Restoring Safety: Sewage Cleanup Process

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

Restoring Safety: Sewage Cleanup Process

When your business experiences water damage from a flooded toilet or sewer backup, the cleanup process is more intricate than just wiping everything down with disinfectant towelettes. Make sure everyone is safe and then call in professionals. Water restoration specialists can dry the area, clean it, and test it to ensure all harmful microbes and bacteria are gone. How this process works is generally as follows:

1. Identifying and Repairing Source of Problem

The first thing to accomplish is stop any ongoing issues so that the mess does not get larger. This may be done by a plumber.  Once the flooded toilet has been unclogged or the lines cleared, sewage cleanup can begin.

2. Assessment of Damage

The sewage cleanup professionals will  inspect and determine the type of water and then plan the appropriate response to safely restore your business. They will also assess the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

3. Removing Water and Sewage

The bulk of the contaminated water must be removed before anything can be cleaned. Trained technicians use specialized equipment to remove the contaminated water for proper disposal, helping to prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

4. Identifying Salvageable vs. Contaminated Items

After most of the contaminated water is gone, individual items are evaluated for restoration or discarding. Before discarding any items, make sure you take photos to prove the loss to the insurance adjuster who decides how much your policy covers. Some restoration companies offer documentation services with photos and a physical inventory.

5. Drying and Cleaning, 

Technicians will finish drying the building with water extraction equipment. They may have to remove parts of the wall or any insulation that was affected by the contaminated water. Anything that remains must be disinfected with chemicals that have been specially formulated to combat the contaminants in the sewage. 

6. Testing

This step is vital for making sure that the effort from previous steps was effective. Technicians test for contaminants and hopefully declare your building safe.

7. Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in the business depending on the extent of damage.

Once everything has been cleaned, tested and restored items can be moved back into place. The completion of the sewer cleanup process means you are back in business.

Visit us at https://www.SERVPROlakewaywestlake.com for more information.