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What’s That Smell? Discovering Sewage Leaks | SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties
4/1/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties is always ready to respond to your call when biohazard incidents strike.
If you have a sewage leak in your home or business, chances are that you will know pretty quickly. Sewage has a very distinct smell that can send anyone scrambling to cover their nose and mouth.
Unfortunately, sewage leaks can happen at a moment’s notice to anyone, which means your property is vulnerable even if you don’t think it will ever happen to you. We explain some helpful tips below on how to respond to a sewage leak so you can stay in control and minimize the situation as much as possible.
The sewer lines in your home are designed to move wastewater down and away from your property in a smooth manner. However, that doesn’t always happen the way that it should.
Any sort of clog or blockage in a pipe can force the wastewater to move backward up the pipe and back into your sinks, tubs or toilets. Leaks can also happen wherever there is a loose connection or a crack in your pipelines.
No matter how the leak or backup starts, it is crucial that you avoid coming into contact with the water. Water comes in three different categories, and sewage falls into the most dangerous category called black water. Viruses, bacteria and microbes could be lurking in the water that can make you really sick.
Keeping in mind your safety, try to shut off the water valve for the pipe in question without getting messy, and then start opening up windows and turning on fans for ventilation. We would bet the space is probably really smelly, so keep customers or your family members out of the area while you do this. Afterward, get us on the phone so we can get started on your cleaning!
Our restoration team and cleaning team come together in times like these! Wastewater leaks can cause serious damage, but they also need to be treated carefully. This is why our biohazard cleaning practices come in handy. Our crew is highly trained on dangerous situations like these, so we want you to call us as soon as you discover the leak.
Our team will start gathering supplies and then we will be on our way to you. While you are waiting, snap a few photos of the damage you see. Even though these images won’t be added to a scrapbook or a family album, they will be necessary for your insurance claim.
Once we arrive, we will first focus on identifying the source of the leak and then we will work on removing the standing water from your space. Since the wastewater could be toxic, we will make sure to wear the proper PPE to stay protected while we work.
After the water is gone, we will then be able to sanitize your space to make sure it is safe to return to and then we will tackle lingering odors with our deodorization equipment. Finally, we will address any structural damage caused by the water.
Dealing with sewage leaks is always serious business. Call us right away so we can take care of your situation safely.
Sewage leaks should always be cleaned up by professionals. Call SERVPRO, and we will take care of you.