Obstructed sewer lines can excrete sewage; a thick, dark substance that forms. Sewage water is a serious health hazard and unsanitary; containing contaminants like pathogens, viruses and bacteria. These dangerous contaminants may present risks of serious sickness if animals or humans suffer exposure. Timely repair is key if you have sewage backup anywhere in your home or business . Quickly repairing this will prevent the hazardous waste water from lingering in occupied areas. To prevent a hazardous condition happening in your home or business, knowing what causes the sewer problems could be extremely helpful. We’ve put together a list of things to aid in preventing and handling home or business sewage blockages:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Considerable Rainfall – Excess rains can overwhelm your town or city’s storm sewer mainlines. If this happens, the water can swell into the attached sewer lines putting your home or business in possible compromise of water backflow. Surging rivers and streams, hurricanes and other related events can cause flood and sewage waters to blend and present genuine health related problems. You should be highly cautious when walking in this sort of water, and even stay watchful after the water recedes and dries up. It’s probable for the organic matter to become aerosolized and respirable, meaning there’s a chance you could breathe it into your lungs. To prevent contact or risk of breathing in these contaminants, legitimate PPE should be worn at all times.
  • Tree Roots – Trees can have long 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 land. 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 Lines – Older and aging sewage structures are susceptible to breaking down and cracking, causing sewer backups, flooded basements as well as entire home flooding. The older your region or dwelling 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 fouled, sewage may back up inside the building. A perfect example is: if a single toilet 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 – Older sewage systems have a tendency to suffer damage and crack, leading to sewage backups and flooded dwellings full of sewage. If your home or region is older, the chance is greater that you’ll experience damaged sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Copious Rainfall – Heavy and rapid rainfall can overwhelm your local storm sewer lines rapidly. If these public sewer mains 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 rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any other weather events can cause clean water to merge with sewage water and other chemicals and contaminants that cause serious health ailments. Use extreme caution when moving on foot in this type of water, but also stay cautious when it dries. The dried organic matter can turn airborne and turn respirable. Correct PPE needs to be utilized at all times to stop contact and risk inhaling polluted air.
  • Blocked/Clogged Pipes – A fouled pipe or sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home or business. If only one toilet becomes blocked, the sewer water backup can spread down the sewer lines and affect all attached toilets on that line.
  • Tree Roots – Tree roots can be harmful to water and sewer lines. The roots from huge trees can make their way into and around the lines and damage them tremendously. If the roots under your property are not the culprit, roots from closely located trees can extend under property lines and ruin your sewer line, causing a sewage problem. Be extra aware of all tree roots that could affect your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes that run to your septic tank.

PuroClean’s process for sewage cleanup and sanitation in Omaha, NE

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 all workers and occupants stay safe by restricting access to the site to remediation employees only in order to stop any health-related issues.

2. Health and Safety survey and assessment of the entire work premises.

3. Ensure all restoration employees are supplied with and use the correct personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes, but isn’t limited to the following:

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

4. Use established engineering controls, critical barriers, to alleviate cross-contamination.

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

6. Clearing the jobsite of all bulk water, soil, and contaminates.

7. Removal of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials which are not restorable, which can include but are not limited to:

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

8. Implement cleaning methods and use of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Actual cleansing of all remaining structures

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

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

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

13. Disposal of all remaining materials removed from the building

For Professional Sewage Cleanup in Omaha, NE, Call PuroClean!

If a sewage drain pipe backup occurs in your home or business, reach out to the PuroClean specialists for sewage removal and cleaning services. Our specialists 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 technicians are top quality, efficient, and work with care and grace for all involved. PuroClean is your ideal damage restoration and cleaning professionals and we pledge to do whatever needs to take place to save and restore all homes and businesses in the communities we serve.

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

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