Unexpected Nature of Sewage Backups

Sewage backups can happen at any time within a business or commercial building. They can cause a lot of damage to your property, and they are dangerous to clean up without the proper training and equipment. Sewage water also contains harmful materials that can spread infection and disease which puts all those within the building in danger.

Here are some things that cause sewage backups at your business:

• Not doing cleaning and maintenance regularly
• Improper flushing habits
• Build-up of grease
• Pipes that have cracked
• Connections and joints that are misaligned within your plumbing system

When a sewage backup happens in a commercial setting, it is of utmost importance to react quickly. This will help reduce any additional damage and help you and your employees stay safe. This is what you should do if you encounter a sewage backup at your business:

• Call a professional:

Sewage is hazardous and only professionals should handle the sewage cleanup. They have the proper equipment and experience to help you in this situation so that you can reduce the damage and get your property restored.

• Prioritize safety:

The area where there is a sewage backup should be blocked off and no one should be coming close to it. If there is any electrical equipment, make sure to disconnect it. This includes power and gas.

• Avoid additional damage:

If you experienced overflow and the sewage has spread to non-porous surfaces, it can be cleaned up with a gallon of warm water and 1/4 of a cup of bleach. However, depending on how big the spill is, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

• Throw away damaged items:

If there are items that you cannot save from the area that has been affected by sewage water, it is best to discard them. A professional sewage removal company will help make sure they remove any biohazards, disinfect any items that can be saved, and then dry and dehumidify the area that has been affected.

• Prevent further sewage backups:

It is important to do everything you can to avoid future sewage backups. This should include an annual sewage system and plumbing inspection.

Understanding the Causes of Sewage Backups

You should understand what factors usually cause sewage backups and how to avoid them. Here are some common causes of sewage backups:

• Clogs:

These usually happen in drainpipes, main sewage lines, and other areas. Generally, clogs happen due to oils and fats, too much soap residue, leftover paper products etc.

• Tree roots:

This is a very common issue with sewage backups. Tree roots will make their way into your pipes, grow bigger, and fully destroy your sewage lines.

• Broken sewer line:

If your commercial building is older, your pipes can get damaged a lot easier. This may cause a sewage backup.

• Misaligned connections and joints:

If your joints are misaligned, this may cause a sewage backup.

• Grease build-up:

Grease build-up is a common issue when it comes to sewage backups.

• Improper flushing habits:

When inappropriate items are flushed down the toilet, it can cause a sewage backup. This includes baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and even paper towels. They will cause a blockage in your sewer line.

• Pipes that have cracked:

Dirt and debris can build up in the pipes and enter your sewer line causing blockage.

There are many risks factors when it comes to your business. Whether the sewage backup at your business was caused by blockages, tree roots, structural defects, or even heavy rainfall, it is important to try and prevent it. This means that all waste should be disposed of properly, your sewage system should be regularly inspected, and you should install a backwater valve and redirect rainwater.

The level of contamination in your building after a sewage backup will depend on the volume and how much solid content is in the sewage backflow. Also, it will depend on if the sewage backup is in just one space such as a basement or in other levels, and how long the contamination has been in place. Whatever the case may be, it is important to react quickly to any sewage backup issue so that you can avoid further damage to your property. The longer you do not treat the space, the higher the risk of significant damage and health issues.

It is important to maintain your sewer system as it can cause severe damage to your business. It can also be a health hazard for you and your employees. Here are some reasons why you should maintain your sewage system:

• Prevent emergencies and costly repairs:

If you do regular maintenance of your system, you can identify any small issues and resolve them before they become bigger and cause major issues. This way you can see signs of blockages, leaks, and even cracks in your sewage system.

• Prolonging the lifespan of your sewer system:

Doing regular maintenance on your sewer system will help it last longer. As sewer pipes and drains deteriorate over time, it is important to detect and address any issues early through routine inspections to help you avoid further damage or failure of your system.

• Maintaining regulatory compliance

When you do regular maintenance and inspections, it will help you make sure that your system is compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. These regulations are in place to help safeguard the health of the public, protect the environment, and ensure proper disposing of wastewater. If you do regular maintenance, it will help you find out if you have any violations and to fix them quickly.

