How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Bust pipes due to freezing are a major problem. Not only will it stop your heating and hot water, a leak or flood can also cause extensive damage to your property.
In winter, if pipes are not properly insulated then the water inside them can freeze.
There is water in your pipes even when they are not being used. When the water freezes it expands, this can put pressure on the pipes causing them to burst. Pressure can also be put on pipes if some of the water in the pipe freezes and forces unfrozen water further up the pipe. Pipes can also burst once the frozen water starts to thaw.
The chance of pipes bursting is impacted by how much water is in the pipes and the type, shape, age and condition of the pipes.
What can you do to prevent frozen pipes?
Insulate your pipes. To save on costs, you can do this yourself. You will need to purchase pipe lagging, tank jackets and tap covers.
All outside pipes will need to be insulated – this includes straight lengths of pipe, bends, valves and fittings.
You will also need to ensure pipes are insulated in the colder areas of your home such as garages, basements and lofts.
Tank jackets can be used to protect your water tanks and tap covers can be used to protect your taps.
If your property is going to be empty for long periods, turn off the water and open taps to drain the system. Just be sure to turn the taps off again once the system is empty.
What are the signs your pipes may be frozen?
Signs your pipes may be frozen are:
- Slow flushing toilets
- Slow draining sinks
- No water coming out of your taps
- Your boiler stops working
What should I do if you have a frozen pipe?
Locate the Frozen Pipe
Search outside and in cold areas of your property. Look for areas of pipe that are not insulated, cold to touch or covered in frost.
Finding which taps are not working or toilets not flushing may help you narrow down your search.
Thaw the Frozen Pipe
Firstly turn the water off using the stop cock. Thawing pipes needs to be done carefully, make sure taps are open so when the water melts it doesn’t cause pipes to burst. Warm the pipes using hot cloths, hot water bottles or hairdryers on a low setting. There are a lot of videos online that can take you through the process.
What should I do if I have a burst pipe?
There will be instances when the pipes burst before you even realise they have frozen.
If this happens you will need to:
- Turn off the water
- Drain what is left in the system by opening taps (turn them off again after)
- Turn the electricity off
- Soak up any water that you can
- Call your insurance company
- Call a flood damage cleaning company
Navig8 Restoration are one of the leading flood damage remediation and restoration companies. If you experience a flood or water damage in your property contact us today to speak to our helpful customer service team.
Untreated Sewage Being Dumped into UK Seas
There have been a number of news reports recently on the level of raw sewage being dumped in our seas. These reports include a number of residents and visitors to seaside towns in Kent being warned not to go in the sea.
Most recently MPs voted against putting a legal duty on water firms to reduce the level of raw sewage being pumped into our rivers and seas.
This has angered many members of the public who have taken to social media to vent their anger at their MPs for this decision.
High levels of raw sewage being pumped into the sea affects the quality of the water. It can cause people who come into contact with the water or even ingest it to become very ill. It also has a detrimental impact on the aquatic ecosystems.
Raw sewage, however, can legally be diverted to rivers and seas under exceptional circumstances. Yet, an article in the BBC News claimed raw sewage was discharged into rivers a colossal 400,000 times in 2020.
So when can raw sewage water be pumped into the sea?
Some releases of untreated sewage are legal under environmental law. During heavy rainfall sewage is pumped out of the sewer into rivers and seas using combined sewage overflows. This is done to prevent sewage from backing up into peoples homes, businesses and onto roads.
The combined sewage system in England is made up of hundreds of thousands of kilometres of sewers. It is called a combined sewage system, as clean rainwater and waste water from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens travel through the same pipes to a treatment plant.
Combined sewage overflows were developed as overflow valves, with the ability to be opened to direct the sewage into rivers and seas to prevent the sewage system from being overwhelmed.
Water companies are required to report any discharges to the The Environment Agency so they can be monitored. Local councils are also made aware of any discharges and related issues so they can warn the public if necessary.
What is a sewage backup?
