Depending on the circumstances of the situation and in order to ensure healthy indoor environment for the occupants, it may be necessary to contact a restoration professional. To accelerate the cleanup and restoration process, decide what you can do and what should be left in the hands of the professionals. Sewage backup contains many bacteria and other hazardous microorganisms. These can be easily transmitted simply by touching contaminated items.



There is also the transporting of these hazardous organisms to uncontaminated areas. Frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap is an important preventive measure.

During sewage backup cleanup, wear gloves and rubber boots to keep your feet safe and dry. If you have a sore or a cut, if possible, do not assist in the cleaning.

Taking quick action will also avoid sewage backup damage to the structural materials and suppress organisms like mold and mildew to develop. The longer the waste water from sewage backup is allowed to remain in your home the greater for potential sickness and perhaps even irreparable damage to the home. Successful cleanup and restoration relies on the swiftness with which the home and the contents can be dried and restored. In short, taking immediate action on sewage backup situation will result in no damage or minimum damage.

Before beginning any work involving water related dilemmas like sewage backup, be aware of potential damage to utilities. If you are uncomfortable working on your utilities or appliance, seek professional help. Electric shock is very dangerous and can kill.

There are four steps to efficient cleaning:

Gather the necessary cleaning materials like brooms, mop, brushes, sponges, buckets, hose, rags, cleaning products and disinfectants. Do not forget the trash bag. You will need it to contain all the remnants from the cleaning. These are to be disposed properly.

Segregate the damaged items to be repaired or discarded. Items soaked by sewage, definitely need to be discarded. Porous and edible items such as rubber foam, carpets, books or other paper products and food need to be discarded also. Additional items that should also be discarded are medicine/medical supplies, toiletries, stuffed animals and toys, mattresses and pillows, upholstered furniture, padding and cardboard.

Clean systematically. A 2-bucket approach is most efficient. Use the one bucket for the cleaning solution, and the other bucket for the rinse water. For the cleaning solution use non-sudsing household cleaner or detergent. After using the cleaning solution, rinse your sponge, cleaning cloth or mop in the rinse bucket. Wring it well. To rewet your sponge or mop, use the bucket with the cleaning solution. Using two buckets keeps most of the dirty rinse water out of the cleaning solution. Be sure to replace the rinse water frequently. After cleaning, go over the items or room again with a disinfectant. Disinfecting solution can be made by 13oz. of liquid chlorine bleach in one gallon of water or household disinfecting products that are sold in the stores. The disinfectant will kill the germs and smell left by the sewage backup water. It will also prevent growth of mold and mildew.

Because waste water from sewage backup can cause humidity, dry out the home. Open all windows and doors. Open the closets and cabinet doors to circulate the air inside it. Aid the circulation with the use of fans. Definetly use a humidifier.