Flooding and plumbing clogs can cause a disgusting problem in your home: sewage backup. If you have ever dealt with this issue, you know just how filthy and lengthy the cleanup can be. What you may not realize is just how dangerous this situation is to your health. Proper restoration steps must be followed to keep your family safe. When sewage enters your home, you need to have professional help with the cleanup.
Contaminants
When sewage backs up into your home, it brings more than a mess and a bad smell. It brings some dangerous contaminants. Among these substances are bacteria and viruses that can lead to life-threatening conditions. Diseases such as hepatitis A, encephalitis, escherichia coli, giardiasis, salmonellosis, and typhoid fever can result from contact with the muck in your home. When sewage is involved, simply scrubbing and pumping the area is not enough to protect you and your family. More extensive procedures are needed.
Immediate Steps
No matter the cause of the backup, you need to take certain immediate steps. First, stop using your toilets so that you don't make matters worse by adding to the contamination. You should turn off anything that is pumping water into your drains, including clothes washers and dishwashers. Don't run water down the sink. Next, call the professionals. Most of these water and sewage damage companies offer 24/7 help, so they should be able to begin cleanup immediately. Do not enter the basement or any contaminated area unless you are wearing protective clothing, including boots, gloves, and a protective mask. If possible, stay away from the area until help arrives.
Restoration Companies
Although you can attempt a cleanup on your own, you risk contracting a disease and not completely ridding the area of contamination. Mold and mildew are certain issues you may have to face after the flood. You may not be able to restore some items such as carpeting or other furnishings that professionals could salvage. Also, the professionals know which items are beyond saving and will dispose of them for you. Fortunately, your homeowner's insurance should pay for at least some of this service.
When your home becomes flooded with sewage, you should call the professionals for help. You can easily contract a disease from this contamination, and you are simply not equipped to properly cleanup after this damage. After you turn off the water, call for experienced help. Contact a company like Minnesota Disaster Restoration Services for more information.
Share28 July 2016
My entire life, I had always been terrified of tornadoes. While my husband would sometimes go outside and look at the strange hue of the sky, I'd find myself and my daughter huddled in the downstairs basement with our dog. Fortunately, my husband had enough sense to come downstairs with us during the tornado that took most of our house. My family almost lost everything. This was more than just a home. We had built it ourselves and poured our hearts and souls into it. I was determined to have our home restored to an exact replica of the original that we lost. I learned everything I could about damage contractors while trying to restore my home and I've developed a love for this topic that has inspired me to maintain a blog about it.
