Antimicrobials and their use in Sewage Water Cleanup

Types of Antimicrobials, their Benefits and Drawbacks in Sewage Water Restoration

The singular most long-term damaging substance in the indoor environment is water. This is especially true of sewage water, which must be fought with specific and powerful antimicrobials by a trained water restoration professional. Water damage and intrusion is a serious problem that affects hundreds of homes in San Diego annually.

Water breaks down many building materials and over time, can weaken the foundation of a home. Given time, it also supports the growth of unhealthy microorganisms. These microorganisms can be extremely harmful and malignant.

Sewage water is extremely dangerous, carrying virulent pathogens and allergens that are harmful to the human body. Only skilled and experienced water damage experts should handle a raw sewage cleanup project, and homeowners should never try to tackle the cleanup effort on their own. The antimicrobials water damage professionals use are industry grade, specific to the situation, and are utilized in accordance to applicable laws and use.

Sewage water can carry harmful, virulent pathogens and microorganisms that must be fought with specialized antimicrobials.

Phenolic Compound Antimicrobials

Phenolic compounds are relatively available to the public, but that does not mean that the building owner should ever come in contact with raw sewage or sewage water. These antimicrobials are relatively stable and typically contain antiviral properties for eliminating pathogens.

Phenolic Compound Drawbacks

Phenolic compound antimicrobials can cause severe eye and skin irritation as well as increased inhalation toxicity, showing why they should only be handled by water damage restoration experts.

Iodophoric Antimicrobials

Iodophors contain iodine and iodine compounds, which are extremely effective antimicrobials that are used in a wide variety of sewage cleanup projects. There is minimal residue associated with these antimicrobials and they are powerful against a broad range of microbial activity.

Iodophor Drawbacks

Iodophor antimicrobials can have a damaging effect on porous materials, turning them an orange-yellow color. Iodophors also come with increased risk to respiratory systems, once again showing why they should only be handled by your water restoration company.

Glutaraldehyde Antimicrobials

Glutaraldehydes are antimicrobials that work extremely quickly, killing microorganisms at an astounding rate with swift precision. Glutaraldehyde antimicrobials are also excellent sporicides, killing bacterial and fungal spores and viruses with ease while also being relatively non corrosive.

Glutaraldehyde Drawbacks

Glutaraldehyde antimicrobials, much like iodophor and phenolic compounds, can produce skin and eye irritation and come with great risk of inhalation toxicity.

Understanding the power of these antimicrobials and how to handle them is just one of the many reasons to call a water restoration expert should there be any trace of sewage water in your home or building.