Sewage spills are dangerous to both your health and the environment. If you experience a sewage spill on your personal property, it is important that you follow the proper procedures.
What is a Sewage Spill?
A sewage spill happens when your underground pipes break and sewage water comes spilling out, overflowing into your yard, pavement, tank, etc. Since the wastewater has not been fully treated (if at all), it poses a dangerous risk to your health.
What Should You Do if You Have a Sewage Spill?
If you have a sewage spill, don’t panic. Instead, evaluate the damage and determine if you can handle cleanup on your own. If the spill is small enough, take the following steps.
1. Protect yourself.
Wastewater contains harmful particles and bacteria that can cause short-term or long-term diseases upon contact with the body. To avoid ingesting these bacteria, begin your sewage cleanup by donning rubber gloves and boots, a wetsuit or old clothes, eye protection, and a face mask. Make sure you wash your clothing and sanitize your skin after finishing the project.
2. Contain the spill.
Sewage can kill grass and small creatures living in the grass. Prevent the sewage spill from spreading by turning off your water supply until the leak or break has been repaired. You can also spread dirt or sand around the edges of the spill to keep it from seeping into the surrounding terrain.
3. Clean the spill.
4. Finish sanitizing.
If the spill happened on concrete, go back over the area of the spill with bleach or other outdoors cleaners. If it happened on grass, call a professional to sanitize and disinfect the area.
5. Replace or repair parts as necessary.
The most important part of sewage cleanup is determining the source of the problem. Sometimes you can determine this on your own, but a professional can certainly help you with this step.
When Should You Call a Professional?
If the source of your sewage spill is going to warrant a call to the plumber anyway, you should probably just let them handle the cleanup. Not only is it safer, it will ensure that the root of the problem is addressed so you aren’t faced with another sewage spill down the line.
Tips for Avoiding Sewage Spills
There is no way to guarantee a perfectly-functioning sewage system. However, you can increase the lifespan and preserve the quality of your system by doing these things.
1. Change your effluent filter.
You don’t have to change your effluent filter often, but it is a part of proper septic system care. Change your filter every couple of years, or when you pump your septic tank.
2. Pump your tank when necessary.
You should pump your septic tank every 3-5 years depending on its capacity as well as how much you’re putting into it.
3. Schedule routine septic system inspections.
Professional cleanings and pumpings can help you avoid expensive repairs. Try not to skip your inspections.
Norway Septic Inc. is a service-oriented company dedicated to providing excellent septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping services to homeowners and business owners in the Michiana area. We take pride in doing the job that others leave behind. If you need a new effluent filter or if you would like to schedule a septic tank cleaning by one of our professionals, call us today.
