Sewage backup in Livonia, MI

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Sewage back up in a medical office in Livonia, MI

A sewage back up should be considered an emergency because the water is unsanitary and may contain harmful bacteria and viruses.

SERVPRO of Farmington & Farmington Hills was called out by a Property Manager to clean up after a sewage back up in Livonia. A medical office was getting ready to open on a Monday morning and found water and sewage saturating the carpet and utility room. The property manager had a plumber came out and unclogged the drain and then our technicians extracted the water.

Category 1: "Clean Water"

This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants.

• Water from a clean source like a broken water line
• If left untreated can degrade into category 2 or 3

Category 2: "Gray Water"

This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.

• May contain bacteria and viruses
• Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated

Category 3: "Black Water"

This water is unsanitary and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup