When sewer lines become blocked, the thick, black water that forms as sewage is a health danger, and is tremendously unsanitary as it contains contaminants like pathogens, bacteria, and viruses that may pose a risk of severe illness if exposed to humans or pets. If you have a sewage backup in your basement, or your toilet has backed up, you will need to repair it quickly, or you will end up with dirty water all over your home or business. Knowing what causes sewer backups, however, may help you avoid a hazardous occurrence in your basement, home or business. Here’s a list of items that may help to prevent and deal with sewage backups:

Sewage Backup Causes

  • Drain Pipe Blockages – 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 backup, the drain leading to that toilet, or the mainline of many toilets, will likely also be obstructed.
  • Tree Roots – Trees with large roots can move into pipes and cause holes or alter the sewer line by encircling it. Even if the roots on your property are not the issue, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer line and damage it, creating a sewer backup. Always be aware of roots where your mainline to the street or septic system is located.
  • Defective Sewer Lines – Aging sewage systems could break down and crack, causing sewage blockages and flooded homes and basements. The older your neighborhood is, the greater chance of these types of incidents.
  • Heavy Rainfall – Sudden large amounts of rain can put a strain on your town’s storm sewer mains. If the public storm sewers can’t handle large amounts of rainfall, the water can make its way into connected sewer lines, which will put your home or business at risk of water backflows. City-wide flooding waters from events like rising rivers and creeks, hurricanes, and other isolated events can also mix with sewage waste and other chemicals and contaminants that can cause health-related issues. Extreme caution is needed when trying to walk in these waters, and even when the water recedes and begins to dry out. Dried out organic waste can then become aerosolized and present the possibility of breathing it into your lungs. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn to prevent contact and risk of breathing in these contaminants.

Our Teaneck, NJ process for sewage cleanup and sanitation

Our process for cleaning and remediation of Category 3 water, also known as sewer and contaminated water backup clean up according to the IICRC industry standards, is as follows:

1. Ensure the safety of all personnel and occupants by restricting onsite access to remediation personnel only to prevent health-related dangers

2. Health & safety survey and complete building assessment.

3. Ensure proper personal protection equipment (PPE) is being utilized by all restoration personnel. This may include but is not limited to:

  • Full face respirator
  • Nitrile and cut resistant gloves
  • Rubber boots with steel toes and shank
  • Entire body suit protection

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. Disposal of all contaminated porous and semi-porous materials which are not salvageable, which can include but are not limited to:

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

8. Cleaning processes put in place and the use of EPA approved biocides and antimicrobials

9. Physical cleaning of all remaining structure items

10. A third-party Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is recommended to perform clearance testing, to ensure the building is returned to a pre-loss condition for health and safety.

11. Drying of all items affected by the sewer water intrusion back to pre-loss dry state

12. Post remediation cleansing of all equipment utilized

13. Disposal of all demo materials removed from the project

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

Call the PuroClean specialists for sewage removal, cleaning and remediation. Whether it’s from a clogged toilet, flood waters or sewer pipe backups to manage the problem for your dwelling. PuroClean uses the newest, state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning systems to completely and efficiently clean and salvage all affected objects and structures.

The high measure of our sewage eradication and cleaning services along with the speed in which we complete the work, and the sheer compassion we practice throughout the process make PuroClean your complete damage restoration and remediation company. PuroClean pledges to do whatever it takes to save, clean and restore all properties that are within our service neighborhoods.

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

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