Health and Safety Precautions

Sewage backups at your business can be very dangerous and pose a health hazard to your employees. When there is a sewage backup, the property can be contaminated with pathogens that can lead to serious illnesses and infection. Here are the steps you need to take if you have a sewage backup at your business:

• Make sure everyone is safe: You should make sure to have the space evacuated so that you can avoid health hazards that can be caused by exposure to sewage.
• Wear the proper equipment: If you must be in the space, you need to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Let the relevant parties know about the sewage backup issue: You should let your employees, customers, and other stakeholders know of the sewage backup issue. Also, make sure to give them regular updates on the clean-up and restoration process. Because this is a health risk, it is important to let them know all the issues that may come up with a sewage backup. Finally, it is important to let the proper authorities and health agencies know of the sewage backup issue at your business so they can take proper measures as needed.
• Take note of the damage: You should document all the damage that happened to your business due to sewage backup. This will help with your insurance claims.
• Avoid further damage: Turn off the water supply to prevent additional water flow into the areas that have had sewage backup damage.
• Reach to the professionals for clean-up: Make sure to reach out to professional restoration service that can help you in dealing with the sewage backup situation.

Isolation of the Problem

One of the most important things to do when you have a sewage backup at your business is to take these steps to remediate the problem:

• Turn off the water: Make sure to shut off the water supply so that it does not go into the area and cause additional damage.
• Electric safety precautions: You should keep the sewage backup area away from any supply of electric energy to keep you, your business, and your employees safe. It is also smart to turn off the gas supply as well.
• Ventilating the affected area: The professionals will make sure the area is properly dried, cleaned, and dehumidified so that it is safe for you and your employees to return to work.
• Secure any important documents and equipment: Make sure that your important documents and equipment are isolated and saved in a secure area, so they do not get damaged by sewage water.

Calling the Professionals

If you’ve had a sewage backup issue at your business, you should call the professionals. A professional flood and water damage restoration company will have the proper equipment, methods, and expertise to ensure that your space gets properly cleaned, dried, and restored after a sewage backup.

When you are searching for a professional sewage removal company, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

• Quick response and availability: The company should be available 24/7 so they can respond quickly to your call as sewage backups are considered an emergency.
• Right experience and certifications: You should make sure that the technicians have the proper training and certifications from a valid organization such as the Institute on Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC).
• Proper experience: The company you hire should have the right experience in sewage cleanup and restoration. Make sure to check customer reviews and testimonials.
• Proper safety measures: As sewage water is a hazardous situation, a professional sewage removal company should have the right equipment and protocols to ensure that your company and employees are protected.
• Have the right efficiency: When there is a sewage backup, it is crucial to react quickly. If you choose a reliable sewage removal company, they should react quickly and start the cleanup process right away.
• They should comply with regulations: The company you choose should properly dispose of the waste and follow proper local, state, and federal regulations.
• They should have insurance: The company you hire should have liability insurance in case of accidental damage during the cleanup.

Once you’ve decided on a professional sewage removal company, you should take the time to assess the damage together with the experts. This will help you understand what needs to be done, how long it will take to fix it, and how much it may cost.

As soon as the assessment process with a professional sewage removal company has been done, you should work with them to ensure that they get all the proper permits and approvals before any work has been done.

Documentation and Insurance

You should make sure that you take the proper measures to document the damage to your business and file a claim with your insurance so that you can be compensated for the damage.

Here are the steps you should take:

• Document the damage – Make sure you take detailed photos and videos of the damage at your business.
• Notifying the insurance company – Reach out to your insurance company and let them know about the damage to your business.
• Understanding the insurance coverage– Make sure to familiarize yourself with your policy and know exactly what coverage you can expect related to the damages you experienced.
• Keep records of all communication and expenses – You should keep records of all communication and expenses regarding the damages to your business. You may need this information later.

Cleanup and Restoration Process

Cleaning and restoration are a very important part of getting your business back to its original state after a sewage backup. A professional sewage removal and restoration company will:

• Remove sewage and water to reduce the risk of damage and spread of disease.
• All surfaces that were affected will be sanitized so that any hazardous materials are removed, and it can be safe for you and your employees to use.
• Any contaminated materials will be removed and disposed of if the restoration company is unable to restore them.
• All spaces that were affected by sewage will be dried and dehumidified to ensure that mold growth does not form.
• Structural repairs will be done first and then any renovations that are necessary.

Preventative Measures

You should take all the necessary precautions to avoid sewage backups at your business. Doing this will help you avoid costly damage to your property and exposing yourself and your employees to a health hazard. Here are a few things you can do to prevent sewage backups at your business:

• Have a maintenance plan and use it:

Figure out the best time for your business to be inspected to ensure your plumbing and sewage systems are working properly, there are no blockages or other issues that could cause a sewage backup.

• Upgrade your plumbing and sewage systems:

You should ensure that the plumbing and sewage systems are upgraded when necessary. This will help you avoid damage in the future. Have a reputable company inspect your plumbing and sewage systems and let you know if piping or other equipment should be replaced.

