A sewage backup in your home can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. This guide, focusing on cleanup and disinfection, will provide you with the steps and information you need to safely and effectively clean up your home after a sewage backup. ### Cleanup **1. Safety First:** - Wear gloves, protective clothing, and a respirator to prevent exposure to hazardous materials. - Turn off the main water supply to avoid further water damage. **2. Remove Standing Water:** - Use a wet/dry vacuum to extract as much water as possible. - Remove carpets and rugs that have been contaminated. **3. Clean Contaminated Surfaces:** - Use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) to disinfect all surfaces that have been in contact with sewage. - Let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing with clean water. **4. Remove Sewage Debris:** - Use a shovel or other tool to remove any remaining sewage debris. - Bag and dispose of the debris in a sealed container. ### Disinfection **1. Fogging or Spraying:** - Fogging or spraying with a disinfectant solution is an effective way to kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the air and on surfaces. **2. UV Light Disinfection:** - UV light can be used to disinfect surfaces and kill harmful organisms. **3. Ozone Treatment:** - Ozone is a powerful oxidizer that can effectively disinfect air and surfaces. ### How to Get the Sewer Smell Out of Your House After Backup? **1. Ventilate:** - Open windows and doors to ventilate your home and reduce the concentration of sewer gas. **2. Use Air Purifiers:** - Air purifiers can help remove odor-causing particles from the air. **3. Baking Soda:** - Place bowls of baking soda around your home to absorb odors. **4. Call a Professional:** - If the odor persists or you have concerns about health risks, contact a professional sewage cleanup service.