Sewage Cleanup and Restoration
While this can be a stressful time, our priority is to help you maintain a safe home with repairs done right. Sewer backup cleanup is one area we can help with. We have qualified local contractors on standby to help you with your household emergency.
Wastewater coming back into your home is not a pleasant experience for obvious reasons. However, beyond the smell and unsightly mess, it can pose as a danger to the health of your family. This is because bacteria from the water can spread quickly through the air and surfaces. This water can also cause damage to your flooring, walls, appliances, and structural surfaces within minutes. Beyond this, increased moisture in your home can cause mold growth. These reasons are why our team at Action 1 Restoration considers this an emergency that should be handled quickly and with expert knowledge on the appropriate restoration and cleanup procedures.
What is a Sewer Backup?
Every home is designed with sewer lines that lead wastewater from showers, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and washing machines out of the home. While these tend to work smoothly most of the time, some issues can cause them to become clogged and damaged. Once this happens, wastewater from the sewer line can eventually push back into the home through toilets, sinks, and other vessels.
Cleanup vs Removal vs Restoration
Cleanup
When it comes to handling sewer backup, cleanup is the first step in restoring the health and integrity of your home. Removing excess wastewater on the floor so moisture is quickly eliminated should be a top priority. After this, powerful disinfectants are necessary for eliminating dangerous bacteria.
Removal
During the cleanup process, removal of debris must be done properly. The best way to do this is by shoveling debris into plastic bags or removing any impacted materials as soon as possible. Additionally, a wet/dry vac may be used to quickly remove water without having to use towels or buckets.
It's important to have the entire area clear of debris and wastewater so the root cause of the problem can then be addressed. In most situations, it's best to have an experienced professional take care of the sewer lines as to not cause more damage. This could be as simple as a quick clog removal, however, this varies by home.
Restoration
The restoration process can begin once the sewer lines have been repaired and there is no additional risk of backup. Most restoration professionals will begin by removing the moisture and any materials that are damaged beyond repair. After this, they will sanitize, remove smells from the room, and replace materials. The goal of restoration is to restore the home to the condition it was in before the sewer backup took place.
Our Expert Sewer Restoration Services Follow These Steps:
At Action 1 Restoration, we work with experienced professionals who take sewer backups seriously. We realize the dangers they can pose, which is why we follow the restoration steps below:
1. Remove Sewage Water and Debris
A restoration professional will first outfit themselves with the appropriate personal protective gear. From here, they will begin removing the sewage water with a wet/dry vacuum or other machines designed specifically for use with water. For debris that cannot be vacuumed, it will be shoveled into plastic bags to be disposed of safely and effectively.
2. Clean the Area
Disinfecting the impacted area is crucial in the restoration process. This will eliminate dangerous bacteria so the risk of illness is minimized. This will generally include brushing the surface with a bleach solution that kills bacteria and germs on contact.
3. Eliminate Moisture
Although water will be removed in the first step of the process, this won't remove all moisture from the materials. For this reason, professionals will open all windows and run powerful dehumidifiers to dry out the space of all moisture. Doing so will prevent the growth of mold and minimize decay.
4. Remove Materials
Any materials that have been damaged beyond repair will be removed and then replaced to restore the integrity of the home. This could mean flooring, cabinets, walls, baseboards, or other parts of the impacted room will temporarily be torn apart. If you have furniture or goods that have been impacted, you will have to decide if you should have them cleaned or replaced. This is similar to items that are contaminated with asbestos.
5. Replace and Restore
The last step in restoration after a sewer backup is to replace damaged materials so the room looks like it did before the damage ever occurred. Fortunately, by working with a professional, you'll have peace of mind knowing this was done right.
Lets Talk About Your Restoration Project
All of these sewage cleanup issues cannot be left for “later", they are serious dangers which need to be addressed by professionals with experience and need to be addressed immediately. That is why Action 1 Restoration can provide biohazard restoration services within minutes, day or night, we are just a phone call away.
Common causes of sewage backups
Another type of biohazard is asbestos which needs to be removed ASAP.