Sewer Damage Cleanup – Manchester, NH
Sewer damage is an emergency that has to be immediately dealt with. One citizen of Manchester, New Hampshire (NH) knows this too well. A blocked sewer line in his house burst, causing water damage and risk of disease from the contaminated water. It happened without warning, and he was thankfully prepared enough to have a number (603-641-6555) for an experienced and professional water and sewer damage cleanup company on hand to call right away. Despite having been a homeowner for decades, he felt flustered and overwhelmed by the situation, and immediately contacting professionals helped him to calm down.
How It Happens and Reasons to be Prepared
As previously mentioned, a way that sewer damage happens is a blocked sewer line. If the idea of that makes you cringe, you are not alone. It is a difficult situation that is no fun to have to deal with. While it might not be particularly fun to think about, it is worth it to have a plan worked out as to what you would do if you find yourself in the situation. That way you can spend less time panicking and more time working towards addressing the sewer damage cleanup situation.
Sewer Damage Cleanup Needs and Expert
Sewer water is categorized by IICRC S500 as Category 3 which means it is ‘grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents’. This makes the work to clean up sewer damage much more complicated than simpler water damage would be. The cleaners themselves have to be careful about their own safety and have to take extra measures to ensure the building is safe and clean. All of this means that it is a more complex job than an average clean. There’s a level of experience and qualifications needed to deal with it.
Cleaning a Sewage Backup
There are a lot of steps that work into cleaning up sewer damage. For example:
- The workers must properly use PPE (personal protective equipment) to ensure they don’t get sick
- Porous items (carpets, drywall, etc) affected by Category 3 water must be disposed of
- Non-porous items (concrete floor, for example) can be sanitized
- Cross-contamination with unaffected rooms in the house must be carefully avoided
- The air must be cleaned with HEPA filtration devices called air scrubbers
These are a few of the sewer damage cleanup basics. As mentioned previously, the process of cleaning up sewer damage is complicated and requires a level of experience and training to be done right. Make sure to check that the service company you hire is credible. Check their references and reviews online. Get a recommendation from a friend or trusted colleague. Ask for copies of IICRC certifications and proof of insurance. Don’t be afraid to do your due-diligence before hiring someone for your sewer damage cleanup project.
Soil-Away’s 24/7 Emergency Service
If you are currently dealing with sewer damage or have any concerns about the risk of sewer damage, it is highly recommended to contact a professional disaster cleanup company. Soil-Away is available 24/7 for water, fire, storm and sewer damage emergencies. Call our office at 603-641-6555 or click here to contact our property damage restoration experts.