Most homeowners will tell you that there is worse than a sewage back-up in your home. But is that because of the worry and expense, or is it because of the clean-up process? Once you call (301) 278-8786 and have had the problem corrected by the licensed plumbers at A Better Plumber, you begin to feel a huge sense of relief. Then you realize that you have a massive clean-up project waiting on you. And it is not going to be simple or pleasant. However, with a few tips from our expert plumbers, you will know that you are correctly tackling it. Your clean-up will return your home to being safe and functional for you and your loved ones.
Sewage Is Serious
Not only is a sewage back-up nasty and disgusting, but it also poses some dire health risks to you and your family. The clean-up requires more than just removing waste and dirty water. You need to also be sure that the area is sanitized to be safe for your family and pets. And to add to the level of complication, you need to make sure that you are not exposing yourself to any of the harmful parasites and bacteria that are lurking in the waste that has invaded your home.
Be Prepared
Before you even start the clean-up process, read through these eight critical tips to ensure that you have everything you need to complete the job. You don’t want to get halfway through the process only to realize that you need to run to the big box store for more supplies. Because after that errand, you are likely to rush back to work without the proper safety gear and precautions. So take a moment and make sure that you are ready to tackle this entire clean-up process before you begin.
Helpful Tips And Information
- Don’t put off beginning the clean-up process. The longer you let the contamination stand on the floor, the more damage it can cause. It will seep into carpeting, furniture, drywall, ad personal belongings, ruining almost everything that it comes into contact with.
- Protective gear is essential for your safety. Be sure to wear boots, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat if you have long hair. If you have any open wounds on your body, cover them with waterproof bandages and try to avoid contacting those areas with the sewage. Finally, gloves and eye protection are critical. It is also best to wear a ventilator or mask to protect your lungs from any bacteria or other contaminants that you could inhale. If you do not have access to these items, create a makeshift mask with fabric that will cover both your mouth and nose.
- Pick up all of the solid waste with a shovel and place it in a bucket. If your sewer line has been repaired, you can flush the solid waste. If it is not fixed, place the bucket in a durable trash bag. Have additional trash bags ready for the disposal of any towels or rags that you used to soak up the liquid.
- Wet and dry shop vacuums work for removing puddles, but be sure to completely clean and sanitize them after use.
- Old sheets, towels, and rags are the best way to soak up the remaining liquid. Remember that any items you use for this clean-up process should be thrown away rather than washed and kept. Thrift stores or Goodwill stores are excellent locations to purchase affordable towels for this purpose.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area completely. This is essential to preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
- Sort through any items that were contaminated by the sewage. Anything that absorbed sewage should be thrown away. This includes soft flooring like carpet and rugs, wood or particle board furniture, anything made of fabric. While you might think that some of these items can be cleaned, they cannot be completely disinfected and represent a health risk to you and your family if they remain in your home.
- When the space is cleared of sewage and dry, it is time to begin disinfecting. Start with a solution of soap and water for the first cleaning of everything in the area. Next, use a mixture of water and bleach to remove any lingering contamination. Work slowly and carefully to wipe down every surface that could have been contaminated.
When you have a sewage back-up in your home, it is great to know that a call to (301) 278-8786 will get an emergency A Better Plumber crew to your house quickly. But once the problem is fixed, you will still have a lot of work ahead of you to return your home to the safe sanctuary that you and your family need.
