If you have ever dealt with water damage before, you may have heard your restoration technician talk about something called “black water.” Essentially, black water is wastewater from your sewage system. Black water can be made up of everything from feces to grease runoff, and is known for containing harmful biological contaminants. For this reason, black water is extremely dangerous to the health and well-being of everyone on your property, and should be dealt with immediately. Keep reading to learn more about what black water is and what you should do about it, courtesy of our cleaning and restoration pros at FP Property Restoration.
The Dangers of Black Water
Many assume that as long as you do not come in direct contact with your sewage system, you are safe from the harmful effects of black water. And for the most part, this is correct. However. Black water can appear in various places around your home or business, depending on the situation.
If your property experiences a sewer line leak, you may notice black water backing up in your toilet. In addition to general fecal matter and human waste, black water often contains viruses and pathogens, meaning any black water you see in your bathroom is likely a dangerous biohazard. Black water may also bubble up in your sink, though this water tends to is more likely to contain grease, oils, and fats, as well as food waste. While the presence of black water in your kitchen is slightly less dangerous than the presence of black water in your bathroom, it is still likely to contain nasty germs. Basically, anywhere around your house where you use water, from your bathroom to your kitchen to your laundry room, has the potential to expose you to black water, and with it, various airborne pathogens and bacteria.
In addition to biological contaminants, black water can also contain toxic pharmaceutical runoff. And if black water remains untouched for long enough, it may lead to poisonous algal bloom, which is known to cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, memory loss, and liver failure. Bottom line: black water is a major threat to your health, and if you have recently dealt with a sewage leak or you have detected black water around your property for any other reason, make sure to call our professionals at FP Property Restoration ASAP.
FP Property Restoration Offers Professional Sewage Cleanup
As cleaning and restoration experts, FP Property Restoration is equipped to deal with all types of water damage. Black water specifically falls into what we call Category 3 water damage, which poses the biggest risks to homes and commercial businesses. Fortunately, our IICRC-certified technicians offer comprehensive sewage clean up services, so you never have to worry about the safety of your family or employees. We are available 24/7 for emergency calls, and will even help you navigate the insurance process after our work is completed!
To schedule black water clean up today, call FP Property Restoration at (888) 408-2335, or send us a message online.