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Restoration Tips Sewage Backup water damage

How to Safely Clean a Sewage Backup: Step-by-Step Guide

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Dealing with a sewage backup in your home or business can be both overwhelming and expensive. Beyond the unpleasant odor, it can cause wastewater to back up into drains, potentially leading to significant property damage. Acting quickly and enlisting professional help is essential to prevent the situation from worsening.

In this article, we’ll explore the major risks associated with sewage backups and provide a step-by-step guide for cleaning up the mess. From properly sanitizing affected areas and handling utilities with care to disinfecting clothing, bedding, and food, we’ll cover everything you need to know to restore your space safely and effectively.

What are the Hazards of Sewage Backups?

A sewage backup in your home or business can be extremely hazardous, posing major health risks and potentially causing severe damage. If your basement is flooded, it’s crucial to avoid entering the area until gas and electrical services have been safely shut off. Proper cleanup is essential to prevent illnesses and limit the damage, and children and pets should be kept away from the affected areas.

Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning Sewage Backups

How to Safely Clean Sewage Backups - HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration

For extensive sewage backups, it’s always best to hire a professional restoration service. However, if the affected area is small and you choose to handle it yourself, here are some steps to help you clean up safely and effectively:

Clean and Sanitize

  1. Make sure to drain all sewage water by natural draining or pumping.
  2. All dirt, soil, and debris should be cleaned from surfaces that have touched the flood waters.
  3. All walls, floors, and any surfaces touched by floodwater should be cleaned with hot water and detergent.
  4. Make sure to rinse all areas with hot water.
  5. Walls, floors, and other surfaces should be sanitized by mixing 2½ tablespoons (tbs) of Lysol/Pine Sol per gallon of water or 8 tablespoons (tbs) of laundry bleach in each gallon of water used.
  6. Make sure to air out the area by opening windows and using fans.
  7. You should make sure not to track flood debris and sewage into clean areas.

Utilities

  • Reach out to the utility companies to have gas and electricity shut off.
  • Never touch the fuse box or any cords that are plugged in until the electricity is shut off.
  • If an appliance is under water, do not use it.
  • Never relight any appliances before the gas company has checked them. Also, make sure all pilot lights are on before you relight burners.
  • Never light matches until the gas is shut off as this can cause an explosion if there is a gas leak.

Clothing and Bedding

All clothing, furniture, carpets, toys, and even bedding should be thrown out unless they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. If there are objects that are movable, they should be put outdoors so they can be cleaned and dried in the sunlight. Make sure to put any discarded clothing in tightly closed bags until they are picked up for disposal.

After cleaning up, it’s essential to thoroughly wash any clothing and body parts that came into contact with the sewage. Be sure to wash your hands immediately afterward. Anyone involved in sewage cleanup should take extra precautions such as avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are contaminated or smoking with soiled fingers, as this can transfer harmful bacteria to your mouth. Once the cleanup is complete, carefully wash your hands and nails using a nail brush and plenty of soap to ensure all traces of sewage are removed.

What is Sewer Water - HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration

Foods

If your food has been contaminated with sewage, consuming it is very dangerous. This is how you should deal with contaminated food:

  • Any food that is contaminated, whether it is boxed or bottled, should be disposed of.
  • Any canned goods and jars can be kept if you thoroughly clean them. To fully clean them you should follow this process:
    • Scrub them with soap and water by using the brush around the rim of the canned jars or tops of cans.
    • They should be submerged in chlorinated water for 15 minutes. Make sure to use 1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water.
    • Make sure to air dry canned jars or cans to prevent rusting.
  • Any food that was stored in the freezer can be kept for up to 2 days after losing power if the freezer is full and 1 day if the freezer is half-full and not opened.
  • If the meat has ice crystals, it may be safely re-frozen. If it is cool but not frozen, you should cook it and then re-freeze it.
  • Any food that was stored in the refrigerator can be kept for 4-6 hours after losing power, however, this depends on the room temperature. Never open the refrigerator unless it is necessary. You can also add ice to the refrigerator to help keep food cold.
  • Any food that has an unusual color, odor or is perishable should be thrown away.
  • Make sure that any food that you are discarding is placed in a tightly closed container until it is picked up for disposal.

Please note: The information given in the above article may differ by state and municipality. You should always reach out to your local health agencies for specific guidelines for your area and for specific suggestions as needed.

Professional Sewage Backup Cleaning in Chicago, IL

Sewer Cleanup Services - HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration

Sewage backups are not only messy and stressful but also pose serious health and safety risks that require immediate and thorough action. By following proper cleanup procedures or hiring a professional restoration company and taking precautions with utilities, personal belongings, and food, you can restore your home or business, minimize long-term damage, and ensure the safety of those within the home or building.

In most cases, sewage backups cause immense damage and create dangerous situations, which means they are best handled by professionals. At HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration, we specialize in providing comprehensive sewage backup cleaning services for homes and businesses in Chicago, IL, and nearby areas. Our skilled technicians are dedicated to cleaning, drying, and fully restoring your property to its original condition while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your family.

You can call us at (630) 835-0862 for emergency sewage backup cleaning in Chicago, IL, and the surrounding suburbs.

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Mold Remediation Restoration Tips

How to Remove Mold from the Rubber Seal in Your Washing Machine

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How to Remove Mold from the Rubber Seal in Your Washing Machine

The rubber seal of a washing machine is a prime spot for mold to grow. Warm water cycles and leftover detergent residue create the ideal environment for mold spores to thrive. To keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean, it’s important to address mold buildup on the seal.

