Why sewage requires professional cleanup
Sewage water is the most hazardous kind of water damage a home can have. It is classified as highly contaminated because it can carry bacteria, viruses, parasites and other pathogens. Contact with it, or even breathing in droplets during cleanup, can cause illness. That is why sewage cleanup is not a job for a mop and household cleaners, and why we recommend that children, pets, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system stay away from affected areas.
Backups in Kingstowne, VA homes usually come from a blocked main sewer line, tree roots in older pipes, overwhelmed municipal systems during heavy rain or a failed septic system. The water often appears first in the lowest drains in the house, such as basement floor drains, lower-level toilets and showers. Wherever it appears, the cleanup approach is the same: contain, remove, disinfect and dry.
With sewage, anything porous that absorbed it is removed. There is no safe shortcut.
What we remove and what we clean
Porous materials that have absorbed sewage cannot be reliably disinfected. Carpet and pad, drywall below the affected line, insulation, upholstered furniture and particleboard cabinets that were soaked are removed and bagged for disposal. We photograph and list these items for your insurance records.
Non-porous and semi-porous surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. Concrete, tile, metal and sealed wood are scrubbed with detergents to remove organic material, then treated with a disinfectant that is appropriate for sewage contamination. Framing that was exposed is cleaned and treated before drying. Our technicians wear respirators, eye protection, gloves and protective suits throughout, and we set up containment to keep contamination from spreading through the rest of the house.
Treat it as a sewage event if you notice
- Water rising from floor drains, toilets or tubs
- A strong sewage odor in lower levels
- Gurgling drains when fixtures are used
- Dark or discolored water with debris
- Several drains backing up at once
Drying, deodorizing and returning the space
After cleaning, the area is dried with dehumidifiers and air movers, and air scrubbers help clear airborne particles. Sewage leaves a strong odor, and we treat the source rather than masking it. Once the contaminated materials are gone and surfaces are clean and dry, most odor disappears. For lingering smells, we use professional deodorization methods.
When the space is clean and dry, our repair crews can replace drywall, insulation and flooring. We also recommend having a plumber inspect the sewer line to find and fix the cause of the backup, since a blocked or damaged line can lead to repeat events if it is left alone.
How sewage cleanup is carried out
Contain and protect
The area is isolated and crews put on full protective equipment.
Remove contaminated water and materials
Sewage is extracted and porous materials are removed and bagged.
Clean and disinfect
Remaining surfaces are scrubbed and treated with an appropriate disinfectant.
Dry and deodorize
The area is dried, air is filtered and lingering odors are treated at the source.
What homeowners and managers said
Our basement floor drain backed up while we were away for the weekend. The crew was fully suited up, removed the contaminated carpet and drywall and disinfected everything. The smell was gone by the time they finished.
They were discreet and professional about something that was honestly embarrassing for us.
Questions we hear often
Q.Can I clean up a small sewage backup myself?
Even small backups carry pathogens. If you must handle a very small area, wear gloves, boots and eye protection and disinfect thoroughly. Anything that soaked into carpet or drywall should be handled professionally.
Q.Should I stay home during sewage cleanup?
We often recommend that vulnerable household members stay elsewhere until cleanup and disinfection are complete, especially if the affected area is near living spaces.
Q.Does insurance cover sewage backups?
Many policies require a specific sewer or drain backup endorsement. Check your policy and contact your insurer as soon as possible.