You nailed it about the goggles—nothing like a splash to the face to make you rethink your PPE choices. I’ve seen folks try to get by with just sunglasses or even nothing at all, and it rarely ends well. N95s are a must for me too, especially if there’s any chance of aerosolized nastiness. One thing I’d add: I keep a box of nitrile gloves in my kit, and I double up if it’s a bad one. Ever had a glove rip halfway through? Not fun.
About the bleach, I’ve definitely seen people go overboard. It’s easy to think “more is better,” but too much can eat through surfaces and ruin gear. I usually stick to about a cup per gallon of water—seems to do the trick without destroying everything. Do you keep any kind of disposable coveralls or just stick with regular work clothes? I’ve found Tyvek suits save a lot of hassle, especially when you’re dealing with repeat backups.
- Totally agree on the goggles—nothing like a surprise splash to make you rethink your life choices.
- I’m with you on the bleach, too. Less is more, especially if you care about your floors and pipes.
- I keep Tyvek suits around for the big messes. They’re not the most comfortable, but they save me from having to toss clothes after a bad backup.
- Nitrile gloves are a must, but I’ve had them rip mid-job... not fun at all. Sometimes I’ll even throw gardening gloves over them for extra protection.
- Appreciate your approach—staying safe and not overdoing the chemicals is key.
I keep Tyvek suits around for the big messes. They’re not the most comfortable, but they save me from having to toss clothes after a bad backup.
Tyvek suits are a solid move, but I’ll admit I just have a dedicated “disaster hoodie” that’s seen things no hoodie should. For cleaning, I stick to vinegar and baking soda—less toxic, and my pipes seem happier. Nitrile gloves under dish gloves is my go-to combo, though I’ve definitely had the “glove fail” moment... nothing like it to make you question your life choices.
- I hear you on the glove fail—once had a pair split mid-job and let's just say, never again without backups.
- Tyvek’s great, but I find it gets too hot if you’re working in a cramped crawlspace. I usually go with heavy-duty coveralls I can toss in the wash, plus knee pads (learned that the hard way).
- Vinegar and baking soda is solid for cleaning, but for actual disinfection after a backup, I lean toward diluted bleach. Not my favorite, but I worry about lingering bacteria.
- Always keep a face shield handy. Got splashed once and now I don’t risk it...
- And yeah, disaster clothes are a must. Mine are basically more patch than fabric at this point.
I’ve definitely had my share of glove blowouts—these days I keep a whole box of nitrile gloves in the van, plus a couple pairs of those thicker utility ones for anything really gnarly. The thin ones are good for dexterity but not much for protection if you’re dealing with sharp debris or broken tile, which seems to happen more often than it should.
On the coveralls, I hear you about Tyvek in tight spaces. I tried them a couple times and ended up sweating buckets. Switched to cotton duck coveralls, like the kind mechanics wear. They’re heavier but way more breathable, and I can just throw them in the wash after a rough job. Knee pads are non-negotiable for me now—my knees are shot from years of crawling around on concrete and gravel.
For cleaning, I’m with you on bleach, even though it’s not my favorite either. I’ve tried the eco stuff, but honestly, nothing seems to cut through the funk and get rid of that sewage smell quite like a diluted bleach solution. I keep a spray bottle mixed up (about 1 part bleach to 10 parts water), plus a stack of old towels I can toss after use. Never understood how some folks can just use vinegar and call it a day… Maybe on a minor overflow, but not after a real backup.
Face shield is a must. Goggles too, if I’m running a snake or jetter. Got hit in the eye with a splash once and learned my lesson fast. Also, I keep a big contractor trash bag handy for tossing anything contaminated—clothes, rags, gloves, whatever. No way am I bringing that stuff home.
Curious—anyone keep a dedicated wet/dry vac just for sewer jobs? I’ve got one that never leaves the truck and never gets used for anything else. The thought of cross-contamination with regular household messes is just... nope. Wondering if that’s overkill or if others do the same.
