How to Handle a Sewage Backup

A sewage backup is never a pleasant experience. It can be messy, smelly, and even dangerous. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. If you experience a sewage backup, it is important to clean it up and disinfect the area as soon as possible.

Cleanup

Call a sewage cleanup service. This is the best way to ensure that the cleanup is done safely and properly. Sewage cleanup services have the training and equipment to safely remove sewage and disinfect the area.
If you cannot call a sewage cleanup service, you can clean up the sewage yourself. However, it is important to take precautions to protect yourself from the harmful bacteria and viruses. Wear rubber gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
Remove the sewage. Use a bucket or sump pump to remove the sewage from the area. Be careful not to splash the sewage or get it on your skin.
Clean the area. Once the sewage has been removed, clean the area with a bleach solution. Mix one part bleach to nine parts water. Use a sponge or mop to apply the bleach solution to the area. Allow the bleach solution to sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it away with clean water.

Disinfection

Once the area has been cleaned, it is important to disinfect it. This will help to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses. You can disinfect the area with a bleach solution or a commercial disinfectant.
To disinfect with a bleach solution, mix one part bleach to nine parts water. Use a sponge or mop to apply the bleach solution to the area. Allow the bleach solution to sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it away with clean water.
To disinfect with a commercial disinfectant, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some commercial disinfectants may need to be diluted with water before use.

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to help prevent sewage backups. These include:
Do not flush non-biodegradable items down the toilet. Non-biodegradable items can clog the sewer line and cause a backup.
Keep trees and shrubs away from sewer lines. Roots from trees and shrubs can grow into sewer lines and cause blockages.
Have your sewer lines inspected and cleaned regularly. This will help to prevent blockages and backups.

Conclusion

Sewage backups are a messy and unpleasant experience. However, by following these tips, you can clean up the mess and disinfect the area safely and effectively. You can also take steps to prevent sewage backups from happening in the future.