Answers to Common Questions About Sewage Cleanup in Scotch Plains

Plenty of homeowners deal with plumbing mishaps each day. Most are relatively simple, unlike a sewage cleanup , which is highly dangerous and contaminated. It’s the type of mess you want to wash your hands of and call a professional — and you should. Hiring a local restoration company in Scotch Plains for 24-hour sewage cleanup is not only ideal, but it’s the best method to ensure safe, efficient results.

You see, raw sewage is, again, very dangerous. It contains harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. These bacteria live inside of us. In our bodies, they’re completely harmless. Once introduced out into the world, however, they become potent.

When it comes to professional sewage cleanup, people have questions. If you’re one such person, we’ve got answers for you.

• Is it safe for my family after a sewage backup?

No — following a sewage backup, there are far too many contaminants and hazards to contend with. It’s best to remove children, the elderly, pregnant women and pets from the premises immediately.

• What are the hazards of a sewage backup?

According to the IICRC S500 Standard 3rd Edition, there are 120 different viruses found in human feces and urine that wind up in sewage. Some such viruses include rotavirus, which is known to cause life-threatening symptoms in children.

• Can I clean a sewage backup myself?

Again, the answer is ‘no.’ Improper sewage cleanup or remediation techniques can and often do lead to worsening damage around the home. Like mold, one misstep can lead to the contamination spreading even further to another room in the home. It’s best to consult a IICRC-certified professional for sewage cleanup.

• What can I keep?

Of course, you have many prized possessions in your home. As such, knowing what is clean enough to keep is important to you. Many hard surfaces can be fully cleaned and restored. A carpet, however, will likely need to be tossed. The same goes for any porous materials or objects.

• Campylobacteriosis — As one of the most common diarrheal illnesses in the country, campylobacteriosis leads to diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. It is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter.
• Cryptosporidiosis — Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which has a thick outer shell to help it survive outside of the human body and resist chlorine treatment. Cryptosporidiosis is known to cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, upset stomach and a slight fever for a few days.
• Encephalitis — There are two acute, inflammatory viral diseases in the encephalitis family, including St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus encephalitis. Both are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are attracted to standing water and waste. Once infected, individuals experience high fever, body aches, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis.

We urge homeowners not to handle sewage cleanup themselves. Call Restoration 1 of Summit for 24-hour sewage cleanup in Scotch Plains. You can reach us at 973-250-4306 !