Step-By-Step Guide On Cleaning Sewage In A Crawl Space

If you smell something foul coming from under your house, then you probably have a sewage problem in your crawl space. This is totally dangerous and problematic, but it’s something that you can easily solve. This article covers each of these aspects.

In this article, you will learn about all the information you’d ever need if you need to deal with a sewage problem in your crawl space. Hence, in this article, you will learn the following:

• Sewage in crawl space
• The danger of sewage problems in your crawl space
• Essential safety tips before cleaning sewage in a crawl space
• Step-by-step guide on cleaning sewage in a crawl space
• Costs of hiring professionals to clean your crawl space

Sewage In Crawl Space: Why Does It Even Happen? 

When you see sewage in a crawl space, this is one of the first questions you ask. Basically, in most situations, this happens due to a broken sewer line in the crawl space or an overflow of sewage. The following are some of the most common causes of problems that happen due to swage overflow under your home: 

• If you have an older property, the sewer outlet pipes eventually crack, leak, or corrode with time. 
• In general, in unheated areas and crawl spaces that are not insulated, sewer drain pipes are prone to freeze and burst. 
• It might be possible that the infrastructure of the city is quite old (like that of Chicago, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc.). Hence, aging causes sewage backups, which in turn damage the pipe with time. 
• If your property is located near a lot of big trees, the roots of trees can invade sewer pipes underneath. 

Apart from that, there are drain pipes from the kitchen and bathrooms that also lead to contaminated water in the crawl areas. Here, when there are breaks or leaks in the lines, it leads to gray water. These water sources lead to an infestation of bacteria. Furthermore, these water sources are as hazardous as Category 3 Blackwater. 

Sewage In Crawl Space

Sewage problems in crawl spaces are often caused by the following:

• Frozen and burst sewer drain pipes caused by under-insulated and unheated crawl spaces
• Corroded sewer outlet pipes
• Cracked sewer outlet pipes
• Leaking sewer outlet pipe
• Aging city infrastructure leads to ruptured pipes
• Root-invaded sewer pipes (from trees)
• Troubled drain pipes from the kitchen
• Troubled drain pipes from the bathrooms

The Danger Associated with Sewage Water 

The sewage water is not very dangerous as long as it is contained in a crawl space. Apart from that, if there is direct contamination of the water, it will have a negative effect on your health and your home as well. 

• Releasing of toxic fumes that can cause respiratory issues
• Headache and nausea from constant exposure to sewage odor
• A home that is filled with parasites and pathogens
• Health issues caused by airborne spores from mold releases
• Weakening of structural integrity

You will also experience the following hazards if you have a contaminated crawl space. Basically, these are the same hazards that are common in crawl spaces. Basically, in general situations, it is a safer option to hire professional cleaners who specialize in cleaning sewages and know how to remedy and restore these areas.

Essential Safety Tips Before Cleaning Sewage In A Crawl Space

A sewage clean-up in your crawl space is extremely hazardous. This is why you need to strictly observe the following safety tips from experts:

1.  Have the right protective gear: When you enter a crawl space, make sure that your personal protection is in good working condition. Replace the gear if you find damages or problems with it. 

2.  Your safety barriers should be put down: When you are working in a crawl space, you will need to lie down or crouch. Make sure you put down barriers between the crawl space sewage and where you stand.  

3. You should have plenty of breaks during the process: Take some breaks to get fresh air since you are constantly working on the odor. However, make sure you do not take chances since leaving the crawl space for even five minutes can lead to exposure to organic pollutants. Hence, make sure to take up to 5 minutes of break every 30 minutes. 

4. All wounds incurred from the activity must be immediately cleaned: When you face a minor cut or a scrape, immediately treat the wound. You must treat the wound first. Otherwise, it will get worse. Make sure you cover the wounded area with a waterproof bandage before you go inside to clean again. 

5. Call professionals when confused and not confident with cleaning skills and precautionary measures. This is because professionals have industry-grade equipment and materials to deal with all types of sewages and contamination. Furthermore, they also know how to clean fast and perfectly, since they have a lot of experience.

Step-By-Step Guide On Cleaning Sewage In A Crawl Space

This kind of clean-up is not one for the weak. It is, across all endpoints, a dirty job. It is highly dangerous and hazardous because you’re dealing with liquids that are Category 3 black water. This is why you need to have the following protective gear:

• Coveralls and a long-sleeve shirt
• Boots (heavy rubber work kind)
• Heavy and long-cuff work gloves
• Eye protection goggles (wrap-around)
• Face mask or respirator face mask approved by OSHA

Step 1: Secure Everything

You can’t enter the crawl space without first ensuring that no kid or pet will be able to enter it while you’re inside. Their safety must be secured first.

PRO TIP: While you’re securing access to the area, you can also endeavor to minimize toxic fume leaks. You can do this by using plastic sheets on overhead joists.

Step 2: Locate The Damage

Once inside, be extremely purposeful. The first thing that you should do is locate the damage. You can bring a flashlight if the lighting in your crawl space is limited.

Step 3: Repair The Damage

Quickly start repairing the damage once you’ve located it. Give yourself ample breaks and never begin anew without checking all your protective gear first.

Step 4: Dirty Water Extraction

Once done with repairing the damage, you may then proceed with the extraction of dirty water in your crawl space. Be careful with electrical wiring and electrical equipment while doing this.

Step 5: Deal With Remaining Sewage

Use a shovel to remove the remaining sewage. Have a plastic bag where you can securely place remaining sewage and contaminated soil.

PRO TIP: An ordinary trash bag will not suffice. It will break. You will need a heavy-duty plastic bag.

Tightly seal the bags and schedule the nearest possible time to place them under the care of a licensed disposal facility.

Step 6: Prepare Drying Equipment

Do not begin preparing your drying equipment without first removing your previously installed plastic sheets. Once done, you may then set up your dehumidifier and air-moving equipment. This process can take at least a week or more to complete.

Step 7: Handle Objects

Remove all contaminated objects that were stored in your crawl space. You can still choose to disinfect non-porous items. Porous items must be properly disposed of.

Step 8: Deal With Crawl Space Soil

Use lime for this process. Spread it into the crawl space. Ensure that it works its way into the soil. This step will ensure the breakage of all remaining organic matter. It will also reduce moisture in the space and effectively prevent the presence of insects and rodents.

Step 9: Inspect

Check the piers and wood joists. Ensure that there are no rotting parts or moulded areas.

Step 10: Ventilate

Properly ventilate the area to avoid the presence of moulds.

Step 11: Reconstruct

Tear out molded and rotting materials. Replace with clean and dry materials.

How Much Will It Cost You If You Ask Professional Cleaners To Do The Work For You?

A crawl space sewage cleanup done by professional cleaners can cost you around $10 to $25 per square foot. Computing for fees will depend on the size, accessibility, and issues of your crawl space. It is highly advised that you contact professionals if you are not a skilled cleaner and you have no time, energy, and resources to invest in cleaning materials, cleaning equipment, and protective gear.

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