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Sewage Cleanup in Columbia, MO: What to Expect and How Long It Takes

Apr 17, 2023

A sewage backup is one of the worst types of water damage that can occur in a home. Not only is it destructive, but it also poses many health and safety risks. These challenges make it difficult for homeowners to DIY the cleanup. 


Instead, it’s recommended that the job be left to a team of trained professionals. These experts have access to protective gear that will keep them safe while they restore the property. 


However, many homeowners don’t know what to expect from a
sewage cleanup. Columbia, MO residents can trust that ABC Environmental Contracting Services has a proven process. The following are the steps that their contractors take to recover a home after a sewage backup.


Prepare the Jobsite

Before the crew gets into the nitty gritty of cleaning the house, they must take steps to prepare. First, they suit up with their coveralls, eye protection, rubber gloves, and other PPE. 


Once they are ready to enter the sewage cleanup area, they open all of the available windows to help ventilate the home. They do not turn on any bathroom exhaust fans or HVAC systems because they can pull bacteria into the ducts. 


They also take the time to isolate the area if the sewage waste hasn’t flooded the entire home. In fact, it’s crucial that neighboring rooms should be closed off to prevent tracking any of the sewage water during the cleaning process. 


Extract Remaining Liquids

After the job site has been prepared, the crew starts the process of extracting any liquids. It’s essential that sewage water be removed quickly because the longer it sits in the space, the more it is soaked into the building materials. While some of these materials may be able to be recovered, some may be damaged beyond repair.


That’s not the only reason that the crews work so hard to extract the water from the affected area. There is also a risk of mold growth, and it can happen in as little as 24 hours. Therefore, the crews use their heavy-duty wet/dry vacuums and sump pumps to remove all of the liquid from the house. 


Remove Solids

For the next step in the sewage cleanup, Columbia, MO homeowners can expect the professional sewage cleanup contractors to remove any remaining solids. If there is anything that cannot be removed with the wet/dry vacuum, the restoration specialists use a shovel to remove any human waste, dirt, soil, or other solids. The waste is placed into heavy-duty plastic bags and disposed of safely. 


This part of the process can seem like one of the more time-consuming steps because the crews want to make sure that they are thorough. However, it shouldn’t take the professionals more than a few hours so that they can move on to the next step.


Remove Household Contents

As soon as the area is cleaned enough to safely move bulky items and furniture, the crew will remove all of the affected household contents. They have state-of-the-art equipment that can sanitize and restore many of these items, but if something is a total loss, the crew will dispose of it.


Anything that can be cleaned will be thoroughly cleaned and returned to its pre-loss condition. From there, the restoration company will store the household contents in a secure storage facility until the home is ready to receive them again. 


Disinfect Surfaces

The next step in the process is to sanitize any of the surfaces in the affected area. This includes floors, walls, baseboards, doors, and more. It’s crucial that the crews are thorough with this part of the sewage cleanup so that there are no odors or contaminants left behind. While homeowners often think they can DIY this step, professional contractors have the proper disinfectants and knowledge of materials to clean any surface.


Restore the House 

The final step in the sewage cleanup process is to rebuild the house. Since most cleanup crews have licensed contractors, they are able to rebuild areas that had to be demolished in the cleanup process. Not only can they install new drywall and flooring, but they can also paint and make plumbing repairs. By the end of the process, the house will be returned to its previous state.


Request a Professional Sewage Cleanup – Columbia, MO 

Homeowners who are in need of professional sewage cleanup services shouldn’t hesitate to contact ABC Environmental Contracting Services. Their highly trained contractors have helped countless customers restore their Columbia, MO homes.


For 24/7 emergency services, homeowners should call (573) 928-2668. They can also submit the company’s online form to request a free quote for their sewage cleanup. 

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