Image Source Dealing with sewer backups is one of the worst situations a homeowner has to deal with. It mostly occurs due to the bre...

Image Source

Dealing with sewer backups is one of the worst situations a homeowner has to deal with. It mostly occurs due to the breakage or collision of pipes, causing the sewage to flow out of toilets, drains, and even showerheads.

Once this water flows into your house, being exposed to it can be as dangerous as being exposed to any deadly diseases. If it is a major backup, cleaning it up yourself can be extremely risky since it has all the biological and chemical pollutants and germs. It is better to keep everyone far away from this water and avoid drinking or eating anything that was near the sewage water.

It is safest to stay away from your house until it is treated professionally and purified through all the proper means. This purification process is a crucial thing to do, which is why you need to call a team expert in cleaning up sewage and disinfecting your home to resume your normal life.

Common Reasons for Sewage Backups:

· Clogging

Any type of clogging in the pipelines of your home’s drainage system or main sewer lines of the city causes toxic water that could spill into the public sewage lines and flow back to your house. These clogs are caused by the blockage from hair, paper products, oils and greases, food waste, etc.

To determine if the block is in the main sewer line or just the drain pipes, note the area that the water is flowing from. If it is only your sink or tub, it might be just a clogged drain which is a minor backup and easy to fix. But if the backflow is caused by the toilet flushing, it must be a serious blockage in the main sewer line.

· Damaged Sewer Lines

Even though these sewer pipes are made of stable materials, they’re still exposed to wear and tear and external factors. If your house was built a long time ago, the drainage system could likely collapse at any time. It is very common for such overused pipes to get damaged and disturb the sewage lines. That is why you should replace and fix them when needed, to get out of any risk of sewage backups.

· Interference of Tree Roots

This may be hard to believe but the sewage lines are mostly affected by the interruptions of the underground tree roots. Even if you don’t have any massive trees around your house, these tiny roots from the neighborhoods can mess up your sewage pipes, seeking water.

These roots keep growing internally, making holes in your pipes. They can also wrap around the pipes, causing them to burst as they grow stronger

How to Clean Up After Water Damage:

Before you buckle up for the cleaning process, know about the do’s and don’t’s of the process. Firstly, you need to be fully informed about the severeness of the sewage backup. If it is a major spill, it is highly suggested that you contact a professional cleaning team which is the safest option to get rid of the sewage water and an assured purification of the house.

Although in the case of a backup in a minor area, you must follow these rules for a safe clean up:

· Put your safety first

The first and the most important step is to wear safety gear. It is extremely risky to let the water even touch your skin, which is why covering up every part of yourself is the safest way to go. Eye protection and a highly protected facemask, along with rubber gloves and boots, are a necessity.

You need to be extra careful about the safety measures around the house, which include turning off all the electricity and gas connections as well as taking prominent pictures for your insurance claims.

· Unclog the drainage system

Unclogging your draining system through lighter solutions is better than using harsh chemicals. As the raw chemicals can corrupt the pipes and cause a bigger problem that could lead to a major sewer backup. It is highly suggested to use solutions that contain enzymes as they can travel down the pipes more easily, leading to a damage-less treatment for a minor backup.

· Remove as much water as you can

Prevent the water from spreading around the house as much as you can while taking care of the safety measures. The more water flows around your house, the more areas get affected. Remove the water through the pump for a quick clear up or get a wet-dry vacuum with a strong filtration device to the rescue.

· Dry out the area

It is no easy job to completely dry out the impure area after thoroughly wiping away the water. After the removal of the water, mop up the floor with a sanitizing floor cleaner twice or thrice as the impurities increase the risk of diseases and illnesses. For drying up more neatly and quickly, turn on the fans and use humidifiers around the contaminated area.

To be on the safest side, make sure that you wipe out the water and dry out the area as quickly as possible. Since the longer water stays on the surface, the more bacteria it leaves. Most importantly, avoid any type of skin contact during the process and be extra careful with wounds or sores if you have any.

· Disinfect

After drying out, disinfecting will make sure there are no hazardous bacteria around the area. Look for an appropriate bactericidal disinfectant or ask a professional to recommend you the best option. Disinfect the floor and walls and don’t miss any part of the area during the process.

You can disinfect the area and your clothes if affected, but it is the safest option to let the furniture and carpet go.

· Switch to new plastic pipes

To avoid this contamination from happening again, you need to get some new and stable sewage lines installed. Since the old ones have already been damaged, it is best to get new plastic pipes for a reliable sewer system.

You need to call the professionals for this crucial step as it is a tough job to install a sewage line.

Conclusion

Ignoring this issue and letting the toxic sewage water sit on your floor for an extended period can be extremely dangerous. This matter should not be delayed and should be dealt with as soon as possible. To get out of this hustle even faster, you should call up a reliable and professional team that can identify the problem and quickly fix it. Meanwhile, disinfecting the contaminated area and revivifying the damages is a crucial process that can best be done by experienced cleaners.

So, if you’re going through this critical situation, call the specialists without delay and get your home purified and continue an ensured, healthy and safe life.