We could write a book on...

Suggested Sewage Damage Remediation Guidelines

As and expert flood damage restoration company, we could write a book on sewage damage. But several academic experts in sewage issues already have.

Here is some of what they advise.

Throughout the eons, the destructive force of water has shaped the outdoor environment. Long-term, it’s also the single most destructive force in the indoor environment. It weakens wood and other materials. It fosters the growth of microorganisms like mold and mildew. It harbors other pathogens, allergens and even hazardous materials. And eventually, water will get out of control at some time in the life of any dwelling or business.

The single most important piece of advice is: take action fast. Any water damage gets worse, one way or another, if not treated promptly. Sewage water damage gets worse in every way.

Professional restorers and public health officials understand the objectives. We want you to be fully aware, as well. Consider

            Your health
            Public health
            Remove harmful substances
            Dry out the environment using procedures that preserve the integrity of
            the structure and articles being dried
            Salvage valuable property.

Not to alarm you, but the level of health risk depends on the type of sewage and the extent of a sewage backup (or floodwaters contaminated by contact with sewage water).

In some cases, a limited amount of waste is present. (For instance, a toilet overflow.) If absorbent materials (e.g. wood) have not been contaminated, you’re probably able to mop that up and disinfect the area yourself.  However, if water has reached the subflooring (through a gap in the tile, for example), or if it is a very large flood, you may need professional assistance.

Other sewage floods are the result of a system malfunction within the building, but are more extensive.  For example, a bathroom flood that flows under a wall and reaches the carpet beyond. Now you’re dealing with complex surfaces and materials that are hard to dry properly without proper equipment and know-how. Improper treatment can allow mildew, bacteria and odor to grow. It could also cause the carpet to shrink or the flooring to require warp. Professional attention is definitely advised.

Thirdly, there’s the kind of flood that results from a backup of the sewage system itself. Everyone should evacuate and immediate restoration should be begun by a qualified professional contractor. This situation will require respirators, HEPA air filters, protective clothing, specialized equipment and proper disposal of waste. Need we write more?

When a building is contaminated with sewage backing up from the septic lines, or flooding of a building occurs that involves sewage or a heavy load of organic matter, as in the case of river flooding, a serious threat to human health exists. Without appropriate action, extensive damage to materials will occur immediately or in time. Several days may elapse before the cause of the backup is determined, the problem is corrected, and flooding subsides. This allows extensive permeation and contamination of absorbent (hygroscopic) materials such as wood, gypsum, paper, and concrete to occur. This penetration with water and organic matter leads to the growth of potentially disease-

Sewage Contamination Issues

How is the building affected?

How are the building’s occupants affected?

Should people be evacuated? If so, from where and how long?

What is in the water?

What has the water reached?

How long has the water remained?

Can porous materials (such as wood) be decontaminated, or must they be replaced?

What are the immediate and long-term effects if the damage and contamination are not cleaned up correctly and completely?

How will you know that the building and articles have been fully decontaminated?

What ventilation is already available?

Are other building systems affected by the sewage flood? For example, have the heating, ventilating or air conditioning equipment they been physically contacted by the water? Is the ventilation system now carrying odor and pathogens throughout the building?

What special measures will be necessary for safe, legal removal and disposal of contaminated materials, and/or affected materials that are inherently dangerous (e.g. asbestos)?

Will remediation chemicals (e.g. ammonia- or amine-based solutions) be hazardous to unprotected individuals, pets or wildlife? If so, what protective measures will be taken?

Ask us all these questions. We have all the answers.

For a Healthier Restoration

• Start remediation as quickly as possible. More time produces more bacteria and therefore greater damage.

• Evacuate unprotected people until the sewage is gone and disinfectants have begun to work.

• In the initial stages, clean-up technicians should have protective equipment, such as an organic vapor HEPA respirator, rubber gloves, boots, and splash goggles, and boots.

• Avoid cross contamination from one part of the building to another.

• Decontaminate as soon as the water is out, with disinfectant spray. This isn’t a full decontamination. That must come later. This is just to discourage nasty things from growing.

• Test all materials for porosity. The more permeable, the more they’ll need treatment. Be careful, different parts of the same item or surface, and different but similar-looking materials may have different characteristics (e.g., painted vs. unpainted)

• Recognize that some things can be restored relatively easily (e.g. non-porous metal furniture, ceramic tile). Some might be restorable (your expensive carpet, or favorite wooden chair), depending on their value. Highly porous items and materials almost surely cannot be restored (e.g. cloth upholstery, mattresses), and should be discarded promptly.

• Physically remove heavy organic matter. This may require specialized equipment, but it usually starts with a good, old-fashioned shovel. Ultimately, everything that serious sewer water reached therefore contains organic matter, and must be discarded or decontaminated.

• Following physical remover, a detailed step-by-step disinfection regimen should be followed. A variety of cleaning agents and disinfectants are used.

• Evaluate the results of decontamination efforts and reapply if necessary.

• Dry the overall premises and reduce the indoor relative humidity to 40% as quickly as possible. Use moisture meter, hygrometer and/or psychrometer to evaluate progress.

This is a partial list, and we’ve left out many, many details. As we said, it would take a book. But even if you wanted (for some weird reason) to clean up a sewage flood in your home yourself, you don’t have time to read a book.

All you have to do is call us.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

These guidelines do not necessarily represent the official policy of any government agency, and the advice given here is not complete. In case of a sewage-contaminated flood or sewage backflow, consult a qualified professional flood-remediation contractor immediately.