Sewage Damage Sanitization Process: What's Involved

Before any cleaning begins, you need to protect yourself and your family. Sewage contains harmful pathogens, so avoid touching anything and keep pets and children away from the affected area. Turn off electricity to the space if it is safe to do so, and put on rubber boots, gloves, and a mask if you must enter.

The pros will first assess the extent of the contamination and identify the source of the sewage backup. They check for porous materials like drywall, carpet, and insulation that may need to be removed. They also determine the category of water damage, which helps guide the sanitization approach.

After removing contaminated materials, the pros clean all remaining surfaces, including walls, floors, and baseboards. They use a combination of detergents and antimicrobial agents to remove dirt and kill bacteria. Hard surfaces like tile and concrete are scrubbed thoroughly to ensure no residue remains.

Disinfection is a separate step from cleaning. The pros apply EPA-registered disinfectants that are effective against sewage-borne pathogens. They may use fogging equipment to reach hidden areas, and they allow the disinfectant to dwell for the required time to be effective. This process is repeated as needed.

After drying, the pros do a final inspection to confirm that all contaminated areas have been properly sanitized. They check for any remaining odors, moisture, or signs of microbial growth. They also test surfaces to ensure the disinfectant was effective.

To prevent future sewage backups, you can take steps like not flushing items that clog pipes and having your plumbing inspected regularly. If you live in Kirkland, keep your shutoff valve location written down so you can stop water quickly in an emergency. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.