How to Clean a Room After a Sewer Backup

Whether you have city plumbing or a septic tank, it is possible for sewage to backup into your basement or bathroom, contaminating every surface it touches with potentially dangerous and lethal germs, such as a hepatitis. Though the backup situation is nasty, it is something you can clean up yourself using cleaning supplies and chemicals available from any grocery or hardware store, such as bleach, mops and rubber gloves. It is important to clean the backup as soon as it is discovered, otherwise the walls, woodwork and tile grout may need replaced.

Protect Yourself

It is very important to avoid exposing yourself to the germs contained in the sewage backup. Before cleaning, you must put on protective items, such as goggles, long rubber gloves, wadding rubber boots, and a respirator to protect from fumes. If possible, consider putting on plastic cleaning pants to avoid having water splatter come in contact with your skin.

Remove All Items

Everything located in the backup area should be removed and relocated to the outdoors, where they can be cleaned or disposed of at a later time. Do not move them to another area in the house - this will result in additional contamination and possible illness.

Get Adequate Ventilation

Both the sewage backup and the cleaning chemicals will result in fumes that can make you very sick, resulting in eye, lung and nasal irritation, and possibly even unconsciousness. You should open all available windows and doors to air the place out. Use fans if necessary to redirect the fumes to a more open part of your house or building.

Choose Your Cleaning Chemical

You should use bleach if at all possible; unfortunately, this isn't always possible, due to bleach's damaging nature. If the exposed area contains fabrics or other easily-damaged surfaces, you should use an ammonia-based cleaner instead. Do not use bleach and ammonia, together, however. This will produce deadly fumes will can result in death.

Begin Cleaning

Drain all of the water out of the room. If there are no drains, using a water vac or shop vac to suck up the water. Once the water is up, pour the cleaning solution on the floor and begin mopping. Wipe all the walls, cabinets and other items, then allow the room to dry. Once it dries, mop the floor and wipe all the surfaces again. Repeat this process until there are no signs of dirt, grime, and no odors are present.