Properly Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing Your Home After a Sewage Leak

Published Categorized as Restoration

Sewage backups are one of the most unfortunate events that can happen. Besides the obvious smell, sewage contains an insurmountable amount of contaminants, bacteria, and viruses, such as hepatitis and salmonella, only to say a minuscule amount. Not treating any sewage backups immediately is not only imperative but hygienically necessary. The most effective method of having this issue cleaned is by arranging an appointment with sewage damage cleaning professionals as immediate as you can.

The recommended method of cleaning this incident is by allowing water damage professionals to do the work. The cleaning process does not only require intense labor, but requires the use of strong chemicals to clean, disinfect, and remove as much as the smell as possible. Because of the strength of the chemicals and the dangers that lurk in sewage, special equipment is needed for the cleaning process, such as gloves, masks, head covering, boots, and jumpsuit. Also, items like rags, hose with a spray nozzle and other accessories will be needed. If you do decide to tackle this problem yourself, make sure that equipment and accessories you use are strong enough to protect you.

After deciding how to tackle this problem, consider what has been affected by the sewage. Decide what will be disposed of, and if you decide that something is worth saving, make sure that it is as cleaning those items will require detailed cleaning and disinfecting. The rule of thumb is that the more you dispose of, the less you will have to clean and the decrease in risk of exposing yourself to anything that may not have been cleaned correctly. Even a small section that is not cleaned and sanitized can cause health problems in the future.

The next process is to remove the standing water by any means necessary and as soon as you can. Once the water has been removed as much as possible, begin cleaning one room at a time. This will help make sure that nothing is missed. If you jump from room to room, their likely hood of missing something increases. Choice cleaning products that are specifically made to clean sewage problems. All surfaces, nooks, and corners must be completely cleaned.

After cleaning, comes sanitizing. Everything must be disinfected. There are special products that are also specifically made for sewage cleaning that comes in powder or liquid form. Everything and anything that was touched by the sewage water must be sanitized to remove all bacteria and viruses. Failure to do so will cause health issues for you, your family, and any pets that you may have.

Once everything has been cleaned, the final step is to allow the affected areas to dry out. This will require the use of fans, having all windows opened, and even doors. Dehumidifiers are also recommended to help with the drying process. If you decide to use one, make sure that the dehumidifier is the correct size for the room that is being dried. A smaller machine will not help dry a large room. The entire process will require some rinse and repeat. But if you find yourself in this situation, being able to feel safe and have your home smell fresh, it will not be so much of a concern.