KNOW THE FACTS!

Cleaning upwards Later on Inundation & Sewer Backups

Bacteria, fecal textile, viruses and other organisms associated with sewer water backups can cause disease. Use the post-obit information to protect your wellness and forbid disease.

How practice sewer backups occur?

  • Flooding of sanitary sewers during heavy rain.
  • Blockage in private sewer line (home, flat).
  • Blockage in public sanitary sewer line.
  • Plumbing problems, such equally gutters/down spouts or sump pumps connected to germ-free sewers.

How exercise I clean up later on floods and sewer backups?

  • Odors from sewage backups are unpleasant simply not harmful. Removal and cleanup of sewer water are essential.
  • Launder contaminated surfaces/objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach/water solution, one cap of 5.25 percent chlorine bleach per ane gallon h2o.
  • Discard or properly wash and disinfect toys, clothing, and other contaminated objects.
  • Wear condom boots and gloves during removal/cleanup.

How exercise I prevent disease during floods and sewer backups?

  • Avert skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.
  • Do not permit children to play in areas contaminated by sewage backup.
  • Exercise not eat/drinkable annihilation exposed to sewer water.
  • Keep contaminated objects, water and easily away from mucous membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).
  • Wash hands frequently, especially later on bath use, before eating, and immediately post-obit contact with sewer water or contaminated objects/surfaces.

When disinfecting contaminated objects…

  • Read and follow label instructions on bleach.
  • Never mix cleaning products.
  • Do not use ammonia.


Additional cleanup recommendations and precautions

The following guidelines may help prevent the transmission of disease and reduce property loss.

Power

Turn off main power switches. Air out and wipe dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to h2o before use. If you have fuel oil or gas systems, be sure tanks are secure and all lines are free from breaks.

Carpets and rugs

You tin relieve rug replacement costs by keeping carpets in place and cleaning with a mild detergent; carpets cleaned after removal most always compress beyond recovery. Carpets and rugs with severe exposure to h2o must be removed to thoroughly clean. Remove silt accumulated on carpeting liner. Generally, the rug liner must be discarded because it cannot exist cleaned adequately. If y'all prefer, call a reputable carpeting cleaner.

Floors, drapes and furniture

Scrub and launder all objects in your home, including apparel, exposed to flood waters. If bachelor, use the city water supply; it is chlorinated adequately to provide mild disinfection. Utilize common cold tap water with soap – boiling the h2o will eliminate the chlorine content. Floors and other flood contacted surfaces should be disinfected with a chlorine solution fabricated from household bleach. Prepare the solution by adding one heaping tablespoon of bleach (5.25%) to every four gallons of water. Take good curtains and draperies to a reputable dry out cleaner.

General

Open all windows for drying and ventilation. Use electric fans.

Food and h2o rubber

Discard food exposed to flood waters. If refrigerators and/or freezers have taken in overflowing waters, discard nutrient stored at that place. If no flood water entered these appliances merely power was lost long enough for foods to thaw, discard all partially thawed foods unless prepared immediately. Discard milk, cheeses and other foods prone to spoilage. Completely thawed meats and vegetables should exist discarded without question. Discard all bulging or leaking canned food.

Go on flood waters abroad from mouth, olfactory organ, optics and skin if possible. Inundation waters can carry microorganisms and other contaminants. Go along children from playing in water. Launder and sanitize all contaminated utensils and cookware.

Questions

For more data please call Hamilton County Public Health at 513-946-7800.

Download a printable version of this fact sheet here.

250 William Howard Taft Road
2nd Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Telephone 513.946.7800 Fax 513.946.7890
hamiltoncountyhealth.org