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Handling a Sewage Leak | SERVPRO of North Oklahoma City

3/15/2024 (Permalink)

sewage water pooling on a kitchen floor after a leak SERVPRO of North Oklahoma City is always ready to respond to your call when biohazard incidents strike.

Finding a sewage leak in your home or place of business might be one of the most frustrating situations you will ever have to deal with. This kind of leak may not do as much damage as some other disasters, but it will be one of the messiest and stinkiest disasters that could strike.

It is actually one of the more commonly occurring disasters, and it can affect anyone. The best way to get through a sewage leak is by learning how to quickly and safely respond in order to keep things under control.

What to Do First

When pipes become blocked or clogged, wastewater will start flowing backward, eventually finding its way out through sink drains, tub drains and shower drains. Sewage leaks can also start when a pipe in your system or a water line becomes damaged.

Where it comes from doesn’t really matter, you need to stay away from any sewage that has leaked or backed up into your home. When a flood or water leak affects a physical space, it is classified into three types of water—white water, gray water and black water. White water and gray water come from sources that are generally free of toxins, but black water is considered toxic. Sewage falls in the black water category and can contain viruses, bacteria and other microbes harmful to your health.

Stay away from sewage that has entered your space. Locate the water shut-off valve and cut the water in order to prevent any further spreading. Open windows and turn on fans that are near the area to start eliminating fumes. Secure the space so that no one else can come into contact with the sewage leak.

Where SERVPRO® Comes In

At SERVPRO, our team is trained and certified in handling toxic and biohazard situations. When you call us, we will gather information about your unique situation while we also start putting together a team and the proper equipment to head to your property.

As soon as you are able, snap some photos of the area. This might not be the most fun you have ever had taking pictures, but the more images you can get, the easier it will be to process your insurance claims. We can also use these pictures to help identify how the situation started and what recovery is going to look like.

Upon the arrival of our team, our first goal will be to find the source of the leak in order to repair it. We will also start removing standing water and sewage. Remember that we are dealing with a toxic situation. Our crew will have the proper protective equipment to fully clean the area, but it is best for you to stay away until everything is considered safe.

During the recovery process, we will work to repair the original cause and any subsequent damage the leak has caused. Our team is highly trained in deep-cleaning and odor removal, and we will do both in your home or office. As the restoration continues, we will get everything sanitized in order to ensure that everything is safe for your return.

While we all hope to never have to deal with a stinky sewage situation, if you do experience a leak, call us right away. We will safely handle the whole mess for you.

Sewage leaks should always be cleaned up by professionals. Call SERVPRO, and we will take care of you.