When a sewage backup strikes unexpectedly, there’s no time to waste.

However, raw sewage must be dealt with by professional cleanup services in Hamilton. Simply put, raw sewage is a serious health hazard. This is not one of those DIY trial-and-error moments.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the facts.

Raw sewage is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Think E-coli, hepatitis-A, roundworms, tetanus, tapeworms, and more. These microorganisms thrive inside the human body, and can be picked up by walking through the sludge or even coming into contact with a pet or pest that has! While most will have you man down for a week or on a drip, some can be fatal.

But wait! There’s more.

This gag-inducing sludge is a combination of human feces, urine, water, chemicals, disintegrated toilet paper, and other nasty things that got flushed. This tasty combination liquidized it, letting it seep into every nook, cranny, and porous or material surface unbeknownst to the untrained eye (and nose).

We’ve already dealt with a few call-outs in Hamilton for DIY jobs gone wrong for this very reason. Some clients even needed our infrared detection services months later because of lingering putrid smells and disfigured drywall and floors from hidden sewage they couldn’t find.

However, sewage, like water, creates more damage the longer it sits. To prevent further damage, there is some damage control you can do safely while you wait for professional sewage cleanup services.

Safety First

First, you need to protect yourself and others from infection. Help any children, pets, or seniors evacuate the premises immediately.

Put on protective clothing and safety gear like gumboots, rubber kitchen gloves, apron, sunglasses or goggles, a face mask, and anything else available at home.

If your electrical distribution panel is well away from water, cut the power using a dry wooden stick or spoon. Make sure you have rubber gloves and shoes with rubber soles when doing this.

Cut the water supply to your home too and do not use any water; it may be contaminated.

If you have to wade through water to do this, don’t. You have no idea what may be lurking beneath the surface, from exposed wires to sharp objects. Call your utility companies and have them do it.

Damage Control

Open all your windows and doors for ventilation, rather than using your AC. This could spread airborne contaminants throughout your home.

If you can safely access and remove dry, uncontaminated belongings, do so quickly. Anything else will need to be left for professional disinfection.

Contact your insurance company and let them know them off the backup. Take as many pictures as possible of any damage and contamination caused by it as proof for your claim.

Do not try to unclog your drain or attend to the source of the problem. Without industrial-grade protective gear, microscopic drops of sewage can enter your eyes, mouth, or airways.

Call In The Cavalry

Now that everyone is safe, the area is ventilated, and uncontaminated belongings are removed, it’s time to call rapid response sewage cleanup services.

Al-Care DKI is on-call 24/7 for emergency call-outs in Hamilton. We will be at your door in minutes armed with infrared detection equipment, PPE, over 30 years’ experience, and industrial-grade pumps, dehumidifiers, and air movers.

Don’t delay! Call us today.