Sewage Cleanup Steps for Category 3 Water

A sewage backup is one of the most hazardous jobs in cleaning and restoration. Sewage is Category 3 black water, which means it can contain harmful bacteria and viruses. This work demands strict safety, containment and the removal of contaminated materials. Here is the general process.

Safety Comes First

Anyone working a sewage job needs proper personal protective equipment: gloves, boots, eye protection and appropriate respiratory protection. Keep occupants out of the affected area. Shut off any equipment that could spread contamination, and treat every surface the water touched as contaminated.

Contain the Area

Prevent the contamination from spreading to clean areas. Set up containment with plastic sheeting, and run a HEPA air scrubber to filter airborne contaminants and create negative pressure so air flows into the work area rather than out of it. Containment barriers keep the rest of the building protected.

Remove Contaminated Materials

Porous materials that absorbed black water cannot be reliably cleaned and generally must be removed and disposed of according to regulations:

• Carpet, pad and rugs
• Drywall and insulation that contacted the water
• Particleboard and other absorbent materials

Hard, non porous surfaces can often be cleaned and disinfected.

Clean, Disinfect and Dry

1. Remove solids and gross contamination first
2. Clean all affected hard surfaces, then apply an appropriate disinfectant
3. Use a wet vacuum rated for the task to extract liquids
4. Dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers while keeping the air filtered

Verify and Document

Confirm the area is dry and properly cleaned before reopening it. Document the work, since sewage losses often involve insurance. Because of the health risks, severe sewage jobs are best handled by trained restoration professionals with the right equipment. Outfit safe response with our air scrubbers and drying gear.