Sewage backup can occur due to different reasons. The most common reason for sewer backup is poor pipe management or spillage from the burst pipes in yards or indoors. Neither of them is good. But some might consider a spill inside to be worse due to the sicknesses that sewer backup can cause.
In this post, we will cover everything related to sewage backup; causes and sickness!
Health Risks from Sewage Backup
Sewage is everything that you flush down the drain. This dirty brown murky water with clumps carries hives of viruses, contaminates, parasites and bacteria.
“The most common bacteria found in sewage is E.” Coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis, and the list goes on. Contact with even one of these diseases or parasites could be fatal. On top of that, working around in this mess could be worse for anyone. Especially for those working with uncovered open wounds. If the sewage sits for long, the gas coming out will become more harmful for people around.
Sewer Gas
Sewer gas is the smell coming out from sewage. The sewer smell contains hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas is the outcome of bacterial breakdown of organic matter, and human waste.
A low-level of exposure from sewage gas could cause a sore throat, eye irritation, cough, and shortness of breath. If you’re exposed to this low-level of sewage gas for prolonged periods it could cause fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, and even poor memory.
If the cleanup in your home is taking longer than expected, the best thing for your health would be to get a hotel or find another place to stay for the time being.
Safety Equipment for Cleaning Sewer Backup Yourself
If you’re cleaning the sewage spill by yourself then you’ll need equipment to stay safe and sickness free. As mentioned before, you may get in contact with several diseases and parasites from working to clean up the sewage.
If you have any open wounds, be sure to cover them with waterproof bandages. Heavy-duty gloves will also help when you’re moving piles of mush.
It’ll help you cover your hands in sewage as well as preventing any injuries. A gas mask will add further protection to filter the sewage gas. If you want to go the extra mile, then you can cover yourself from the plastic suit.
Recommended Read: How to Clean Up From a Sewer Backup?
What Cause Sewage Backups?
If the sewer back is from the yard, then tree roots or breaks in pipes could be the culprit. If the sewer backup is inside your home, it could occur because of improper flushing etiquette.
Wipes or any other similar thing can lead to blockage inside the pipes, which can eventually lead to pipes burst. If you notice that the drainer on a sink or tub isn’t working properly, then it could be a sign that you need to keep better track of things you’re flushing down the drain.
You could hire a plumber to take a look at your pipes in case you’re worried about their well-being. But you could also do it yourself if you’re tech-savvy enough. All you have to do is rent a drain auger with a camera attachment and take a look at it yourself. It’ll save you money.
Keeping The Pipes Clean
Moving ahead, be sure not to dump any more greases, wipes, contacts, cotton swabs, floss, or even paper towels down the drain. It may lead to a blockage inside the pipes. Keeping your pipes clean will help you avoid the sewage backup problem. This’ll save you money in two ways.
In one way, you won’t have to worry about making a call to a plumber or clean up crew which could cost a couple thousand depending on how bad it could be.
The other way it could save you money is by keeping you away from the hospital. Both bills on top of each other won’t do your wallet any favors.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you find out what sicknesses you can get from sewage backup. Sewage backup can be a pain and it can cause stress.
In case you are unable to do it yourself, it’s best to take help from professionals. For best restoration experts in Cincinnati, schedule an appointment with Dry Effect and get your house back like it never happened.
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