How To Clean After a Bathtub Sewage Backup

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Bathtub sewage backup is terribly unsanitary.

Finding that there's been a sewer backup in your bathtub is never makes for a good day. Unfortunately, though, it can happen. In addition to being terribly unsanitary, sewage cleanup isn't for the faint of heart. If your Blackfoot, ID, home endures a bathtub backup containing contaminated water, keep the kids and pets out of the room and follow these suggestions.

4 Tips to Clean After a Bathtub Sewage Backup

1. Wear the Proper PPE

When you're dealing with raw sewage, you must wear the proper personal protective equipment. This will protect you from harmful bacteria and viruses and will help prevent cross-contamination into unaffected areas of the house. Your PPE should include safety goggles, a face mask, rubber gloves, coveralls and rubber boots. Be sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all of your reusable PPE when you complete the project.

2. Extract the Sewage

Standing water and sewage must then be extracted from the area. The safest approach to dealing with flooding resulting from a sewer backup is hiring water damage remediation professionals. A wet/dry vacuum is the safest and most efficient method if you decide to tackle the cleaning yourself. You should contact authorities to determine where to safely dispose of the sewage.

3. Remove Debris and Wash All Affected Surfaces

Once you remove all of the sewage, the leftover debris must be cleaned away from all affected surfaces. This cleaning should include the walls and floor on which sewage could've splashed. Clean, hot water and detergent that produces low suds is typically the most effective way to clean these surfaces.

4. Sanitize All Affected Surfaces

Next, it's vital that all affected surfaces are thoroughly sanitized. Remember to get anywhere the contaminated water may have splashed, including tiny crevices.

When you have a bathtub backup that includes sewage and other contaminants, you must immediately begin the cleaning process. Swift action will ensure that as little damage as possible results from the sewer backup and flooding.