Steps to Clean up Sewage

Sewage backing up can be dangerous and disgusting to deal with. It might not be very destructive but it can be a serious health risk to you or your loved ones. That is why it is important to have it cleaned as soon as possible. If the damage is not severe you may be able to take some steps to prevent further damage yourself.

Safety First

Step one is to protect yourself, and use protective gear such as rubber gloves, boots, face masks, and eyewear. Make sure to have your family and pets leave the home while the mess is cleaned up. Sewage can contain human waste, bacteria, and fungus therefore it can be very dangerous to handle sewage without the proper gear. You should also close any doors leading to the affected area to keep sewage from being tracked through your home.

Remove Sewage

Using a pump or a wet-dry vacuum you should remove any sewage as soon as possible. If the sewage flooded the room, carpets, baseboards, and wall panels should be removed and disposed of safely. Any items that may have been contaminated should be moved to a separate area with a concrete or tiled floor that can easily be disinfected.

There may be sludge left behind after pumping all the liquid out. Do not take it out by hand. You should use a shovel and place the sludge into sturdy plastic bags to be disposed of.

Disinfect & Clean

Wash all the affected areas with hot water and disinfectant, you may need to wash more than once. After everything has been disinfected you should clean the area again using 1 part chlorine bleach and 4 parts water and thoroughly scrub the floor and walls. Rinse everything off with clean water.

After you clean up the rest of the water open some windows if you can, if there are no windows in the affected room you can use dehumidifiers to help keep the room dry.

Check for Mold

After a sewage leak or sewage backup, it can greatly increase the risk of mold growth in the home due to the high humidity. It’s important to have a professional inspect your home to make sure everything is safe.

Wasatch Disaster Recovery can help you with your inspections. We specialize in sewage clean up and mold removal.

Personal Items

Personal items that may have only been slightly affected by the sewage should be washed with anti-bacterial cleaners and placed in the sun to dry. Carpeted and upholstered should be cleaned by a professional. Food items and consumables should be thrown out.

When you should call Wasatch Disaster Recovery

If the leak happened more than 24 hours ago then bacteria could have spread through the house. It can also greatly increase the chances of mold growth.

If the leak has affected more than one room.

If you or a family member has pre-existing health conditions that may become agitated when exposed to sewage or other contaminants.