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What is hoarding cleanup?

Hoarding clean-up is the method of removing and disposing of accumulated items, including debris from a home, storage unit, or other structure that has been filled with excessive amounts of clutter or possessions. In most cases, along with the individual that has been hoarding, family and or friends can handle the cleaning up and pack up of a person’s “prized possessions”. Sometimes though, you need help.

What types of services are offered by professional hoarding clean-up businesses? 

Fortunately, there are professionals that handle hoarding clean up, much like professionals clean up biohazard conditions. The process of hoarding clean-up must be approached with understanding and begins with the clean-up crew taking an assessment of the severity of the situation. 

After assessing the situation, they will take the following steps following the instructions of the clients, and be prepared with the following:

• PPE (Professional Protective Equipment) 
• Professional equipment and industrial-grade cleaners

They will be prepared to remove substances like bodily fluids, bacteria, mold, needles, drug paraphernalia, and the remains of animals if discovered. While we may think that Grandpa or Uncle Joe only kept a lot of keepsakes and memorabilia, depending on where they kept all of it and for how long, a hoarding clean-up crew is prepared for the worse.   They then take the following steps: 

• Sort the valuable items out from the hoard, packing them up accordingly
• Sort any biohazardous material and remove it from the area

What are the possible risks involved in hoarding cleanup?

The possible hazards of hoarding cleanup are many and often unknown and not visible until you’re in the midst of the duty. Some dangers that a professional hoarding clean-up crew will be prepared for include: 

• FALLING ITEMS
• COLLAPSING WALLS
• INFESTATIONS
• FOOD POISONING
• FIRE
• TRIPPING HAZARDS
• MOLD
• FLEAS AND LICE

What are the benefits of hoarding cleanup? 

With the help of a professional hoarding clean-up service, the crew can ease any feelings of those involved, including the hoarders, anger, judgment, and resentment as the area becomes a clean slate.

Any hoarding scenario may be filled with hazardous materials and waste that require specialized cleaning products and equipment. You don’t know what you’re getting into until you’re already elbow deep in questionable waste. By hiring a professional hoarding clean-up crew, you will benefit from the following: 

• Safe Removal 

Part of hoarding is collecting and keeping excessive amounts of anything and everything, including odd and end objects, magazines, newspapers, and even trash. As these things pile up, it creates a safety hazard and becomes home to critters and insects. The professional hoarding clean-up crew will be prepared to handle whatever they may come across while sorting and removing the assorted hoarded items. 

• Hazardous Materials

Hoarding creates a cramped area where insects and rodents nest and breed, making the area unsafe. A professional hoarding clean-up crew will be prepared to work through the possible breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, and other pathogens. The hoarding clean-up crew will have gloves, masks, and other protective equipment to keep themselves safe while sorting through and cleaning up the mess. 

• Thorough Cleaning

Once the professional hoarding clean-up crew has removed all the hoarded items and the unwanted result of critters, insects, and rodents, they will bring in professional cleaning materials to make the area clean and safe. 

With a professional hoarding clean-up crew handling the clean-up process, it takes away the physical dangers of doing the work yourself. They are better able to work around and with any of the following: 

• Structural damage to the area
• Falling piles and stacks of debris
• Exposure to biohazards and/or poisons
• Exposure to rotting or spoiled food products
• Insect and rodent infestation

It will relieve family and friends of any mental pain of sorting through a loved one’s belongings. And it will eliminate any social burdens of embarrassment. 

Who is typically responsible for the cost of hoarding cleanup? 

In the case of handling the hoarding cleanup of a deceased family member, the estate is responsible for the cost of the process. It is unlikely that the homeowner’s insurance policy will pay for any hoarding cleanup, even if the hoarder isn’t deceased.  Hoarding is considered homeowner induced, not an act of nature.

In Closing 

Hoarding clean-up can be a mentally and physically daunting task when it involves a loved one. By hiring a professional crew to address the task at hand, you’ll know the job was done thoroughly and safely. For superior hoarding cleanup in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, FL, please get in touch with us at (954) 548-5613 today!

Is it okay to continue living in a house with mold?