• Have proper employee training and emergency preparedness plan in place:

It is important for your employees to know what to do in case of an emergency. If a sewage backup occurs, make sure your employees know what steps to take so that they can avoid harming their health. Also, you and other employees should know what to do with important equipment and documents in case they need to be put somewhere safe until the affected areas are cleaned.

• Do regular inspections and maintenance:

You should work with a reputable company to make sure that your sewage system works properly. Schedule regular inspections and maintenance of your systems when needed. Professionals should be able to recommend the best cadence for inspections and maintenance based on your equipment so that your business can run smoothly, and you can avoid sewage backups.

 

Communicating with Stakeholders

If you experience a sewage backup at your business, you should make sure to inform your employees. Let them know the issues and keep them informed of the progress and when you expect the issue to be resolved.

Anytime that you have a sewage backup, it can negatively impact your business. Your business may not be able to function, which means that you lose business. This is why it is crucial to communicate the situation to your customers and clients so that they are informed. Make sure that they understand that you are working on a solution, and you should give a timeline on when you expect business to resume as normal.

You should ensure that all stakeholders know that all the safety measures are being taken and that the issue is being resolved quickly and efficiently.

 

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Anytime you experience a sewage backup at your business, there are local health and safety regulations that need to be followed. Make sure to familiarize yourself with them and follow them properly. This will help you avoid fines and legal issues. Here are a few things you can do regarding legal and regulatory compliance:

• Meeting local health and safety regulations:

Make sure to contact the local health department to find out what local health and safety regulations need to be followed for your specific case. This may relate to cleaning and disposal of hazardous waste from the sewage backup.

• Handle any legal liabilities:

Sewage backups at a business can sometimes create great damage and even cause legal liabilities. In many cases the municipalities are responsible for sewage and flood claims. The most common claims are negligence, environmental legislation, and negligent approvals.

• Documenting compliance effort:

Make sure to keep proper documentation of all the damage due to sewage backup. The best way to do this is via photos, videos, and any other documents you may need to fill out for your insurance company. You should keep this for your records as proof of compliance effort.

 

Final Inspection and Reoccupation

You should make sure to follow the proper rules from the local authorities on what to do once your property has been cleaned. This will ensure that it is safe for you and your employees to return to work.

Make sure that you have final inspections by the authorities scheduled and that you keep the proper documentation as proof in case you need it later.

If you work with a reputable sewage cleanup and restoration company, they will make sure to test the air quality and safety of the space and let you know if it passes their parameters before your employees can go back to work. If you do pass, you should be able to return to business as normal, with your employees going back to work. Finally, it is of utmost importance that your space is monitored for any issues that may arise and may be a concern. This will ensure that you do not encounter a sewage backup emergency again and must evacuate and close your business until it is cleaned.

 

What immediate actions must be taken if raw sewage backs up in my business?

If you are faced with raw sewage that has backed up into your space, you should react quickly and efficiently to have it cleaned up by a reputable sewage removal and restoration company. These are things you should do if you are faced with that situation:

• Call a professional sewage cleanup and restoration company so they can use the proper equipment and methods to clean up your space.
• Keep everyone safe by evacuating your building and isolating the area that has been affected to ensure the health and safety of your employees.
• Avoid additional damage by trying to clean the space yourself. You may end up spreading the sewage further and even getting sick if you try to clean up before the professionals arrive.
• Discard any items that have been damaged beyond repair and isolate any items you are keeping. This will ensure they do not get damaged further.
• Prevent future sewage backups by ensuring that you do proper inspections and maintenance of your plumbing and sewage systems.

 

The Importance of Swift and Organized Response

Whatever may have caused the sewage backup situation at your business, it is important to try and prevent it from happening in the future. If the reason was not doing proper maintenance on your plumbing or sewage systems, you should ensure you do that in the future. If the damage was due to something like a natural disaster that could have been prevented with the help of your municipality, make sure to reach out and work together to prevent situations like this in the future. Take all the precautions possible to ensure this does not happen in the future as it causes costly damage and may cause you to have to close your business until it is fixed.

You should always make sure that you are prepared for emergencies. Your employees should be trained in how to handle emergencies and you should have a plan in place in case unforeseen circumstances arise. This may include an evacuation plan, what to do with important documents, how to isolate equipment that may not have gotten damaged, etc. Having a plan in place will help with minimizing damage to your business and to your employees.

If your business has been affected by a sewage backup, make sure to call a restoration professional that will help you with the proper equipment and methods. You should never try to clean up sewage yourself, as you can put yourself and others in danger of getting sick. A reputable sewage removal company will drain out sewage water, clean the space, dry it, and restore it back to its original state.