Is It Possible To Clean up After Sewage Damage?

9/28/2020 (Permalink)

When working on a sewer cleanup with black water, everyone must wear personal protective equipment

Is It Possible To Clean up After Sewage Damage?

Cleaning up after a sewage disaster in your commercial building in Melbourne, FL, is possible, but more complicated than other water damage situations. This means that it is in your best interest to call in somebody who knows what they are doing, like a sewer cleanup restoration specialist. They will follow a procedure similar to the one outlined below.

Removal

If you've got a sewer backup, safety is a large consideration. Sewage is considered contaminated water, or black water. It's not good for people to be exposed to it. So, first, there are certain precautions you must take:

• Evacuate everyone who is not necessary away from the flooded area.
• Remove any additional hazards from the equation, such as shutting off electricity.
• Pump and drain out the contaminated water.
• Follow local toxic waste procedure to dispose of it.
  
  

Protection

When working on a sewer cleanup with black water, everyone must wear personal protective equipment. Try to leave no area of skin exposed- long rubber gloves and boots should be worn over long pants and sleeves. A pair of waders would be ideal. Goggles can be worn to protect the eyes. A face mask or respirator will help ensure that it does not reach the mouth or nose. If anyone were to be exposed, they should leave immediate to clean up.

Decontamination

After repairing your flooded toilet, when it's time for the cleaning stage, you will need to determine what can be saved and what must be thrown away. Porous materials such as ceiling tiles, drywall and carpet may not be salvageable. Everything else must go through a multi-step process with specialized equipment to be treated for bacteria. Once that is done the contents can be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Hard surfaces like wood should then have a protective coating applied.

Sewer cleanup requires a specialized set of equipment, skills and knowledge, so it is best not to attempt it yourself. Consider finding a restoration company you trust so you'll be ready for anything.