Fouled sewer lines can excrete sewage; a thick, dark water that forms. Sewage water is a dangerous health hazard and unsanitary; which contains contaminants like pathogens, viruses and bacteria. These harmful 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 repairing this will prevent the dangerous waste water from staying in occupied areas. To stop 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 items to aid in preventing and dealing with home or business sewage blockages:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Considerable Rainfall – Excess rains can overwhelm your town or city’s storm sewer system. If this happens, the waste can swell into the connected sewer lines putting your home or business in possible risk of water backflow. Growing rivers and streams, hurricanes and other similar events can cause flood and sewage waters to blend and present genuine health related problems. You should be highly cautious when walking in this type of water, and even stay vigilant after the water recedes and dries up. It’s viable for the organic matter to be aerosolized and able to be inhaled, 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 used at all times.
  • Roots from Trees – Trees can have long roots that grow into water or sewer lines and crush or impair them. Damage to pipes and a sewage backup can also be induced by tree roots that aren’t even on your property. Be very aware of any tree roots that can reach your water and sewer lines that lead to the main sewer line or septic system.
  • Old/Aging Sewer Pipes – Older and aging sewage structures are susceptible to crumbling and cracking, inducing sewer backups, flooded basements along with entire home flooding. The older your neighborhood or house may raise the chance of this type of catastrophe occurring.
  • Clogged and Blocked Drain Pipes – If your house or business’s main sewer pipes or drain pipes become clogged, sewage may back up inside the building. A fine example is: if a single commode causes a sewage backup, 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 suffer damage and crack, leading to sewer water influx and flooded dwellings full of sewage. If your home or neighborhood is older, the probability is greater that you’ll experience failing sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Copious Rainfall – Heavy and rapid downpours can defeat your local storm sewer lines promptly. If these public sewers can’t deal with excess waters, water can backup and progress into connected sewer lines. This can put your home or business at risk of backflow difficulties. Area flood waters from events like surging rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any similar weather events can cause clean water to blend with sewage water and other chemicals and contaminants that cause serious health difficulties. Use extreme carefulness when moving on foot in this type of waste, but also remain cautious once it dries. The dried organic waste can turn airborne and turn respirable. The right PPE needs to be worn at all times to stop contact and risk inhaling polluted air.
  • Blocked/Clogged Pipes – A clogged pipe or sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your dwelling or business. If only one commode becomes backed up, the sewage backup can spread into the sewer lines and influence all connected toilets on that line.
  • Tree Roots – Tree roots can wreak havoc on 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 problem, roots from closely located trees can grow under property lines and damage your sewer pipes, causing a sewage complication. Be extra aware of all tree roots near your mainline sewer pipes and/or pipes connected to your septic tank.

Our Wayne, NJ process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

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. To ensure the safety of all occupants and personnel by restricting jobsite traffic to restoration and cleaning personnel only to help stop any health related problems.

2. Assessment of the work place along with health and safety reviews.

3. Ensure all remediation personnel are outfitted with the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). This may include but is not limited to:

  • Full face respirator
  • Nitrile and cut resistant gloves
  • Rubber boots with steel toes and shank
  • 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. Eliminating any and all lingering safety risks if possible.

6. Disposal, removal of bulk water, soil, and contaminates.

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
  • Gypsum board (Drywall)
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Padded and upholstered items

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

9. Physical cleaning of all remaining structure material

10. It is approved to hire a third party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for a safety clearance test to ensure the building is returned to pre-loss state for health and safety.

11. All materials affected by excess waters are to be dried and returned to pre-loss dry condition

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

13. Disposal of all demo materials removed from the building

Call PuroClean for your Professional Wayne, NJ Sewage Cleanup Needs!

Reach out to the PuroClean specialists for sewage abatement, cleaning and restoration. Whether it’s from a stopped up toilet, flood waters or sewer pipe backups to take care of the problem for your home or business. PuroClean uses the newest, state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning systems to completely and efficiently clean and salvage all affected objects and structures.

The professional nature of PuroClean’s sewage removal and cleaning services, the expeditious way in which we deliver them, and the kindness we demonstrate throughout the entire process make PuroClean your ideal damage restoration and remediation company. We vow to do whatever it takes to restore and rescue properties in all the communities we serve.

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

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