Sewage flooding can strike when you least expect it. Whether pipes burst or your toilet backs up, there’s always the potential for this type of flooding to occur, and the resulting water damage can wreak havoc on your home. If you find yourself dealing with sewage cleanup in your home, it’s critical to know what to do to prevent additional problems from developing.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information about sewage cleanup circulating on the internet, making it difficult to know which information to trust. Below, we’ll debunk some of the most common sewage cleanup myths to ensure you have access to the accurate information you need when you experience water damage from a sewage backup.
Myth #1: Insurance Covers Sewage Damage
Most of the time, insurance does not cover sewage damage, and it may not cover flooding at all. You usually need to add flood insurance if you’re worried about something like this. If you live in a location where hurricane insurance is required, keep in mind that this is not the same thing as flood insurance. You should always keep a copy of your insurance documents in a safe location that can easily be accessed in the event that disaster strikes your home.
Keep in mind, too, that calling your insurance provider in a timely fashion is important, but you should consider contacting a water damage restoration company first. The longer you let sewage and water sit in your home before it gets cleaned up, the more damage it’s going to cause in the long run. Because of this, many insurance companies actually prefer it if you contact a water damage restoration company before calling them. This is not true of every insurance provider, however, and if you know it’s not your provider’s policy, be sure you contact them first instead.
Myth #2: You Can Keep Your Carpet
Sewage is very contaminated, and coming into contact with it is extremely likely to cause health problems. For this reason, you should never plan to clean and keep your existing carpet when you’ve had a sewage backup situation. If sewage touches anything in your home, that item or surface needs to be removed and disposed of in the proper way. This is just one of the many reasons why you should contact a professional cleanup service that knows how to handle this type of water damage restoration work.
Water damage restoration services can help you get rid of your old, contaminated carpet and determine whether or not there is damage to the subflooring underneath it as well. Remember, affected carpeting should be removed and disposed of safely to prevent contact with contaminants. You should also get rid of the carpet pad and any other porous materials that have come into contact with the sewage.
Myth #3: You Can Handle Sewage Cleanup Yourself
Although you may be tempted to handle the cleanup work yourself, keep in mind that contamination caused by sewage damage requires licensed professionals to ensure the cleanup is performed properly. There are several reasons why water damage restoration professionals are necessary for sewage cleanup:
- You need to understand what items should be removed, what can be cleaned or sanitized, and how to go about the whole cleanup process.
- You need to understand how to keep yourself safe when cleaning, so you don’t risk getting sick or causing unpleasant odors from bacteria left behind.
- The type of rental equipment you can usually find is not going to be adequate for the level of water removal you need for your home.
- Specialized equipment is necessary to eliminate all health and safety risks, and it’s critical to work with a water damage restoration company that uses the advanced equipment, cleaning products and techniques necessary to properly restore your home.
- There are a lot of different types of damage your home can suffer when you’re dealing with sewage backup, and most homeowners are not aware of the damage they can’t see on the surface.
Myth #4: Bleach Will Take Care of Sewage Cleanup
Bleach is not advised for use when cleaning any mold, and it’s especially not recommended for sewage cleanup. Chlorine bleach is 80% water and will only encourage mold to grow. It will not remove or kill mold at all. If you have a sewage backup in your home, you’re much better off calling a water damage restoration company that has access to the proper cleaning materials and equipment necessary to address the issue properly.
Myth #5: Sewage-Flooded Buildings are Safe
There are several reasons why this is not true. To begin with, if a building has been flooded by sewage, then the whole building has been exposed to all sorts of different contaminants that are found in that sewage. Just think about how unpleasant it would be to walk through sewage water that has backed up out of your toilet or spilled from broken pipes. Just because the water itself has dried up, that doesn’t mean all the rest of the bacteria and other pollutants present in sewage is gone. Bacteria linger behind on any surface it has touched, including your walls and floors.
This type of flooding can also cause structural damage, especially if you don’t schedule your sewage cleanup in a timely manner. The longer water sits in your home, the more it has time to seep into any structures and surfaces. A good water damage restoration company will check to see if you have any structural issues and if so, they will recommend the best course of action for you to take before going back into your damaged home.
Just Right Cleaning & Construction Can Help with Sewage Cleanup in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area
If you experience water damage in your home from a sewage backup, time is of the essence. The longer the water damage goes unaddressed, the greater the potential for additional health, safety and structural problems to develop in your home. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we can ensure the sewage cleanup process is handled properly and your home is restored to its original condition.
JRCC Damage Restoration Experts has been the leading water damage restoration company in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. Our team offers 24/7 emergency response services, and we’ll arrive at your home shortly after receiving your call to begin the cleanup process. Our certified technicians adhere to a meticulous process that reflects industry best practices, and we use the most advanced equipment necessary to address the contamination and structural damage caused by a sewage backup. You’ll have peace of mind that the entire process will be handled properly from start to finish.
If your sewage cleanup is covered by insurance, our team will coordinate with your insurance company on your behalf to facilitate a smoother claims process. We work with insurance companies all the time, and we can ensure all documentation is provided in a way that helps you receive the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled.
Contact us today at 509-765-4138 to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts serves customers in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.