Basement Sewage Cleanup Job in St. Louis That Led to Asbestos Abatement

October 11, 2023
Dan and Tina Benton

A sewage backup can be quite a devastating event. It can expose homes to bacteria and water damage that is difficult to clean up. Therefore, it’s important that homeowners use extreme caution when dealing with the aftermath.


Though some people might be tempted to DIY a
sewage cleanup, St. Louis homeowners don’t have to risk it. Instead, they can hire a trusted team of professionals to ensure their health and safety. They can also save themselves a lot of time by leaving it to an experienced crew.


While there are plenty of companies that offer sewage cleanup services, ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis is the top choice for most people in the area. In fact, this particular job highlights how thorough and trustworthy they are. Read on to learn more about how they paired a sewage cleanup with an asbestos abatement job.


The Reason for the Sewage Cleanup - St. Louis

A St. Louis homeowner walked down to their basement only to find that there was 2-4 inches of sewage that had backed up into their home. It had spread a significant amount and ended up impacting 75% of the basement. 


Since the basement had been finished, the homeowners knew that the sewage cleanup job would be complicated. Therefore, they decided to reach out to the
sewage cleanup experts of ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis. 


A Professional Inspection and Assessment of the Basement Sewage Damage

As soon as the contractors received the call from the St. Louis homeowner, they sent a team to the property to begin the sewage cleanup. The professionals were equipped with all of the safety equipment that they needed to enter the home for the inspection and assessment. They even had moisture meters and other tools that would aid them in the process of finding hidden water damage.

ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis was able to thoroughly examine the basement, and they were able to conclude that the cause of the loss was a drain backup in the basement. It ended up primarily impacting the laundry room, but it also spread throughout the living room and an office space. 


The contractors used their knowledge and experience to categorize and classify the loss. Based on the IICRC standards of gross contaminated water, they determined the damage was a category 3 and class 2 loss.


The Plan for the Sewage Cleanup in St. Louis

After the professionals finished their assessment, they decided the most effective sewage cleanup plan would need to include: 


  • Drying & Dehumidification
  • Asbestos Testing & Abatement
  • Removal of Damaged Materials
  • Water Mitigation


Drying & Dehumidifying

The contractors’ main goal was to stabilize the home as quickly as possible to stop the spread of damage. Therefore, they worked to start removing any excess moisture from the space. They also set up dehumidifiers that would speed up the drying process. 


Testing Before Asbestos Abatement

Though the contractors knew they would have significant demolition work that needed to be done, they couldn’t start to remove any of the drywall right away. Instead, they had to complete asbestos testing since the house was built in 1963 and had floor tile under the carpet. Unfortunately, the results came back positive, so the contractors had to complete an asbestos abatement on top of the water mitigation. 


Demolition and Removal of Damaged Materials

Prior to getting the test results back, the professionals were able to remove some of the affected baseboards and the carpet that had been glued down. It was important to get the flooring out of the basement because the carpet had retained an odor from the sewage backup.


After the asbestos abatement was performed on the carpet squares, the contractors were able to continue the demolition. They had to complete 2-foot flood cuts in the drywall. The professionals also had to remove the 9x9 tiles. 


Water Mitigation

After the demolition and asbestos abatement were complete, ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis started the water mitigation process. They continued the drying process and cleaned the affected area. They made sure to use disinfectants that would address the bacterial concerns from the sewage water. Once they finished, the basement was restored and made safer than before.

Find out More About Asbestos Abatement and Sewage Cleanup Services in St. Louis

Customers who suspect they may need an asbestos abatement along with their sewage cleanup shouldn’t hesitate to contact ABC Environmental Contracting Services in St. Louis. Their professionals are skilled and trained in the industry’s safest methods for handling these unique projects. 


To learn more, homeowners can call the contractors and inquire about their services and tools. They can also request an in-person inspection. The company even has an online form that customers can submit for a free quote.

Dan and Tina ABC Environmental Contracting

Dan and Tina Benton are the owners of ABC Environmental Contracting Services, a veteran-owned restoration company serving the St. Louis Metro East area. Together, they bring over two decades of expertise in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and asbestos removal for both residential and commercial properties. They're committed to serving their community with integrity and dedication, providing 24/7 emergency response when disaster strikes.

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