It is simply when the sewage that is flushed or drained away from your home flows back into your home. There are a number of reasons as sewage backup can occur, including tree roots growing in and around pipes and blocked pipes – more information on these can be found in our blog post ‘Common causes of home sewage back ups.’
One of the reasons that can cause a sewage back up is when large volumes of water enter the sewage system rapidly. The volume of water can overwhelm the system preventing it from flowing as it should to the treatment plant.
It can be incredibly distressing for a homeowner to experience a sewage back up. It is not only the water damage they have to deal with, it’s also the fact the water is highly contaminated. It can be harmful to your health and often materials that have come into contact with sewage water will need to be disposed of and cannot simply be dried out.
If a home experiences a sewage back up a professional cleaning company will need to be hired to carry out a sewage cleanup.
Why is sewage being dumped illegally?
In recent years water companies have been taken to court and prosecuted for the illegal dumping of sewage in our rivers and seas.
It has been reported that the reason they are doing this is because it is a cheaper alternative to sending the waste to a treatment plant.
It is a requirement of water companies to report any unauthorised discharges into the sea. However, many go unreported or unprosecuted.
The Environmental Agency has been reviewing storm overflows to identify those that have been used in dry weather conditions or have not been compliant with regulations. They should only be used during heavy rainfall to prevent sewage backing up into homes and businesses.
What happens at a treatment plant?
Ideally when wastewater enters the sewage system it travels onwards to a treatment plant.
There are 7 steps to the treatment of sewage water to make it safe to be returned to rivers and seas.
- Waste water travels to treatment plant
Waste water is flushed or drained away from homes and businesses. It enters the sewage system and travels to a treatment plant.
- Screening
Large items are removed along with items that should never be flushed, such as sanitary items and wet wipes. Grit is also removed at this stage.
- Primary Treatment
At this stage the wastewater still contains solid waste. The water is pumped into settlement tanks where the solids sink to the bottom and form a sludge. The sludge is then pumped out to be processed.
- Secondary Treatment
Smaller sludge is removed at this stage along with harmful bacteria.
- Final Treatment
Any remaining bacteria is removed.
- Create renewable energy
Most of the sludge is recycled and used by farmers as fertiliser. It is also used to generate renewable energy. The sludge is heated to create biogas which in turn creates heat and electricity. Dry sludge is also cut into blocks so it can be burnt to generate heat. The heat is captured to make electricity.
- Water is returned to our rivers and seas
Once the water has been through the whole treatment it is now safe to be returned to our rivers and seas.
If you experience a sewage backup into your home or business, call the Navig8 Restoration. Navig8 Restoration are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to deal with emergencies.
Flash Floods – Damage Prevention Tips
What are flash floods?
Flash floods, as the name would suggest, happen very quickly with very little warning. They are caused by intense rainfall which falls so quickly it becomes too much for our drains and sewers to cope.
Flash floods can be worse following extremely hot weather, as this causes the ground to dry out and become incredibly hard and therefore isn’t able to soak up the fast falling rain water. This makes flash flooding more common in areas like cities, where there are a lot of hard surfaces, such as roads, pavements and paved gardens.
During flash floods, drains can quickly overflow, taking the water above the curb and into buildings. Roads can quickly turn into rivers, with enough strength to carry many objects in its path along with it.
Why are flash floods so dangerous?
The most devastating impact of flash floods is loss of life. Just 6 inches of fast flowing flood water can sweep someone off their feet, making navigating through flood water treacherous. It is strongly recommended not to attempt to drive a vehicle through flood water as just 12 inches of fast flowing flood water is enough to move a car. Sadly vehicle related deaths are the most common during flash floods.
All floodwater is considered contaminated, as it may contain sewage, animal waste, pollutants and harmful bacteria. This water can be incredibly harmful to people, animals and the environment. Care must be taken when faced with flood water and protective closing should be worn.
Flood water can cause damage to building materials and furniture and fittings. It can cause wood to rot and mould to grow, it therefore needs to be dealt with quickly to mitigate that damage.
