Sewage Overflow in Homes: The Major Dos and Don’ts

Sewage overflows in home can be bothersome no matter how small or severe the situation is due to the stench and unsanitary conditions. They disrupt your lives and set off a chain of reactions that can cause irreversible property damage. Not to forget the potential health hazards that come with it. 

If you’re stuck in a situation, we can assist you with our sewage backup cleanup services.  All homeowners are requested to follow specific dos and don’ts of sewage overflow in homes until our arrival. 

Let’s have a look: 

Rule #1: Do Evacuate the Area As Soon As Possible 

Sewage overflows in homes can be hazardous to all family members, including your furry and feathered friends. The grey water or brownish-black icky sewage sludge overflowing from your toilets (or drain lines) includes dangerous contaminants. 

Therefore, like any emergency, ensure that the children and elderly members of the family are safe. You might want them to relocate if the spill spreads or simply seal off the flooded areas to stop them from in contact with the raw sewage material. 

People and pets can become ill due to prolonged exposure can lead to severe infections and bacterial diseases. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, stinging eyes, breathing issues, and in severe cases gastrointestinal issues. Seek medical attention if you or one of the occupants of the house feel unwell after the sewage backup to prevent health risks. 

Rule # 2: Don’t Forget to Turn Off Your Water Supply 

Clogged drains and blocked pipelines can be the main cause of sewage overflow in homes. So as long as your water supply is running, the spill will spread. Prevent the whole house from getting flooded by shutting off the water supply as soon as a sewage spill gets detected. You might want to call your utility service provider if the main valve is inaccessible. 

Once the water supply gets turned off you can take steps to remove the sewage water. 

Pro-tip: Don’t unclog the drain or call a plumber to address the blockage. Doing this can cause excessive water to gush out from the newly opened pipeline. 

Rule # 3: Do Shut Down the Electrical Power in Your Home  

Besides controlling water flow, you must ensure that the standing water doesn’t come in contact with electrical wires or home appliances. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with an electrical fire as well. There are two things you can do here. 

First, go to the main circuit breaker to shut off the electrical power in your home. You can either turn off the mainline or a phase supplying electricity to the flooded area.  Secondly, you can call your electrical supply company to switch off the power from their end to minimize risk. 

As a precautionary measure, avoid going near electrical wires or appliances until the sewage water gets cleared up. 

Rule # 4: Don’t Try to Do Everything Yourself 

It can be tempting to take care of the sewage spill yourself or call a plumber to fix the minor pipeline issue. This is unadvisable considering the biohazards sewage water poses for you and your property. You will need protective gear such as goggles, gloves, masks, and sometimes hazmat suits to keep yourself safe from danger. 

 That’s why you must call in hazmat-clad home restoration experts that offer sewage backup and cleanup services. 

How Can 911 Restoration of Bakersfield with Sewage Overflows in Homes?

In our case, we follow emergency restoration and disaster recovery procedures when we deal with sewage overflow in homes. Our IICRC-trained specialists have the skills and expertise to execute an effective sewage remediation plan. 

It includes:

• Free site inspection to prepare a customized plan for sewage removal 
• Sewage water removal with high-grade pumps and air-drying equipment 
• Advanced cleanup and disinfectant treatments to remove mold growth, airborne bacteria, and contaminants that might linger on despite the water removal 
• Deodorization treatment to eliminate bad smell and odor caused by the pungent sewage water 
• Reconstruction and recovery of salvageable items.

Besides this, our keen-eyed home restoration experts conduct another inspection to detect potential hazards.  The follow-up procedures can include mold remediation and water damage restoration services. 

Lastly, we maintain a detailed record of property loss and damages to help you file a home insurance claim. 

Parting Words 

In the end, sewage spills might not seem as destructive as floods or house fires. Yet, you can’t overlook the threat they pose to your property and health. That’s why it’s best to follow dos and don’ts of sewage overflow in homes to handle the situation efficiently.  This includes calling in home restoration experts for help if the situation looks unmanageable. 

Otherwise, you might wind up with costly maintenance fees and irreversible property damage.

Our trained team knows how to limit water damage with the aid of sewage removal and remediation techniques. The procedure includes water removal, deep cleanup and disinfection along with deodorization. These steps eradicate the contaminated water and reverse signs of destruction. In turn, allowing your home to look good as new. 

Get in touch with our specialists at 911 Restoration of Bakersfield to receive immediate help in case of sewage-related emergencies.