Most Americans these days are trying to keep their houses free of COVID-19. While this is generally a good thing, it also makes it easy to forget that coronavirus isn’t the only pathogen we have to worry about.
In previous articles, we listed the cleaning and disinfection techniques your coronavirus disinfecting service in San Diego uses to keep COVID-19 out of your home. Now we’ll give you some pointers on how to deal with another major source of household disease: sewage overflow. Read on to learn more.
How do you clean up carpet after sewer backup?
Dealing with the aftermath of a sewage overflow is not only unpleasant, it can also expose you to dangerous bacteria and lead to a mold infestation in your home. For this reason, it’s best to leave your sewage cleanup to the experts.Â
Here’s how to clean a carpet after sewage backup:
Step #1: Stay safe
Always wear a face mask, disposable gloves, and eye protection while dealing with sewage. Refrain from touching your face during the cleaning. Thoroughly wash your hands and clothes after you’re done.
Step #2: Take care of any solid waste
Grab a scoop or a shovel and use it to move solid waste from the sewage water into a plastic bag. Once the bag is full, take it outside and put it in a dumpster.
Step #3: Remove damaged building materials
Sewage overflow is considered as a category 3 water. And based on the IICRC guidelines all affected porous building materials need to be removed after being in contact with category 3 water. For example, if you have carpet flooring both the carpet and pad will have to be removed and disposed of in plastic bags.
Step #4: Clean the floor
Thoroughly scrub and sanitize the floor using either a commercial cleaning product or a homemade solution that’s 1 part bleach and 10 part water. Don’t lay down new flooring until the floor is 100% dry.
Step #5: Restoration
After making sure all the affected building materials have been removed/dried you can start the restoration/repair process.
Can you get sick from sewage backup?
Yes. Sewage is primarily contaminated water that contains one or more types of waste that may come from both industrial and household sources. Microbes, parasites, toxins, and other harmful substances can all be found in sewer water in varying amounts.
In addition to physical contaminants, sewer backup can also emit airborne pathogens and toxins. Spending any amount of time near raw sewage can result in a wide variety of health problems, including gastroenteritis, encephalitis, and even hepatitis A.
How do you get sewer smell out of the house after backup?
The only way to truly remove the smell after a sewer backup is to destroy the bacteria that are causing the unpleasant odors, and that means using powerful disinfectants.
Unless you’re a seasoned remediation technician with access to specialized equipment, the recommended course of action in case of a sewage backup (or other forms of flooding) is to get expert assistance ASAP.
Where can I book a dependable coronavirus disinfecting service in San Diego?
As the leading remediation and restoration company in San Diego, Risk Free Serv is uniquely positioned to provide you with the full range of mold, fire, smoke, and water remediation services.Â
Our emergency response hotline is available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at any hour. Our technicians will promptly show up at your place regardless of whether you’re located in the suburbs or right next to the Balboa Park. Give us a call today.Â