How To Clean Up A Sewage Leak In Your Crawl Space

We hope you never have to know how to clean up a sewage leak in your crawl space, but it could happen. It’s important that you know the steps to take if it does. 

First, you’ll want to remove the liquid sewage using a pump or a shop vac. Next, you’ll dispose of all solid waste in heavy-duty trash bags. Third, you’ll need to dry the affected space using humidifiers and fans. Finally, you’ll have to clean, disinfect, and deodorize before you can repair or replace any items or parts of the structure when there’s a sewer leak under your house. 

Sewage cleanup under a house is unpleasant but can also be hazardous to your health. Sewage contains bacteria that may cause illness or disease. If you fail to wear the proper protective equipment or seal off other areas, you may spread the bacteria to other areas of your home.  Sewage, as it is mostly water, can lead to mold growth and water-damaged areas in your home. A professional disaster restoration company like HRS in Denver can address odors and perform bio and sewage cleanup, mold remediation, and structural damage that results from a sewage leak. 

Call the trained professionals at HRS Restoration Services if you want a full-service solution to clean up a sewage spill under your house. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any disaster you face. 

Call us as soon as possible to get more information or to schedule an appointment for our sewage cleanup services. 

How Do Sewage Leaks Occur?

If you have a clog in your sewer line, sewage will become backed up with no escape route. If there is a break or leak in your sewer line, sewage spills out into your home, often into the crawl space. 

A blockage can occur from improperly flushed items, damage to your pipes, or even tree roots that are drawn to the water in your pipes. 

Sewage Backup

A sewage backup occurs when something is blocking the free flow of sewage. A blockage means any additional sewage that enters the pipe will put dangerous pressure on the pipe, leading to a leak or a break. Flushing items that are too dense for delicate pipes, such as paper towels or so-called “flushable” wipes may be the culprit. 

Drain Pipe Leak

A clogged pipe causes water and sewage to back up, putting undue pressure on the pipes walls. After this pressure has built up, it becomes unmanageable and the seals and sides of the pipe will break, leak, or burst. Now the backed-up sewage has escaped into your home, threatening your safety.  

Signs Of A Collapsed Sewer Line

A collapsed sewer line can be dangerous to your home and is something to address as soon as it is discovered. You might wonder what to watch out for to make such a discovery. The list of symptoms that you might have from a collapsed sewer line includes strong gas odor, slow drains, soggy lawns, and mold and mildew.

Dangers Of Sewage In Your Crawl Space

The danger of having sewage in your home’s crawl space comes from the accompanying bacteria that carry illness and disease. Any time you have water damage, and your sewage will primarily be made up of wastewater, you may also have quick mold growth and even structural damage to your floors and walls. Even the sewage smell may have adverse health effects.  

Smells

Sewer gases escaping into your home can be a severe problem. Sewage gas is the noxious chemical mixture that results from decaying waste. Sewer gas can include Hydrogen Sulfide, Ammonia, and Methane. 

 If you breathe in these chemicals you may experience headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and in rarer cases, poisoning and asphyxiation. These symptoms will be more acute if you have a pre-existing respiratory condition. Thankfully, our Denver odor removal experts have the tools and experience to eliminate these noxious smells. 

Bacteria

Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Coming into contact with sewage or floors or walls contaminated by sewage may lead to gastroenteritis and other illnesses. Proper cleaning, sanitation, and use of personal protective equipment is necessary to contain and eliminate the risk posed by bacteria in sewage. Our Denver bio cleanup professionals have the latest technology and equipment to ensure the safe cleanup of your home.  

Mold

Any sewage leak will primarily consist of wastewater. Any time you introduce water into areas it wasn’t designed for, say a crawlspace or in your bathroom or kitchen, mold growth will quickly occur. Our extensive Denver mold restoration process is the best way to quickly and safely address mold growth. 

Structural Damage

Since sewage leaks are primarily wastewater, your home’s walls, floors, and structural integrity may sustain damage. Water weakens and can even crumble otherwise sturdy surfaces. Our Denver reconstruction and restoration crew can help repair and replace any affected surfaces.  

Cleaning Up A Sewage Leak In Your Crawl Space

Knowing how to clean up sewage spills in a crawl space is especially helpful because when a leak happens, you need to move fast. Before you begin the most labor-intensive tasks, you’ll need to secure the affected area so the sewage is confined to one area. 

 Wear protective gear that properly shields you from inhaling noxious chemicals in sewage. 

 You’ll need to extract the water and any solid waste from the affected area before you can remove the top layer of soil under your home. You’ll need to treat the soil that remains and dispose of all contaminated items. 

Once these tasks are completed, you can finally disinfect and deodorize the crawl space. Finally, don’t forget to disinfect your protective clothing and gear before you enter any other area of the home.  

 

Secure Contaminated Area

It is recommended that you immediately secure the area that you suspect is contaminated, and call in professional help to limit damage and health risks associated with this type of issue. 

Use Protective Gear

It goes without saying that proper professional-grade gear is absolutely essential for anyone considering taking matters into their own hands.

Remove The Sewage

We remove the sewage using industrial-grade extraction tools and vacuums. Wastewater must be removed of and disposed of properly and the same goes for any movable items soiled by sewage. Care must be taken to dispose of items in heavy-duty trash bags that do not leak or break. 

Remove Topmost Layer Of Contaminated Soil

The topmost layer of heavily sewage contaminated soil must be dug out and placed in heavy-duty plastic bags. Upon properly sealing them, these bags must be disposed of in accordance with local laws. 

Use Hydrated Lime Onto The Remaining Soil

Our professionals will treat the remaining soil underneath with hydrated lime. The lime absorbs odor and breaks down organic matter. We will also incorporate the lime into the soil and co-mingle the two.  

Discard Contaminated Items

Any removable items like masks, gloves, and clothing must be discarded in leak-proof bags and disposed of in a way that follows local regulations.  

Disinfect The Area

Disinfection destroys potentially harmful bacteria and organisms and is a crucial step in the sewage cleanup process. 

Deodorize To Remove Smells

Deodorization removes noxious sewer smells. Ventilation and substances like vinegar and baking soda also help to absorb offensive odors. 

Disinfect Clothing & Protective Gear

Bacteria and mold can attach to personal protective gear and clothing. These items will need to be isolated and disinfected to prevent further spread within your home or to other households and businesses. 

When To Call A Professional

Unless you have the proper water and waste extraction tools and personal protective equipment, attempting to DIY sewage cleanup is a risky task best left to professionals. The health risks and risk of further contaminating your home are dire enough to warrant delegation to a team of trained professionals with experience, tools, and the repair skills this kind of situation requires. 

Why Choose HRS Restoration Services?

HRS Restoration Services has been dealing with disasters for nearly 25 years. From water damage to biohazard cleanup and mold remediation – and a sewage leak includes all three – we’re ready to remedy all of it! Our customers appreciate our rapid response, 24/7 availability, and willingness to tackle really tough (and stinky) disasters. 

Contact HRS Restoration Services Today!

Call HRS if you have a sewage leak. If you just need more information, we know how to clean up sewage in a crawl space and can restore your home back to its pre-disaster state ASAP!