Flash floods can have a huge impact on vegetation, farmers have reported losses of up to 90% of crops following the recent heavy rainfall and floods. Loss of livestock is another tragic impact of the floods as with very little warning, it can be difficult to get livestock to safety in time.
How was London recently affected?
We have seen on the news in July 2021 how bad the flash floods have been in London. On the 25th July London experienced a month’s rainfall in a matter of hours. Homes and businesses were flooded and roads quickly turned into rivers.
Residents had to be evacuated from their homes. Roads and tube stations were flooded, cars and broken down buses were left stranded meaning trains and other transport had to be cancelled.
Two London hospitals were impacted by flooding and loss of power. The London Fire Brigade reported hundreds of calls following the rainfall.
Europe has also been affected recently, again in July 2021 we witnessed extreme flooding in western Europe with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands being hardest hit.
Why are flash floods becoming more frequent?
Climate change is the biggest factor in the increase of flash floods. The increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, caused by increased co2 emissions and other pollutants is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and storms.
A recent article written in The Guardian, reports scientists warnings that flash floods will be more common as the climate crisis worsens.
What changes need to be made to better protect us from flash floods?
Over the years the accuracy of weather forecasting has improved, providing better predictions of flash floods allowing for better flood warnings, giving people time to prepare. We do however, require further investment in surface water flood mapping to ensure we continually update those areas at risk.
The UK government, as do governments all over the world, needs to make huge changes to better protect us from flash floods.
There are currently a number of initiatives in place to reduce our emissions to help deal with climate change. These will take time to implement and in the meantime we are clearly seeing the impact of climate change so our infrastructure needs to change. Our drainage systems and water supply systems need to be improved. Permeable paving would be a better option for roads and pavements as it is porous and allows water to pass through it. More tidal barriers also need to be installed and maintained.
Local councils will require additional funding to be able to put measures required in their areas to better deal with floods.
Green roofs are a hugely beneficial option which over time could make a difference. A green roof is a roof covered in grass and plants, over a waterproofing system. The UK has been slow to move with this, however it is popular in countries in Europe, especially in Germany.
Green roofs have a number of benefits for the environment and can be used as a habitat for insects and wildlife. It can provide better insulation for homes and businesses, thereby reducing fuel costs. It helps to improve air quality and reduce the temperature of the environment. It can also help control water in heavy rainfall.
7 tips to help you to prepare for flooding
In every home and business there is a risk of flooding from an internal or external ingress of water. There are a number of actions you can take to prevent flooding in your home or mitigate the damage.
Create a flood plan – this is especially important for homes at risk of flooding. A flood plan will give you the opportunity to identify the best way to respond to a flood before it even happens. There are some helpful documents on the government website which will help with this – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-flood-plan
Check your roof – check the roof of your building for leaks or damaged tiles, also remove moss or any other debris that could find its way into your gutters and potentially block them.
Check your gutters and drains – gutters can easily become blocked or broken as can drains and underground pipes. Any issues should be resolved as quickly as possible.
Deal with sewage issues quickly – tackle any problems with sewage quickly as this can lead to a sewage back up into your property, our article ‘Common Causes of Home Sewage Back Ups’ identifies signs that show that there could be a problem in your property.
Waterproof your basement – flooded basements are a common problem. You can arrange to have your basement waterproofed (also referred to as tanking) and have a sump pump fitted to automatically pump water out of the basement. It is also important to ensure you do not leave valuables in the basement. You may also want to think about the type of flooring you put down, tiled flooring would be much easier to deal with following a flood than carpet would.
Check your home insurance – check what cover you have, especially if you live in an area that is identified as ‘at risk’ of flooding.
