removal of bulk flooding, soil, and contaminates.

7. Remove and dispose of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials that are not able to be restored, which could include but is not limited to:

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

8. Implement cleaning procedures and utilization of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Physical cleaning of all remaining structures

10. A third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is recommended to perform clearance testing, to ensure the building is returned to a pre-loss condition for health and safety.

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

12. After completion of remediation – Sanitization of all equipment used

13. Removal and disposal of all demo materials removed from the jobsite

Call PuroClean for your Professional Cranford, NJ Sewage Cleanup Needs!

When a sewage drain line backup occurs in your home or business, reach out to the PuroClean professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. Our employees use state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning systems to efficiently remediate the damaged structures and contents.

We have proved time after time that our methods and our specialists are top quality, efficient, and work with care and kindness for all involved. PuroClean is your ideal damage restoration and cleaning specialists and we pledge to do whatever needs to be done to rescue and restore all homes and businesses in the communities we serve.

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

Excellent job. Reliable. Very helpful.

BONNIE C., AN ALLSTATE INSURANCE CUSTOMER OF SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ

"Excellent job with setting up equipment, removing damaged wall and items."

SHARON H., AN INSURANCE CUSTOMER OF NEWARK, NJ

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