Sewage overflow and backup are among the worst types of water-damaged properties in Phoenix sustain, especially during the Hurricane season that brings in nearly 66 inches of rain every year, which is well above the nation’s average of 39. As a result, property owners spend thousands of dollars on repairs to maintain their properties’ structural integrity and value.

Sewage flooding, which typically occurs in the basement or bathroom, is an annoying but critical problem that demands immediate remediation. Not only does it cause your property to smell like rotten eggs and garbage, but it allows pathogens and hazardous chemicals to wreak havoc on your belongings and surfaces and cause damage almost beyond salvation if you don’t act quickly.

However, acting quickly doesn’t mean you tackle the issue yourself. Unlike minor leaks and plumbing issues, a sewage overflow Cleanup isn’t a DIY-friendly fix, and by taking matters into your hands, you could put your health, property, and wallet at risk. Instead, you should call a home restoration service in Phoenix to take care of repairs and cleanup.

We’ll share the risks of DIY sewage cleanup in this post, so you understand that this approach will do more harm than good.

Why Sewage Backup Repairs and Cleanup Require Professional Intervention

Water damage due to black water (sewage) is a progressive issue that can contaminate surfaces like walls, floors, furniture, plumbing, and appliances. Restoration professionals are equipped with industry-grade equipment and cleaning solutions specifically designed to clean and disinfect sewage-contaminated surfaces. More importantly, they use remediation techniques typical homeowners in Phoenix don’t have access to. Here’s a brief overview of the steps taken during the restoration process:

• Damage assessment to determine biohazard category, identify damage source, and collect evidence for an insurance claim.
• Pumping out contaminated water from the space and septic tank
• Debris removal and cosmetic fixes, including drywall and floor removal (if required)
• Drying using industrial dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to remove odor
• Deep cleaning and sanitization to kill pathogens and remove toxic chemicals.

What are the Risks of DIY Sewage Cleanup?

1.    Health Risks

Sewage consists of both gray and black water. Gray water or sullage is unsanitary wastewater from sinks, tubs, showers, washing machines, and dishwater. Blackwater is wastewater mixed with feces and other human waste flushed away in toilets, making it even more unsanitary and dangerous. Sewage contains pathogens, ranging from bacteria to parasites, viruses, and fungi. Contact with sewage during DIY cleanup without personal protective equipment (PPE) or a casual approach can result in the contraction of serious diseases and health complications, such as hepatitis A, E Coli, encephalitis, and COVID-19.

The vulnerability of contracting an infection or illness from direct or indirect exposure to sewage is over 90%. Therefore, it is better to spend a few hundred bucks and hire professionals for cleaning and repairs than potentially paying thousands of dollars in medical bills.

2.    Mold Infestation

Homeowners opting for the DIY approach to cleanup work much slower than trained professionals who repair water damage for a living, especially if they don’t have the proper tools for the job. As a result, black water remains in their property much longer than it should and starts to penetrate deeper into drywalls, floors, and other surfaces. If not contained within 24 hours, mold will grow within these tiny spaces and start growing quickly. In most cases, it will be left to grow undetected until it’s too late. Restoration professionals can prevent, contain, and repair mold damage using the proper remediation tools and solutions.

3.    Damage Escalation

Sewage overflow cleanup and restoration require quick route cause identification and addressing. Most homeowners either don’t have the tools to assess the issue or learn how to do it on the job, thereby escalating the damage and increasing the cost of repairs further. Secondly, if you don’t have the technical know-how or tools, you’re likely to invest far more in the long run, even if you manage to repair the issues. Most homeowners who manage to fix the major issues on their own, such as burst pipes or blockage, often overlook minor issues like stains, watermarks, damp floors, and mold spots, thinking they will return to normal once everything is dry. Over time, these issues will worsen, and those who still opt for DIY sewage cleanup will continue to spend more on equipment and ineffective cleaning/repair solutions.

Expert Sewage Backup Repair Services – 911 Restoration of Phoenix

At 911 Restoration of Phoenix, we encourage our clients and readers to take care of minor cosmetic issues and repairs on their properties. However, sewage overflow cleanup requires professional intervention and most property owners lack the expertise and equipment to mitigate the health and safety risks of black water. Our team uses industry-grade equipment and CDC-recommended cleaning solutions to return property and salvageable water-damaged items to their pre-damage condition. We are available 24/7/365 and just a phone call away for damage assessment, containment, and repairs.

Feel free to call us for more information regarding our water damage repair and cleaning services.