There are several plumbing issues that homeowners contend with each year, and some are more hazardous than others. Upward of 75,000 sewage backups occur annually. When this happens in your home, it can be quite an emergency to deal with.
This begs the question, should you handle your own sewage backup cleanup or call in a pro? We’ve got the answers that you’re looking for.
Read on so that you can learn and understand how to address this problem without hesitation.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?
Sewer and drain cleaning is extensive and messy work. If you’re not the handiest person in the world, don’t have experience with sewage drains, or just don’t want to have to deal with the mess, hiring a professional is the best course of action to take.
The majority of the population falls into one of these categories. You shouldn’t address this type of work unless you’re professionally trained, and even then, some pros still call other pros to handle such work in their homes.
Here are some of the reasons why it’s better to call in a professional:
They’re Experts Who Will Do the Job Correctly
You owe it to yourself to call in a pro because these are licensed and insured experts who understand how to handle the project. It’s not the kind of project that you want to mess up, and a pro can handle it correctly the first time.
They are trained to deal with sewer backups and will know exactly how to clean everything completely. These pros are also used to seeing some of the worst possible sewage problems, so they won’t be daunted by the work that you need.
Sewage Can Be Dangerous
Make no mistake about it, coming into contact with sewage can be dangerous. It’s a toxic material that contaminates and is a built-in health hazard. This is why professionals wear all kinds of protective equipment when they handle a sewer line repair or cleanup.
You don’t want to expose yourself or your family to this sewage unnecessarily. Professionals are trained to protect themselves while handling this work and will prevent you from experiencing any prolonged exposure.
Pros Work Fast and Minimize Damage
You need speed and accuracy when you’re dealing with a sewage backup. Hiring professionals means that you can count on them acting swiftly so that it minimizes damage and the amount of time that you have to deal with the sewage smell.
They have a variety of systems in place that will allow the work to be done correctly and completely, without setbacks or lapses.
You’ll Sanitize and Decontaminate
After dealing with a sewer backup, you need to trust that your place is clean and decontaminated. The professionals that you hire have some of the best products in the world that will help you sanitize every surface and affected belonging.
These pros will be able to help you keep some items that otherwise would be a total loss due to contamination. You’ll be able to reinhabit your home again without worrying about coming in contact with this sewage contamination.
How to Hire the Right Company
Now that you understand the importance of hiring a professional, it’s time that you learn how to do so. Finding the most qualified professional for the job means that your cleanup will happen correctly and quickly.
These tips will assist you in hiring pros that are the best at what they do:
Quickly Block Off and Ventilate the Area
Your first step is to close off the area so that no one else comes in contact with the sewage. Let everyone in your house know what happened and close off the area.
Open as many windows as possible to ventilate the area so that the room is allowed to air out. This will prevent toxicity from taking effect and will keep your breathing air as pure as possible.
Get Your Insurance Company on the Phone
Next, take the time to call your homeowner’s insurance company. They will process a claim and will also steer you in the direction of some options for cleanup professionals that you can hire.
There are many different cleanup companies that work side-by-side with insurance professionals, so this will serve as a crucial part of documenting your case. Once your insurance company’s claim is processed, you also won’t have to worry about coming out of pocket for the service.
Research the Companies
Do your research into several cleaning companies in your area. This way, you can weigh your options and figure out which pros are the most equipped to assist you.
Certain companies, like Disaster Plus, are available 24/7 s that you can get help if the sewage problem happens overnight. Check their license and insurance to know that they are qualified pros, and look for some referrals from people you know who have made a hire in the past.
Compare Price Quotes
Aside from competency, cost is likely the most important matter to you. When you call different companies out, have them provide you with an accurate quote for how much their services will cost.
You should consider how much the insurance company will pay as well, so you know how much it’ll cost you out of pocket.
Handle Your Sewage Backup Cleanup
These strategies tell you what you need to know to handle your sewage backup cleanup. Handle this work quickly and effectively for the safety and betterment of your home.
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