How To Clean Sewage Backup in Your Bathroom

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Sewer backup in Hallandale, FL home

How To Clean Sewer Backup

If you have a sewage backup in your bathroom, you will want to clean it as quickly as possible to prevent damage and contamination to your building and belongings. Here's how to clean sewer backup and when to call a professional for help.

When To Call a Professional
Before you begin cleaning the toilet or bathtub backup, you should know when it is better to call a professional restoration service in Hallandale, FL, rather than cleaning it yourself:

• Liquid is near electrical wiring
• Carpet, upholstery, or other belongings have been contaminated
• Flooding has caused structural damage
• Excessive amounts of fluids
• Sewage backup happens multiple times

Turn Off Water and Electricity
If the sewer backup may have come into contact with any electrical wiring, turn off the power to avoid risk of electrocution. You will want to stop all sources of running water, included flushing toilets, open faucets, dishwashers, and washing machines. This will help avoid spreading contaminated water throughout your plumbing system or into other rooms.

Open Windows
Opening windows and doors near the flooded area can help with drying and mold prevention. Avoid using central or portable heating systems for drying, for they may become contaminated by particles in the air.

Remove Contaminated Items
Anything the fluids touched should be considered contaminated. Try to remove as many of the contaminated items as possible, discarding them or placing them outside of the building. This includes clothing, fabric, carpeting, furniture, paper, and more. Having them out of the way will make cleanup and drying easier.

Clean Up
If there is not an excessive amount of flooding, you may begin removing water from the area. Using towels that you can immediately discard is the easiest way to soak up the bulk of the fluid. You will then need to disinfect all surfaces, even if they did not come into direct contact with the backup, to remove bacteria and prevent molding.
If you experience sewer backup, make sure you know when it is safe to clean on your own and when to contact a professional. If it is safe, turn off water and electricity, open windows, remove contaminated items, and clean up the spillage.