What to do if you have a sewage backup in San Diego

6/27/2017 (Permalink)

What to do if you have a sewage backup in San Diego

If you are dealing with a sewage backup in San Diego, first, know you aren’t alone. It’s quite common actually. A sewage backup, or contaminated water backing out of your tub, sink or toilet can be a nightmare. The truth is you can’t, and shouldn’t do very much. Sewage contaminated water is dangerous to your health and should be avoided at all costs. The first thing you’ll want to do is follow the steps below.

• Determine the source
• Stay out of the area and avoid cross contamination
• Arrange cleanup services (SERVPRO of San Diego City SW)
• Call your insurance company

While you wait for the cleanup crew to arrive

Keep children and pets away the moment the sewer water is discovered, until the clean-up crew and sanitation is complete. Sewage is considered Category 3 water, more commonly known as black water. Category 3 water or Black water is defined by the IICRC as “the worst classification and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. It used to be called black water, and sources include sewer backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth.” Keep children and pets away at all times and if you yourself must go in the area, wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching cuts, eyes, mouth or ears with your hands or any item that came in contact with the black water.

Risks of Sewage back up debris

Category 3 water/Raw sewage contains Diseases such as Hepatitis, Salmonella, E.Coli and Parasites just to name a few, would you risk cleaning this yourself without proper training or the tools and chemicals to do it correctly? These disease survive weeks even months if not properly killed. Doing it yourself, or hiring the wrong professional puts you, your family, pets and house guests at a great risk. Call SERVPRO of San Diego City SW to schedule emergency Service to have the job taken care of “Like it never even happened.”

Arrange Services with SERVPRO of San Diego City SW

Call an Emergency Restoration company such as SERVPRO of San Diego City SW as we are IICRC Certified and specialize in cleaning up hazardous waste. Most contractors and plumbers do not have the capability to clean up the site after the repairs have been made, or at the very least inadequate equipment – and may not be approved by your insurance company if you choose to claim the loss.

SERVPRO also has a 1-4-8 policy, which means within 1 hour from notice of loss (When you call), a SERVPRO professional will contact you to arrange services. Within 4 hours of notice of loss, a SERVPRO professional will be onside to start mitigating services. Within 8 business hours, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to your adjuster by a SERVPRO Professional. If any SERVPRO believes they are incapable of responding within this time frame, they will refer you to a SERVPRO who can so you are not left waiting!

Call your insurance company

Ask your agent if this is a covered loss, and what your deductible will be.  This can be done before or after calling SERVPRO of San Diego City SW as we accept all insurance plans and you can also pay yourself – whether you are covered or not, this will not affect your ability to receive service.

What to do while the Crew is at work

Once the services have been arranged, and the SERVPRO crew is at work, do your best to keep all equipment running, still keep children out of the area as well as pets and do not be afraid to ask questions. While your plumber is there ask if there are ways to prevent a Sewage back up or back flow from happening again and ask him about installing a Backflow valve.

When the work is done

First off, pat yourself on the back for making it through this turbulent time! When the services are complete, SERVPRO will arrange to have your walls and flooring replaced and then it will be like it never even happened.