Sewage backups can be a major headache, not only causing damage to your property but also posing health risks. Sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants can cause illness if ingested or inhaled. It is important to have a professional sewage cleanup service clean up and disinfect your property as soon as possible after a sewage backup.
There are several different ways to kill sewage bacteria including chemical disinfectants, such as bleach and chlorine, and physical disinfectants, such as heat and ultraviolet light. Bleach is the most commonly used chemical disinfectant for sewage cleanup. It is effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants, however, strong bleach fumes can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, so it should be used with caution.
Chlorine is another effective chemical disinfectant for sewage cleanup. It is often used in swimming pools and hot tubs to kill bacteria. Chlorine is not as irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat as bleach, but it can be harmful if ingested.
Heat is also effective at killing sewage bacteria. Sewage water can be heated to a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria. However, heat can damage some surfaces, so it is important to test a small area before using heat to disinfect your entire property.
If you have a sewage backup, it is important to contact a professional sewage cleanup service as soon as possible. Sewage cleanup professionals have the experience, expertise, and equipment to safely and effectively clean up and disinfect your property so you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.