10 Risks of DIY Sewage Flood Cleanup in Your Home

Sewage flooding, typically occurring in the basement or bathroom, is a critical problem that needs to be addressed immediately. While there are minor flooding incidents that you can tackle yourself, sewage flood cleanup involves several risks that would not make it DIY-friendly. If you’re considering cleaning up sewage flooding yourself, you may put your health, home, and wallet at risk.

10 Risks of DIY Sewage Flood Cleanup in Your Home

DIY sewage flood cleanup in your home can pose significant risks to your health and safety if not handled properly. Here are some of the key risks:

1. Exposure to Contaminants:

Sewage water contains a variety of harmful contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxic chemicals. Direct contact with sewage water or inhalation of sewage fumes can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, respiratory problems, and other serious health issues.

2. Spread of Disease:

Sewage water can carry pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, and norovirus, which can cause severe illnesses. Improper cleanup techniques can result in the spread of these disease-causing organisms to other areas of your home, increasing the risk of illness for you and your family.

3. Mold Growth:

Sewage water can create ideal conditions for mold growth, especially in porous materials like drywall, carpeting, and insulation. Mold can exacerbate respiratory problems, cause allergic reactions, and damage the structural integrity of your home. Inadequate cleaning and drying of affected areas can lead to persistent mold problems.

4. Structural Damage:

Sewage floods can cause significant damage to your home’s structure and contents. The water can weaken building materials, corrode metal surfaces, and warp wooden structures. If not properly addressed, sewage water can seep into walls, floors, and ceilings, leading to long-term structural issues and costly repairs.

5. Electrical Hazards:

Sewage floods pose a risk of electrical hazards, especially if the water has come into contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring. Attempting to clean up sewage water without properly shutting off the electricity to affected areas can result in electric shocks, fires, and other dangerous situations.

6. Chemical Exposure:

DIY Sewage Flood may contain hazardous chemicals from household cleaners, industrial pollutants, and other sources. Direct contact with these chemicals can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, and other adverse health effects. Additionally, mixing different cleaning products during the cleanup process can produce toxic fumes and reactions.

7. Legal and Insurance Issues:

DIY sewage cleanup may not meet the standards required by local regulations and building codes. Failure to properly clean and disinfect your home after a sewage flood could result in fines, penalties, and legal liabilities. Moreover, insurance companies may deny claims or provide limited coverage for damages resulting from improper cleanup procedures.

8. Cross-Contamination:

Improper handling of sewage water during cleanup can lead to cross-contamination of clean areas in your home. Without appropriate containment measures, contaminated water can spread to unaffected areas, increasing the scope of the damage and posing additional health risks.

9. Respiratory Issues:

Sewage water releases foul odors due to the presence of decomposing organic matter and gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. Prolonged exposure to these odors can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory distress and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma.

10. Psychological Stress:

Dealing with a sewage flood and its aftermath can be emotionally challenging. The disruption to your home, potential loss of belongings, and concerns about health and safety can lead to significant stress and anxiety. DIY cleanup efforts may exacerbate these feelings if you’re not equipped to handle the situation effectively, leading to prolonged psychological distress for you and your family.

Considering these additional risks, it’s clear that DIY sewage flood cleanup is not worth the potential consequences. Seeking professional assistance ensures thorough cleanup, minimizes health hazards, and helps restore your home to a safe and habitable condition.

Health Risks of DIY Sewage Flood Cleanup

Sewage consists of greywater (from utilities like sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers) or worse – black water. It’s the water used to flush toilets mixed with the human waste that it flushes away. Sewage backups in your home can result from different causes – clogs in the home’s drain pipes, tree roots, damaged sewer lines, and more.

Sewage, especially black water, contains contaminants ranging from parasites and viruses to bacteria and fungi. Contact with sewage without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and following proper procedures is a serious threat to your health. There’s the risk of contracting over a dozen diseases, such as hepatitis A and encephalitis.

Mold growth is another risk when attempting DIY sewage cleanup. Mold exposure can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Flooding provides ideal conditions for mold to develop as it only needs moisture, organic material, and optimal temperature. What’s worse – it can grow within just 24 to 48 hours of the incident.

