Sewer System Backups in Your Home

10/28/2016 (Permalink)

Sewer system backups cause potentially life-threatening that must be taken seriously.

The aftermath of sewer system backups in your home can be very dangerous. The water from sewage backups not only present an awful odor, but it may also cause unhealthy living conditions and even property damage. Things like viruses, parasites, and bacteria may all arise from untreated sewage and these illness-causing organisms threaten the safety of anyone living in the home. As such, a sewer system backup must be cleaned and disinfected by experienced professionals in order to minimize the possibility of disease.

The following may be causes of a sanitary sewer system backup:

• Broken or blocked pipes
• Increases in rain near leaky pipes
• Insufficient system volume for newer residential communities
• Poorly designed sewer systems
• Poorly installed sewer systems

Regardless of the specific cause, sewer system backups lead to contaminated water and therefore require professional assistance to eradicate. There are three different types of contaminated water:

1. Category 1 “Clean Water”: water from a clean source like a broken clean water supply line. This category 1 water can quickly become category 2 or 3 if left untreated.
2. Category 2 “Gray Water”: water that has a significant level of contamination and may cause illness or discomfort if consumed. Gray water often comes from things like toilet overflows (with some urine but no feces) or dishwasher/washing machine overflow. This category 2 water can quickly become category 3 if left untreated.
3. Category 3 “Black Water”: water that is grossly unsanitary and may cause severe disease or death if consumed. All contact with black water should be avoided, as it may contain harsh chemicals, microbes, and untreated sewage. This is often found from flooding rivers or sewer backup.

A professional cleaning company like SERVPRO of North Palm Beach County should be hired to disinfect and clean the interior and exterior of the home. Sewer system backups cause potentially life-threatening that must be taken seriously. Contact us today to learn more!