Blocked 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. Quick repair is key if you experience sewage backup anywhere in your home or business . Quickly taking care of this will prevent the dangerous waste water from lingering in occupied areas. To stop a hazardous condition occurring in your home or business, being aware of what leads to the sewer problems could be extremely helpful. We’ve created a list of items to aid in preventing and handling home or business sewage blockages:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Drain Pipe Clogs – Sewage can infiltrate your home or business when either your drain lines or the main sewer line gets clogged. For example, if one toilet 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 large roots can grow into pipes and cause holes or crush the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots in your yard are not the problem, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer pipe and damage it, forcing a sewer backup. Always be cognizant of roots where your sewer lines to the street or septic system is placed.
  • Damaged Sewer Lines – Older sewage systems may break down and crack, causing sewage blockages and flooded homes and basements. The older your neighborhood is, the greater chance of these types of problems.
  • Extreme Weather – Sudden large amounts of rain can put a strain on your town’s storm sewer mains. If the public systems can’t handle excess rainfall, the water can make its way into attached sewer lines, which can leave your home or business at risk of water backflows. Area-wide flooding waters from events like rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, and other micro events can also combine with sewage waste and other chemicals and harmful bacteria that can cause health-related issues. Extreme caution is needed when wading in these waters, and even when the water recedes and begins to dry out. Dried out organic waste can then become aerosolized and present the possibility of breathing it into your lungs. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn to stop any contact and the danger of breathing in these contaminants.

Our St. Albans, NY process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

Our procedures for Category 3 water (also known as sewer and contaminated water backup) cleaning, following the IICRC industry standards, consists 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. Valuation of the building along with health and safety reviews.

3. Ensure all cleanup and restoration personnel are supplied with the proper 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. 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. Bulk water, soil, and contaminates removal

7. Remove and dispose of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials that are not able to be restored, which could include but is not limited to:

  • Carpet, rugs, pad, or underlayment
  • Padded and upholstered items
  • Gypsum board
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Hardwood flooring

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

9. Manual cleaning of all remaining structure items

10. It is suggested to schedule a third party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for a safety clearance test 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. All materials from demolition process removed completely

Call PuroClean for Professional Sewage Cleanup in St. Albans, NY!

If a sewage drain line backup takes place in your home or business, contact the PuroClean professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. Our employees use state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning systems to completely remediate the damaged structures and contents.

The professional nature of our sewage removal and cleaning solutions, the speed in which we deliver them, and the compassion we demonstrate throughout the entire process make PuroClean your perfect damage restoration and remediation company. We will strive to do whatever it takes to restore and rescue properties in all the neighborhoods we serve.

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

"This company takes pride in their business took extreme in addressing my needs & explained in detail (and with compassion & understanding) the extent of the water damage which was beyond what [...]

RUBY WILSON
Queens, NY

"The Service I received was 100% on point! I would use this company again" Julia F of Brooklyn- Liberty Mutual

JULIA F
Brooklyn

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