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How to Deal With a Sewage Leak | SERVPRO of Westfield
3/15/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Westfield is ready to respond to your call in a moments notice when biohazard incidents strike on your property.
When you think about scenarios you never want to walk into, finding a sewage leak in your home or office is likely to be high on the list. It may not be the most destructive kind of disaster that can strike, but it will be one of the grossest you have to deal with.
Unfortunately, sewage leaks can be pretty common and they can happen anywhere. It is important to understand how to respond if you find sewage seeping in or leaking out so that you can control the situation and get things back to normal fast.
When wastewater cannot move down your pipes due to a clog or blockage, it will find its way out through sink drains, tubs and showers. Sewage leaks can also be caused when damage is done to either your water line or pipes in your sewage system.
Where it comes from doesn’t really matter, once it has entered into your home or other space, it is important not to touch it. Water that causes damage in a building is classified in three different ways: white water, gray water and black water. While white water and gray water aren’t usually considered to be dangerous to deal with, black water is toxic and can be hazardous to your health. Sewage leaks are considered black water as they contain viruses, microbes and bacteria.
Stay away from the sewage leak and shut the water off to stop the flow of water. If you can safely do so, open windows around the affected area in order to let fumes escape. Make sure you secure the area as well—create a physical blockade if you have pets or small children so they cannot access the leak.
Our team is trained and certified in handling a number of different biohazard situations, including sewage leaks. With 24⁄7 availability, we can start the recovery process the moment you call us, even in the middle of the night. Over the phone we will gather as much information as possible in order to assemble a team and the tools needed to get you back on track safely.
Once we have gotten your information and a team is headed your way, spend some time taking photos of what has happened. Even though you may not want to ever see this again, the more documentation you have, the easier insurance claims will be. Our professionals can also use these photos to help get a better idea of everything that will need to be done to fully restore your property.
Our team will jump into action the moment they arrive by assessing the situation and working to find the root cause of the leak. It will also be one of our first priorities to remove any standing water and debris. While we will be working in protective gear to keep ourselves safe from the toxic materials, it’s best that you stay away until things are safe again.
As the recovery process proceeds, the original source of the leak will be addressed and corrected, along with any physical damage that was done. We will also spend a lot of time deep-cleaning and ensuring every odor is removed. It is our goal to make everything feel and smell exactly like it should.
Tackling a sewage leak isn’t just stinky—it can be a real hazard to your health. Call us when you find yourself dealing with a mess, and let our team handle everything.
Sewage leaks should always be cleaned up by professionals. Call SERVPRO, and we will take care of you.