So, you might be wondering how exactly you’re supposed to deal with sewage backup in Sarasota. Sometimes your remedy will depend on the ultimate cause of the backup. It could be a structural defect; it could be root infiltration; or it could be the most common cause – solid objects being flushed down the drain.
In the case of a sewage backup in your home, more often than not, it’s in your best interest to contact water damage professionals, instead of taking care of the problem yourself. Still, if you insist on dealing with the situation, we’d like to guide you on how you can do it properly.
Equip Yourself With Rubber Gloves And A Mask
Before you even begin to handle your sewage mishap – safety first, right? Be sure to put on a pair of rubber gloves and a mask, so as not to take the obvious risk of getting sick. It’s also important to open all windows in and around the affected area.
Sort Your Belongings
It might be difficult to see that many of your most loved possessions are now sewage-soaked. This is a good time to really think about what items are important to you, and what items aren’t. Bear in mind though, that all of this has to happen fairly quickly – the longer you wait, the more likely that your favorite things will be ruined.
Items you must throw away include books, cosmetics, and toys. Sweep any of these items (and any other junk you don’t need) off the floor using a broom and dustpan. Quickly toss these items in a trash bag, and place it in a trash can, outside.
You can usually salvage some items of clothing; rugs; furniture; and canned goods. Put these items outside, as well, but obviously not in the trash – you’ll deal with them later.
Vacuum
Once all items have been removed from the sewage-filled vicinity, you can start to clean surface areas. Assuming that you don’t already own a wet/dry vacuum, you’re going to have to go out and rent one. Begin sucking up the black water with the vacuum, rolling it slowly over the affected area, as to not miss a spot.
Disinfecting The Walls And Floor
Next, fill a bucket with water and a disinfectant cleaning solution. Then, fill another bucket with clear water. Wash down the walls with the cleaning solution, then rinse them thoroughly with the fresh water. It’s important to start in the farthest area from the door, and work your way back.
Even though you’ve vacuumed most of the black water on the floor with the dry/wet vac, you still have to disinfect it. Using the same cleaning solution you used to clean the walls, thoroughly begin to mop the floor.
A Final Scrubbing
One last scrubbing needs to take place, to ensure that you’ve killed all the bacteria. Use a scrub brush dipped in a solution of a half a cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Using a decent amount of elbow grease, thoroughly scrub the infected area.
Set up a fan in the infected area, to encourage the drying process – leave it to dry for several hours.
Using A Professional Water Damage Contractor Is Always The Safest Route
As you can see, although laborious, it is possible to clean up a sewage backup in Sarasota on your own, but if you don’t have the time or you don’t want to take any health risks, it’s always best to contact water damage professionals in your area. Leave it to them to get you back on dry land!