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Follow These 5 Steps Immediately If You Have a Sewage Backup

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Sewage backups can be a nightmare for Los Angeles County homeowners. Not only do they smell disgusting, but they can also damage your property. Worst of all, sewage backups can be hazardous to your health.

In order to stay safe and prevent further damage, it’s important to know what steps to take immediately following a sewer line backup. Fortunately, the water damage restoration experts at Save the Day Restoration are happy to help. 

Follow these five simple steps after a sewage backup to protect your family and your home. 

1. Safety First

Sewer water is often contaminated. Furthermore, if it reaches plugs, extension cords, or gas-powered equipment, it could become a fire and electrocution hazard. To stay safe, it’s essential to evacuate all family members and pets from the premises.

When the area is deemed safe to enter, always wear protective clothing when returning to your property. This includes gloves, eye protection, and waterproof rubber boots. Add chlorine bleach to the water to disinfect the areas you’re entering. 

2. Take the Proper Precautions 

Once you ensure everyone is in a safe location, call your utility company and have them shut off your gas, electricity, and main water supply. If the sewage spill is small and doesn’t pose a threat to you, you can turn off the water supply and power yourself.

While still wearing your personal protective equipment, open your windows to ventilate the area and remove all uncontaminated, dry items. 

3. Don’t Flush 

If your main sewer line is clogged, avoid using the toilets and sinks. This can cause the sewage to bubble up through the bathtub or flood your basement. Don’t attempt to unclog your drains. The sewage water must be completely removed before you can accurately identify the cause of the backup.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

Never wait to contact your insurance company. The sooner you do this, the better. Take pictures of the spill, damaged items, and structural materials that were affected. You will need these images as proof for your claim. 

5. Contact a Water Damage Restoration Company 

Lastly, you should contact a water damage restoration company, like Save the Day Restoration, as soon as possible. Stagnant sewage water can cause mold growth, breathing issues, and illnesses.

If you think you have a mold outbreak as a result of the sewage backup, our mold remediation experts can help. Not only will we restore your property to its pre-sewage-backup condition, but we take measures to prevent any future mold growth. This will ensure your house is safe and comfortable moving forward.

We also specialize in odor removal and sanitation solutions. 

Is Your Home at Risk for a Sewage Backup? 

The first step to preventing a sewage backup is understanding the warning signs. Some common signs your home might have a sewer line backup include:

  • A soggy or smelly yard
  • Foul odors coming from your drains when you run water in another room
  • Gurgling in your sink when you take a shower or flush the toilet
  • Multiple clogged drains
  • Numerous drains that are draining slowly or backing up
  • Clogged floor drains

If you notice any of these red flags, call the experienced technicians at Save the Day Restoration now. We offer 24/7 emergency services. 

Preventing Sewer Backups 

Sewer line backups can happen for many reasons, including clogged drains, old or broken sewer lines, and overgrown tree roots. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk.

These include:

  • Having your sewer line professionally cleaned every three to five years
  • Don’t flush feminine hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, or anything other than toilet paper down the toilet
  • Get your sewer lines inspected every six to 10 years
  • Never pour coffee grounds, cooking oil, or fats down your sink
  • Have a backwater prevention valve installed

Water Damage Restoration Services You Can Trust 

If your home has suffered damages after a sewage backup, call Save the Day Restoration now. Our licensed team will efficiently extract the water, dry and decontaminate your home, and perform reconstruction services if needed. 

To learn how we can help you, contact us today by calling (562) 524-1704.

 

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