Seeing sewage backup in your basement can be very unsettling. The sight can make any day a bad day. More than looking disgusting, the damage is hazardous. We recommend scheduling a sewage clean up service immediately when you observe the damage. However, if you want to clean it yourself, we are happy to help with a step-by-step guide. Though quick fixes will not guarantee an end to basement sewage backup but not doing anything will make things worse. So, here we go:
Step 1: Wear Protective Gears
You should first safeguard yourself from the wastewater. The sewage holds nasty compounds, and it may result in illnesses. So, we recommend having essentials like gloves, rubber shoes and face masks. If possible, put on a long-sleeve shirt, full-length pants and a pair of rubber waders.
Caution: Don’t step into the damage if you lack any of these safety gears.
Step 2: Protect Your Property
Close the doors between polluted locations and non-affected rooms. It decreases the possibility of sewage mess and water travelling through the residence. It also helps to reduce the spread of airborne pollutants.
Step 3: Inspect and Identify
Inspect your property to detect the source of the sewage backup. If you can’t manage repairs, contact a professional for sewage cleaning service immediately. The experts will thoroughly examine the damaged area and identify the root cause. Once they get to the bottom of the issue, they will resolve it with advanced techniques and modern machines.
Step 4: Move Out Everything
Use shovels, push brooms and wet vacuums to remove debris and sludge in the damaged area. Clean the mess as much as possible. Reach to all surfaces and corners to disinfect the place. You can also keep things in bags and sanitize them after cleaning up. Carpets and upholstery may need immediate professional cleaning. Ask someone else to contact experts while you clean the sewage in your basement.
Step 5: Scrub and Rinse
To make everything like before, you have to scrub down walls and floors affected by the sewage. Use hot water and a detergent solution to wash the place. Work from top to bottom to minimize the effort you are putting in. It’s vital to scrub and remove all debris from the surfaces. If you leave them as it is, they will contaminate the air with mold spores.
Step 6: Sanitization
Prepare a solution of bleach and water to disinfect surfaces. Apply the mixture to affected areas and mop the floors. You can use a large push broom to speed up the task.
Step 7: Drying Process
If you clean and rinse everything but don’t dry it properly, the mold may still grow in your basement. Pests and germs thrive for moisture; they won’t leave until everything is back to normal.
Step 8: Wash Your Protective Gears
Once you clean and dry the basement, don’t throw the protective gear on the floor. You might have got dangerous germs on your body. So, after finishing up the cleaning work, sanitize these gears. If you choose to hire professionals offering restoration service, you won’t have to worry about safely washing your clothes and boots.
What to Do After a Basement Sewer Backup?
- Don’t let anyone enter the affected area, especially kids, pets and individuals with medical conditions.
- Open windows immediately to improve indoor air quality.
- Use chlorine bleach to treat flooded patches and stop the growth of sewage-borne germs.
- Call the home insurance company to have a look at the mess. You can also click pictures as documents for the recovery.
- Then, hire a competent company for immediate sewage cleaning service. The experts will look into the matter and return the clean basement you saw before the damage. Also, hiring them saves your time, money and effort on a difficult clean-up.
What Causes Sewage Backup in Basements?
- Overgrown Roots
Old trees and their overgrown underground roots may damage the pipes.
- Floods
Natural disasters and heavy rain flow may ruin the wastewater system and cause backflow of that water into your basement.
- Clogs
Food, hair, grease, derbies, paper, plastic or any other solid substances can create a clog in the septic system or pipes. The overpressure then breaks the system and causes severe backups.
Cleaning sewage in the basement is not an ordinary DIY task. The job involves health threats and dealing with germs, bacteria and whatnot. Before anything else, the smell will kill your nose’s sensations. Dealing with that mess is a risky task on many levels. So, no matter how easy it looks, we recommend hiring an expert like Wow Flood Restoration Perth. They offer safe and quick restoration service in Perth and surrounding areas. Contact us now, and we will safeguard your place as soon as possible.