Research professional water damage restoration companies – have the details of a professional company like Navig8 Restoration to hand. The Navig8 Restoration are experts in water damage remediation and restoration, available 24/7 to deal with your emergency. 0800 285 1447
The dangers that lurk in sewage water
Experiencing a sewage backup into your domestic or commercial property can be a nightmare. Sewage can be incredibly dangerous and have a number of negative impacts on your health and wellbeing. Understanding these dangers helps in highlighting the importance of calling in professionals to deal with a sewage cleanup and not trying to tackle it yourself.
Navig8 Restoration provides a comprehensive sewage cleaning service, we are experts in this field and only specialise in water damage and remediation.
Types of Sewage Water
Sewage water, also known as wastewater or black water is the water that leaves homes and businesses, entering the sewage system and travels to treatment plants. There are two types of sewage water, untreated and treated.
Untreated Sewage Water
Untreated sewage is wastewater that has entered the sewage system and has not yet been to a treatment plant. It contains pathogens (bacteria, parasites and viruses) that can cause illness and disease.
Treated Sewage Water
Treated sewage is wastewater that has been through a treatment plant and had all harmful pathogens removed, for more detail on how this is done see our blog Sewage Explained.
What can happen if you are exposed to untreated sewage water?
Untreated sewage water is harmful, even in small amounts. Side effects of exposure to sewage water include, a sore throat, skin, ear, eye and chest infections and gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestines and stomach caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite. According to BUPA, 1 in 5 people get gastroenteritis each year. (https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/digestive-gut-health/gastroenteritis) The symptoms are worse for people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
There many different ways in which these gastroenteritis infections can be transmitted, however, common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea, which means the virus, bacteria and parasites enter the sewage system. Which is fine if that sewage water continues its journey to a treatment plant. However, if there is a sewage backup then it means you could be exposed to them.
Viruses, Parasites and Bacteria found in Sewage Water
Adenoviruses
Adenoviruses are a group of highly contagious viruses that cause a range of illnesses. Symptoms include diarrhea as well as cold and flu like symptoms, fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, conjunctivitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Most infections are mild, however some can become a lot more serious.
Adenoviruses can be spread through person to person contact, through respiratory secretions when someone sneezes or coughs or touching surfaces where the virus is present.
Norovirus
Norovirus, also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ is a highly contagious virus. Symptoms of the virus are severe vomiting and diarrhea.
You can contract Norovirus through person to person contact, touching surfaces where the virus is present and by ingesting contaminated food and water.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a highly infectious stomach bug. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and fever. The virus is most common in children and babies which is why the vaccination for Rotavirus is part of the Childhood Vaccination Program.
Rotavirus is present in an infected person’s stool and is spread through hand to mouth contact. Rotavirus can be present in stools days before a person has shown any symptoms and for over a week after symptoms have cleared up.
Campylobacter Jejuni
Campylobacter Jejuni is a type of bacteria that causes an infection known as Campylobacteriosis. The bacteria can be found in poultry, meat and eggs. Just a drop of liquid from infected meat is enough to infect one person.
Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis infection include stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea which can be bloody. Symptoms usually show within 2 to 5 days after exposure.
Campylobacteriosis can be contracted through contaminated food, contaminated water or coming into contact with animals with the infection.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals. It is often referred to as salmonella poisoning or food poisoning. Symptoms include, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, fever, headaches and diarrhea. Symptoms can start to show within hours of exposure or in some cases it can take days.
This type of infection is more severe in the young, elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Salmonella can be present in unpasturised milk and eggs and uncooked meat (especially chicken). Strict food hygiene can help in preventing the transmission of the infection, as it can be easily transferred from knives and chopping boards that have been used on something where the bacteria is present onto other foods. This is why it is so important to wash your hands and use clean cooking equipment once you have handled raw meat.
Salmonella can also be transmitted through contaminated water, the fecal to oral route and from young farm and domestic animals.
Escherichia Coli (E. coli)
E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals. It is generally harmless and may cause a brief bout of diarrhea. Some strains however, can damage the lining of the small intestine, leading to severe stomach cramps, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
These strains cause an E. coli infection and it only takes a very small amount to cause the infection. Young children and older adults are at a higher risk if they get an infection, in some cases it can lead to kidney failure.