However, the greatest danger is not the risk of disease but the risk of electrocution or explosion. Never enter a flooded area or light matches until the utility companies have shut off the electric and gas service. If you detect or smell gas, immediately evacuate your home and notify the gas company.

You should also never enter your home if you did not turn off the main power switch before flooding. Touching electrical lines, wires, equipment, and fixtures during and after a flood can be dangerous even with the power switched off.

Why Sewage Flood Cleanup Requires Professional Restoration

Water damage is a progressive issue, so the longer you wait to deal with standing water, the greater the damage to your home. Your carpets, your furniture, your walls, and much more, will be compromised without quick and proper intervention.

Furthermore, sewage flood restoration poses unique challenges and genuine dangers. Professional restoration technicians use the proper equipment and follow standard safety procedures and remediation techniques that typical homeowners would not normally access.

In a nutshell, here’s what professionals do to restore your property:

• Pump out contaminated water and remove debris
• Identify and address the origin of the sewage backup
• Remove and replace damaged drywall and floors if necessary
• Use industrial dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to speed up the drying process
• Sanitize the area using specialized cleaners and procedures; this helps eliminate bacteria and mold to prevent health risks and preserve infrastructure and belongings.

An experienced restoration company can also help with the insurance claims process.

The Takeaway

Considering the difficulty and health risks of DIY sewage cleanup, we strongly recommend that you leave this critical task in the hands of professionals. You can count on our IICRC-certified PuroClean teams 24/7 for water damage repair services, so you can rest easy knowing that your home will be back in order quickly and efficiently.

Do you Need Water Damage Restoration in Staten Island, New York?

Call us at (347) 501-6155 for a quick and quality water damage remediation services.

Can I clean up sewage flood damage myself?

While it’s technically possible to clean up sewage flood damage yourself, it’s not recommended due to the numerous health and safety risks involved. Professional sewage cleanup services have the expertise, equipment, and protective gear to handle the job safely and effectively.

What are the risks of DIY sewage flood cleanup?

DIY sewage flood cleanup poses risks such as exposure to harmful contaminants, spread of disease, mold growth, structural damage, electrical hazards, chemical exposure, cross-contamination, respiratory issues, and psychological stress.

How can sewage flood water harm my health?

Sewage flood water contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxic chemicals that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and other serious health issues. Inhalation or direct contact with sewage water can lead to these health problems.

What should I do if my home experiences a sewage flood?

If your home experiences a sewage flood, prioritize your safety and the safety of your family. Evacuate the affected area if necessary and avoid contact with sewage water. Immediately contact professional sewage cleanup and restoration services like us to mitigate the damage.

Can’t I just clean up the sewage flood with household cleaning products?

While household cleaning products may help superficially, they’re not sufficient for thorough sewage cleanup. Sewage flood water requires specialized disinfection and decontamination procedures to ensure that all harmful pathogens and contaminants are properly eradicated.

How long does it take to clean up sewage flood damage?

The duration of sewage flood cleanup depends on various factors, including the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area, and the severity of contamination. Professional cleanup services typically assess the situation and provide an estimate based on these factors.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover DIY sewage flood cleanup?

Homeowner’s insurance policies may cover sewage flood damage, but coverage for DIY cleanup efforts can vary. It’s essential to review your policy and consult with your insurance provider to understand the extent of your coverage and any requirements for filing a claim.

What safety precautions should I take during DIY sewage flood cleanup?

If you must perform DIY sewage flood cleanup temporarily, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, goggles, masks, and waterproof clothing. Ensure proper ventilation in the affected area, and avoid direct contact with sewage water and contaminated materials.

Can I salvage belongings damaged by sewage flood water?

Salvaging belongings damaged by sewage flood water can be challenging and risky due to potential contamination. Porous materials like carpets, upholstered furniture, and insulation are difficult to clean thoroughly and may need to be discarded. Consult with professional cleanup services for guidance on salvageable items.

Why should I hire professional sewage cleanup services instead of DIY cleanup?

Professional sewage cleanup services have the expertise, equipment, and experience to handle sewage flood cleanup safely and effectively. They follow industry best practices, utilize specialized disinfection methods, and ensure thorough restoration of your home to a safe and habitable condition.