Cleaning up a sewage damage in Scarsdale basements can be a really "dirty job" in Westchester County, NY10583.
When sewage lines back up from street pipes in Westchester County towns like Eastchester / Tuckahoe, it's not a pretty site. Even though our crews dried up feet of Long Island Sound storm surge after Sandy in Larchmont and City Isle in The Bronx, it's nothing compared to sewage damages.
Sea water churned up in a hurricane is a petri dish of germs and bacteria, but it takes a back seat to our clients with waste water in their homes and businesses, trust me.
What usually happens is that a sewage pipe that runs from the municpal large drains under most of our streets can get blocked, and the waste may back up into your lower level, or basement. In a finished lower level of your home, office building or your client's home that's on the market, it can be a devasting loss. That's what insurance companies call it, a "water loss" and, in the case of fire, soot or puffback damages, a "fire loss."
Don't even think about saving the rug, pad or wood flooring. The are "done!" and soaked with bacteria...not good. You will need to get all of it removed and not handle it yourself, due to the threat of E. Coli and because most of us do not have Hapatitius B shots. It's a painful set of three shots that could save your life and that all of my crews have when they are hired.
Restoration companies like ours, and the 10 big insurance companies that we communicate with to get you cleaned up quickly, all consider sewage a Cat three water loss. There are three categories of water: The water from under your sink that simply floods or leaks onto your kitchen, laundrey or bathroom floor is a Cat 1 loss; Water from a basement pipe, an HVAC unit or even a clean toilet is considered "grey water," or a Cat 2 loss; A Cat 3 is backups from toilets, a broken sewage like those actually in your home or business property and the muck from a city or town sewage line backup.
Your town management or DPW respresentative may offer to clean up the sewage for you. But, it's a risk for you and your family or staff and it's a liablity for them. Most city or town workers are not 'water certified" with the IICRC or other professional organizations. We attended a 'boot camp" on structural drying and "The Science of Drying," that is the new standard in water (sewage) restoration nationwide.
Our guys have to suit up in air/water tight suits and use respirators for toilet and other sewage damage -- especially for health reasons. They take out all the flooring, except for more forgiving tile or linoleum. However, any porous materials, like wood and fabric couches, plush toys that were on the floor and that "got wet," along with any rugs should be discarded.
In a Larchmont home that had been remodeled after Hurricane Irene water damage, we removed nearly 8 feet of water after Sandy hit, and took out all the flooring and new furnishings. This was because storm surge is considered "sewage" or a Cat 3 damage, both to your insurance company and adusters as well as to 2nd responders like us.
Now, we have handled Hoarder cleanup situations (see one of the 1,600 Servpros that cleaned up a hoarder's home on A&E's series awhile ago), to estate situations and crime scenes. But my guys would rather tackle a hoarding situation for someone and their family, than some sewage jobs. They are heroes.
Mold growth is the next problem. In just a few hours +-3, mold is growing microscopically. Although the growth is slow, in some situations the mildew smell and mold growth rate can be overpowering and very unhealthy.
Get your home or business checked for mold by a home environmentalist, or we can do a free initial walkthrough. This is especially important, if you see what appears to be visible mold on walls, floors and furniture!
If you experience a sewage or other water disaster in your home, call a reputable disaster restoration company. Call us directly and locally, rather than sitting on hold at an 800#, and getting someone Mombai...after minutes of elevator music. Once we are on the way, you can call your insurance agent to file your claim.
Make a detailed list of your flooring, furnishings and belongings that were damaged or destroyed. Take photos and we will too, before quickly starting the cleanup and restoration process on your property. We pretest fabrics and flooring, if they can be saved and cleaned.
Also, our crew are staff at the company, are background checked and highly trained. That's what you want to look for when dealing with the stress of a water, sewage or fire loss at your home or business. it's upsetting enough, without worrying about who is in your home, or at the office with your business documents.
When you have a sewage, I'm sorry to remind you that there will be items that can not be salvaged, depending on extent of your damage. Sewage contamination is serious and your health is more important than trying to save a thing -- one that insurance may cover and replace.
Here are some prevention tips:
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT BACKUPS?
To protect your property follow these simple Do’s and Don'ts.
DON’T...
- Put diapers or sanitary napkins in the toilet and flush.
- Dispose of grease down the kitchen drain.
- Plant trees in your yard near sewer lines.
- Connect any drains or sump pumps to the sewer system.
DO...
- Hire a registered plumber to install a backwater valve (plumbing code requires this) on the lowest drain line.
- Regularly inspect and maintain this valve.
AND, JUST IN CASE...
- Locate and keep accessible the sewer cleanout in your front yard. If you do not have a cleanout, have one installed by a registered plumber. The cleanout is the property owner’s responsibility
- Check your homeowners insurance policy. If you are not covered for back-ups, call your agent for information on costs and coverage options.
- If you experience a back-up, save all receipts related to any repair, cleaning or damages.
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Sewage damage clean and disinfect in Scarsdale ny 10583, especially in basements can be a really "dirty job" in Westchester County.
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