You can contract E. coli if you are exposed to contaminated water, some types of food such as raw vegetables or undercooked ground beef or contaminated food, where the bacteria has been transferred to the food by the person preparing it. E. coli can also be transmitted by person to person contact.
Listeria
Listeria Monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes Listeriosis. This is a rare infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is estimated that 1,600 people get Listeriosis every year and of those people, sadly 260 will die from the infection.(https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html)
The infection carries higher risks for those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. Symptoms can appear up to 2 months after exposure. Symptoms can include a high temperature, aches and pains, chils, vomiting and diarrhea. Listeria can also cause meningitis, with symptoms such as a headache and a stiff neck, difficulty looking at bright lights, confusion, seizures and a rash.
Listeriosis can be contracted through food, such as unpasturised milk, dairy products made with unpasturised milk, soft cheeses, pate and deli meat. This is why pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid these types of food.
Listeriosis can be contracted through contact with contaminated water, person to person contact and farm animals, especially cows and sheeps that have recently given birth.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the infection Cryptosporidiosis. The parasite infects animals and can then be transferred to humans.
Symptoms generally show 1 to 12 days after exposure and include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, tiredness and headaches. Symptoms will usually go away on their own, however they can be life threatening for anyone with a weak immune system or underlying health problems.
The infection can be contracted through contaminated water, contaminated food, unpasteurised milk, person to person contact and from young pets and farm animals.
Wash Your Hands
Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic it has been highlighted to us time and time again how important washing our hands is as it can stop us from transmitting the virus. It has always been important, especially when using the bathroom or preparing food as it will kill or wash away a lot of viruses and bacteria, stopping them from being transmitted.
If you think you may have been in contact with any of these nasty viruses or bacteria, whether through contact with sewage water or other means it is important to always follow NHS guidance.
If you have experienced a sewage backup, all of the water will need to be safely removed and the area fully cleaned and disinfected. Any items contaminated with the sewage water will need to be cleaned professionally or disposed of safely.
If you have concerns or problems with sewage in your property, call Navig8 Restoration today on 0800 285 1447
Sewage Explained
What is in sewage water?
Sewage is wastewater and human waste that comes from homes, businesses and factories. Every time water leaves your building, whether it is flushed away, goes down the plug hole or drains from appliances, it enters the sewage system. This is a network of underground pipes which take the wastewater, now referred to as sewage, to treatment plants.
Rainwater that runs off the roofs of buildings and along roads and down drains, also enters the sewage system.
Why is sewage harmful?
Sewage water can be incredibly harmful to humans, animals and the environment.
It contains harmful microorganisms. Human waste is most harmful as it contains bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Even that nasty sewer smell is harmful as it is made up of toxic gases such as methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
Exposure to sewage can cause fever, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and headaches. It can also cause eye and skin irritation. Prolonged exposure can cause difficulty breathing and in some cases even death.
Rainwater that runs off the roads and down drains can also be harmful, as it picks up oil and other dangerous contaminants along the way.
Where does the sewage go?
Firstly, large solids, including items which shouldn’t be in the sewage system need to be removed. Common items found are napplies, plastic bags and sanitary products.
There have been many other surprising items which have been found such as jewellery, toys and false teeth. Thames Water has confirmed that items being put down drains which shouldn’t be, cause 65,000 blockages a year.
Once all of the large items are removed, the water is pumped into sedimentation tanks where much of the solid waste sinks to the bottom, forming a layer of sludge.
The sludge can then be put into a digester. Digesters process the waste to produce electricity and heat and the remaining liquid ‘digestate’ can be used as fertiliser by farmers.
The water is then treated to remove harmful substances.
The water has almost finished it’s treatment. It now enters the last stage where it is pumped into settlement tanks, where the waste particles fall to the bottom. The water the remains, called ‘effluent’, is now safe to be released into rivers and the sea.
