Even for the healthiest individuals, a toilet that has overflowed is a very serious situation as well as very hazardous. There are extensive amounts of micro-organic contaminants that can thrive in sewage water, and it only takes a momentary amount of exposure to that water to make a person ill.
So what makes toilet overflows so hazardous?
- Proper disposal of any fabric or porous material is an absolute must, and primarily for the above mentioned reasons. Once these surfaces become exposed to microorganisms and a large amount of water, it becomes very difficult, or even nearly impossible, to get rid of them completely. While it may not seem like that big of a problem now, consider that those surfaces can leak moisture, and those bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites through to the wood below. Many people think they can clean their carpet after a toilet overflow, but it absolutely must be replaced!
- Microorganisms exist in just about any form of water that is running through a home, but in varied amounts. Even the tap water that you drink or shower in may have living matter in it. In small amounts, these bacteria and other organisms are generally harmless, but when you’re dealing with water that comes from the toilet, they’re a much greater health concern. Simply put: microorganisms that thrive in sewer lines are very hazardous to your health, and difficult to get rid of without bringing in a proper disaster recovery cleaning service that follows IICRC protocols. Remember, they can cause extreme illness through even a very short exposure.
- Mold growth is another serious threat that occurs due to the presence of moisture and all those contaminants. Mold takes as little as 48 hours to begin growing in an area where there’s been a toilet overflow. Once that happens, you’ll not only be dealing with the colonies of mold that you can see, but the spores that you can’t. Inhaling those spores can lead to mild or severe allergic reactions, even in individuals who have previously shown no allergy issues. Mold reactions can include headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or even full loss of consciousness.