Also known as the gasket, the rubber seal sits between the washing machine door and the drum. If mold begins to develop, you have two options: replace the gasket or tackle the issue yourself with thorough cleaning.

Why Is It Important to Remove Mold Immediately?

Seeing mold buildup in the rubber seal should prompt immediate action. Neglecting to remove the mold right away can cause adverse outcomes. One consequence is foul odors as mold spores release microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which are gases that produce strong, unpleasant smells.

Failure to clean the mold results in the newly laundered clothes emitting a moldy smell. This defeats the purpose of washing the clothes. Plus, individuals with mold allergies and those who are sensitive to mold can become sick upon exposure to the mold spores.

Mold Removal from Rubber Seal in Washer

What Kills Black Mold on Rubber?

White vinegar and baking soda are household staples and serve as natural remedies for effectively killing black mold. The acidity of the vinegar dissolves and kills the spores while the baking soda acts as an abrasive so the mold colonies can be gently scrubbed off the rubber seal.

Hydrogen peroxide is another solution commonly found in homes. Like vinegar, this household staple effectively kills mold. Use diluted hydrogen peroxide with a 3% concentration. Simply apply the solution to the moldy areas, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub away the mold, and rinse with clean water.

Does Bleach Damage the Gasket in Washing Machines?

Bleach is not recommended for use on the gasket, since this piece of equipment is made of rubber. Exposing the gasket to bleach can cause the gasket to fail. The rubber’s polymer chains react with the bleach, causing damage, such as discoloration, brittleness, and cracking, to the gasket.

Further adverse effects of exposing the gasket to bleach may occur. The bleach causes the rubber seal to become more permeable to other chemicals, which causes it to break down. Plus, bleach decreases the rubber seal’s elasticity which results in the gasket functioning poorly.

How to Replace the Rubber Seal in Your Washing Machine

While replacing the rubber seal is a complex task that is best left to appliance repair experts, handy homeowners may be able to perform the job themselves. If you are confident in your DIY skills, here is how you can replace the rubber seal yourself:

  1. Unplug the washing machine, unscrew the front panel, and remove the outer retaining band. Carefully pull off the rubber seal.
  2. Clean away the grime in the exposed areas with a damp cloth.
  3. Align the new rubber seal over the drum, ensuring the drain holes remain at the bottom.
  4. Once installed, return the retaining band to its position, reattach the front panel, and plug in the washing machine.

How to Safely Clean the Gasket Yourself

The gasket can be successfully cleaned without having to remove it. One of the best ways is to use vinegar which is a safer option than bleach. Here are 2 proven methods to help you remove mold growth from your rubber gasket:

Removing Mold from Washer Gasket

Mold Removal Method #1: Vinegar

Mix equal parts warm, distilled water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply the solution liberally to the gasket.

Let the solution sit for 15 minutes, then use a soft brush to scrub away the mold. Some cleaning experts recommend letting the vinegar sit for 2 to 4 hours. Once the time has elapsed, rinse the gasket. Open the washing machine door to ensure the rubber dries thoroughly.

Commercial mold or mildew cleaners are equally effective for cleaning a moldy gasket. Before using the product, wear gloves to protect the skin. Spray the cleaner onto the moldy areas. Use a rag to work the solution into the mold stains, being sure to target the inside seal, too.

Mold Removal Method #2: Sanitize the Washing Machine

Another way to safely clean mold from the gasket is to run the sanitizing cycle on the washing machine. The sanitizing cycle is simply the hottest cycle rather than a specific setting. Run the sanitizing cycle without any clothes inside the appliance to prevent damaging them.

For an especially deep clean, add a washing machine cleaning agent to the cycle. A commercial product is designed to thoroughly clean the appliance as well as its internal components. Environmentally conscious homeowners can opt for green cleaners, such as homemade ones prepared with vinegar.

You can prevent mold in the gasket by cleaning the washing machine regularly. Leave the appliance door open between cycles to promote optimum airflow; or, use a dry cloth to wipe down damp areas after cycles. Avoid residue buildup by using high-efficiency laundry detergent.

Contact Mold Remediation Specialists

If the mold persists, consider calling a mold remediation professional. An expert can help pinpoint problem areas that may not be apparent during cleaning. HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration offers efficient mold removal services, whether the spores infest the washing machine or elsewhere.

Mold Removal and Remediation - HydroForce Cleaning & Restoration

Our skilled mold remediation technicians arrive and inspect your property to determine the extent of mold growth. Using advanced equipment, we locate the moisture source causing the mold infestation, which can be hidden behind walls, under carpets, or beneath wallpaper.

Prior to the mold removal, our specialists seal off the areas to prevent airborne spores from contaminating other parts of the home. HEPA vacuums eliminate mold spores, while our high-tech equipment removes mold stains from affected surfaces. Anti-microbials are subsequently applied.

Our experienced technicians run tests to ensure the mold spores are no longer present and the air quality is optimal. We offer homeowners strategies to manage moisture and prevent mold colonies from returning. Any moldy items that cannot be saved are properly discarded.

When you face a mold infestation of any size, call the pros at HydroForce Cleaning and Restoration. Offering attention to detail, 24/7 availability, and a track record of customer satisfaction, we are the most trusted company for homeowners in Chicago, Bridgeview, Oak Lawn, Illinois, and nearby areas. Call us when mold strikes.