Is mold dangerous to your health? Mold is sneaky and will thrive in dark, moist areas. So, that would mean it isn’t a problem, right? Unfortunately, just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s okay to live with. When excess moisture settles into a porous material, like drywall, it becomes a big issue. Not only is mold removal needed but finding the source of what is causing it and fixing it is needed. 

Mold is classified as a fungus and will develop and spread with its kingdom of other fungi.  The spores of bacteria, mold, mushrooms, and others can cause the following problems when a mold issue isn’t addressed, like mold removal:

• Respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing, swelling throat, and whizzing.
• Asthmatic persons or those with allergies are at a higher risk. 
• Anyone with hypersensitivity pneumonitis becomes prone to an immune condition.

Where is mold usually found?

Black mold isn’t the most common, but it is the most dangerous. It is found in areas that are dark and undisturbed. This can include: 

• Shower stalls 
• Behind walls
• Attics
• Crawlspaces
• Basements
• Under staircases

What does mold infestation look like?

There are several types of mold found in houses, but the most common that has the most request for mold removal are: 

• Aspergillus
• Cladosporium
• Stachybotrys atra, aka, Black Mold

Other types of molds found in a home are: 

• Alternaria
• Aureobasidium
• Stachybotrys chartarum
• Trichoderma. 

How can you tell if your house has mold?

1. A Rotten Odor: If you’re smelling a damp, musty odor, it could be due to MVOCs (mold volatile organic compounds), you need to investigate getting a mold removal service. 

2. Spotted Clothing: If you’re noticing black or white spots on your clothing, this could be mold, indicating you may have a mold issue in your closet or under the house. Hiring a professional mold removal service can determine this and advise the treatment.  

3. Contaminated Carpets: Carpeting and area rugs are notorious for holding and breeding mold, which keeps spreading throughout your home. If you’re noticing any odor, spots, or stains on the carpeting or rugs, have them cleaned or removed, and then get an inspection for mold removal possibilities. 

4. Water Heater Closet: Areas that are moist are prone to have mold, like the water heater closet. Keep a watch on this specific area and as soon as you notice any mold, find a mold removal process immediately before it spreads any further. 

5. Allergies or Asthma: Mold is a harmful substance that triggers respiratory issues. This can include persistent coughing or recurring illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. If anyone in your home is experiencing these issues, you should have a mold removal inspection performed. 

Other assorted issues that mold can cause if fungus in your furniture, warped walls, and if you’ve changed your HVAC filters and still smell mold, have your home quoted for mold removal service. 

What are some health signs you might have mold in your house?

Inhaling mold spores can result in experiencing the following symptoms:

• Chest and/or nasal congestion
• Coughing and/or wheezing
• Headaches
• Irritated eyes
• Irrigated lungs
• Runny nose 
• Skin rashes
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

Even touch mold can result in a person experiencing these issues, and for most, it is a non-emergency issue. A person that has asthma or other respiratory issues may need urgent medical attention. 

Does DIY mold removal work?

It’s a common belief that bleach is an ideal mold removal product. However, it can also harm you and it isn’t a true mold removal, it just turns it grey or white. It will return. For DIY mold removal, experts and specialists recommend using borax, available at your local grocery store. Simply mix it with one gallon of hot water and apply to the area then scrub with a brush until the mold is gone. Other safe products for cleaning mold in small areas are baking soda, detergent, hydrogen peroxide, Tea tree oil, and vinegar. 

What does biohazard cleanup do?

Biohazard cleanup is when an area is completely cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized. The more commonly known time a biohazard cleanup is done is at a crime scene, a suicide scene, or after a traumatic accident. 

The process of a biohazard cleanup requires the technicians to wear protective clothing, including gloves and goggles, to handle what could be potentially hazardous materials. Those hazardous materials include in situations such as accidents, crime, and suicide scenes including blood and body fluids. 

A biohazard cleanup has extensive methods, what the professionals of that job call a two-step process: 

• The control zone – This is the contaminated area where the biohazard cleanup and removal is taking place; the area is placed under control.
• The buffer zone – This is the area where the biohazard cleanup technicians put on their PPE (personal protective equipment) prior to starting the cleanup and where they dispose of all contaminated materials when the cleanup is completed, including their PPE.
• The clean zone – This designated area is clean for the storage of equipment and tools so they can’t cause any cross-contamination with the substance involved in the biohazard cleanup.

