What to Do After Your Home is Flooded with Sewage Backup?

After a sewage backup in your home, you must act quickly to get things sorted out. Otherwise, the problem will only worsen and be more expensive to fix. Sewage tracks down into walls and other surfaces within your home, affecting the air quality and causing pervasive odor problems. Even the structure of your home is at risk of being damaged by sewage leaks, so acting fast is crucial.

Therefore the best way to handle sewage backup is to call in a professional like Robinson Restoration serving all of Seattle, WA. They will clean your home and repair your septic tank, e.t.c. Read to learn what to do after your home is flooded with sewage backup.

Look for Safety

Don’t rush into the flood to see what’s happening. Sewage backup can contain several hazardous materials, including chemicals and pathogens that can cause infections (like hepatitis or salmonella). If you have any cuts on your skin, sewer water could enter through those cuts and make you sick. 

Also, if sewage backup is still in the house, there may be electrical hazards from damaged wiring or appliances. Stay far away from these areas until they have undergone inspection by a professional. 

Inspect the Building

Before a restoration company starts cleaning up, check the structure and utilities in your home to ensure they are safe.

If you have a basement or cellar, check for structural damage. Ensure there is no mold in the walls and floors of these areas. You may need to have them treated or repaired by an expert if there is any damage beyond repair. Also, check your electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures for any signs of water damage.

Document the Damage 

Take pictures of the flooded area, including any contaminated sewage backup sources (such as a sewer pipe) and your belongings. It’s also helpful to write down the date, time, and location of your incident in case you need to refer back to these details later.

Call Insurance Company

If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, let them know what happened so they can work with you on filing a claim for damages caused by flooding with sewage backup.

Salvage Your Belongings

Save any undamaged items as you move through the building. The costs associated with fixing the flood damage are high, so you’ll want to do what you can to cut them down to size. Move any untouched belongings to a safe location.

You should also remove from the water any affected item that you can carry. These items absorb more water and get more damaged the longer they sit in the stagnant water. Rugs, furniture, and gadgets are some things you’ll want to pack up and store somewhere.

Contact a Professional

This type of flood can cause severe damage to your home if not treated properly. A professional will know how to clean up the mess and remove the source of the problem. They will also test the area for potential health hazards and ensure that you don’t have any lingering issues before leaving.

Do not attempt to clean up the mess yourself. It can lead to exposure to dangerous bacteria and viruses that could make you sick. A professional will also provide various solutions for salvaging your home, including repairing or replacing damaged appliances.

Take Preventive Measures

If your home has flooded with sewage, take preventive measures. It means putting a plan to keep water out of your home.

• Ensure your house’s plumbing is working correctly. If you suspect that there might be a problem with the pipes, call a plumber immediately.
• Maintain the sewer lateral so it doesn’t become damaged or blocked by tree roots or other debris.
• Installing drain filters will keep debris from clogging your drains and prevent future backups. 
• Never pour oil down your drain, as it clogs up pipes and causes backups.
• Never flush anything that isn’t biodegradable, including diapers, paper towels, sanitary products, and other similar items. These items cause pipe blockages that require replacing the pipes.
• Prevent hair from entering the plumbing systems. Many products designed to prevent hair from clogging drains are available.

If you are unfortunate enough to experience a sewage backup, it’s essential to follow these steps. First, look for safety. Inspect the building to see if any structural damage will require professional assistance or immediate repair. Document the damage by taking pictures with your phone or writing notes so you can refer back later when filing an insurance claim or talking with contractors who specialize in sewage cleanup services. Then, contact a professional who can help clean up after this unfortunate event.