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Things To Know Before Getting San Jose Sewage Backup Cleanup

Sewage backup can happen suddenly, without any notice. When it does, you would need to act fast. The longer you delay in taking action, the worse the situation will get. So, you would need to know about a few basic things before you deal with San Jose sewage backup cleanup.

San Jose Sewage Backup Cleanup

What Is Sewage Backup?

So, what exactly is sewage backup? Well, it can be defined as when sewage and/or wastewater come up a sink, toilet, or drain. They are usually caused when something blocks the sewer pipes and prevents the water from flowing freely. The water flow overflows and accumulates, causing damage to the home’s structure. It also contains harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses, which can cause diseases.

What Causes Sewage Backup?

So, what leads to sewage backup? Well, there can be several reasons which can cause it. Here are some of the most common reasons for sewage backup.

Blockages

One of the most common reasons for a sewer backup is clogs in the drain pipes or main sewer lines that are located beneath the ground. The blockage can be caused by grease, hair, or other solid materials. Clogs can also happen due failure of the sump pump in the basement.

Tree Roots

Sewer lines are a system of underground pipes, and they are often located near things like rocks and roots. Often it so happens that the root may start to grow towards a pipe that already has a small leak. Once the tree root reaches the pipe, it may cause the crack to get larger or grow around it. This results in sewage backup. Even if you don’t have any trees in your backyard, the trees in your neighbor’s yard can cause problems.

Cracked Sewer Pipes

Old sewer pipes are highly susceptible to damage. A sewer backup may be the result of such damages. This is especially common in the case of cast iron and clay pipes as they do not last very long and are commonly prone to cracks.

Rain And Extreme Weather

Heavy rain and extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and tidal waves can be a cause of sewer backup. When your area receives a large amount of rain, the municipal sewer system often reaches its maximum capacity. This way, the excess water in the sewage system may travel to the residential sewage pipes that are connected to your house, causing backups.

There can be other reasons for sewage backups as well. Before the work begins, a thorough assessment is carried out to detect the exact nature of the damage and then formulate the right method to solve the friend.

The Damages Caused By Sewage Backup

As said before, the sewage backup can cause a range of damages to your home and pose a lot of serious health risks to you and your family. Here are some of the common risks associated with sewage backup-

1. Health Risks

Sewage water almost always contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness in your family members. Avoid direct contact with raw sewage or even breathe it in, as you could catch diseases like Hepatitis A, Gastroenteritis, and E. Coli.

2. Property Damage

Sewage water can also damage your floors, walls, and furniture. In the worst scenarios, it can cause significant damages, which might be challenging or expensive to repair.

3. Mold Growth

Sewage water has decaying organic matter, which is perfect for mold growth. The water gets soaked up by the walls quickly, and that leads to mold and mildew.

Time Since Backup Damage Caused
0-24 hours Sewage and water may still be present on surfaces and in porous materials such as drywall, carpet, and furniture. Bacteria and viruses in the sewage can begin to spread and cause health risks.
24-48 hours Foul odors and mold may begin to develop. Structural materials such as wood and drywall may begin to warp or swell, and electrical systems may be at risk.
2-7 days Mold growth becomes more prevalent and can begin to spread rapidly. The risk of structural damage and electrical issues increases.
1-4 weeks Mold and bacteria can cause significant health risks, especially for those with weakened immune systems. Structural damage may become more extensive, and the cost of repairs may increase.
Over 1 month Long-term damage to structural materials and personal belongings may be irreparable. Health risks may be severe, and the cost of repairs may be very high.

 

Signs That You Need Sewage Backup

So, when is the right time to call for a professional San Jose sewage backup cleanup? Well, you would need to look for certain signs. Here are some of the signs that tell you that it’s time to call the sewage backup cleanup team

Gurgling Sounds Coming From A Drain

If there is a clog in the sewer drain, air bubbles will develop. Those bubbles will generate gurgling sounds from a drain. You can also hear something similar from the toilet when you flush.

Unusual Odors Coming From The Sinks, Showers, Or Drains

Unlike kitchen sinks, you don’t usually smell odors from the bathroom sink, tub, shower, and laundry drain. This might be a sign that there is some problem with the sewage system.

Water Backup Into The Shower Or Tub

If water is backing up in the tub or shower, this is a clear sign that there is a blockage in the pipes.

Taking The Proper Safety Precautions

During sewage backup, you would need to keep your calm and follow the right safety precautions. Here are some of the safety precautions that you need to take.

  1. Don’t access your basement if there is standing water present. You should make sure that the power is shut off. If you need to enter the basement in order to shut off the power, you would need to take the following steps-
    • Wear rubber boots,
    • Wear safety glasses and a face mask.
    • Avoid touching any metallic surfaces as they might conduct electricity
    • Wear rubber gloves
    • Use a wooden stick to shut off the electricity
  2. Open the doors and windows of the affected area to let fresh air into the room and let the fumes escape.
  3. As a preliminary measure, add a bit of bleach as that would offer some disinfection.
  4. Keep children and pets away from the affected area.

Why Trust Us?

So, why should you get our services for San Jose sewage backup?
There are several reasons why you can count on us. Here are some of the biggest reasons why homeowners like you trust our services.

Expertise

Resto Pros Inc has a team with years of industry experience. This has helped them to gain a high level of expertise in the field. Their expertise enables us to deliver highly effective solutions to all your issues.

Professionalism

We follow all the relevant codes, rules, and recommendations like OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, and the like. This ensures that we meet the highest standards of safety and quality.

Safety

We are always dedicated to your health and safety. That’s why we take all the safety measures to avoid any further damage or expose your loved ones to risks.

The Process We Follow For San Jose Sewage Backup Cleanup

The process we follow depends on the specific challenges of the case. Here are some of the general steps that we follow for the San Jose Sewage Backup Cleanup.

The Process We Follow For San Jose Sewage Backup Cleanup

Inspection

The process begins with a thorough assessment of the affected area to identify the source, extent, and nature of the damage caused by sewage water.

Estimate

Next, you will get a detailed budget estimate for the project, based on the assessment. It would give you a detailed list of tasks that need to be performed for restoration.

Prevent Cross-Contamination

At this stage, the area will be secured properly and all necessary steps will be taken to prevent cross-contamination. This would reduce the chances of the pathogens spreading to other areas of the home.

Removal Of Valuables

The items that can be salvaged will be removed from the affected area in a responsible way.

Draining

If there is a significant amount of standing water, high-power pumps would be used to drain them out from the affected area.

First Disinfection

After draining the water out, the first round of disinfectant will be applied which would arrest the development of microbial growth.

Fixing The Leak

Next, the source of leakages will be fixed properly.

Washing

The area will be washed with industrial strength cleaner.

Drying The Area

Dehumidifiers and fans will be used to dry the area effectively.

Second Disinfection

After drying the area, the second round of disinfectant is applied to eliminate all the pathogens.

Deodorization

Next, a mild yet pleasant deodorizer to get rid of all the foul smells and odors.

Inspection

A final inspection will be conducted to make sure that the area is completely dry and free from damage or any disease-causing pathogens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we do offer emergency services for San Jose sewage backup cleanup. We have a team ready for dispatch round the clock, who can respond to your calls in as little as 30 minutes.

It is recommended that you give us a call as soon as you encounter sewage backup. Things would start to get worse in as little as 24 hours. So, contact us as soon as possible.

It depends on the extent of the damage. If the water has just started to backup, then it would take just a couple of days to fix and clean it up. On the other hand, if there is standing water and the water has caused significant damage to the structure around, then it might take as long as a month to complete resolve the issue.