What You Need to Know About Safe Sewage Cleanup

When a sewage backup happens, cleaning up can not only be a nightmare, but also dangerous. Not only is the smell disgusting, but the thought of all that raw sewage in your home is enough to make you sick. And contact with that sewage can make you literally sick.

If you’ve ever experienced a sewage backup, you know it’s essential to call a professional to handle the cleanup. But what do you need to know about safe sewage cleanup? Keep reading for answers!

Take Safety Precautions

One of the most important things to remember about sewage cleanup is that it’s a dangerous job. Raw sewage can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness. That’s why it’s so important to let a professional handle the job.

They have the training and experience necessary to safely clean up your home and protect you from exposure to these harmful pathogens. Plus, additional moisture can be a hazard in and of itself.

It’s important to turn off the electricity or gas in the affected area – if you don’t have access, call the utility company, and explain your needs. Also, ventilate the area. Those fumes are toxic.

Be Prepared for A Big Mess

Another critical thing to keep in mind is that sewage cleanup can be messy. There’s no way around it – you’re going to have to deal with some pretty gross stuff. But, again, that’s why it’s so important to let a professional handle the job.

They know how to properly dispose of the waste and will do their best to minimize the mess. In fact, most professionals will tell you not to touch anything. Skin contact with sewage or sewer water can be very dangerous, especially if you have open cuts or sores on your body.

Cleanup pros like us will also tell you not to drink or eat anything that has been exposed to sewer water. You could get very sick. We also urge you not to try to clean up a sewage leak or spill yourself.

We need the evidence of the problem to diagnose it, and your insurance company will require pictures of the situation as it was to approve your claim. Leave the area as-is and call your insurance company and us.

Don’t try to save items from the area sewage water has touched. Those items are covered with viruses, microorganisms, and bacteria that make them unsafe. Experts like us will tell you if things are salvageable.

Have Realistic Expectations for Your Restoration

It’s important to have realistic expectations when it comes to sewage cleanup. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may take some time to clean up your home fully. And, unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that your home will be perfect when the job is done, especially if the professional doesn’t have years of experience handling sewage spills.  

But a professional will do their best to restore your home to its pre-sewage state. Once the danger is gone, you can professionally clean the house and make it squeaky clean. Expect that it will take some time for things to return to normal.

Call A Sewage Removal Professional

We cannot stress this enough. If you’ve experienced a sewage backup, the most important thing is to call a professional for help. They have the training and experience necessary to safely clean up your home and minimize the mess. So, don’t try to tackle the job on your own – let a professional help you deal with this horrible situation.

If you have any questions about sewage cleanup, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help!