When you discover sewage backup in the basement of your home, your first concern is whom to call for a solution to the flooding issue. Fortunately, the community has been relying on the services of the team at Action Air & Plumbing for years. And when it comes to sewer and drain issues, there is no one more reliable to call for a professional drain and sewer line cleaning. With 24/7 emergency service, all you need to do is call us. You know that a licensed plumber will arrive quickly and remove any clogs or blockages with nothing but high-pressure water. And once they are done, no nasty chemical fumes are lingering. But there will be a mess of sewage and dirty water you need to clean up.
Helpful Tips For Cleaning Up A Sewage Backup
Beyond just being gross, there is a health hazard associated with a sewage backup. So you should always take precautions to clean and disinfect the area and avoid any contact with the potential contaminant, including bacteria and parasites. Below are a few tips that we have created to help our customers get the job done quickly and correctly:
- Get to work quickly- Never let raw sewage and foul-smelling water stand in your basement. Even if it is tough to motivate yourself for this job, know that the faster you get started, the less potential for severe damage to your home.
- Suit up for the job- This is both a nasty job that also represents a risk to your health. Be sure to dress for the task at hand with boots, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. If you have rubber waders, these offer a great deal of protection and are easy to hose off when the job is done. If you have any open wounds or sores, be sure they are covered with a waterproof bandage. And finally, wear eye protection, gloves, and a mask or ventilator to avoid contamination. Keep it tied back and covered with a hat if possible.
- Remove solid waste with a shovel or heavy towels- Dispose of the solid waste and any towels you used in a durable trash bag. If you do not have heavy-duty contractor bags, double up standard trash bags. Place the trash bags in a large plastic trash can to carry them out of your home. This prevents accidental contamination to the rest of your home in the event of a leaking trash bag.
- Use a shop vacuum for puddles- Wet/dry vacuums are an excellent way to remove small puddles with bits of waste and debris.
- Use old throw-away towels, sheets, or other fabric to soak up wastewater- Any old material will work to soak up the remaining wastewater. But be sure you are ready to throw all of the items away after this use. If you don’t have enough towels you are willing to throw away, check your local thrift store for cheap towels or sheets.
- Use fans to dry the floor- fans will dry the area more quickly and prevent mold growth.
- Throw away items that absorbed wastewater- There is no way to disinfect items that absorbed wastewater like carpet, wood, particleboard, or fabrics.
- Disinfect- When the sewage is removed and the floor is dry, begin the disinfecting with warm water and soap. Wipe everything in the area and scrub the floor. Then repeat using bleach and water.
At the first sign of a sewage issue, call the team at Action Air & Plumbing for a fast and reliable solution. Call us at 806-583-3558 for 24/7 emergency service and peace of mind.