It is crucial to the outcome of investigations and the legal actions that will follow that the scene of a crime or trauma is handled with the utmost care. The possible evidence at the scene cannot be altered or damaged for legal reasons, and there is the concern of safety for those doing the biohazard cleanup and everyone around them as well. 

The technicians that are assigned to biohazard cleanup duty have completed specialized training in their job as dictated by OSHA. That training includes the possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens. There are other forms of biohazards that we’ll discuss as we continue this article.

What is biohazard crime scene cleanup?

Anytime there is blood or body fluids spilled, they can become trapped on the ceiling, floors, and walls. These potential bloodborne pathogens, including body fluids, can cause illness in humans, either immediately, or years later. 

A crime scene biohazard cleanup is a specialized process of removing any contaminants that can be potentially harmful. Those contaminants include blood, body fluids, and odors. The blood and body fluids can inhibit bloodborne pathogens that include the potential of causing diseases. 

Is cleaning up blood dangerous?

The short answer to this question is yes. The handling of blood should always be handled with care and caution, including blood stains. According to CD (Centers for Disease Control), blood is a potentially hazardous substance because of the diseases it can spread, no matter how old the spill or stain may be.

Blood of any kind can contain various bloodborne pathogens including: 

• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• MRSA
• Other transmittable diseases

Some bloodborne viruses continue to live in dried blood like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. 

What is unattended death cleanup?

An unattended death is when a person was alone when they passed. Often the remains are not found immediately, it may be hours, days, weeks, or even months. An unattended death will typically include: 

• An accident
• A suicide
• Fatal disease or illness
• A homicide
• Natural causes

The process, once the body is discovered, is considered a biohazard cleanup by specially trained professionals. Their biohazard cleanup begins after the body is removed and officials have declared it ready for the process to begin. 

The biohazard cleanup of an unattended death is the special handling of any blood and other body fluids in a way that can be tested for further investigation by law enforcement. The biohazard cleanup and remediation includes the process of eliminating possible harmful substances associated with the remains, both obvious and unseen.

Can you get sick from cleaning up feces?

YES! Cleaning human feces and urine is considered a biohazard cleanup process. Proper training should be required of any employee that may be asked or required to clean up any human waste. It is important to remember that a biohazard is any type of biological substance that can be considered a threat to a living organism, primarily humans. 

This includes blood carrying bloodborne pathogens or human tissues, or anything that has come into contact with any human fluid or human waste. These are articles that be the host for any infectious diseases, making any cleaning of human waste a biohazard cleanup process. Human feces can have any of the following organisms: 

• C-diff
• Cholera
• Dysentery
• E. coli
• Giardia
• Hookworm
• Norovirus
• Ringworm
• Salmonella
• Tapeworm

Insect and rodent droppings are another extremely unsanitary substance that biohazard cleanup precautions should be observed. Rodent droppings are known to contain bacteria and different diseases that can be unwittingly transmitted to humans and animals. 

What is hoarding cleaning?

Hoarding cleanup is considered a biohazard cleanup because of the possibility of bacteria and germs that could exist. Within a hoarding situation, there may be live and dead animals, their feces, urine, and body fluids as well as the hoarding human. By being exposed  to these conditions without any protection again bacteria, fungus, or other pathogens is extremely dangerous.

How much does professional odor removal cost?

Every situation and every odor requires a different odor elimination process, some are considered part of biohazard cleanup, and others are for personal concerns. A professional odor removal company will provide a deep cleaning from top to bottom that will reach and removes the most stubborn of odors, with permanent eradication. 

To remove odors, the rates can start at $80 per hour and go up to $300 per hour.  deodorize a house? An average-sized home can take between 1 and 2 hours for basic odor elimination. A fire cleanup or any type of biohazard cleanup can take up to 8 hours, depending on the size of the house. 

Professional odor removing services include: 

• Tobacco smoke
• Fire, ash, smoke, and soot
• Pet dander
• Mildew and mold
• Water damage
• Decaying food

How much does biohazard cleanup cost?

