Recent Biohazard Posts

Preventing Sewage Backups in Your Westbrook, CT Home

8/7/2024 (Permalink)

sewage backup in bathroom Sewage backups in Westbrook can cause serious damage and contamination in your property, and should be avoided at all costs.

Sewage backups are among the most unpleasant and potentially hazardous plumbing issues homeowners in Westbrook can face. Not only can they cause extensive property damage, but they also pose serious health risks due to exposure to contaminated water and pathogens. 

Fortunately, with proactive measures and preventive maintenance, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of sewage backups in their homes. 

Here are some essential tips to help you keep the flow and prevent sewage backups:

Dispose of Waste Properly: The most common cause of sewage backups is the improper disposal of waste. Avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Items such as paper towels, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and cotton swabs can clog pipes and contribute to sewage backups. Dispose of these items in the trash instead.

Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain: Grease, oil, and fat can solidify and congeal inside pipes, leading to blockages and sewage backups. Dispose of cooking grease and oil in a sealed container and throw it in the trash once it has solidified. 

Install a Backwater Valve: A backwater valve is a plumbing device that prevents sewage from flowing back into your home during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding. Install a backwater valve on your main sewer line to prevent sewage backups caused by sewer system overflows or surges.

Inspect and Maintain Sewer Lines: Regular inspections and maintenance of your sewer lines can help identify potential issues before they escalate into sewage backups. Schedule periodic sewer line inspections by a qualified plumber to check for tree root intrusion, pipe damage, corrosion, or blockages. Address any issues promptly to prevent sewage backups and costly repairs.

Dispose of Hazardous Chemicals Properly: Household chemicals such as bleach, paint, pesticides, and solvents can corrode pipes and damage sewer lines, increasing the risk of sewage backups. Dispose of hazardous chemicals according to local regulations and guidelines to prevent damage to your plumbing system and the environment.

Monitor Water Usage: Excessive water usage can overwhelm your plumbing system and increase the risk of sewage backups, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding. Be mindful of your water usage and avoid running multiple water-using appliances simultaneously. Consider installing water-saving fixtures and appliances to reduce water consumption and alleviate strain on your plumbing system.

Maintain Proper Drainage: Ensure that your property is equipped with adequate drainage systems to redirect rainwater and runoff away from your home's foundation and sewer lines. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris and direct water away from the house to prevent excess moisture and flooding that can contribute to sewage backups.

Educate Household Members: Educate household members, especially children, about the importance of proper waste disposal and water conservation practices. Teach them what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet and how to use household plumbing fixtures responsibly to prevent sewage backups.

Act Promptly: If you notice signs of a potential sewage backup, such as slow drains, gurgling noises, foul odors, or water pooling around floor drains or toilets, act promptly to address the issue. Contact a professional plumber to inspect your plumbing system and perform any necessary repairs or maintenance to prevent sewage backups.

By following these proactive measures and practicing preventive maintenance, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of sewage backups in their homes. Remember, prevention is always preferable to dealing with the aftermath of a sewage backup, so take the necessary steps to keep the flow and maintain a healthy and functional plumbing system in your home.

Need Sewage Backup Cleanup in Westbrook, CT? Call Us 24/7 For Immediate Assistance!

Old Saybrook Cleaning Experts

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO workers in full ppe We're ready to respond 24/7!

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning - 800-734-3213

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the specialists at SERVPRO of Old Saybrook today!

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

What is a bio-hazard?

10/18/2019 (Permalink)

yellow bio hazard sign Biohazards are dangerous

Biohazards are described as any biologic or chemical matter that is harmful to the environment, animals, or human-beings. This includes body liquids, human blood, and tissue, plus recombinant DNA.

Biohazards have the potential to defile anyone exposed to them, all human material should be handled in good order and gotten rid of properly.

Lots of us consider biohazards, and we immediately wander to the frightening film you saw over the weekend – things like anxiety, sickness, and pollution.

Biohazards aren't confined to the motion pictures and they can live almost anyplace: In the food we consume, the water we swallow, the air we subsist on, even the bodily fluids pumping in our blood vessels.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) classifies biohazards into four well-defined categories:

Biohazard level ONE: They don't broadly create illness in thriving people. An instance of a level 1 biohazard could be Bacillus subtilis, a dirt bacterium that can cause sickness in various people with diminished immune systems.

Biohazard level TWO: These can be the reason for severe illness in healthy people, and maybe the sole reason or transmission through direct physical contact with infectious material or by consumption. An illustration of a level 2 biohazard is salmonella, HIV, and hepatitis B.

Biohazard level THREE: an infectious agent that can cause real sickness and can even move with the air. An instance of a level 3 biohazard could be a respiratory organ disease that can move between people through the air, like tuberculosis.

Biohazard level FOUR: Micro-organism causing illness where there's no treatment. An example would be Marburg virus, a deathly variety of hemorrhagic fever that's sent by direct interaction with infectious body liquids or polluted objects.

Let your local experts handle this. We can be contacted at 1-800-374-3213

Remove Bodily Fluids from a porous surface?

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

Biohazard Remediation in Old Saybrook CT- How to remove Bodily Fluids from a porous surface?

Why would you require a Specialist to remove Bodily Fluids from a porous surface?

Blood and bodily fluids are very difficult to clean. They pose a significant health hazard, and should be treated with the utmost urgency. If you find yourself in a situation where your home is the scene of a crime or accident, a specialist should be called in immediately.

The Risks.

An array of potentially life threatening diseases can be found in bodily fluids and blood. AIDS, HIV, and Hepatitis can be present in bodily fluid, blood and fecal matter. Exposure to these diseases does not mean you will get infected, however minimizing your risk of exposure is critical in keeping your loved ones in a safe, and healthy home.

 

Tackling potential danger early on.

The cleaning of a crime scene or accident should always be handled by a licensed professional. They are specially equipped to thoroughly treat the affected area, to sanitize it properly, and will ensure regulations on disposal are followed.

 

  • assess the situation and come up with a thorough course of action. 
  • The area should be properly treated and sanitized. These procedures will make usage of the affected area safe again. 
  • The ultimate goal is to restore the area in question to its original condition.

Plans to Remove Blood for Safety and Health Concerns.

 

Commercial properties should always have a course of action on hand in the event a situation like this occurs. The risk of potential exposure to visitors, staff members or the general public should not be taken lightly. The owner of the property, and maintenance team should have an immediate protocol to follow. The nature of the incident, and location of the property should certainly be taken into consideration when preparing for this type of occurrence. The need to have a licensed, and trained team for response is a critical in seeing these plans through efficiently.

 

Keep your team informed.

Of course no one can anticipate when a situation like this will arise, nor would anyone hope to experience it.  However a team that is informed and well prepared, is ready for anything. A contact list for your team to access, with the information of a special cleaning service is a preemptive measure that can make a huge difference in the manner of response.

Confirm you have a Safety and Health Plan today to ensure you are prepared.

SERVPRO of Old Saybrook can help with this type of Bio-Hazard.

Have Questions? Call Us Today –

(860) 249-8685