Blocked sewer lines can leak out sewage; a thick, dark water 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 repairing this will prevent the hazardous waste water from lingering in occupied areas. To stop a hazardous condition happening in your home or business, knowing what leads to the sewer incidents 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 water can back up into the attached sewer lines bringing 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 serious health related problems. You should be highly cautious when walking in this sort of water, and even stay cautious after the water recedes and dries up. It’s probable for the organic matter to become aerosolized and able to be inhaled, meaning there’s a chance you could breathe it into your lungs. To protect from contact or risk of breathing in these contaminants, legitimate PPE should be used at all times.
  • Roots from Trees – Trees can have strong roots that grow into water or sewer pipes 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 premises. Be very aware of any tree roots that can sprawl into your water and sewer pipes that lead to the central sewer line or septic system.
  • Old/Aging Sewer Lines – 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 damage 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 dwelling. A fine example is: if a single toilet causes a sewage backup, the drains connected to that toilet, or the main drain pipes of more toilets, will also become backed up.
  • Old and/or Damaged Lines – Aging sewage systems have a propensity to fail and crumble, leading to sewage backups and flooded homes or businesses full of sewage. If your home or neighborhood is older, the probability is greater that you’ll experience failing sewer lines than newer ones.
  • Heavy Rain – Heavy and sudden downpours can overpower your local storm sewer lines promptly. If these public sewer lines can’t deal with excess waters, water can backup and flow into connected sewer lines. This can put your home or business at risk of backflow problems. Local flood waters from events like surging rivers and creeks, hurricanes, or any similar weather events can cause clean water to merge with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful toxins that cause serious health problems. Use extreme caution when moving on foot in this type of water, but also remain cautious when it dries. The dried organic waste can turn airborne and turn respirable. Proper 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 force sewage to back up into your dwelling or business. If only one toilet becomes blocked, the sewage backup can spread down the sewer pipes and disturb all attached toilets on that line.
  • Tree Roots – Tree roots can be harmful to water and sewer pipes. The roots from huge trees can make their way into and around the pipes and damage them tremendously. If the roots under your property are not the cause, roots from nearby trees can grow under property lines and harm your sewer line, causing a sewage issue. 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 Wellington, FL

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 workers by restricting jobsite traffic to restoration and cleaning personnel only to help prevent any health related occurrences.

2. Health and Safety checks and assessment of the workplace.

3. Ensure all remediation employees are supplied with and use the required 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 protection
  • Nitrile and cut resistant gloves

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

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 that are not salvageable, which can include but are not limited to:

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

8. Cleaning procedures implemented, as well as the use of EPA registered biocides and antimicrobials

9. Manual cleaning of all remaining structure material

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 affected by excess waters are to be dried and returned to pre-loss dry condition

12. Post remediation cleanup of all equipment utilized

13. Removal and disposal of all demo materials removed from the premises

Call PuroClean for your Professional Wellington, FL Sewage Cleanup Needs!

What do you do if a sewer line backup occurs in your house or business? The perfect answer is: Call PuroClean! For the simple fact that PuroClean technicians are your perfect professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. With state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning systems, we efficiently restore, repair and completely clean the affected areas in your home or business.

The sheer expertise of our sewage removal and cleaning services, in addition to the speed that we deliver the work, as well as our compassion demonstrated throughout the process helps make PuroClean your perfect damage remediation and restoration firm. We vow to do everything possible and within our power to restore and rescue properties in all the towns and cities that make up our coverage areas.

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

FAQ

Will my insurance cover crime scene cleanup?

Insurance policies have many variables, while Crime Scene or Biohazard cleanup is often covered, you must consult your insurance broker or agent to determine your specific coverages. [...]

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 [...]

Why can’t I clean up biohazard myself?

When a biohazard occurs, professionals are needed to clean and disinfect as improper treatment can spread contamination and lead to illness or life-threatening conditions. [...]

Will my insurance cover crime scene cleanup?

Insurance policies have many variables, while Crime Scene or Biohazard cleanup is often covered it is very important that you consult your insurance broker or agent to determine your specific [...]

Can pets at home spread the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV, also known as COVID-19)?

There is currently no evidence that household pets can be infected with or transmit the Coronavirus.  However, the CDC recommends having limited contact with household pets and other animals until [...]