According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 850,000 people in the United States suffer illnesses every year that directly arise from exposure to contaminated water, primarily sewage. These statistics put into perspective just how dangerous a sewage backup can be, not just for damaging your home but for your family’s health.
Especially in cities like Philadelphia, which have aging sewer systems and continue to experience rain events that stress the sewer system, sewage backups present an increasing threat to homeowners in the cities and suburbs.
When sewage water is intruding into your home, either from a ruptured pipe, backup from the main sewer line, or contaminated flood water, it’s not just a smelly inconvenience. It is a toxic and hazardous mess that warrants professional extraction, cleanup, restoration, and sanitation from a health perspective.
This blog will explore why professional sewage cleanup in Philadelphia is so important, the health and structural hazards of cleaning it yourself, and what you can expect in the cleanup process.
The Risks of Sewage Water Accumulation in Your Home
When a sewage backup occurs, the first disaster response to deal with is the mess and odor, which is alarming enough, but the reality is that there is much more going on than the actual mess. Sewage water or “black” water is categorized as Category 3 water, the most dangerous type of water. Sewage water is a category of water damage that will contain any of the following:
- Pathogens such as E. coli, Hepatitis A, and Salmonella
- Fungi, parasites, and viruses
- Chemical contaminants and dangerous gases
- Debris and waste materials
Exposure can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections, respiratory distress, skin infections, and sometimes other lasting health issues, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or the immunocompromised.
Why DIY Cleanup is a Dangerous Mistake
Sure, you can put on some gloves, grab a mop, and clean it up yourself. However, without equipment, safety protocols, and knowledge, it is not worth the risk. Here are a few reasons why:
- Incomplete disinfection: although you can clean surface areas, you cannot remove the possible contamination behind walls and under flooring.
- Airborne contamination: disturbed waste can send toxins, bacteria, and mold spores into the air, risking infiltration throughout your home.
- Mold growth: sewage severely saturates porous material and can develop mold in less than 24 hours.
- Cross-contamination: By touching contaminated water with your hands, you can spread pathogens throughout your home.
- Lack of personal protection: you’ll encounter serious obstacles without industry-grade PPE and air filtration.
Professional services are essential to ensure that your health and structure are addressed to mitigate potential long-term issues.
Step-by-Step: What You Can Expect from Professional Sewage Cleanup
When you hire professional sewage cleanup services in Philadelphia, you’re not just hiring a cleanup company, you’re hiring peace of mind that your home is fully restored, serviced, sanitized, and safe. Here is what a full-service process typically includes when working with sewage cleanup professionals:
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Emergency Reaction & Evaluation
When sewage enters your residence, you need to act quickly. Trained professionals can assess the source of the backup and take the needed steps to keep the sewage tendrils from spreading. At that point, they determine a plan of action, remove the sewage, and restore your house.
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Containment & Removal
The contaminated area must be isolated from the non-contaminated areas to prevent exposure. Larger commercial vacuums, pumps, and negative air machines will be utilized to remove standing sewage and waste.
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Materials Removal
All porous materials that retained sewage, i.e., drywall, insulation, carpet, furniture, etc., will be removed and disposed of systematically by acceptable health measures.
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Sanitization & Disinfecting the Area
Using EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved disinfectants and antimicrobial treatment, professionals will clean every surface and object that touched sewage. This critical step will eliminate health risks and prevent mold or bacteria regrowth.
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Drying & Dehumidification
Using industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers, all affected areas will be completely dried and all moisture removed (including moisture that cannot be seen), using moisture detection instruments.
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Restoration & Repairs
Finally, the area will be rebuilt by repairing/ replacing the drywall, flooring, cabinets, and more structural elements. Your home is completely restored and livable once again.
How to Prevent Future Sewage Backups
Not every backup is preventable, but many are, especially backups from clogged lines or infrastructure issues. Homeowners should follow these prevention tips:
- Do not flush non-biodegradable items like wipes, paper towels, or hygiene products down the toilet.
- Install a backwater prevention valve to prevent sewer water from infiltrating your home.
- Have your plumbing and sewerage systems professionally inspected regularly for root intrusion or damage.
- Ensure that there is proper drainage around your property so that excessive rain doesn’t build up pressure in your plumbing system.
- Do not pour grease down the sink. When drained, grease hardens and causes major clogs or plumbing stoppages.
If you are a homeowner asking, “Where can I find sewage cleanup services near me that are also preventative?”, the answer is to select a restoration partner that educates and enables you, not one that merely mops up your mess.
Local Risks: Why Homes in Philadelphia Are at Greater Risk
Philadelphia’s aging wastewater systems combined with narrow, historic pipes create risk for unnecessary backups. Heavy rainfall or flash flooding can inundate a combined sewer system, causing unwanted and untreated water and waste to backflow into a home.
Furthermore, many rowhomes and older properties may have pipe and drain configurations that are not meant for today’s usage. Philadelphia residents of all building types need to at least be aware of emergency sewage cleanup services in Philadelphia, not only in an emergency but also as part of a proactive home protection plan.
Conclusion: Do Not Settle on Cleanup, Rely on Experts to Restore The Damage
There are not many things worse than dealing with a sewage backup, but the fact that there is more hidden damage makes it downright dangerous. Protecting yourself, your family, and the financial investment you have made means hiring trained and certified professionals to complete the work correctly.
An entire professional team doesn’t just deal with raw sewage: They will restore your safety, health, and peace of mind, from full assessment to final sanitization and restoration procedures.
If you have experienced Philadelphia sewage damage cleanup, do not hesitate. The quicker you act, the better the outcome will be medically, financially, and emotionally.
Based in Philadelphia, Puro-tec Property Restoration is a leading expert in sewage cleanup services Philadelphia residents can trust. Providing emergency response and full-service restoration for sewage, water, and fire damage, our IICRC-licensed technicians are available 24/7 and are ready to protect your home and health from hazardous contaminants.
Need help from an expert now? Contact us for trusted, fast, and effective sewage cleanup. We’ll get you back on track safely!
