Blocked 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 dangerous contaminants may present risks of serious illness if animals or humans suffer exposure. Quick repair is key if you experience sewage backup anywhere in your home or business . Quickly taking care of this will prevent the hazardous waste water from lingering in occupied areas. To stop a hazardous condition occurring in your home or business, knowing what leads to the sewer backups could be beneficial. We’ve created a list of things to aid in preventing and handling home or business sewage backups:

Why Sewage Backup Occurs

  • Drain Pipe Clogs – Sewage can infiltrate your home or business when either your drain pipes or the main sewer line becomes clogged. For example, if one commode creates a sewage blockage, the drain connected to that toilet, or the mainline of more toilets, will likely also be clogged.
  • Tree Roots – Trees with long roots can move into pipes and cause holes or damage the sewer line by encircling it. Even if the roots in your yard are not the issue, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer pipe and damage it, forcing a sewer backup. Always be cognizant of roots where your mainline to the street or septic system is placed.
  • Damaged Sewer Lines – Older sewage systems can break down and crack, creating sewage backups and flooded homes and basements. The older your area’s houses are, the greater chance of these types of problems.
  • Heavy Rainfall – Heavy amounts of rain can overburden your area’s storm sewer mains. If the public systems can’t handle excess rainfall, the water can make its way into attached sewer lines, which will put your home or business at risk of sewer backflows. City-wide flooding waters from events such as rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, and other isolated events can also combine with sewage water and other chemicals and harmful bacteria that can cause health-related issues. Extreme care and safety is needed when trying to walk in these waters, and even when the flood recedes and begins to dry out. Dried up organic matter can then become aerosolized and become respirable. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn to prevent contact and risk of breathing in these contaminants.

Our Livingston, NJ sewage cleanup and sanitation process

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. Ensure the safety of all personnel and non-personnel by managing onsite access to remediation personnel only to prevent health-related dangers

2. Assessment of the area and Health and Safety surveys.

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. Eliminating any and all probable safety risks if possible.

6. Clearing the work area of all bulk water, soil, and contaminates.

7. Removing any and all porous and semi-porous contaminated articles that are unable to be restored, which includes but is not limited to:

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

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

9. Actual cleaning of all remaining structures

10. It is suggested to hire a third party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for a safety clearance inspection to ensure the building is returned to 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 cleansing of all equipment utilized

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

For the Perfect Professional Livingston, NJ Sewage Cleanup Company, Call PuroClean Today!

If a sewage drain line backup happens in your home or business, reach out to the PuroClean professionals for sewage removal and cleaning services. Our technicians use state-of-the-art tools, methods and cleaning systems to efficiently remediate the damaged building materials and contents.

The high standard of our sewage abatement and cleaning services along with the speed in which we complete the work, and the absolute care we demonstrate throughout the process make PuroClean your complete flood damage restoration and remediation company. PuroClean vows to do whatever it takes to save, clean and restore all properties that lie within our service regions.

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

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