Blocked sewer lines can release sewage; a thick, dark substance that forms. Sewage water is a dangerous health hazard and unsanitary; containing contaminants like pathogens, viruses and bacteria. These harmful contaminants may present risks of serious illness if animals or humans are exposed to them. Quick repair is key if you experience 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, being aware of what leads to the sewer backups could be beneficial. We’ve created a list of things to aid in preventing and handling home or business sewage backups:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Considerable Rainfall – Excess rains can overwhelm your town or city’s storm sewer system. If this happens, the water can expand into the attached sewer lines placing your home or business in possible danger of water backflow. Surging rivers and streams, hurricanes and other related events can force flood and sewage waters to mix and present genuine health related dangers. You should be extremely cautious when walking in this type of water, and even stay watchful after the water recedes and dries up. It’s possible for the organic matter to turn aerosolized and respirable, meaning there’s a chance you could breathe it into your lungs. To protect from contact or risk of inhaling these contaminants, proper PPE should be used at all times.
  • Roots from Trees – Trees can have strong roots that grow into water or sewer lines and crush or break them. Damage to pipes and a sewer backup can also be induced by tree roots that aren’t even on your land. Be acutely aware of any tree roots that can sprawl into your water and sewer lines that lead to the main sewer line or septic system.
  • Old/Aging Sewer Lines – Older and aging sewage systems are susceptible to crumbling and cracking, causing sewer backups, flooded basements along with entire home flooding. The older your area or dwelling may raise the threat of this type of catastrophe 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 good example is: if a single commode causes a sewage blockage, the drains connected to that toilet, or the main drain lines of more toilets, will also become backed up.
  • Old and/or Damaged Lines – Aging sewage systems have a propensity to fail and crack, leading to sewer water influx and flooded dwellings full of sewage. If your home or area is older, the likelihood is greater that you’ll experience impaired sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Copious Rainfall – Heavy and rapid downpours can overwhelm your local storm sewer lines quickly. If these public sewer pipes can’t deal with excess downpours, water can backup and flow into connected sewer lines. This can put your home or business at risk of backflow problems. Area flood waters from events like surging rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any other weather events can cause clean water to mix with sewage water and other chemicals and contaminants that cause serious health consequences. Use extreme carefulness when moving on foot in this type of water, but also remain cautious once it dries. The dried organic waste can turn airborne and turn respirable. The right 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 force sewage to back up into your home or business. If only one commode becomes blocked, the sewage backup can spread on to the sewer lines and affect all connected toilets on that line.
  • Tree Roots – Tree roots can wreak havoc on water and sewer lines. The roots from huge trees can maneuver into and around the lines and damage them tremendously. If the roots on your property are not the problem, roots from closely located trees can cross property lines and damage your sewer line, causing a sewage complication. Be extra aware of all tree roots near your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes that run to your septic tank.

Our Palm Desert, CA process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

The PuroClean method for cleaning and remediating Category 3 water, which is sewer and polluted water backup cleaning and restoration as set forth by IICRC industry standards, consisting of:

1. Ensuring safety for all personnel and occupants by placing restrictions on site access to remediation personnel only in order to prevent health related occurrences.

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

3. Be positive that all restoration employees are equipped with the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). This includes but is not limited to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Implement cleaning procedures and use of EPA approved 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 touched by water to be dried and returned to pre-loss state

12. Post restoration cleaning of all equipment used

13. Disposal of all demo materials removed from the project

For the Perfect Professional Palm Desert, CA Sewage Cleanup Company, Call PuroClean Today!

Reach out to the PuroClean specialists for sewage removal, cleaning and remediation. Whether it’s from a stopped up toilet, flood waters or sewage drain backups to manage the problem for your home or business. PuroClean uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and cleansing tools to completely and efficiently clean and remediate all affected items and structures.

The sheer expertise of our sewage removal and cleaning services, along with the speed that we deliver the work, as well as our kindness demonstrated throughout the entire project helps make PuroClean your preferred damage remediation and restoration firm. We strive to do everything that’s needed and within our power to fully remediate properties in all the towns and cities that make up our coverage areas.

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

This past fall we had a severe leak in our home in Palm Desert. Within hours PuroClean was there to begin the restoration process. After 2 1/2 months and a major renovation to our home, we can only [...]

BARBARA L
Lake Forest, CA

Immediate response and very professional and [PuroClean] did great work. We were back in our home quickly. I would highly recommend them!

KRISTA S.

FAQ

How can I sterilize my home after taking care of a patient with the Coronavirus?

Cleaning your home after it has been compromised by someone with the Coronavirus infection is an important followup to keeping yourself and your family members safe.  Be sure to thoroughly [...]

Should I wear a face mask to prevent infection?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requests that we all do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  We can do this by avoiding close contact [...]

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 [...]

How contagious is the Coronavirus?

According to the World Health Organization, transmission appears to be limited; however, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk [...]

What should I do in a social setting if someone closeby is coughing or sneezing?

If someone in close proximity to you is coughing or sneezing, be sure to maintain at least 6 feet (2 meters) distance between yourself and the person who is coughing [...]