The Dangers Of DIY Sewage Cleanup: Why You Should Leave It To The Experts

When you experience a significant water incident in your home, you immediately clean it up and minimize the damage. That may not always be the correct move. Some water incidents, such as a sewage backup, can be dangerous to a nonprofessional and should only be handled by an expert. Before trying DIY sewage cleanup in your home, there are some specific dangers.

Diseases

The most prevalent argument as to why the typical Destin citizen should avoid trying to clean up sewage at all costs is that sewage can quickly spread many diseases to anyone who comes into contact with it. Sewage is made up of water and waste. It comes from homes and other buildings and can include toxic chemicals and germs. Home sewage usually contains human waste, which can be very dangerous. Diseases that can be contracted from improper contact with sewage include E.Coli, Hepatitis, Salmonella, and Encephalitis, among others. Some of these can cause brain swelling, while others can cause things such as typhoid fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many of the diseases that can be contracted through sewage contact range in severity but have the potential to end in long-term illnesses or death in the worst cases. E. Coli is one of the most common diseases individuals can get when trying to clean up sewage on their own, which can cause a person to get pneumonia, diarrhea, or even die. 

If you ever accidentally get any sewage on you, especially in your mouth, it’s a good idea to wash yourself off and call poison control as a first step. On the other hand, professional water damage restoration services have employees with proper training and access to the correct equipment to keep themselves safe while performing a sewage cleanup. They can also have the tools to properly sanitize anything that’s come into contact with the sewage. Even once the sewage water is cleaned, it can still leave behind filth and germs, making people sick if not properly cared for.

Gasses

Another danger of cleaning up sewage is the fumes and gasses released from sewage. Some of the fumes can cause illnesses such as asthma or gastroenteritis. There are also a lot of different gasses that are toxic to humans if breathed in, and sewage releases several of them. Among them can be found carbon monoxide, ammonia, and methane. In low doses, these gasses can cause one to feel nauseous or dizzy. However, these gasses will result in death if too much of them is breathed in, so it’s crucial to not inhale as much of the gasses as possible. If there’s a sewage backup in your home, staying far away is best to avoid ingesting the gasses. It’s important to note that many of these fumes and gasses can become even more dangerous during sewage cleanup as more of them are released into the air. However, professional sewage cleanup teams can access the proper equipment and tools to protect them from the toxic gasses released during sewage cleanup. They also have the correct training so they can effectively use the equipment.

Sewage cleanup is an extremely dangerous process that can have many consequences if the average Destin citizen tries to clean it up themselves. Trained professionals know how to safely and effectively care for it without getting sick or leaving behind any contamination. If you experience a sewage disaster, you must not try to clean it up yourself. Leave it to professionals like True North Restoration of NW Florida.