What Should I Do If Sewage Enters My Marysville Home After Flood Damage?

8/30/2020 (Permalink)

Storms can bring in water and other debris into your home. Contact SERVPRO for effective remediation services.

Flood Damage In Marysville Can Carry Sanitation Risks

Homeowners in Marysville know that sometimes the weather can change unexpectedly. Even with storm warnings, it is not always possible to be entirely prepared for flood damage. That is why it is essential to know which experts you can trust to help with damage remediation.

One concern for Marysville residents after flood damage is the risk of sewage flowing into the home. This is a very unpleasant thought. That is why it is helpful to know SERVPRO is on hand to help in such a situation.

How is water contamination measured?

Water contamination falls into three main categories:

• Clean water such as water from a water supply line or the faucet
• Gray water could cause harm if ingested and includes overflow from washing machines or dishwashers
• Black water is highly unsanitary and could cause damage or even death if ingested, and includes sewer overflows or standing water that has microbial growth

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington will test the water overflow in your home and assess which category it is (water containing sewage is classed as black water.)

What contaminants does sewage contain?

Sewage can contain several harmful contaminants, such as:

• Viruses, which can grow, multiply, and cause diseases in humans
• Bacteria, which can overcome the immune system and produce a range of illnesses
• Parasites which require another organism to live, and can cause severe digestive issues

These are all classed as bio pollutants – microscopic living organisms that can pollute air or water. Damage from sewage-infested water can also promote mold spore growth, causing further contamination and adding the risk of mold-related health effects.

Is it safe to clean up sewage myself?

SERVPRO strongly recommends that you do not attempt to clean up sewage-contaminated water by yourself. There are many potential health risks when dealing with black water. That is why it is best to call us as quickly as possible – we’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

We put each of our technicians through rigorous training at our central training facility. We bring our staff up to speed on the latest industry-standard safety guidelines and protocols for dealing with any situation they might encounter. Our teams have the equipment and knowledge to handle black water while minimizing risks.

As well as thorough training, we equip our teams with all the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to ensure their safety as they clean up your home. We thoroughly disinfect reusable items such as pumps and air scrubbers.

How can SERVPRO help with flood damage?

We train our remediation specialists to quickly assess the state of your home and the category of water so that they can draw up an appropriate plan of action.

Once they have completed their assessment, our team will set to work removing water from your home. We have a range of extraction tools at our disposal, including truck-mounted and free-standing pumps, and smaller carpet wands and rotary extractors. Thorough extraction is a must – the less water left in your home, the lower the risk of mold growth.

We also set up containment around the sewage-infected area. In some cases, containment is as simple as a plastic barrier or bagging up damaged items. In more severe cases, we may need to set up a decontamination area beside our workspace. This is a dedicated area for decontaminating workers, bagged materials, and SERVPRO equipment.

Our teams also take care of cleaning and disinfecting your home and any salvageable items.

When we have evacuated water and cleaned, it is time to dry your home. Drying is a vital part of the process because it makes it more difficult for mold to grow and reduces the risk of spore growth. We use a range of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your house. We also use equipment such as moisture meters and thermal-hygrometers to monitor the drying process and ensure it is successful.

What about repairs and odors?

Sometimes after flood damage in Marysville, your home needs repairs. For example, wet drywall might need to be removed and replaced, or a wall might need repainting. Your wiring might need attention, or a fallen-in ceiling or roof could present a health hazard. Our teams carry out repairs to restore your home, “Like it never even happened.”

We also know that your home does not feel like your own if it smells musty or unpleasant. Our teams carry out thorough deodorization before project closure. We use air scrubbers and foggers to remove odors and leave your home fresh.

The thought of sewage entering your home after flood damage is distressing. However, we are on hand to remedy the situation, and we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506.