Can You Get Sick From Cleaning Up Sewage?

CONTENTS

• What causes a sewage spill in your home?
• The dangers of raw sewage
• What to do when sewage spills in your home
• How to prevent sewage spills
• Contact us today

Should a sewage spill occur on your property or inside your home, your first instinct will probably be to clean it up as quickly as possible. However, sewage is a very dangerous substance that can cause serious health problems. You must bring in professionals immediately to clean it up. 

At ICE Drainage, our sewage cleaning services can quickly make your home a safe, clean space again. Our biohazard specialists can clear and clean up the sewage, and sanitise and decontaminate the affected property. We operate nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Keep reading to learn more about the health hazards associated with sewage spills. 

What causes a sewage spill in your home?

Clogs within household pipes are a frequent problem that can lead to sewage backups. Cooking oil solidifies inside pipelines creating blockages, while hygiene products such as sanitary towels don't break down easily causing similar issues. Anything other than human waste and toilet paper should be disposed of appropriately elsewhere.

Tree roots can also wreak havoc on sewer lines. They seek out moisture and are therefore drawn towards the nutrients found in sewer lines, resulting in breaks or obstructions once inside those pipes.

Extreme weather conditions are another factor to watch out for because heavy rainfalls can overwhelm systems leading to overflows. 

Even simple equipment failure like broken pumps or backflow preventers can cause spills, as well. In many areas across the UK older sewer systems struggle under increased population density and usage loads which were not anticipated during their initial design stages. This makes breakdowns more likely now than ever before due simply to wear-and-tear over time.

The dangers of raw sewage

Sewage can carry an array of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose serious health risks to humans including E.coli and salmonella. The diseases associated with exposure to sewage include:

• Gastroenteritis
• Hepatitis A
• Leptospirosis
• Salmonellosis
• Typhoid fever

If sewage comes into direct contact with skin or mucous membranes, there is an immediate risk to your health. Cuts or sores offer a fast track for infections straight into your bloodstream.

The risk goes beyond personal harm, too, because once infected individuals become carriers themselves, they might unknowingly spread diseases around and put others in danger. You can find out more about the dangers of sewage water in this blog.

What to do when sewage spills in your home

Discovering a sewage spill in your home can be alarming. Immediate action is critical, not just for the cleanliness of your space but also for health reasons.

First, avoid contact with the waste material due to its hazardous nature. Block off the affected area if possible to prevent further contamination to your living spaces.

Then, contact professional cleaning services right away; they have both experience and specialised equipment necessary for dealing with such situations safely. 

Why professional clean-up is essential

Cleaning up sewage will bring you in close contact with the pathogens unless you are wearing the right protective gear. Professionals will wear full personal protective equipment during clean up to protect their health. 

They will also have the specialist equipment and cleaning chemicals required for thorough clean up and decontamination. They can ensure all traces of the harmful sewage have been removed. 

How to make a post-spill insurance claim

In most cases involving domestic insurance claims post-sewage disaster, insurers expect a professional standard of clean-up before considering coverage options. To make sure this process goes smoothly as it should:

• Take photos or videos documenting damage pre-clean up where safe
• Contact insurers promptly informing them about the specifics of the incident
• Retain receipts related to service provisions to ensure they detail the work scope completed

How to prevent sewage spills

Preventing a sewage spill is crucial for maintaining the health of your home environment. You should regularly inspect pipes and service lines so you can spot potential issues before they escalate. Look for signs of corrosion or damage that could lead to leaks, check seals and joints, and ensure proper water pressure levels are maintained,

Grease, wipes (even those labelled "flushable"), and other non-biodegradable materials should be disposed of properly – not down the drain. Instead, let oil and fats cool off, and then scrap them straight into a bin rather than rinsing them away with hot water. Avoid planting invasive trees around your property as well to prevent the roots from damaging your pipes. 

There is also plenty of technology now available that is designed specifically for leak detection within complex pipe networks. Some even provide real-time alerts when irregularities are detected, allowing you to take immediate action before a sewage spill occurs. You can find out more about how to prevent sewer back ups in your home in this blog.

Contact us today

Our nine stage clean up and decontamination process can give you peace of mind that your property is safe again. 

Get in touch to book your sewage cleaning service today by calling 0208 066 0360 or sending an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.