The amount of decontamination needed by a home damaged by water depends on the source of the leak or spillage. Of all water damages, sewage damage has to be the worst of the lot, necessitating extreme decontamination. A home that has sewage damage is an instant health hazard, and promptness and thoroughness in clean-up are non-negotiable.
Sewage systems are the repository of liquid wastes from all households. This includes the waste from the sink, the toilets and the laundry rooms. Because of the nature of the waste it collects, sewage is home to bacteria and many other harmful organisms. Sewage water is so bad that it needs to be treated thoroughly with strong chemicals before it can be dispose of properly by the government.
If you find sewage damage in your home or business establishment, you need to keep everyone out from the vicinity immediately. Small children and individuals with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable to sewage damage. They can get sick by merely inhaling the air that comes with in contact with the sewage water. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting are common side effects of being in contact with sewage damage. Have them wash their hands and any part of their body that comes in contact with the sewage damage immediately.
If you are part of the clean-up crew, wear protective gear at all times during the process of cleaning up the sewage damage. You would need rubber boots and rubber gloves, as well as protective masks and goggles. Regularly wash your hands, and use a disinfecting soap instead of beauty soap. Use high-grade alcohol if you have them. To be on the safe side, take vitamins and antibiotics for extreme sewage damage clean-ups.
Remove all water and waste and apply strong disinfectants to walls and floors. If the spilt sewage waste is minimal, you can clean up using a regular bucket, mop, water and bleach or ammonia. Anything larger and ask a professional team to suck out the water and waste from the sewage damage for you. Keep the windows open at all times to allow fresh air to come in as you work. You may use a dehumidifier to help minimize moisture in the air.
Consider replacing walls and floors that are porous and of materials that soak up water. This is especially advisable if the home had been exposed to the sewage damage for some time before clean-up started. The dirty water stuck inside walls and floors can be inhaled by the home’s inhabitants later, and is particularly fatal in poorly-ventilated rooms. More importantly, microorganisms typically found in sewage water can still survive and multiply even on dry surfaces. Don’t mistake dryness for cleanliness.
Lastly sort through all damaged stuff to assess which are salvageable and which are not. Mattresses and upholstery should be thrown up as they can not be thoroughly decontaminated. Throw away all food and food products as well. Retain only those that can be disinfected like those you can boil (e.g. metal forks and spoons) or clean with bleach. When in doubt, dispose of it. It is better to err on the side of caution.
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