How To Handle a Sewage Backup in Your Business in Newcastle, OK

One morning, you crack open your business’s doors, only to be greeted by a horribly foul odor. You trace the smell to the restroom and then discover sewage backing up out of the toilets and all over the floor. You need to clean up the mess, but where do you start?

Below are a few tips for how to clean sewage backups. You can always call for professional help from our trusted plumbers in Newcastle, OK.

How To Clean a Sewage Backup in Newcastle, OK

Before you touch anything, don’t begin the sewage backup cleanup process without putting on protective gear. Raw sewage teems with bacteria that can make you very ill. Gloves, sturdy shoes, and a face mask are a good start.

If you’re protected, here’s how to clean sewage backups the right way:

• Turn off the main water supply to the building. You want to prevent more water and sewage from coming up through the drains.
• Open as many windows as you can. Run the ventilation system while you’re cleaning.
• Attempt to stop the backup with a plunger. Chemical drain cleaners may not be effective if the backup is severe.
• Pump out the sewage and standing water. Typically, it is best to hire a plumber with a vacuum truck to handle this messy task.
• Remove contaminated items from the area. Disinfect the items with a bleach solution. If you cannot clean an item, dispose of it safely off-site.
• Clean affected wallboards and paneling as soon as possible. If you can’t clean wall panels, you must replace them.

You’ll also want to run a dehumidifier in any affected areas to help them dry out faster.

Business Owners Should Know These Top Causes of Sewage Backups

Now that you’ve learned how to clean sewage backups safely, you may wonder what causes this nasty overflow in the first place. One of the biggest problems is people flushing foreign objects down toilets. Diapers and sanitary napkins should go in the garbage where they belong. 

Grease buildup in pipes also causes a sewage backup. This is a common problem in businesses that serve food, like restaurants and bars. A shifting foundation may also cause sewage to back up through your drains as the foundation settles and pipes shift and break.

Sewage Backup Solutions for Preventing a Big, Smelly Mess

Once you’ve dealt with a sewage backup, you will likely never want to go through the experience again. Follow these sewage backup tips to avoid a recurring problem:

• Schedule plumbing maintenance for your Newcastle business once a year. The plumber will inspect your system for problems that could lead to sewage overflow.
• Place signs in the restrooms instructing guests to dispose of foreign objects in the trash, not the toilet. Put trash cans in easily accessible places.
• If your business prepares food, instruct employees not to pour cooking oil and grease down sinks. Garbage disposal units also need regular attention.

Consider watering the building’s foundation regularly in the summer. This moisture is important if your building sits on clay soil, as many in Newcastle do. If the soil dries out and shrinks away from the building, pipes can break.