Sewage is the one water loss that is never dried in place. Wastewater carries bacteria and viruses, so anything porous that it touched is removed, surfaces are disinfected, and the air is filtered before drying equipment goes to work.
Who is responsible for what
In Barrington the owner is responsible for the sewer lateral, the house drain that runs from the home to the connection at the sewer main in the street. The borough's Sewer Utility maintains the sanitary sewer mains and the pumping stations, and, in the borough's words, it is not responsible when a main blockage damages below grade plumbing fixtures in a property.
Check valves and what they do
For properties with below grade fixtures such as washers, toilets and deep sinks, the borough recommends a check valve on the sewer pipe to prevent overflow from blockages. A plumber installs the valve, and a blockage in the owner's lateral is a separate repair from the cleanup.
What the cleanup removes
- Carpet, pad and drywall that the sewage water touched
- Floor drain areas and hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected
- HEPA air scrubbers filter the air while the area is open
- Contents are sorted, with porous items discarded
Related work includes basement flooding cleanup and storm flood cleanup. Photos and a written scope help the insurer understand the loss.