Coming home from a long day at work only to discover that your sewer has backed up into your home can completely ruin your week. Not only does the unsanitary mess look and smell horrible, it also presents health hazards. Once the frustration has subsided, follow these six helpful hints that will aid you in cleaning up the sewage as quickly and efficiently as possible! 

Step 1: Get Into Uniform

In order to avoid possible health hazards, it is essential that none of your skin comes into contact with the stray sewer water. Rubber boots, gloves, a facemask and goggles are standard. Additionally, watch out for any of your personal belongings that may have been damaged by the sewage. It may be tempting to rescue your favorite items, but if they have been contaminated by waste they should be thrown out; they could harbor harmful bacteria that may lead to painful infections. 

Step 2: Eliminate the Waste

If the waste is confined to one room and was not left for a prolonged period of time, get to work removing the sewage water as quickly as possible! If there is a sizeable puddle on the floor, consider using a pump. However, if you’re lucky and the backup wasn’t as severe, a wet-dry vacuum equipped with a filter will do the trick. 

Step 3: Wash It Down

Scrub all surfaces of the room, including the walls, floors and any area that has been touched by the waste with antibacterial disinfectants. Next, use detergent and water to perform a more extensive cleaning, that will eliminate any surviving pathogens once and for all. Because the mess has primarily resided on the ground, scrub it thoroughly using a high-quality brush dipped in a bleach and water solution. Then, go over the area once more with clean water. 

Step 4: Check Your HVAC

To make sure the sewage backup did not impact any of your home comfort systems, call a professional to inspect your HVAC equipment to check for possible damage. If you are lucky, none of your appliances will need attention, but if the flooding is extensive, your system may require repairs. 

Step 5: Beware Mold Growth

As if the sanitation effects of a sewer backup weren’t bad enough, any excess moisture could lead to mold growth if not handled properly. Even if the water did not touch a particular surface, the added humidity caused by the flooding could lead to mold and mildew. Apart from being unsightly, mold can cause harmful symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, headaches and compromised breathing in those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Be vigilant for mildewy or stumpy smells that can indicate the presence of mold.

Prolonged Problem?

If the sewage backupoccurred while you were out of town and the mess has been sitting in your home for an unknown amount of time, do not attempt to clean it up yourself! Wastewater is the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, which will multiply the longer the mess sits. These pathogens could cause serious health issues if not eliminated properly, and the only thing anyone wants less than a sewage backup is to get sick from one! Instead, call an expert to figure out the cause of your sewage woesand remedy the problem. 

Need help handling your sewer backup? Call your friends at Combat Plumbing at any of our three Red Oakland locations. Our team is able to fix both your sewer problems and any HVAC damages the backup may have caused!