A biohazard cleanup requires a deep and thorough process that includes the ceiling, flooring, and walls as well as any furniture in the area. Biohazard cleanup jobs include removing substances that are considered dangerous and is done by personnel that has been trained. Rates for a biohazard cleanup can start at $1,500 and max out at $25,000, depending on the size of the biohazard situation and what may be included as biohazard substances. 

How much does rodent cleanup cost?

According to experts, rodent extermination can cost between $200 and $600 for an average size home, with the average cost being around $300. This includes a full-service professional cleanup that includes inspecting the area, treating the area, and steps that are taken to keep rodents from returning.

Examples of when and where biohazard cleanup is required include: 

• Crime scenes
• Homicide scenes
• Biohazard cleanup after death at the death scene
• Suicide scenes
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal remains
• Animal or human waste
• Blood and bodily fluid accidents or spills
• Chemical hazards
• Possible coronavirus contamination

Why do I have to clean up bodily fluids?

Body fluids like blood, feces, urine, vomit, or other major bodily fluids are all considered to be potentially contaminated with bloodborne bacteria or other germs, i.e., biohazard. Cleanup is required immediately to minimize the possibility of any bacteria or germs spreading and contaminating others or other surfaces. Any of these substances can be potentially infectious making it necessary for a biohazard cleanup process. 

What are the major bodily fluids besides blood?

There are several forms of bodily fluids, and typically not something that comes up in general conversations. Bodily fluids should be considered the same as automotive fluids.  Bodily fluids are needed for or from our body’s functions as antifreeze, gas, and oil are some of the fluids a vehicle needs to function. The major body fluids that can create the need for a biohazard clean-up are: 

• Blood: A major fluid that is part of the human body’s defense by carrying waste away that is within our body like feces, sweat, and urine. Blood also provides our body oxygen and other substances essential to our body’s survival like hormones and sugar.
• Saliva. Contains mostly water, saliva also contains minerals and proteins that prevent gum disease and tooth decay. This bodily fluid helps us chew and swallow.
• Semen. Found in males and contains catecholamines, fructose, and protein that is released from the body through the penis during sexual acts. 
• Vaginal fluids. Found in women within the vagina area and contains amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, and other acids that are produced by common lactobacillus bacteria.
• Mucus. Comes from the lungs, mouth, nose, sinuses, and throat, containing antibodies, enzymes, and proteins that keep these areas of the body moist and fight bacteria and viruses.
• Urine. Contains mostly water and flushes the human body of chemicals and dead blood cells that the body doesn’t need. 

What cleans up blood and bodily fluids?

Bodily fluids like diarrhea and vomiting present a high risk of spreading contamination.  Oftentimes, when a person with diarrhea or gastroenteritis vomits in an explosive or projectile manner, the substance can thrust small airborne virus particles to 25-feet. Gastroenteritis viruses can survive up to 60 days on hard surfaces such as carpeting, door handles, faucets, handrails, telephones, toilets, touch screens, upholstery, and kitchen prep areas.  

It is the recommendation of the CDC and OSHA to use chlorine as a disinfectant with paper towels that are disposed of when soiled and use fresh paper towels to continue. This has proven to be effective against pathogens and other viruses that are known to cause gastroenteritis. A chlorine bleach solution can create by mixing regular, unscented household bleach with a chlorine sanitizer. 

What equipment is needed to clean bodily fluids?

Before the process of biohazard cleanup and disinfecting bodily fluids spills, proper safety equipment is recommended that includes: 

1. Gloves: disposable and waterproof
2. Rubber boots
3. Safety goggles, if no potential splashing is possible, disposable is acceptable
4. Coveralls or biohazard cleanup suit, disposable
5. Cloth towels that are disposable 
6. Broad spectrum disinfectant that kills bacteria, germs, and viruses
7. Biohazard cleanup bags with approved labels & manifest

What disinfectant should be used to clean up blood?

The proper biohazard cleanup process for blood starts with wiping up the blood with paper towels and placing them in plastic garbage bags. Then gently pour a bleach solution on the contaminated surface and allow it to sit for twenty minutes. Finish wiping up with more paper towels then place them in a plastic garbage bag for disposal.

How bad is fire damage?

A house fire does more than damage or destroy a home. It can reach fatal heat levels, and even if the home isn’t 100% destroyed, it leaves bad odors and stains to be reckoned with during house fire restoration. This includes removing the smoke that traveled through the house, creating additional staining of flooring and walls. The smoke carries and leaves dirt, dust, and soot on every surface.

