What To Do After a Sewer Backup in Your Mankato Home

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Toilet overflows and sewer backups can pose serious health risks.

The water from sewage backups typically contains waste products that pose serious health risks. Viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that cause serious illness can be found in flood waters of this category. Sewage water is considered Category 3 contaminated water. Category 3 is the most grossly contaminated water possible, referred to as “black water.” It is very dangerous and should be avoided. Examples of black water can include flooding from rivers or streams, water from toilet overflows, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth. Water contamination with sewage backup should be considered an immediate threat and an emergency situation that should be dealt with as quickly as possible.

The first thing you should do after a sewer backup occurs in your Mankato home is assess the safety of you and your family. Consider evacuating the home or at least the contaminated area. After considering safety first, contact a professional to determine the appropriate plan of action. The professionals at SERVPRO of Mankato / Owatonna will safely inspect your home and help you put together a plan of action that works best for you and your family.

It is highly recommended that you do not try to mitigate this water damage on your own. Our team members wear specialized protective gear while handling these situations due to the health threats they pose. Without proper protective gear, you should never come in contact with contaminated water. No matter if your sewer backup or toilet overflow became a large flood or stayed relatively small and contained, it is still a potentially dangerous situation that should be taken seriously.