Sewer or septic drain backup or toilet overflow cleanup procedure FAQs No.2:

This article series provides septic or sewage backup cleaning procedures, recommendations and standards for buildings.

Sewer or Septic Backup Cleaning Procedure FAQs-2

These questions and answers were posted originally

at SEWAGE CLEANUP PROCEDURES & STANDARDS

Watch out: sewage spills contain contaminants that can cause serious illness or disease.

• Read first: SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO where we give the first-response priorities & steps in a sewage spill or leak response.
• Next read SEWAGE CLEANUP PROCEDURES & STANDARDS - steps in removing sewage & disinfecting & cleaning a building interior after a sewage backup or spill.
• At CRAWL SPACE SEWAGE CLEANUP we describe in detail the steps in removing sewage & disinfecting a building crawl space.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-10-26 by (mod) - rely on the services of an environmental or health expert

Claire,

I'm sure that you understand that no one can make a health risk assessment about a sewage backup based on an e text message.
I

would imagine that you are building management will rely on the services of an environmental or health expert to perform a post sewage cleanup inspection and appropriate tests to be sure that the workplace is safe and sanitary for the employees.

That inspection, in my opinion if it were properly conducted, would include a determination of the extent of building areas or materials that were contaminated to be sure that no topic or area was omitted.

On 2018-10-26 by Claire - concern is that this large sewage leak will not be cleaned entirely

On Friday morning I discovered a dripping sound in the ceiling above my work area. I reported it, and was told it would be investigated. Two hours passed, without anyone coming to check it out. By that time, a ceiling tile had fallen.

Subsequently I was told there was a major backup of sewage from multiple bathrooms on the floors above, and the leak I discovered was from the sewage. Because I recently completed an extremely strong immunosuppressant infusion treatment for an autoimmune disease, my immunity is very compromised.

I asked about contamination, and was laughed at and told I was probably exposed to much worse in our building.

I researched raw sewage contamination and read that I might be at risk. I expressed my concerns to my direct supervisor and he agreed that I should go home. Since leaving the office, I was notified that Environmental Health & Safety person will be on site Monday.

My concern is that this large sewage leak will not be cleaned entirely. I was told there was several inches of waste.

How will I know if the ventilation system hasn't been compromised, or that the management was able to thoroughly clean the entire contaminated area.

They did not evacuate the building. And I am not getting paid, because not everyone left. My health is more important, as it should be for my colleagues. Are my concerns valid?

On 2018-09-28 by (mod) - pollution from spores entering computers?

For most modern laptop computers, if you damp wipe the exterior, even though the computer fans have drawn building air through their cooling mechanism, in my experience, unless there is something extremely unusual, the remaining biological hazard from that event would most likely be below the limits of detection.

Watch out: An exception would be desktop computers and servers that use a larger (than laptops) continuous cooling fan and that are operated for some time in an environment where there are airborne contaminants of any kind.

Those computer internals may be contaminated by dust containing harmful particles and may merit extra cleaning.

On 2018-09-28 by Buggsy

We have had a flood in the office from a damaged soil pipe.

We have to temporarily locate to different premises and have to move computers etc.Is there any chance of pollution from spores to our computers if we help with the removal.
Thanks

On 2018-09-14 03:35:39.666593 by (mod) -

VG

I hope that you have seen your doctor and if not you should do so immediately or even go to an emergency room. The concern is that there are a lot of possible pathogens in sewage and if you don't get on top of any infection it could become overwhelming.

I don't want you to panic but I do think you should get proper Medical Care and evaluation promptly. If you need personal help about which you are reluctant to post a message here use the page top or bottom contact link to find my email and I will give you additional contact information. In any event do keep me posted.

On 2018-09-14 03:16:07.929035 by VG123

Thank you so much for your response and for the information!

As I said I am not one to make a fuss when asking to do things that may not be my job description but I feel this was a step to far.
In the last few days since ive been in that crawl space I have been feeling physically ill including vomiting.

The company I work for has hundreds of properties so at the very least I want to ensure that any other employees in positions such as mine will not be subjected to the same type of thing I was.
Thanks again for your prompt response!!!

On 2018-09-12 by (mod) - A has rules and laws intended to protect workers from abuse such as being forced into unsafe confined spaces.

VG

OSHA has rules and laws intended to protect workers from just this sort of abuse. No one should be required to enter a sewage area like the one in your photo without proper training, equipment, protective gear, nor without having met the requirements for working in a confined space.

Unfortunately you probably have little recourse without going to OSHA for help -

OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to any questions you have. If there is an emergency or the hazard is immediately life-threatening, call your local OSHA Regional or Area Office or 1-800-321-OSHA.

With the apology that no one can assess the risks of your building's condition by e-text and a photo, to me it sounds as if it is a very serious risk to health and safety for you to enter the area as you described.

This OSHA link is for worker rights www.osha.gov/workers/

I have also sent an informal note to OSHA asking if they can provide additional advice here.

See also CRAWL SPACE ACCESS where we include OSHA guidance on entry to confined spaces.

