Month: October 2023

Sewage cleanup is not a DIY job. Attempting it yourself presents serious risks. A professional helps protect your home from unsanitary conditions and major damage and knows how to deal with the many hazards. When you’re facing an emergency, here are some risks of DIY sewage cleanup that should make you think twice about handling it yourself.

Sewage Is a Health Risk

Raw sewage consists of water that’s been flushed from toilets (known as black water). It also consists of water drained from clothes washers, showers, tubs, dishwashers, and sinks (gray water) that you don’t want backing up into your home either. This unhealthy combination can include human waste, cleaning products, and harmful chemicals.

There are millions of microorganisms in a single drop of sewage water. Some help break down solid waste. Many others are pathogens that can cause diseases like encephalitis, hepatitis A, adenovirus, dysentery, and typhoid fever. Bacteria that flourish in sewage include E. coli, salmonella, and cholera. Therefore, exposure to wastewater toxins can make you very sick.

Household gloves, masks, or bleach are often not sufficient for maintaining safety during a sewage water backup.

Mold Growth Is Possible

Improper sewage cleanup can lead to mold growth, especially if you don’t reach all the sources of water intrusion. Exposure to mold and the toxins it can produce can cause allergy and asthma symptoms and a range of long-term health problems. Children and individuals with compromised immune systems are most at risk. It only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to form colonies on moist surfaces where temperatures are optimal and there’s organic material to feed off of. 

Safety Hazards

Severe flooding may be accompanied by hazards related to gas or electricity. Stay away from flooded areas and call for help right away. Evacuate if you smell gas. The utility company will turn off the gas and evaluate and fix the problem. Don’t reenter your home if the main power switch wasn’t turned off before you left. Touching a live wire, electrical device, or fixture affected by a flood can result in electrocution. Therefore, always call a professional for sewage cleanup.

You Could Make the Issue Worse

If you attempt a DIY cleanup when wastewater floods your home, you could:

• Fail to find the root cause of the problem.
• Fix the issue incorrectly, leading to future sewage backups.
• Spend more on purchasing equipment, disinfectant, and other supplies.
• Damage your plumbing by mistake.
• Require more costly repairs.

More Costly Issues

Many people avoid hiring a professional because of the cost. But purchasing all the materials yourself can be costly, and think of the amount of time you’ll need. Cleaning a sewage backup by hand may require repeating the process several times. If you’re not experienced with sewage cleanup, it can be hard to know you’ve removed all the bacteria and viruses present. An experienced contractor knows the procedures, products, and materials to use for every situation and can get the job done quickly, saving you time and money.

Not Being Properly Equipped

Standing water can infiltrate walls, furniture, carpets, and solid flooring materials. There are no shortcuts to avoiding further damage. A restoration professional has the equipment to remediate the problem by pumping out contaminated water, removing debris, and identifying the origin of the backup. The advanced equipment they use includes air scrubbers and industrial dehumidifiers. They employ procedures and cleaning products the average homeowner isn’t familiar with, which is effective for preserving structural integrity and valuables and preventing health risks.

Why Hire Restorerz – Emergency Services for Sewage Cleanup

Sewage can cause extensive damage and be dangerous to your health if it backs up. Servicing both commercial and residential properties, our IICRC-certified professionals are familiar with every option to clean up after a sewage disaster. Property owners throughout Los Angeles and Southern California rely on us for:

• 24/7 emergency service
• Response times of 60 minutes or less
• Guaranteed customer satisfaction
• Approval to work with any insurance company
• Upfront estimates and project timelines
• Adherence to safety codes and guidelines

We work until your property is habitable once again. Our team uses the latest equipment to begin drying and cleaning your home or business. A professional cleanup ensures every affected area and item is restored, repaired, or replaced, which isn’t guaranteed with DIY efforts. For expert help with sewage cleanup, call (323) 402-6523 today.

Professional carpet cleaning has many benefits. As people move around in your home, foot traffic brings in dirt from outside and other rooms. It also contributes to general wear and tear. Vacuuming your carpet weekly isn’t enough. We recommend hiring a carpet cleaning service periodically to help keep your carpet looking new and fresh.

Here’s why you should have your carpet cleaned by a professional:

• The Carpet Will Last Longer: Dirt, dust, and debris trapped in carpet fibers can cause them to split apart and break down. The dirtier your carpet gets, the more debris that can adhere to it. Professionals use effective hot water extraction methods to remove dirt from deep within carpet fibers. As a result, the carpet will wear out less quickly and its lifespan can be improved, avoiding or delaying the expense of replacing it.
• You’ll Save Time on Weekly Cleanings: Vacuuming a carpet every week takes time and effort. Performing a deep carpet cleaning yourself requires even more work. Hiring a professional ensures there’s less dirt to clean up. They’ll even move furniture to reach every area and clean the carpet as thoroughly as possible, all while you relax in another room or on the deck.
• It Can Improve Indoor Air Quality: Dust, allergens, and pollutants that get trapped in your carpet can be released into the air. A filthy carpet can also harbor dust mites, smoke, and mold. These can contribute to allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, and other health issues. Therefore, a professional carpet cleaning can be beneficial to your health and well-being.
• Odors Are Removed: A dirty carpet can harbor bacteria that release unpleasant odors into the air. Odors from spills, pets, and other sources can also get trapped in the carpet material. Plus, odor-causing substances can settle into the base of the carpet, which a typical vacuum cleaner can’t reach. A professional often uses a steam cleaning system to force up deeply embedded odors and remove them for good.
• Your Carpet Will Look Fresher: When your carpet is professionally cleaned, spots and stains will be effectively removed. These include tough stains from coffee spills, wine, pets, ink, and more. Hot water extraction also cleans heavily trafficked areas that show visible signs of wear if the carpet isn’t properly treated. Therefore, the process removes stains and reduces the visual impact of wear in high-traffic zones.

In addition, the overall appearance of the room and your home are improved.

• Higher-Quality Equipment Is Used: Home vacuum cleaners and store-bought carpet cleaning solutions don’t effectively deep clean carpets. You can rent higher-end equipment. But even that won’t do the job a professional-grade system will. These systems cost more than you’d want to spend anyway. But for a set fee, you can have a professional come to your home and use machines designed specifically for removing dirt, stains, and odors from deep within carpet fibers.
• There’ll Be No Residue: Cheaper equipment and products can leave behind small amounts of cleaning solution on your carpet. The equipment used by cleaning professionals prevents residue buildup. When you hire a carpet cleaning service, the technicians will ensure your carpet is restored to a like-new condition.

How Often Should I Schedule a Professional Carpet Cleaning?

We recommend scheduling a carpet cleaning once a year. But if your carpet is prone to getting dirty or stained, or is in a high-traffic area of your home, schedule a professional cleaning every six months. It can be beneficial even if your carpet hasn’t been cleaned in years. But depending on the carpet’s warranty, professional cleaning may be required (typically every 12 to 18 months).

Contact Restorerz – Emergency Services for a Professional Carpet Cleaning

We use carpet cleaning methods that are far superior to any DIY cleaning products or tools you’ll find. Whether you have wall-to-wall carpets, stair treads, cotton, wool, or synthetic area rugs, our professionals will leave them looking new and smelling fresh. Contact us on the web or call (844) 234-1800 to schedule your next carpet cleaning service in the Los Angeles area.