Many homeowners never think about what would happen if a problem arises with the sewer system in their city or with their septic tank on their own property. We flush things down the toilet and wash things down our sinks on a daily basis with little to no thought about where it all goes and the chances of it actually coming back into our homes one day. Yet sewage damage is caused every day all over the country for a variety of reasons. It’s something that every homeowner needs to be aware of, so that they can take immediate action and limit the amount of sewage damage to their property.
A lot of sewage damage is caused during rainy periods when the ground may flood and old sewage pipes can leak out into the ground, or allow water to enter the pipe causing a backup. Many cities have sewage systems that are hundreds of years old and with age they can get leaky and greatly increase the risk of leaking.
Other causes for a backup leading to sewage damage occur inside the home by homeowners who are not aware of the problems they can create for their system. Oils and grease that are regularly washed down the drain after cooking can collect together in the service line between the home and the city’s main sewage line, causing a hard substance that clogs the line, sending all the waste water back to the home. Paper products that are not made to be flushed down toilets and other items flushed can also collect in the line and cause a backup.
Once a backup has entered your home and you have started to clean up the mess, you will likely come across sewage damage to carpeting, walls, furniture, rugs, and other items in that area of the home. What you do with these items (or don’t do) will determine how healthy your home is for living in the future because sewage water carries a lot of bacteria that can develop into dangerous parasites and diseases. Wet surfaces that are not properly cleaned can also lead to mold problems that will take over your entire home if not taken care of quickly.
You must take immediate action to clean up a sewage backup and to correct any sewage damage. The longer you wait the more sewage damage you will have to fix in the long run. If you can afford to call a plumber you should do so immediate. Most cities have services open around the clock. In some areas you may be able to contact city services for help, especially if there is a backup affecting numerous homes and businesses in the area.
If you decide to go it alone, the job requires more than just wiping down with your everyday household cleaner. You will need a strong disinfectant and carpets will need to be steamed, or completely replaced. Remember carpets are highly absorbent so they will soak in the sewage water quickly, so they are likely to have sewage damage that leads to a foul smell and a lot of toxins. Use a wet vacuum to first remove any excess water in the area then make sure every item in the area is completely sanitized or thrown out completely.
Richard Barthallo is a article writer for document and water damage. For more info go to http://www.moldrestorationusa.com/COLUMBUS_Sewage_Damage_Cleanup_Sewer_Backup_Cleaning_Service_COLUMBUS_OH
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