Why You Need a Professional for Sewage Backup Cleanup
Homeowners or business owners who have the unfortunate task of dealing with a sewage backup might think it’s easier, faster, and cheaper to tackle the mess themselves. However, sewer backup cleanup is not a do-it-yourself job and requires far more than a mop and bucket.
In this article, The BioClean Team takes a closer look at the hazards of sewage cleanup and why it poses a serious health risk if professionals aren’t called in to handle it.
WHAT CAUSES SEWAGE BACKUPS?
A sewage backup can occur when you least expect it and often results from underlying problems that have gone unnoticed until it’s too late. Here are some of the common causes:
- Old or damaged sewer pipes: Over time, old and outdated sewer pipes can deteriorate, crack, or even collapse. This can lead to blockages and backups.
- Improper disposal: Flushing non-flushable items like baby wipes, paper towels, and other non-degradable products can lead to backups.
- Tree roots: This is a common problem in neighborhoods with a lot of trees. Roots can invade sewer lines and cause blockages because they naturally seek water.
- Improper routing: Connecting gutters, downspouts, and sump pumps to your sanitary sewer instead of the storm sewer can cause backups if large amounts of water overwhelm the system. Plus, depending on your location, this may be illegal.
WHY IS PROPER SEWAGE BACKUP CLEANUP IMPORTANT?
If you experience a sewage backup, do not try to clean it up yourself. You need to call in a professional right away. Why?
Wastewater, also known as blackwater, is extremely hazardous to your health. It is full of harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and disease-causing organisms that can make you very sick and, in some cases, are deadly.
Aside from contaminants, blackwater can also release toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause dizziness, breathing issues, and fainting.
Standard cleaning products won’t work for efficient sewage backup cleanup. They aren’t powerful enough to fully disinfect and eliminate contaminants. Without proper cleanup, you also risk spreading the contaminants to other parts of the home or business.
Water damage to drywall, carpeting, insulation, and wood can also cause mold to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours, worsening allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health issues.
What diseases lurk in wastewater?
As previously noted, wastewater is extremely hazardous. Some of the diseases caused by sewage or sewage-contaminated water include, but are not limited to:
- Salmonella: Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The disease can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised. If left untreated, it can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and can cause death.
- Hepatitis A: This liver disease, caused by the Hepatitis A virus, can include symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever.
- E. coli: Symptoms can include watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. A small percentage of people who are infected with E. coli could experience kidney failure and sometimes death.
- Leptospira: Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If not treated, it could cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and, in rare cases, death.
ARE THERE ANY SIGNS OF A SEWAGE BACKUP?
The short answer: sometimes. The signs of a sewage backup are often easy to miss, but there are some clues to watch for:
- Slow drains: This could be an indicator that a problem is brewing.
- Wastewater backup: If you run a washing machine or flush the toilet and wastewater backs up into another pipe, that’s a clear indicator of a problem with your sewer drain.
HOW TO HANDLE SEWAGE BACKUP CLEANUP
Proper cleanup of potentially hazardous materials, such as sewage water, requires specialized equipment. That’s why it’s important to leave cleanups to the professionals.
At BioClean Team, we have the expertise and the necessary equipment. We’ll remediate the site in accordance with regulations and health codes to make sure your space is safe and usable again. We not only clean and sanitize, but also deodorize the area.
And while you get your space back to normal, we will work with the insurance company to get the bill. However, it should be noted that, unless you add specific coverage, damage from sewer or drain backups may not be included in homeowners’ insurance.
If you’ve experienced a sewage backup, don’t tackle it alone. Call us today!