There are other possible dangers in addition to the fatal heat levels. If the fire doesn’t destroy the home, leaving enough for house fire restoration possibility, there are ongoing issues to be considered. Like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide creates dangerous levels of chemical and thermal irritants. 

These irritants can cause permanent damage to the respiratory system of humans and pets, even resulting in death. The method of a house fire restoration is dependent on what type of fire occurred. So, can you live in a house with fire damage?

You could, but it isn’t safe, no matter the size of the house fire, there are smoke particles spread throughout the house still lingering. By staying in the house, you’ll be exposed to several health risks from the smoke and soot. 

If you plan to stay in the house, you need to hire a professional house fire restoration company. Or find out how to restore a house after a fire so that the 

smoke and soot lingering through the house won’t be absorbed by your system, subjecting you to possible long-lasting health effects. 

• The first step in a house fire restoration is to remove the soot. Before you clean the carpeting, curtains and drapery, and upholstered furniture or your clothing, the soot needs to be removed because of the staining factor. Soot is an oily substance that should be removed using a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner without any attachments. Once you have vacuumed these surfaced, cover them with plastic so more soot from the house isn’t attracted to them. 

• Next, you need to get the odor eliminated cause by the smoke. A proper deodorizing must be performed to get the remaining smoke odor out of all the clothing, carpeting, drapery, and upholstered furniture. This can be done by using a dry cleaner that has a deodorizing process to break up the smoke molecules. 

• This ozone treatment will produce an oxidizing agent that gives a sweet smell like that from a rainstorm. A professional house fire restoration company will use an ozone generator or place items in an ozone room. If you’re attempting your own house fire restoration, you’ll need to deodorize all fabric covered items before having them cleaned. 

• Now, remove the smoke that is between the walls or the smoke odor will reoccur, especially in damp and humid weather. During the fire, the pores of the walls expanded, and the smoke filled those pores. As the house cooled down, it sealed that smoke odor inside the walls. The smoke odor is also inside the ducts and vent, drifting throughout the home. The air ducts will need to be replaced to remove all the smoke odor or have a house fire restoration company apply a chemical sealer that permanently seals the smoke odor to the sides of the ducts. 

• Remove all the insulation from the attic. This is one area that no measure of house fire restoration can rid or seal. The insulation will need to be replaced. 

• Have the carpeting and drapery professionally cleaned. Once all the house fire restoration has been completed, they may need to be professionally cleaned again. 

 With this step-by-step on how to do a house fire restoration, you may want to know what to clean fire damage with. The American Red Cross recommends using a mild detergent or soap for removing smoke and soot from the floors, furniture, and walls. 

Another option is mixing four to six tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate with one cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of warm water. With rubber gloves and durable cleaning rags, clean all waterproof surfaces thoroughly and then rinse with clear warm water.

Does insurance cover fire damage?

Typically, a homeowner insurance policy is property insurance that provides additional coverage for damages or loss to a structure that is damaged or destroyed by fire.  The policyholder will be paid under the policy for replacement cost or the ACV (actual cash value) for the damages. Every insurance company has differences and each homeowner’s policy is different. Refer to your own policy and contact your agent if you’re unclear what is covered for a house fire restoration. 

How hot is a house fire?

In under four minutes, a house fire heat can reach get over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. A room that isn’t in flames will reach over 300 degrees. Approximately 80% of all civilian deaths in a fire are in the home. 

Ambulances especially are held to a strict guideline for cleaning and disinfecting at the beginning of a shift, after transporting patients, and end of a shift. The ambulance is one place where the germs that transmitted the coronavirus could easily have been transferred from one patient to the next if not for proper and thorough vehicle decontamination. 

Consistent and correct cleaning and decontaminating steps included having adequate ventilation as crews used the chemicals needed for vehicle decontamination. Crews were also trained to use any PPE protective gear as they decontaminated their units. The areas that are included in this decontamination process are:

• Hard non-porous interior surfaces. The arm rest, door handles and grab bars, seats and seat buckles, controls, and any surface that appeared dirty was to be disinfected. 
• Soft and/or porous surfaces such as fabric-covered seats. 
• Electronic surfaces such as tablets and touch screens, communication instruments, medical devices, etc. 
• Disposable PPE materials like gloves, gowns, masks were to be disposed of properly.
• Crew members were instructed to wash hands for 20 seconds with sanitizing soap. 
• Cloth items like stretch sheets and blankets are to be immediately removed and laundered. 