If the environment that the water is being released into is sensitive, then the water will go through further treatment to ensure it is suitable for that particular environment.
However, sometimes this process doesn’t go to plan…
When you flush the toilet or drain water away from your home you expect it to keep on going until it reaches the treatment plant. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why drains can become broken or blocked which can result in the sewage water backing up into buildings or gardens.
The most common causes are tree roots growing in and around the pipes, faulty plumbing, large volumes of water entering the system quickly and blocked drains and pipes. Drains and pipes can get blocked for a number of reasons. Some of which have been explored in this article, other common causes of blocked pipes are food, cooking fats, grease and hair.
To find out more about the reasons behind blockages, see our blog post: Common Causes of Home Sewage Back Ups.
If you discover a sewage backup in your home or business, it is important to call in a professional who can carry out a Sewage Cleanup Service to deal with it, to ensure it is remediated correctly, safely and also to prevent any secondary damage.
There are ways in which you can help prevent a sewage backup in your home and also signs that you can look out for that may indicate there is an issue which could potentially lead to a sewage backup.
How to help prevent a sewage backup
I think it’s safe to say that flushing toys, jewellery or false teeth is never a good idea. However, there are more common reasons why pipes can become blocked. If you have ever been tempted to pour cooking fats or grease down the sink, stop and think about what will happen when that fat cools. It will solidify and potentially block or partially block your drains.
Make sure everyone within your home or building is aware that paper towels, nappies, sanitary products etc must not be flushed – you often see signs in public toilets reminding people not to flush those items. You can also buy sink hole covers to catch hair before it is washed down the drain.
Signs there may be an issue
There are signs that can indicate a problem with the sewage water flowing through the pipes.
If you notice bubbling drains or if there are any nasty smells near your drain, then it’s worth getting them checked by a professional. Before they become a bigger issue.
Basement Flooding
Being the lowest point of home means basements are prone to flooding for many different reasons. It is quite common for bathrooms and toilets to be situated within a basement of a property, which means the chances of the basement flood water being contaminated with sewage are significantly increased.
There are measures you can put in place to prevent sewage backing up into a basement such as a backwater prevention valve, this allows the water to go out but prevents it from coming back in again. You can also waterproof your basement. Tanking is an option, this is where you create a ‘tank like’ seal around your basement to prevent water from penetrating through to your basement.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a sewage backup or basement flooding in your home or business, call the Navig8 Restoration today for advice.
Common Causes of Home Sewage Back Ups
A sewage backup in your home can have catastrophic effects on people in the home and the building itself if it is not dealt with quickly. This article goes into more detail about this later on.
So what are the causes of sewage back up? It’s important to be aware of them in order to possibly mitigate your chances of it happening to you.
Tree roots
Tree roots are one of the most common reasons why people experience a sewage backup in their homes. Roots are naturally drawn to water sources, so they often head towards sewage pipes where they can wrap themselves around them, crushing and breaking them. They can also find their way through small cracks or loose joints in the underground pipes and start growing inside the pipes. As they get bigger they will either completely block the pipes or put so much pressure on them that they crack, causing them to collapse.
Common signs that there is a problem with roots in your sewage pipes is if you hear gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or if baths or sinks drain slowly, even after you have cleared them.
Faulty plumbing
We all know that plumbing needs to be done correctly to ensure no leaks, especially when it comes to sewage. If there is a fault in the pipework that removes sewage from your property, it can cause the wastewater that you flush and drain away to go to places in your home you really would rather it didn’t. It can come back up through the toilet or sinks and into your home or even find its way into your wall cavities.
Make sure when you are looking into finding someone to carry out plumbing works in your home that they have the correct qualifications to carry out the work. It is also worth searching for them online to see if you can find reviews or examples of previous work. If they are an experienced company, then generally there shouldn’t be faults in their work, however if it does happen, a professional plumber will have the correct insurance in place to cover all the costs associated with getting the problem fixed.
