Can You Get Sick from Cleaning Up Sewage?
No one wants to clean a dirty toilet or unclog a kitchen sink. The substances you find in there are downright gross and smelly. There are worse plumbing disasters, however, like sewage backup. Sewage, whether from an overflowing toilet or a flood, can be dangerous to handle on your own. CLEAR Restoration is here to cover the risks of sewage, what causes a sewage problem, and how to clean sewage up safely.
CLEAR Restoration is a disaster restoration company that provides water, fire, mold, and sewage cleanup services as well as other services. If you need sewage cleanup services for your home or business, contact us today at 225-245-3575.
Can You Get Sick from Cleaning Up Sewage?
It may or may not be your first instinct to start cleaning as soon as you see sewage overspilling in your home, but it’s risky to jump in and start cleaning. Sewage contains bacteria and viruses that can be harmful. So, yes, you can get sick from cleaning sewage. The risks to your health depend on the type of sewage, how long you are exposed, how you’re exposed, and the amount you were exposed to.
The most common sicknesses from being exposed to sewage include:
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Skin infections and rashes
If you have sewage in your home, keep yourself, your family, and your pets away from it. If any sewage gets on you, immediately wash with soap and water.
What Causes a Sewage Problem?
Many events can cause sewage to erupt in your home and cause sickness. Some of the most common include:
- Clogs – whether a child flushed a toy down the toilet or the city’s main pipeline got clogged by an unknown source, sewage can back up into your home if the sewer system is blocked. Be sure to properly care for your drains to avoid clogs. Some easy ways to prevent clogs include keeping food, objects, and grease out of your drains.
- Tree Roots – similar to a clog, tree roots can invade your sewer pipelines and completely block them in an attempt to find water. A large blockage like this will cause sewage to back up into your home from any drains and your toilets.
- Broken Pipe Lines – drain lines and pipes wear down over time and can break or crack, allowing dirt and other substances to clog the lines. This will lead to sewage backup in your home.
- Flood or Hurricane – a flood or hurricane can cause sewage back up in your drains and the city sewer line system. Severe floods or natural disasters can cause overflow everywhere and cause major problems. If you experience a flood or hurricane, do your best to avoid all category three water, as it can contain chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and more.
How to Clean Up Sewage Safely and Avoid Sickness
As sewage can cause sickness, it is vital to be extremely careful when dealing with it. It is highly recommended to call professional sewage cleanup experts to ensure your home or business is properly sanitized and to prevent sickness from sewage exposure.
Here are steps to take to minimize exposure and reduce additional risks:
- Evacuate the area with sewage to prevent sickness
- Turn off the power and shut off the water valve for the area
- If you have to go near the area, wear protective clothing – facemasks, gloves, eyeglasses, rubber boots
- Call CLEAR Restoration, a professional sewage cleanup company
- Notify your insurance company if you have sewage coverage
- Don’t use the water from your house until the problem is fixed
- Notify the parish or sewer department
- Ventilate the area
If you need sewage cleanup for your home or business, don’t hesitate to call CLEAR Restoration. Our experts focus on your health and safety, and we conform to all EPA, OSHA, and IICRC guidelines to ensure proper sanitization and cleanup. Avoid sickness from sewage exposure and call us today at 225-245-3575.
