What to Do When You Have Sewage or Black Water Damage

Bay Area Clean Care properly restores damage caused by sewage and black water to protect your health and safety.

Fast response is just a call to our 24-hour emergency line away. Until we can arrive on the scene, here a few helpful tips to minimize dangerous exposure and speed up the restoration process.

• Do not run water or use toilets in affected and unaffected areas until the source of the blockage can be identified and corrected.
• Stop up all drain openings to limit chances of further backup. Additional pressure may need to be applied to keep openings sealed.
• Block toilets with rags or a mop If possible.
• Stay away from affected areas so contamination doesn’t spread.
• If you absolutely have to occupy contaminated areas, wear rubber boots and gloves.
• Power down central heating or air conditioning units and cover vents in the affected areas until they can be looked at.
• Leave contaminated items in affected areas and do not take them to clean areas.
• Collect contaminated garments and place them in a container or garbage bag.
• Don’t attempt to clean anything that may have come into contact with contaminated water.
• Completely avoid any water that appears contaminated and wash immediately if you think that you may have into contact with contaminated water.
• Do not spread contaminated water to unaffected areas.
• If breakers are safely accessible, turn off power in affected areas.
• If the source of the water intrusion can be determined, use the shut-off valve to stop the flow.