Toilet and sewer pipe backups can result in sewage entering your basement or other areas of your home or business. This dark, thick water is very hazardous and contains quite a lot of dangerous contaminants. These contaminants consist of pathogens, bacteria and viruses and cause health risks and illness dangers if people or animals become exposed. Finding a remedy to these problems ASAP is highly important, as is getting rid of the sewage from your home or business. Having information of what may cause sewer blockages may help you prevent a hazardous incident in your home or basement. Please see this list of things that may aid in stopping sewage backups that could occur in your home or business:

Causes of Sewage Backup

  • Considerable Rainfall – Excess flooding can overwhelm your town or city’s storm sewer mainlines. If this happens, the water can back up into the connected sewer lines placing your home or business in possible danger of water backflow. Increasing rivers and streams, hurricanes and other related events can cause flood and sewage waters to blend and present genuine health related dangers. You should be extremely cautious when walking in this type of water, and even stay cautious after the water recedes and dries up. It’s probable for the organic matter to turn aerosolized and able to be inhaled, meaning there’s a chance you could breathe it into your lungs. To protect from contact or risk of breathing in these contaminants, proper 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 damage them. Damage to pipes and a sewage backup can also be induced by tree roots that aren’t even on your premises. Be keenly 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 Pipes – Older and aging sewage structures are susceptible to breaking down and cracking, inducing sewer backups, sewer filled basements along with entire home flooding. The older your region or home may raise the threat of this type of damage occurring.
  • Clogged and Blocked Drain Pipes – If your home or business’s main sewer line or drain pipes become blocked, sewage may back up inside the building. A perfect example is: if a single commode causes a sewage backup, the lines 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 crack, leading to sewer water influx and flooded dwellings full of sewage. If your home or region is older, the chance 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 rapidly. If these public sewer lines can’t deal with excess waters, water can backup and progress into connected sewer lines. This can put your dwelling at risk of backflow difficulties. Area flood waters from events like rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any other weather events can cause clean water to blend with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful toxins that cause serious health difficulties. Use extreme caution when moving on foot 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 contaminated air.
  • Blocked/Clogged Pipes – A clogged pipe or sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home or business. If only one commode becomes fouled, the sewage backup can spread on to the sewer lines and influence all linked 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 around your property are not the problem, roots from closely located trees can extend under property lines and harm your sewer line, causing a sewage complication. Be extra aware of all tree roots that could affect your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes connected to your septic tank.

PuroClean’s process for sewage cleanup and sanitation in Leominster

PuroClean’s process for cleaning and restoration of Category 3 water, aka sewer and contaminated water backup clean up according to the IICRC industry standards, is as follows:

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

2. Assessment of the jobsite and Health and Safety checks.

3. Ensure all remediation personnel are supplied 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. Engineering controls put in place and condemnatory barriers used (if needed) guarding against cross-contamination.

5. Eradicating any type of potential safety risks if at all possible.

6. Bulk water, soil, and contaminates removal

7. Disposal of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials which are not salvageable, which can consist of but are not limited to:

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

8. Cleaning methods put in place and the use of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Full physical cleaning of all structure items that remain

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. Post restoration cleaning of all tools and machinery used

13. All demo materials removed from the building

Call PuroClean for Professional Sewage Cleanup in Leominster!

What do you do if a sewer line backup occurs in your home or business? The right answer is: Call PuroClean! For the simple fact that PuroClean technicians are your ideal professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. With state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning tools, we efficiently restore, repair and completely cleanse the affected areas in your home or business.

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

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

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