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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Biohazard Blog Posts

Waste No Time With Sewage Backup

12/27/2016 (Permalink)

Damage to this basement was caused by a sewage backup.

Hosting a holiday gathering with family and friends can often be stressful which is why SERVPRO of Windham and Windsor Counties is here to help you avoid a major problem. With homes hosting more guests than usual, there are a few steps you can take to help reduce your risk of a potential backup.

Cooking: With cooking being a staple of the holidays, it's more imperative to be cautious as to what exactly goes down your drain. You should avoid putting grease, cooking oil, sauces, and fibrous vegetables (celery, lettuce, and onion peels, etc.) down your drain. Additionally, pasta, potatoes, rice, coffee grounds, and egg shells are potentially hazardous as well. A good mantra to abide by is, when in doubt, throw it out!

Toilet Tissue: Remind guests to avoid flushing anything except toilet tissue down your toilet. Many common bathroom items such as paper towels, feminine products, and diapers should not be flushed down as they don't disintegrate the same way toilet tissue does. It may be helpful to keep in mind that the drain which connects your home to the main sewer is usually no bigger than four inches wide.

Take Care of Your Sewer Line: Many homeowners don't realize they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the main sewer line attached to a home or property. Over time, a main sewer line can deteriorate, crack, collapse, or even become obstructed. Also, be mindful of any soggy spots in your yard, especially if it hasn't rained recently. This could indicate a leak in the water line. You should contact your municipality or sewer department immediately with any questions or issues regarding your line.

Time is of the essence in any disaster however, that is even more accurate with sewage or black water damage. With foul odors and bacteria in the air, it's important to act fast to minimize secondary damage. SERVPRO of Windham and Windsor Counties is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you restore your property.