Other times vehicle decontamination is needed is on the exterior to remove biohazards like radioactive exposure and after a fire. 

What does decontamination remove?

Vehicle decontamination in the area of first responder use is a process of removing or destroying infectious agents and other contaminants. It is a process that keeps susceptible sites from becoming contaminated by a site that has been exposed to sufficient quantities of matter that can initiate infection and harmful responses. 

What is car paint contamination?

With this bit of education on additional responsibilities that First Responders have, it should be noted there are other types of vehicle decontamination. Like the exterior of a car for painting purposes. Like paint contaminants from bugs, grime, road salt, and other airborne matters that get stuck on the exterior of a car or other vehicles and in the paint. 

Most of these things will wash off with a short period of exposure. However, some others will bury themselves into the surface and remain, or if the vehicle isn’t washed periodically, can slowly degrade the clear coating that manufacturers apply to cars.

For a car to be repainted, vehicle decontamination is needed. This will assure the new paint coating will adhere without issue. To determine if the vehicle decontamination process is needed, rub the surface of the car. A bumpy, rough feel is an indication the process is needed. So if vehicle decontamination is needed, what do you use to decontaminate a car? 

Clay bar treatment is something that most people have never heard of, much less know how to use for vehicle decontamination. To get dirt and other particles removed completely, a clay bar is a necessity in the auto paint and body industry. Clay bars are durable and elastic, allowing tough substances like brake dust, road salt, and other contaminants that can pierce into glass, metal, and paint. There are three types of clay bar: 

• Fine Clay Bar: The softer type that is easy to use and ideal for removing any small contaminants.
• Medium Clay Bar: This clay bar is for tougher contamination like tree sap. A more abrasive grade with a firm consistency and higher density. It removes impurities by scrubbing them away. This includes any industrial fallout and overspray. 
• Heavy Clay Bar: Removes the tougher overspray and stubborn contaminants and should only be used by an experienced professional. Professional auto body workers will use it on glass and metal wheels. 

How do you fully decontaminate a car? 

Professional auto body technicians that are doing full vehicle decontamination for paint and bodywork will follow these steps: 

• One: Wash the car exterior thoroughly. 
• Two: Next, they will begin the clay bar process, dividing the car surface into 2-foot sections. 
• Three: One 2-foot section at a time, they will spray a special lubricant on the wet surface. A wet surface is required to avoid damaging the paint.
• Four: The clay bar is rubbed in using small, circular motions until it is smoothing running over the surface. 
• Five: The area that has a clay bar applied is wiped down with a microfiber towel. If any residue is left behind, the technician will spray a lubricant over it then using a clean microfiber towel, wipe it down again. 
• Six: Once the clay bar process is completed, the technician will polish and wax the vehicle. This creates a glossy finish, protects it, and extends the paint’s lifespan. 

The process of vehicle decontamination is difficult, hard work. For a properly clean vehicle, car decontamination will remove any tough blemishes so the exterior beauty is restored. Afterward, the technician will offer you a car decontamination kit. This can be used to help keep the paint job in ideal condition with products that easily remove paint-marring contaminants, like asphalt, bugs, iron, and tar. 

Is car paint decontamination necessary?

For a new paint job on a car or other vehicle to adhere and shine, yes, absolutely. For an emergency vehicle, decontamination is important to keep the community safe from biohazard, bacteria, and germs spreading. 

Is mold removal safe?

No, which is why it is always best to have a professional mold removal service do the job. However, if it is a small, contained area, with special precautions you can do your own mold removal. But remember that even a minimal amount of mold exposure during the mold removal process can create health issues like: 

• Chronic coughing/sneezing
• Respiratory infections and irritation
• Skin disorders and rashes
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Internal bleeding
• Nose bleeds

If the mold is on the drywall but not entrenched into the framing and structure, the following are steps you can do for mold removal on drywalls that are painted. There are some cases in which coated or painted drywall can be easily cleaned with a product purchased at your home improvement store. Steps for mold removal from painted drywall are: 

Step One: Select a cleaning agent that kills mold

What kills mold without bleach? Any of the following options can be used as cleaning agents that don’t include bleach. Depending on how severe the mold problem is though, these chemical and natural alternatives for DIY mold removal may not be enough. 

