When a Toilet Overflow Damages 2 Floors

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Water from an overflowing toilet is sewer damage and considered black water.

Three Ways To Mitigate Water Damage

If your multi-story commercial building in Manchester, MO has sewer damage or a toilet overflow, chances are pretty good that the water has contaminated more than one floor. Since the polluted water is considered a category three liquid, common cleaners are not considered adequate to abide by OSHA standards. Contacting a certified water mitigation team is the best first choice in dealing with water intrusion. Here are three steps the professionals often use to mitigate the problem.

1. Water Removal

After turning off the water and contacting the sewage company, the team may try to identify the source of the water. Once the source is located and identified as a cracked toilet bowl, overflowing base, or damaged wax ring, the liquid is removed, and the drying process can begin. While the area is drying, an inspection of damage can take place, and signs of secondary problems can be found.

2. Tear-Out

Water from an overflowing toilet is sewer damage and considered black water. That means the area will need to have a tear-out of all carpet, padding, wet insulation, and water-soaked plasterboard. If the water damaged more than one floor, tear-out can often include two-floor structures, one ceiling, and sometimes multiple walls. The area is then left to dry using commercial fans and dehumidifiers.

3. Area Disinfection

Once the area damaged by the flooded toilet water is completely dry, deodorization and disinfectants can be used to bring the area up to OSHA standards. This can sometimes include treating the bare wood with a mold inhibitor in case fungus spores have attached themselves to the miniature cracks the water damage caused. After the area is thoroughly disinfected, a rebuilding and restoration team can begin work.

Sewer damage in a multi-floor commercial building can easily be dealt with by a certified water mitigation team. They can get the area repaired or restored quickly so that you can resume operations