On 2018-09-12 03:49:24.464456 by VG123

I'm a superintendent of an apartment complex. We had a waste line sewage back up in a crawl space roughly 18" high 40ft long by 20ft wide. Regardless of the size other then the height bc that's significant considering I had to go on my hands and knees to get in. That being said I had been asking all my superiors for 2 days for a professional crew to have cleaned and wasnt getting anywhere. A resident called my companies main office and had threatened to call the board of health once this happened I was told they were not going to send a restoration crew and had no choice but to do It myself without proper clothing or protective wear, I put on a rain suit of my own of course gloves and some eyewear but regardless I am very upset and believe I have a legitimate argument that legally I dont think I can be forced into a position where I had to clean it myself. I do whatever j can to protect my residents and I didnt think it was fair to them which is why after 2 days of a battle w my superiors getting nowhere I took it upon myself to do. No, no one said u better take care of it or youre fired but ultimately what choice did j have. I have been kn this position bw here and another company for 7yrs n never has the thought even crossed my mind to inquire about something like this. I am never to proud to do anything especially as a former plumber I've been around sewage enough but I dont think this was right or like i said legal...
Do I have a sound argument? If so Can someone point me in the right direction of what I should do and what my next step should be please.

On 2018-08-31 18:47:53.553137 by (mod) -

Lesley I can't make an assessment nor bet your health on e-text and a building I know nothing about.

But if you have reason to think that sewage spillage or even droplets or dust that are or were sewage contaminated have entered the air handler and or ductwork, it's probably worth having an expert take a look and collect representative swab samples to determine if more cleaning and disinfection are needed.

That's what I'd expect at the end of any professional sewage cleanup job.

Those services are provided by local, independent hygienists or environmental test professionals who have nothing to do with the company doing the cleanup work.

On 2018-08-31 18:10:56.430471 by Lesley Parness

A sewage spill stopped just short of the hvac system in a home I am renting. Should it be cleaned? If so, can you provide some resources to share with the owner to convince her that this is necessary? Thank you very much.

On 2018-06-01 02:11:17.945520 by (mod) -

Barbara

Mold testing was not necessary and besides the point.

You need to have an actual inspection to find the extent of demolition, cleaning, and sanitizing that are needed.

You absolutely should not try such a large job yourself. You risk making yourself sick and cross-contaminating the home, increasing the ultimate cleanup job cost.

Check with your insurance company.

On 2018-05-31 16:59:59.911557 by Barbara

Hi ! I had a sewer back up in Fe 2018. in my kitchen in Florida. I just found out since i dont live there. Now i have mold under my cabinets. I got it tested with the help of a swab by a mold inspector. The insurance paid me for replacement of new cabinets and floors but not for the mold. ( due to my negligance ). I want to clean it up myself. Take out drywall,cabinets and floors. The remedaition cies want 8000$ to clean the place ! Do you think its a good idea for me to do it myself with a hepa machine and javel ? Please help !

On 2018-03-17 16:47:10.357303 by (mod) -

Sandra

I'm sorry but I cannot make a useful guess about how long the home will be unable to be occupied as we don't have any information about the home, size, construction materials, extent of damage, nor about the contractor experience, crew size, start date, agreement to work continuously until the job is done, delays for clearance inspections and test results. Certainly this is not a problem that will be cleaned up in just a few days. Weeks or even months are more-likely.

On 2018-03-16 18:02:05.619502 by Sandra

I have a friend whose home is and has been swimming in sewerage waters for over a week will walls need stripped back and how long would you expect her to be out of her home as a result of cleanup dry out and repair

On 2018-02-25 03:21:58.021811 by (mod) -

Audrey

Ask your health department to check the sanitation and safety of your home.

On 2018-02-25 03:11:31.774918 by Audrey Peterson

my landlord got FEMA money for a sewage back.up on the property I am renting but she just came over and cleaned it her self to save money there were feces in the flood water in the basement I am still worried it's been 3 years but my children have been very sick all the time I am worried it was not cleaned right since she took the cheap way out

On 2017-12-19 13:53:12.675566 by (mod) -

What you describe is unsanitary and unsafe.

On 2017-12-18 06:11:37.953161 by Flo

We had a sewer backup in the cellar. I am a tenant 1st floor apt (above cellar). Landlord had sewage sucked out, but has not cleaned up after that. It smells in my apt since this happened, like a bad mix of urine and feces. Can I get sick from the smell? The sewer lines are all running clear according to the sewer company. I'm worried about the smell.

On 2017-11-16 00:35:04.416799 by (mod) -

Thanks, Concerned. We agree.

On 2017-11-16 00:35:04.180846 by (mod) -

Thanks Concerned. We agree.

On 2017-11-15 21:15:02.980618 by A concerned person

@Ricky Reed,
I'm not a pro or anything but I definitely would call the authorities or call department of health and let them know... That is a serious health issue.

On 2017-09-11 22:00:24.962547 by (mod) -

Ricky

You don't say where you live but in most countries, cities, states or provinces it is a building code violation and a health code violation to discharge sewage directly to the ground outside or inside or under a building as you have described.

To respect the health and safety question you raise it makes sense for you to

1. report these conditions to your local health department and building code officials
2. check with your doctor about any specific health concerns

On 2017-09-11 09:51:34.402659 by Ricky Reed

What if you were renting a house for 6 months before you found out that the shower in the only bathroom was never hooked up to the drain pipe and for 4 years the water and the raw sewage (when the toilet backed up) which was a lot! Went right on the ground and there was no outside access under the house I finally smashed a hole in the floor that's when we found all that mess. I stayed for 4 months after and they evicted me. But did not clean up the place and I'm worried about if someone else moves into it and dies , I'm worried what heath problems I might have , breathing and eating with all that raw sewage under me. What do I do?

...

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