We Have The Best Techniques To Restore Your Home After A Water Loss

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

We have the state of the art equipment to restore your home and prevent further damage. Call us day or night, we are available 24/7.

What is the Best Way to Handle Water Cleanup from a Toilet Backup?

SERVPRO can remove sewage-tainted water and restore your Clifton bathroom to its preloss condition

Nothing says, "Need for urgent water removal" in a house as a toilet backup does. Unfortunately, it is a situation that almost every homeowner can expect at some point. The most common reasons include tree roots in the sewer line and or a blockage of waste and toilet tissue in the trap. The pungent odor notwithstanding, this type of water is dangerous for people and pets to come into contact with and needs professional cleanup.

What Should I Do Until Help Arrives for Water Removal?

There are several actions that Clifton homeowners can take before water cleanup help arrives, such as: 

• Close off the loss area from the rest of the home
• Put down towels and rags to absorb the water; avoid mopping as this can cause contact with the contaminated water
• Turn off the water to the toilet and instruct family members not to flush it again
• Avoid using any type of chemicals to treat the water including bleach as this can mar surfaces or cause dyes to bleed

What to Expect When SERVPRO Arrives

One of the first actions the technicians do upon arrival is to test the water. They already know it contains sewage, but determining any other present pathogens or bacteria allows the techs to choose the level of antibacterial or antimicrobial treatment needed for the water. 

The technicians may put up containment to stop the potential for cross-contamination in the Clifton home during water extraction and drying. Airborne moisture drops can carry harmful bacteria that have the potential to enter the human body via the eyes or the nose or mouth through aspiration. The techs wear full protective gear, including respiration equipment during the cleanup process for the highest safety standards. Air scrubbers get used frequently to capture airborne elements and improve air quality during the mitigation efforts.

What Are Some Common Issues Caused by Sewage-Tainted Water?

This type of water is also commonly referred to as "black water." And anything that absorbs it may be a loss. Non-porous items have the best potential for restoration, usually through immersion cleaning techniques. 

Mold growth can begin as fast as 24-hours after a water loss event in a home and spread rapidly. SERVPRO techs know the early warning signs of a mold infestation and apply proactive measures to stop it before it starts. Other frequently seen water damage aftereffects of black water include: 

• Loss to carpet and padding as they cannot get restored to a sanitary level for reuse
• Delamination of tile in the area of the water loss
• Sheetrock that wicks black water requires a tear out and replacement
• Hardwood flooring on a case by case basis may have restoration possibilities

What Are Some Odor Control Measures After the Water Cleanup?

• Even when the visible signs of the sewage backup get removed, there is still the issue of the odor. This type of water loss frequently has a very pungent smell that penetrates porous items. SERVPRO technicians use advanced formulas to clean and disinfect surfaces, including powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning agents. While manual cleaning of affected areas goes a long way to reducing odor, occasionally, the scent in the home requires more robust applications. 

• Thermal fogging is an ideal method for neutralizing foul odors, particularly embedded ones. The technician heats a solvent to the point it becomes a fog and then allows the fog to cover all the water loss areas slowly. This application gets carefully used as it is for all types of surfaces and materials. When the fog comes into contact with odorous molecules, it attaches to it and breaks the chain eliminating the odor.

• Hydroxyl generators work to move airborne odor-causing molecules through the very safe use of ultraviolet rays, precisely like from the Sun. These machines are harmless for use around people, pets, and plants.

Final Steps For Water Damage Restoration 

After SERVPRO techs complete the sewage water cleanup in a Clifton home, they take the property owner through for a review of the actions taken and repairs necessary to bring the house to its preloss condition. Another essential aspect of the restoration services is a detailed report that not only outlines the mitigation process but also includes photographs and descriptions of loss items to expedite any insurance claims.

Call SERVPRO of Clifton at (973) 928-3705 when you need a water cleanup of any size. The technicians are available 24/7 to restore your home to its pre-water loss condition.

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