Sewer Damaged Rug

I don't think it should be saved. We would be throwing it away take a look at the s500 standards any cat 3 damage should be replaced with new.

There are chemicals to stabilize dyes, but the real question is do you really want to clean a rug contaminated with sewage? That is one I would turn down. I have done flood damaged rugs before, freshwater floods, not sewage. I just dont want to contaminate everything from the transportation vehicle to all the equipment used in the cleaning.

Sewage is work that you need to not only have proper containment, and shots, and protection for - but also will need to have this textile tested after your work to ensure it passes clearance. The "sniff" test will not cut it.

We turn away all sewage contaminated work, because I do not want the physical risk to my property and people - but I also do not want the liability of someone down the road with a rug I deemed as "clean" getting sick and tying it to contamination in the rug. I don't care how much they pay me for that work, it is not worth the risk to me.

On the technical side, you MUST fully soak and decontaminate a woven rug in a solution approved for that purpose - and you are not going to be able to "mix" it with the dye stabilizing solutions if you want to ensure you are properly applying the sanitizing solution - so this rug WILL bleed. You will need waivers, and an industrial hygienist to clear the rug when you are done. You better have a VERY thorough cleaning process my friend, or this can come back to bite you hard.

Lisa

I agree with Lisa, even a $2000 ticket is not worth the risk involved. I don't even know which way to tell you to proceed since I have never had to deal with the problem before.

20k rug or not I would not be cleaning it. The bacteria testing is not cheap I will cost you at least $200-300 for testing and you are really only testing a small area but I guess to be on the safe side they could take more then one sample but that will end up costing a fortune. So if you fail have to clean and re test you could end up eating up half your profit maybe more. If it was an insurance claim and they have not exceeded there cap put the remainder towards a new rug.

So... you are asking me to tell you the products to use, and how to use it, in a public form, in a rug situation that could eventually become litigation.

Sorry... I like to "help" - but I don't like it that much.

Contact chemical manufacturers who specialize in the field of black water work... they have MUCH more insurance coverage and more lawyers than I do.

=)

Lisa

I would tell them 2 grand plus they pay the testing. Then i would call Paul Lucas at Chem Max 1-800-858-7237 and ask him how to clean it. But I am a little crazy and a bit of a risk taker. But if I were sensible I would follow Lisa Wagner's advice because she is much smarter than I am. It is just that I remember times when 2 grand would have made a big difference. Life is all about weighing risk versus reward. Also if I were washing this rug I would order a bottle of Lucas Lavender. It is a anti-microbiial soap that even kills MRSA and other really nasty things. We use it.
Best wishes and good luck,
Barry O'Connell
http://www.SpongiBongo.com

The IICRC / Clean Trust standards do allow for cleaning high value area rugs. The process is actually a double or triple cleaning. Here are the basic steps. There is also more information in the S500 standards. Be sure to read and understand that material.

Dust to remove dry material. This could include dry sewage, so wear proper PPE and contain the dust removed.
Treat with a dye Stabilizer. I would suggest first applying Dye-Loc but also using a rinse that helps stabilize dyes when you get to that step.
Submersion cleaning
Rinse. Wool Medic or other acid rinse made specifically for wool rugs could work well.
Dry and then repeat the process. HAve it tested. Depending upon further testing it may need further cleaning.

You do need to use a sanitizing solution. You might call ProRestore, which carries Microban - I know Cliff Zlotnik (the founder of Unsmoke and a pioneer in restoration work) developed a lot of products in the sewage remediation field. I would get someone to document to you how to use the product in detail, follow it to the tee, and then have THEM to lean back on if something does wrong and the rug does not pass clearance. This way if the client comes back at you, you can turn around and go back on the company whether it's Prorestore or Bridgepoint or whoever you choose.

The IICRC standards are vague and constantly being updated for being outdated. I would rely on a manufacturer's updated information over a committee created loose set of guidelines. But that's me... I want to make sure it works, not that it just gets passed by a committee. I'd lean on the scientists at the manufacturers.

$2,000 is not enough in my opinion to wash a rug 3 times. Regular washing without the risks here is much more profitable and enjoyable. And you better have the right shots before you handle this type of work as well. Patrick Moffett is an expert in the field of sewage remediation - you might contact him as well.

Lisa

I Think this might help u....http://therestorationresource.com/How_to_Restore_a_Water_Damaged_Carpet.html :bigsmiley:

what i think is, you should throw that rug as it will have germs on it.