A sewage backup in a commercial property can be really stressful but what makes the scenario worse is when there is actual sewage involved in the situation. What may seem like a simple issue, in the beginning, may quickly escalate into a major and hazardous problem, calling for immediate professional sewage cleanup. It can also have an impact on your business as operations may have to be put on hold until the place is made biohazard free.
It’s good to have some understanding of what can be done in case your business is faced with a sewage backup. This way you can prevent extensive damage and things from getting worse.
Read our below guide which tells you what you should do if a sewage backup occurs in your business and also how sewage backups can be prevented in the future.
Steps to take when a sewage backup occurs
Sewage being hazardous in nature should never be handled by just anybody. The water involved is also contaminated which can pose a health risk. If the backup has caused sewage water to spill onto non-porous materials, you can use a solution of ¼ cup of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of warm water. Although you can do this on your own, it’s not the most advisable thing to do.
Any kind of sewage is best handled by professional cleaners, who have ample knowledge and experience in handling a sewage cleanup process. They have the resources to address sewage in the right manner and remove it safely without compromising on safety.
Hence, if a sewage backup occurs on your commercial property it’s important to get in touch with a professional cleaning company immediately. The sooner the cleanup is done, the sooner your business can resume its operations. In addition, a sewage backup can cause strong, unpleasant, lingering odours. Having said that, it’s is best to take action without any delay.
The following tasks are carried out by a professional cleaning company while treating sewage backups in a commercial property:
- Safe removal of water and contaminants
- Removal of items that have been damaged
- Disposal of items that cannot be salvaged
- Disinfection of items that are salvageable
- Drying and dehumidification of affected areas
To keep employees, customers, clients, and visitors safe from danger, you should restrict entry to the affected area. Disconnect electrical appliances/items. If the sewage has spread to a large area, make sure you turn off gas and power.
Preventing sewage backups
Taking care of a few things can go a long way in preventing the occurrence of sewage backups.
- Have your plumbing and sewage systems inspected annually.
- Install a water pressure-reducing valve. This will reduce the amount of pressure that’s put on the water system.
- Have pop-up release valves installed.
While there is no full assurance that your business won’t experience sewage backups, these tasks will surely help in reducing the odds of experiencing them.
Causes of sewage backups
In your effort to prevent sewage backups, it can help to be familiar with what causes them. You should keep an eye out for triggers and tackle any problems that could cause sewage backups right away.
The following are common causes of sewage backups in a business:
- Irregular cleaning and maintenance
- Improper flushing habits
- Clogs
- Cracked or deteriorated pipes
- Grease build-up
- Improper joints and connections in the plumbing system
- Tree roots that have infiltrated the sewer line
When a sewage backup occurs in your business, the best thing to do is to contact a professional sewage cleanup company for help. As sewage is biohazardous, it is important that you and the others don’t go anywhere close to the affected area. When the cleaning team reaches the premises, it will put in every effort to thoroughly remove the sewage, discard items that are beyond repair, and fully sanitise the affected area.
As a result of a sewage backup, your business may suffer from water damage which also needs to be dealt with immediately. If standing water is not treated soon enough it can cause substantial damage to the property. In addition, there’s a risk of mould growth.
To save yourself all the trouble, call the experts. One Prime Remedial Solutions has dealt with the worst of sewage situations and yet managed to do a good job. If you ever need a sewage cleanup, contact us. We also offer water damage restoration and mould removal services. Have your commercial property restored in the safest manner with One Prime Remedial Solutions