When a sewer line is blocked, the sewage that is thick and dark is dangerous to your health. This sewer water is extremely unclean, containing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and pathogens. All of these dangerous germs can pose a serious health danger and cause many illnesses if humans or animals are exposed. If it happens that you suffer a sewage backup on the premises of your home or business, or a toilet backup in either location, fixing either one is of the highest priority. Having this unsanitary sewer water in your home is dangerous and should be removed immediately. Also, to know what is causing the sewer obstruction may aid in preventing this potentially hazardous situation. To help you in managing sewage backups in your home or business, here’s a list of things that may help:

Causes of Sewage Backup

  • Heavy Rainfall – Excess rains can overpower your town or city’s storm sewer mainlines. If this happens, the water can back up into the attached sewer lines putting your home or business in possible risk of water backflow. Increasing rivers and streams, hurricanes and other similar events can cause flood and sewage waters to mix and present serious health related problems. You should be extremely cautious when wading in this sort of water, and even stay vigilant after the water recedes and dries up. It’s viable for the organic matter to turn aerosolized and able to be inhaled, meaning there’s a chance you could inhale it into your lungs. To protect from contact or risk of inhaling these contaminants, legitimate PPE should be worn at all times.
  • Roots from Trees – Trees can have strong roots that grow into water or sewer lines and crush or impair them. Damage to pipes and a sewer backup can also be induced by tree roots that aren’t even on your property. Be very aware of any tree roots that can sprawl into your water and sewer lines that lead to the central sewer line or septic system.
  • Old/Aging Sewer Lines – Older and aging sewage structures are susceptible to breaking down and cracking, causing sewer backups, flooded basements along with entire home flooding. The older your area 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 dwelling. A perfect example is: if a single commode causes a sewage backup, the adjacent pipes connected to that toilet, or the main drain lines of more toilets, will also suffer backflow flooding.
  • Old and/or Damaged Lines – Aging sewage systems have a tendency to suffer damage and crumble, leading to sewer water influx and flooded homes or businesses full of sewage. If your home or area is older, the likelihood is greater that you’ll experience failing sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Copious Rainfall – Heavy and sudden downpours can overpower your local storm sewer lines promptly. If these public sewers can’t deal with excess rainfall, water can backup and progress into connected sewer lines. This can put your home or business at risk of backflow difficulties. Regional flood waters from events like rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any other weather events can cause clean water to merge with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful toxins that cause serious health consequences. Use extreme caution when moving on foot in this type of water, but also stay cautious once it dries. The dried organic matter can turn airborne and turn respirable. The right PPE needs to be utilized at all times to prevent contact and risk inhaling tainted air.
  • Blocked/Clogged Sewer Lines – A clogged pipe or sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home or business. If only one commode becomes fouled, the sewer water 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 huge trees can grow into and around the lines and damage them excessively. If the roots around your property are not the cause, roots from closely located trees can cross property lines and damage your sewer line, causing a sewage problem. Be extra aware of all tree roots close to your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes that run to your septic tank.

Our Lakeland, FL sewage cleanup and sanitation process

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

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

2. Health & safety survey and complete building assessment.

3. Ensure proper personal protection equipment (PPE) is being utilized by all restoration personnel. This may include 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. Use established engineering controls, critical barriers, to alleviate cross-contamination.

5. Eliminating any and all lingering safety risks if possible.

6. Bulk water, soil, and contaminates removal

7. Getting rid of any and all porous and semi-porous contaminated materials that are unable to be saved, which includes but is not limited to:

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

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

9. Manual cleaning of all remaining structure material

10. It is recommended to hire a third party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for a safety clearance inspection to ensure the jobsite is returned to 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. All equipment used on the project to be cleaned after restoration completion

13. Disposal of all demolished materials removed from the site

Call PuroClean for Professional Sewage Cleanup in Lakeland, FL!

PuroClean technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning procedures to effectively restore and clean the unsound building materials and items from your home or business. If a sewage drain pipe backup from blockage happens, call our highly trained staff for sewage removal and cleaning services.

The high goals of our sewage abatement and cleaning services along with the rapidity in which we complete the work, and the absolute care we practice throughout the process make us your complete damage restoration and remediation company. PuroClean promises to do whatever it takes to rescue, clean and restore all properties that are within our service neighborhoods.

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

Jeff and his crew are AMAZING! Most hardworking and honest company I have worked with! Lifesavers in my time of crisis. Don't know how I would have made it through without them! They went above [...]

MIRANDA C
Lakeland, FL

They came out FAST while we were in the midst of a flooding emergency at our school. They were FAST, FRIENDLY, HELPFUL and the most impressive thing is that they are all extremely HARD WORKERS! [...]

LISA G
Land O Lakes

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. [...]