SERVPRO of Metairie outlines the steps to take to mitigate flooding or sewage backups.

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Blog summary: If you are struggling with flooding or sewage backup, here’s how you can handle the situation promptly before things degenerate.

There are a few things that can cause water damage in your home, two of the common ones are flooding and a sewer backup. These two can lead to water damage that could cost you a lot if not promptly taken care of.

Knowing the major causes of flooding and sewer backups, and what you should do in each situation can help you control a potentially dangerous situation. The professionals at SERVPRO of Metairie, which offer flood restoration services in Jefferson, LA, share some valuable insights below: 

What Causes a Sewer Backup or Flood?

When a home's drain system is working properly, it transports out waste and wastewater every time you shower, flush toilets, use the washing machine, or engage in other water-related activities.

Waste and wastewater flow down the drain via the drain line to your home’s main sewer line, which links to the municipal sewer system or a private septic tank.

Blockage happens when sewer lines get clogged, preventing wastewater from flowing through, which leads to black water accumulation.

Just like with sewage backups, blocked drainage systems can cause an area to overflow with water during a storm, which can flood your home. Also, your home can sustain water damage due to a broken pipe or appliance malfunction.

What to Do If There's a Flood or Sewage Back-Up in Your Home

The easiest way to deal with sewage backups and flooding in your home is to contact a plumber and professional flood restoration services like SERVPRO of Metairie. However, before the water damage repair company arrives, here are some things you can do to help limit the damage in your home:

• Get out of the flooded area as soon as possible. The contaminants in sewage are also harmful to humans and pets. To avoid being exposed to sewage, your family should exit the house.

• Remove any clothing that has come into contact with the water.

• Turn off the main water line valve in your home.

• Allow fresh air into the house by opening windows or doors if weather allows.

• Turn off the electricity in the flooded area only if safe to do so.

• Don't go near electrical gadgets if you can't securely turn off the power.

• Before walking into sewage water, wear protective clothing such as gloves, facemasks, eyeglasses, and rubber boots.

• Sterilize the standing water by adding some chlorine bleach.

• Take pictures of the incident to report the sewage backup and flooding to your insurance company.

• Notify the authorities if your home uses a public sewer.

Contact a Professional Plumbing Company

A backup is frequently caused by a blockage like a blocked or damaged piece of the line. When you call a plumber for emergency sewage backup repair, they will use video technology to view inside the line and determine where it is clogged and what is blocking it, as well as the region and cause of damage.

Once the obstruction is discovered, they will then expertly use specialized tools to remove the blockage to clear the line. Damage to the sewage piping will necessitate repairs or replacement by your plumber to restore adequate flow through the home's plumbing drainage system. 

Contact a Flood Restoration Company

Once the plumber is done with fixing the cause of the sewage backup or flood, it’s time to clean and restore your home to its original state. This is where water damage restoration professionals like SERVPRO of Metairie can help. They will clean every affected part of your home and remove the signs of sewage water. The SERVPRO of Metairie team has specialized tools to dry up your walls and restore them to their former state. After cleaning, they will disinfect all parts of the house to help ensure it’s safe for you and your family.

Next, they’ll clean any item that came into contact with the water, from your carpets to upholstery, woodwork, furniture, and more. Some items will not be salvageable and will be discarded.

The team at SERVPRO of Metairie is available 24/7 to meet your flood restoration and sewage backup restoration needs in Jefferson, LA.

Contact them today at (504) 496-0193 to speak with one of their flood restoration professionals.