Blocked sewer lines can release sewage; a thick, dark liquid that forms. Sewage water is a serious health hazard and unsanitary; which contains contaminants like pathogens, viruses and bacteria. These harmful contaminants may present risks of serious sickness if animals or humans are exposed to them. Quick repair is key if you have sewage backup anywhere in your home or business . Quickly repairing this will prevent the dangerous waste water from staying in occupied areas. To stop a hazardous condition happening in your home or business, knowing what leads to the sewer incidents could be beneficial. We’ve put together a list of items to aid in preventing and dealing with home or business sewage backups:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Drain Pipe Clogs – Sewage can infiltrate your home or business when either your drain pipes or the main sewer line gets clogged. For example, if one commode creates a sewage blockage, the drain tied to that toilet, or the mainline of multiple toilets, will likely also be obstructed.
  • Tree Roots – Trees with long roots can move into pipes and cause holes or crush the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots in your yard are not the issue, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer pipe and damage it, creating a sewer backup. Always be cognizant of roots where your mainline to the street or septic system is placed.
  • Damaged Sewer Lines – Aging sewage systems may break down and crack, creating sewage backups and flooded homes and basements. The older your area’s houses are, the greater possibility of these types of issues.
  • Heavy Rainfall – Heavy amounts of rain can overburden your town’s storm sewer mains. If the public storm sewers can’t handle large amounts of rainfall, the water can make its way into attached sewer lines, which can leave your home or business at risk of water backflows. City-wide flooding waters from events such as rising rivers and streams, hurricanes, and other isolated events can also combine with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful bacteria that can lead to health-related issues. Extreme care and safety is needed when trying to walk in these waters, and even when the sewer water recedes and begins to dry out. Dried up organic materials can then become aerosolized and present the possibility of breathing it into your lungs. Proper PPE should be worn to stop any contact and the danger of breathing in this harmful matter.

PuroClean’s sewage cleanup and sanitation process in Covington, KY

Our cleaning and remediation procedures for Category 3 water (which describes sewer and contaminated water backup) according to the standards put in place by the IICRC industry are:

1. Ensure the safety of all personnel and occupants by regulating onsite access to restoration personnel only to prevent health-related issues

2. Inspection of the building along with health and safety reviews.

3. Be positive that all restoration workers are equipped with the precise personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes 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. Engineering controls utilized and condemnatory barricades used (if needed) preventing cross-contamination.

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

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

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

  • Carpet, rugs, pad, or underlayment
  • Padded and upholstered furniture
  • Gypsum board
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Wooden flooring

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

9. Physical cleaning of all remaining structure areas

10. It is suggested to hire a third party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for a safety clearance inspection to ensure the entire site is returned to pre-loss state for health and safety.

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

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

13. All materials from demolition process removed completely

For Professional Sewage Cleanup in Covington, KY, Call PuroClean!

When a sewage drain line backup takes place in your home or business, reach out to the PuroClean professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. Our technicians use state-of-the-art tools, methods and cleaning systems to efficiently remediate the damaged building materials and contents.

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

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

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