Blocked drains
As mentioned before, tree roots are a big problem when it comes to blocked drains. There are however a large number of other reasons why drains get blocked, if sanitary products, nappies or paper towels are flushed they can cause the pipes to become clogged. Pouring cooking fats or grease down the sink is also another cause of blocked drains, as is hair. The blocked drain stops the wastewater from going into the main sewer system and causes it to back up into the home.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of getting a blocked drain. Never pour cooking fats or grease down the sink, even if you rinse with hot water and soap the fat and grease can still solidify once it cools. If you have a problem with hair going down the drain you can buy drain covers to use when showering or bathing to stop this. Never flush sanitary products, paper towels or nappies.
Large volumes of water entering the sewage system quickly
Heavy rainfall and snow can result in large volumes of water entering the sewage system at speed. It happens so fast that it becomes too much for the drainage system to handle, causing the water to flow backwards through the pipes into homes.
What are the signs of sewage back up?
It is important to be aware of the signs of a sewage back up, so you can recognise them and deal with them before the wastewater has a chance to back up into your home. If you notice something is wrong, you should take immediate action and call in the professionals before it becomes a bigger issue.
Signs that there may be a problem include:
Nasty ‘sewage’ smell – if you can smell unpleasant sewage water in your home, near sinks or toilets or coming from drains then it could be a sign that there is a problem. Any nasty smells should flow away from your home along with the waste, if it is lingering then there could be an issue and it is worth getting a professional to inspect it.
Bubbling toilets and drains – if you notice your toilets or drains are bubbling then this could be a sign that there is an issue with pipes being partially blocked, which could lead to the sewage backing up into your home if it is not rectified quickly.
Slow draining water – if you notice that water is draining away slowly, then you need to find out what the problem is. It could just be internal pipes that need unblocking, however if you have done this and the water is still draining slowly then it could be a sign of a problem further along the pipes. You are more likely to notice a problem in the lower level drains in your home if it is a problem related to sewage back up.
What you can do if you experience a sewage backup in your home
Call in the professionals. With the dangers involved it is not worth putting yourself at risk. A professional cleaning company will deal with all aspects of the clean up for you, follow all safety regulations and they will have all the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They will also provide you with a certificate to confirm the service they have provided which can be forwarded to insurance companies.
You will need to contact your insurance company as soon as you can and it may benefit you to take some photos.
There are some things you can do if you discover sewage in your home, but only if it is safe to do so
- Block off the area. Keeping people and animals away, not only to keep them safe but to prevent any sewage water being trodden elsewhere through your home.
- Stop any further wastewater from being flushed or drained away.
- Turn off the water supply.
- Turn off the electricity supply to the affected area.
Why is sewage harmful to people?
Sewage water is also referred to as black water, this is the most hazardous water you could have entering your home. Black water contains human waste, bacteria, toxins and pathogens. It is incredibly harmful to human health, if it comes into contact with skin it can cause skin irritations. If airborne contaminants are inhaled over a long period of time, it can cause serious illnesses, long term respiratory problems or even death.
What damage can sewage water do to properties?
Any type of water damage to your home can be a nightmare, but when it is black water it is so much worse due to how hazardous this type of water is.
All porous items in the home, carpets and most items of furniture that have come into contact with the water or even some of those close by, will need to be disposed of. If it is something valuable to you, there are companies that may be able to restore it, although they would need to know it had been contaminated with black water so they can treat it accordingly.
Water can cause wood to swell and rot and with any water damage there’s the possibility of mould growth. Mould can grow on most surfaces and even on the inside walls damaging the structure of your home. The chances of this are higher with black water because of the contaminants already in the water.
Most home insurance policies will cover the cost of a sewage clean up. However, it is important to be aware that if the clean up isn’t done professionally, it may not be done thoroughly which can cause long term damage to a property, which insurance companies may not cover.
Navig8 Restoration offers a professional, rapid, emergency sewage clean up service, as well as other water damage remediation and restoration services.