Flood Cleanup Services

Cleaning up a sewage spill is a high-risk task because raw sewage contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If the spill is extensive or covers porous surfaces like carpet or drywall, professional restoration is strongly recommended to ensure proper sanitation.

Immediate Safety Precautions

Keep Out:

Ensure children and pets are kept away from the affected area.


Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

At a minimum, wear rubber boots, waterproof gloves, goggles, and an N95 or HEPA respirator mask.


Turn Off Utilities:

If there is standing water near outlets or appliances, shut off the electricity and gas to prevent electrocution or explosions.


Ventilate:

Open all windows and doors to circulate fresh air and reduce the buildup of fumes.

Instead of trying to manage the spill yourself, it’s best to hire the services of a professional company, such as ABC Cleaning and Restoration. Our cleaning process includes the following:


  1. Extract Liquid: We use a submersible pump or a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water. Note: We thoroughly disinfect the vacuum afterward with a bleach solution.
  2. Remove Debris: We shovel up solid waste and place it in heavy-duty trash bags for disposal.
  3. Discard Porous Items: Items that cannot be fully disinfected must be thrown away, including carpet padding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, stuffed animals, and any saturated drywall.
  4. Scrub Hard Surfaces: We wash floors and walls with hot water and a mild detergent (dish soap).
  5. Disinfect: We apply a bleach solution to all hard surfaces and let it sit for at least 15–30 minutes before rinsing or air drying.
  6. Dry Thoroughly: We use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area completely within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth.

When it comes to cleaning up sewage outdoors, the process includes the following:



Absorb and Neutralize:

We liberally sprinkle garden lime (calcium hydroxide) over the spill to absorb moisture and reduce odors.


Wait 24 Hours:

We let the lime sit for a full day before shoveling the residue into double-layered heavy-duty trash bags.


Final Rinse:

We water the area with a hose or sprinkler until any remaining white dust disappears, then let it dry in the sun.

 

We recommend that you avoid using the area for at least 24 hours, and do not grow crops on contaminated land for 12 months.


ABC Cleaning and Restoration provides sewage cleanup services in Madison, AL; Huntsville, AL; Athens, AL; and the surrounding areas. Contact us as soon as you notice a problem. We’re available 24/7.