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SERVPROSERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex
Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration™
(262) 696-6336

Archived Biohazard Blog Posts

The Stinky Reality of Unexpected Sewage Leaks | SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex

3/15/2024 (Permalink)

sewage water pooling on a kitchen floor after a leak SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex is always ready to respond to your call when biohazard incidents strike.

One minute you are going about your day at work or at home and the next, you are hit with the overwhelming smell of what is undoubtedly sewage. While you rush to cover your nose and mouth, you are most likely also trying to track down the source so you can figure out what is going on.

Sewage leaks are always frustrating when they occur, but they are unfortunately a reality for many Americans every day! Knowing what to do when this happens to you can help you stay in control and recover faster.

The First Few Steps

Sewage backups happen whenever the wastewater in your pipes cannot flow in the direction that it is supposed to. Normally, water will flow down and away from your home via the pipe system in place, but if it gets clogged or blocked somehow, that wastewater will be forced backward into your sinks, tubs and toilets. Sewage can also start to leak out of any pipes if there are any loose connections or holes in the lines themselves.

No matter how the sewage leak started, tackling it quickly is crucial. Water is categorized into varying levels of toxicity, with white water being the least toxic and black water being the most toxic. Can you guess which category sewage falls into? Sewage most definitely is categorized as black water because it can harbor really dangerous bacteria, viruses and microbes that can be detrimental to your health.

Since sewage is considered a toxic substance, do your best to stay out of the water. If you are able to access the shutoff valve for the pipe without getting wet or messy, do so right away to stop the flow of water. Once the situation is partially under control, give us a call and then start opening up windows and turning on fans to let the fumes escape.

Where the SERVPRO® Team Comes In

When it comes to cleaning jobs, we are highly trained and ready to work. Our team will start our conversation with you by asking all kinds of questions to better understand your situation. Once we have a good idea of the scale of the cleanup, we will pack up our trucks with the right equipment and we will be on our way to you!

While you wait for us to show up, snap a few photos of the situation. While these photos most likely won’t be on any holiday cards any time soon, they are necessary for your insurance company to understand the scale of your situation. They will help make your claim that much smoother.

Our team will work quickly to identify the problem that caused the leak, and we will tend to any repairs so that the situation can’t happen again. Simultaneously, we will start cleaning up the area by removing the sewage and wastewater. You can bet that we will be decked out head to toe in the latest and most protective safety gear!

We can also employ our deodorizers at this time to remove any traces of that stinky sewage smell. Finally, if the lingering water caused any sort of damage to your property, we can address those repairs as well.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the stink! Contact us right away so we can take control of your sewage leak and help you recover faster.

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

What is Biohazard Cleanup?

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Police Tape Crime Scene and Biohazard Cleanup

Biohazard cleanup, put simply, is  the cleaning, sanitation, and deodorizing of areas where a traumatic events such as an accident, injury or death has occurred. Usually this means dealing with blood, human or animal remains, chemical spills, and more. This also includes cleaning up after a crime scene, since it is up to the property owner to find biohazard cleaning services. Keep in mind that a professional cleanup team can only begin after the police have gathered enough evidence related to the incident.

Does Biohazard Cleanup Require Certification?

There is no “Biohazard Technician” certification, however, OSHA does require technicians to properly wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with bloodborne pathogens. PPE helps ensure the safety of our workers. This equipment helps prevent hazardous material from contacting the body through the skin, eyes, mouth, nose or any other area. Although PPE varies from job to job, it should always include gloves, a hazardous material body-suit, and a respirator.

Our Biohazard Cleanup Process

  • First, our remediation crew identifies the affected areas and determines the scope of the work. Once the plan is agreed upon, the remediation begins as quickly as possible.
  • Technicians always put the focus on both their safety and that of other individuals at the cleanup site.
  • Next, they remove all potentially infectious materials from the site.
  • Hazardous medical waste, such as: bodily fluids, or items that contain potential health hazards, are handled following OSHA regulations. We then send them to a licensed Medical Incinerator. 
  • We remove porous materials like fabric and carpeting following both industry and state regulations.
  • Non-hazardous materials are decontaminated if they are salvageable.
  • After the cleanup and sanitization, we thoroughly deodorize the affected areas.
  • Removing contaminated materials, then cleaning and sanitizing is usually enough to control odors.However, in rare cases, the crew will use hydroxyls or ozone to ensure the odor is eliminated.

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