Sewage Cleanup: Why It’s Important to Clean Your System

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

If you need sewage cleanup services in Riverside, SERVPRO of West Riverside City can help. Contact us today!

Before the invention of indoor and outdoor plumbing systems, millions of people died from contaminated water and bacterial infections. Luckily, today, these diseases have been mostly eradicated. Plumbing systems work silently in the background to keep us safe, and our homes and communities clean. But what happens when sewage systems back up and sewage cleanup becomes a code red on your to-do list?

Sewage is a bio-hazard and considered a Category 3 Blackwater, posing significant risks to your health. When sewage systems go awry, it must be dealt with efficiently, safely, and fast. Sewage cleanup is a labor-intensive and dangerous job. Homeowners should not attempt to clean up sewage unless it’s a tiny spill. Call a plumber and sewage cleanup specialist as soon as possible if you’re having problems with your system. Here’s what you need to know about caring for your sewage system so that you can prevent costly repairs in the future. 

Why is it Important to Clean Your Sewage System Regularly?

For homeowners, plumbing and septic systems are easy to overlook. These critical systems hardly give us any trouble, and it’s easy to forget about them while they work in the background, on autopilot, and silently. Most people don’t even think about their septic system unless something goes wrong. But a malfunctioning septic system can be an absolute nightmare to deal with. Sewage problems are not only costly to fix; they are a hazard to one’s health and property. While your septic system is working below ground to keep you and your home clean and safe, problems could be forming beneath the surface. Regular maintenance can prevent septic issues. 

Clean the Drains to Maintain Sewage System Integrity

A clogged pipe is the most common problem that your septic system will face if it’s not maintained correctly. As the months and years pass, debris will build up along the sides of the pipes. If water is taking way too long to drain, it could be indicating either a clogged pipe or a sewer system backup. 

A professional should clean and inspect the property’s drains at least every two years. Why, you ask? Well, checking the drains at this interval ensures that any small problems are caught before they become big problems. A clogged drain that goes left unnoticed can cause significant damage to your home if it’s not fixed. Some signs of impending drain trouble include:

While it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect the drains every two years, drains can become clogged in between these inspections. Homeowners can take steps to prevent drain issues in the meantime:

Even wipes that say “flushable” should never be flushed down the toilet. Creating a drain cleaner of baking soda and white vinegar can clear and clean the drains in-between plumbing inspections. 

Clean the System to Prevent Bacterial Contamination

If the sewage system gets backed up with clogged pipes and slow drains, bacteria has a perfect pathway into your home. Even if the pipes are only partially blocked, this gives pathogens the ideal environment to grow and multiply. Germs will gather within not just the shower and sink drains, but also in the appliances where you wash your dishes and clothes. In some cases, bacteria can leach out of the sewage system and contaminate the groundwater on your property. 

Worst case scenario? The sewage system will completely back up. Wastewater will make its way into your home, contaminating your floors and carpets. If this happens, you’ll need to evacuate the home until a sewage cleanup and restoration specialist and a plumber can fix the damage and decontaminate your house. Sewage backups can destroy a basement or a bathroom. 

Clean the Sewage System and Prevent Damaged Drains

A clogged drain will make the plumbing systems corrode much more quickly than usual. With regular septic maintenance, you can extend the life of the pipes. Clogs will corrode the pipes rapidly, causing leaks that may go unnoticed for months. Fixing a leaking pipe takes time and money, and you may end up needing to replace flooring or drywall on top of it. 

Another primary source of sewage system issues is pipe damage from tree roots. Tree roots will search for water, breaking through the pipes in search of moisture and nutrients. By regularly inspecting and cleaning your sewer system, you’ll be able to spot these issues before they become major headaches and hits to your wallet. 

What do you do if you need sewage cleanup services?

Sewage spills can cause significant damage to your property and pose a health risk to you and your family. You’ll need to contact a sewage cleanup professional in Riverside immediately if your septic system fails. The longer the contaminated water is left to pool in the home, the higher the risk of severe water damage and disease. 

How can a professional sewage cleanup specialist help?

Professional sewage cleaners have the skills, knowledge, and equipment to safely and appropriately remove unsafe blackwater from septic failures. They will clean and sanitize the home while decontaminating your property. If the home has water damage issues, a professional can perform necessary water damage restoration throughout the property as needed. In some cases, mold may form and pose another hazard on top of the sewage backup. Professional sewage cleaners can also remove mold and prevent future mold growth, keeping the air you breathe inside the home safe and clean. 

If you need sewage cleanup services in Riverside, SERVPRO of West Riverside City can help. Contact us today to restore your home to its original condition.