What You Need To Know About Sewer Cleanup (Just in Case)

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Tree roots are a common villain

Here's What You Need To Know About Sewer Cleanup In Your Home

Without warning, a sewer backup can mire your Cheltenham, PA residence in foul-smelling, highly damaging, raw sewage. A flooded toilet can soak floors, walls and possessions with water, if not something worse. With any luck, you'll never have to deal with these headaches, but knowledge is power. Here's what you need to know about sewer cleanup in your home – just in case.

Damage Control

Recovery involves more than pumping out the nasty stuff. Full restoration may include steps such as the following:

• Salvaging damaged possessions
  
• Repairing areas where mold might grow
  
• Steam cleaning upholstery or carpets
  
• Clearing the air with special equipment
  
  

The Root of the Problem
Sewer backup is caused by blockage. This can happen anywhere along the pipes that carry sewage away from your home. Tree roots are a common villain. Thirsty roots find their way through tiny cracks or joints in the sewer pipes. In this environment, root systems grow quickly. They can dam the flow of sewage, or even completely clog a sewer pipe.
The obstruction might not be on your property. A hidden problem down the alley or across the street might back the sewage up until it spills out in your basement. A toilet overflow can also be caused by a malfunction in the toilet or the plumbing system.

Coverage Concerns
A thorough sewer cleanup can be a major expense. Not all homeowners or renters insurance policies cover damage from sewer backup or toilet overflow. Some insurance companies charge an additional premium for this service. Your insurance agent may be able to recommend a restoration company that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Due to the nature of the problem, enlisting experienced pros is often the only completely safe way to handle black water.

Getting Back to Normal
Dealing with sewer cleanup can be a traumatizing event. Knowing ahead of time what you need to do to restore your home quickly and safely can remove a great deal of stress from the process.