Everything You Need to Know About Sewage Damage

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Everything You Need to Know About Sewage Damage

When you have sewage damage, it's important to take the proper steps to clean up and repair it. If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up making the problem worse or exposing yourself and others to harmful bacteria. This guide will walk you through everything from setting up a containment area to hiring a professional service.

Safety Precautions You Should Consider

Sewage is a dirty business. As such, it's important to take precautions and follow safety procedures when cleaning up sewage damage in your Costa Mesa, CA home. 

We highly recommend wearing protective gear: gloves, eye protection, and clothes that cover as much of your body as possible. It's also important to avoid eating or drinking anything in the area where you're working (especially if it's been contaminated by sewage), smoking, or doing any other activity that could make you sick if there were residual bacteria on surfaces.

Remove Standing Water and Debris

To remove standing water, you will want to use a wet vac to remove any remaining standing water and debris. If you don’t have a wet vac, use a shop vacuum instead.

To remove debris, you will want to use a broom or shovel to brush off any large pieces of dirt or mud from the affected area and dispose of them as you would any other trash (in an outdoor garbage can). Be sure that there are no sharp objects such as rocks left over in your home after removing them with your broom or shovel. They may cause additional damage if they get left behind on your floorboards.

Dry Out Wet Areas

Use fans, dehumidifiers, and air movers to dry out the wet area and contents. A wet vac can be useful for removing water from the carpeting as well. A heat gun can also come in handy for drying out harder surfaces like countertops and floors.

Disinfect and Deodorize

If the area is only wet and not damaged, you can use disinfectant to clean the affected area. But if there is any damage, use deodorizer instead. If your home smells like sewage, fans are the best tool for drying out your property since they can circulate air throughout a room quickly and efficiently. If necessary, use a dehumidifier to get rid of any excess moisture in the air and prevent mold growth on walls or furniture surfaces in your home.

Sewage and Your Health

Sewage damage can make you very ill. Sewage contains bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause illness. It also contains chemicals, such as pesticides, which are harmful to your health.

In addition to the immediate damage caused by sewage backups, there is a greater threat to your health in the long run.

If you have sewage damage, you should immediately contact a professional like SERVPRO of Costa Mesa. Don't hesitate on calling us, we can help. Our experts have years of experience dealing with this kind of situation and will be able to get your Costa Mesa, CA home back in shape quickly. This way, you don’t have to worry about it, and you can focus on getting back to normal.