Sewage Cleaning Services

What do sewage cleaners do?

Sewage cleaners are responsible for maintaining public health and safety and removing all sewage from the area to prevent the possibility of contamination to nearby citizens. They use a combination of high-pressure water systems and chemicals to effectively break sewage spills or blockages apart.

Everything affected by the spill is either disposed of or disinfected by various decontamination methods. Each method will be different depending on the severity of the block or spill, and the amount of damage inflicted on nearby property.

What is our 9-stage clean-up and decontamination process?

Our 9-stage process ensures that we will effectively remove all traces of sewage from the affected site, and that it will be safe to inhabit again upon decontamination. Our technology and tools are industry-leading, so you can rely on our team of biohazard cleaners to get the job done right.

1. Contain the area to prevent contamination
2. Extract and remove the sewage safely
3. Apply specialist solutions to break down contaminants
4. Assess the site for any potential disposal to fully decontaminate
5. Test the area to ensure treatment is successful
6. Remove all hazardous waste off-site properly
7. Purify the air with scrubbing technology
8. Conduct a moisture survey and dry the area if needed
9. Issue a decontamination certificate

Who is responsible for sewage cleaning costs?

While you are responsible for the drains and pipes within your home, they often carry wastewater to a sewer outside your boundary line. Some residences may also have privately owned sewers, and you might have a cesspool or septic tank that contains wastewater. 

In cases where you have a sewer or container that serves you, it is your responsibility to hire sewage cleaning services and cover the cost of any necessary repairs if there is a leak. You can surrender ownership of your private sewer by contacting your local sewer company and discussing the subsequent steps.

If you are uncertain about your obligations or who might be at fault for a spill, consult Anglian Water's informative map that clarifies sewer responsibility.

How our technicians protect public health and safety

Our technicians are responsible for maintaining and considering all aspects of health and safety throughout the sewage cleaning process. The safety of our cleaners and the wider public are the main focus of all our cleaning surveys.

We take steps to avoid biohazardous contamination that includes wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and industrial-grade tools and solutions. Our high-quality results ensure that our services are reliable and that all affected sites will be safe to interact with upon our departure.

What you should do if there is a sewage spill on your property

It is crucial to ensure everyone's safety during a sewage spill, including children and pets. If someone has come into contact with blackwater through inhalation, ingestion, or physical contact, you should immediately contact 111.

If you must re-enter the premises to gather evidence of the damage for your insurance claim, you should wear gloves and a mask to minimize exposure. However, to guarantee your safety while returning to the damaged property, you must take some precautions, such as:

• Turning off the electricity
• Shutting off the water supply to the property
• Reporting the incident to your local water company
• Taking photos and videos of the damage for your insurance claim
• Informing your insurance company or landlord about the situation
• Refraining from attempting to clean the sewage yourself
• Arranging temporary accommodations for yourself and anyone living with you
• Contacting a specialist sewage cleaning company

What hazards are present with sewage?

One of the biggest concerns is exposure to harmful gases, such as methane and hydrogen sulphide. Though methane is not generally considered a toxic gas, its flammability makes it extremely dangerous to handle, particularly in high concentrations.

Likewise, hydrogen sulphide is highly flammable. It is produced when bacteria break down plant and animal material, often in stagnant waters like sewage water. If not handled appropriately, hydrogen sulphide can cause life-threatening symptoms.

When dealing with low concentrations of sewage, side effects may arise. These symptoms are usually mild and should fade on their own within a matter of days:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Irritability

However, exposure to higher concentrations could lead to more serious conditions that may result in suffocation and hydrogen sulphide poisoning. This manifests in symptoms like:

• Loss of smell
• Eye damage
• Lung irritation 
• Throat irritation
• Seizures
• Pulmonary oedema
• Coma

We now offer a range of drainage and septic tank solutions

Our drainage specialists have the experience, training and industry-leading equipment to assess the condition of your drainage system, clear even the most stubborn obstructions, and repair and maintain the system. They can install, empty and replace septic tanks, as well. 

Get in touch today

To find out more about our sewage cleaning services, contact a member of our team today. We are available for emergency jobs 24/7, all year round including bank holidays. You can either email us at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk or give our support team a call at 0208 066 0360 for more information.