How To Clean Up Sewage Backup in Your Bathtub

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

How to Get Rid of Sewage in Your Bathtub

When you have a sewer backup inside your home, it's crucial to implement cleanup and repair procedures as soon as possible. Not only is sewage in your residence unsightly and unsanitary, but it can also damage your items and render certain household spaces — such as a bathroom or basement — unusable.

A bathtub backup can be particularly daunting to clean up. Here are three steps to cleaning and sanitizing the area in and around your tub.

1. Determine if your home's interior is safe to enter after a sewer backup

If the sewage is affecting electrical wires or otherwise flooding outside your tub or toilet in Estero, FL, you may need to call a professional storm damage cleanup and restoration company for an assessment or inspection right away. If this is the case, the company will do necessary checks and then inform you of next steps.

2. Remove items and waste from your bathtub and other areas
As soon as the cause of the backup is identified and resolved, work to remove sewage. Use a shovel and plastic bags to remove dirt and waste. Dispose of plastic bags right away. If damage is minimal, this is a process you may be able to complete on your own. If there is excess water that doesn't properly drain, a cleanup company may use a pump and wet/dry vacuums to remove moisture.

3. Disinfect affected surfaces and items
After removing sewage and moisture, use soapy, warm water to clean affected areas. Run clothing and other fabric items through the washing machine. Then, use a bleach solution to disinfect. For a small sewer backup, this should be sufficient. If you experience lingering odors or fear you are unable to reach impacted areas under tile or behind vanities, sewage cleanup professionals can help to identify problem spots and restore your home.

Dealing with sewage is never pleasant, but it's important to clean residential areas when backups happen.