Recent figures indicate that sewage backups in the U.S. are increasing by 3% every year. That's no surprise: the age of residential sewer pipes now averages over 30 years, a major factor in the increasing incidence of sewage flowing back into houses instead of away.
Common causes of household sewage backups include:
- Obstructed sewer line. Often due to tree root intrusion over years. However, washing grease down the sink or flushing non-degradable materials down the toilet also contributes to blockages.
- Sewer line deterioration. Aging sewer lines often collapse, stopping free flow of sewage.
- Heavy rain. A severe rainstorm may temporarily overwhelm the municipal sewer system, causing sewage to backflow into houses connected to the system.
Sewage Is Different
A sewage backup combines water damage to the house along with acute health risks to its occupants. Raw sewage is classified as Category 3 water (also known, appropriately, as “Black Water”) and is uniquely hazardous due to the presence of toxic microbes including cryptosporidium, E.coli, hepatitis and giardia, plus others. All are known to cause disease in humans on contact or when inhaled.
What's Involved In Recovery?
Professional remediation techniques after a sewage backup are more complicated than methods utilized for clean water from a ruptured plumbing supply line.
- Extraction of raw sewage from a house is a job for qualified, experienced technicians equipped with full safety gear for protection from contaminated water and vapors.
- In addition to removing sewage, all areas contacted by it must be cleansed and decontaminated with disinfectants formulated to neutralize the biohazards.
- Absorbent materials such as carpeting and padding, drapes, clothing and paper products contacted by sewage must be removed from the house and disposed. There is no cost-efficient way to effectively decontaminate these items.
- Semi-porous materials like wooden furniture, cabinets, wood building materials and some sealed or painted drywall can usually be disinfected if properly treated immediately.
- In addition to extraction and decontamination, sewage also poses the same risks of mold contamination that ensues after any type of water damage. Professional mold remediation techniques must be applied within 48 hours to prevent toxic mold growth.
