DOs and DON’Ts – Sewage Damage | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties, no job is too big, too small, or too gross. Call us today if you experience any form of sewage damage.

Storms can cause heavy rainfall and tax our local sewer systems, potentially causing all sorts of problems in and outside of your property. Water contaminated by sewage can contain a multitude of contaminants including bacteria and viruses. Any contact with sewage or surfaces and materials contaminated by sewage should be avoided unless the proper precautions are taken.

SERVPRO® has more than 50 years of experience in safe sewage cleanup, so we know a thing or two about doing it the right way. Here are the dos and don’ts of dealing with sewage damage:

DO

Go to a safe area.  Evacuate people and pets away from the home or business.  Keep everyone away until the area has been restored.

Contact your insurance company. Professional cleanup & restoration companies work closely with insurance providers.  You will want to contact your provider immediately to file a claim.  Take down your claim number so you can provide it to a SERVPRO team member later and speed up your claims process.

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO. Call 503.791.6714 to get connected with a SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties team member. It is important to act fast so you can avoid the damage spreading. The sooner you act, the more money and time saved. It may also be necessary for us to extract some wastewater so that the next step can be completed.

Contact a septic company or plumber. It is critical to identify the source of the backup quickly.  A plumber should begin repairing the issue as soon as possible. It may also be necessary to contact

Ventilate the area. If possible, open windows to encourage air to flow through your home or business.  This may help slow mold growth by drying the area as much as possible before our SERVPRO team arrives as mold thrives in moist and poorly ventilated spaces.

Take pictures of the damaged area and contents. You can do this by yourself or with your insurance claim field adjuster after the area has been deemed safe to enter.  Pictures should include the damaged area, the source of the sewage backup, any damaged personal or business property and possessions and structural damage.

DON’T

Don’t touch anything.  Avoid skin contact with any sewage or sewer water.  Remember, get everyone out of your home as quickly as possible.

Don’t eat or drink anything exposed to the sewer water.  No one in your home or business should use toilets or sinks connected to the sewage lines.  Don’t drink any water from your sink or filtered water hookups that are connected to the backup line. If you’re unsure – do not use it.

Don’t remove items from the area.  You should not touch anything that has been exposed to sewage. Our SERVPRO team will keep a record of all items removed from the damaged area, including those deemed unsalvageable. Documenting and keeping a good record of all affected items is an important part of the claims process.

Don’t try to clean it up.  You may be destroying evidence that could impact your insurance claim.  Leaving the area after you call your insurance, the professionals at SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties, and a plumber, is the best thing you can do. Allow the experts at our SERVPRO to help you return your home or business to safety.

If you discover sewage damage in your home or business, you can count on our team at SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to handle the cleanup and restoration. Contact us any time day or night for emergency services.