• Baking Soda: This is a common ingredient in your kitchen that can be used for a number of things and is all natural. Mix baking soda with water in a 1:5 ratio and it will make a mild and safe cleanser. 
• Vinegar: Another common ingredient in most kitchens, mix an even ratio of vinegar with water for an all-natural and safe cleaner even with children and pets around, but deadly for mold.
• Detergents: Follow the label directions and most detergents make a safe mold removal product. 
• Bleach: Most people want to avoid bleach because of the fumes, but it is one of the strongest things you can use for mold removal. Mixing bleach and water in a 1:3 ratio is a strong solution that will do the job in many cases. 

Step Two: Fill spray bottle with selected cleaning solution 

Step Three: Ventilate and Protect 

• Make sure the room you’re performing your mold removal in is well ventilated, opening all doors and windows. This is especially important if you choose the bleach method for mold removal. 
• Prepare all the areas around where you’re doing the mold removal in case of any accidental spills of the chemicals or products you’re using. This includes moving furniture, plants, any belongings away from the area where the mold removal will be taking place. Cover the floor with a drop cloth. 

Step Four: Spray the mold area with your cleaning solution 

• Shake the spray bottle well, then spray a small amount on the mold. Do not drench the area. You don’t want to add moisture to the problem.
• Make sure you cover the entire molded area but not to the point it is running down the wall and spreading.

Step Five: Brushing it clean

• With a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush, scrub the area firmly but not so that it damages the wall. Keep scrubbing until the mold is gone

Step Six: Allow the Area to Dry

• The drying period is essential! If any moisture is left, the mold will return. Place a fan on the mold removal treated area to help the drying process. 

Step Seven: Paint the Drywall with a Stain-blocking Paint

• Mold removal will often leave a stain. You can cover this up by painting the drywall with a stain-blocking primer and paint. 

Can mold grow back after removal?

Absolutely – it is possible for mold to return, whether you do your own mold removal or have a professional mold removal and remediation service. This is why once mold removal is complete, it is necessary to determine the cause and remove that possibility of a mold outbreak. 

Does insurance pay for mold removal?

The verbiage in every homeowner’s insurance policy is vague about answering the question “when is mold removal covered by insurance?” They don’t want to pay for mold removal, so they generally leave room to be able to deny a claim for mold removal and remediation. Most policies exclude mold damage coverage with the exception of when mold is the result of a claim that was covered, like water damage.

For example, a standard homeowners insurance policy will protect the homeowner from water damage that was caused by an accidental or sudden incident. Those incidents will include a busted water pipe or a malfunctioning AC unit.

Carpet drying depends on evaporation. This means that the moisture, which is leftover water, in the fibers must evaporate in order for the carpet drying to happen. So, dry air will get faster carpet drying and humid air will cause the carpet drying to take longer. 

If you’ve just cleaned up an overflowing bathtub and you’re asking yourself, “why won’t my carpet dry?”, it is highly likely the bathroom has little to no air ventilation. The first thing you should do to aid in carpet drying is turn on the exhaust fan. If there isn’t an exhaust fan and it isn’t cold or wet outside, open any exterior window in the bathroom. The next step is drying carpet with dehumidifier. 

Using a  dehumidifier for carpet drying will remove any moisture in the air by converting the wet air in to into water. A dehumidifier has two systems with one being the inlet that draws the damp air in and an outlet that emits dry air. When the moisture in the air converts into water, it goes into a storage tank that is emptied. Replace the tank and repeat the process. 

When dry air is emitted, the dry air evaporates more moisture, continuing the carpet drying. You should continue this process until there isn’t any moisture left in the air, which can take up to 12 hours for a 250 square foot bathroom. 

One of the best things you can do for small to medium sized areas of carpet drying to take care of is a combination of carpet drying fan with heat. The following steps will help you get your carpet drying done as quick as it can happen: 

1. Shop Vac Extraction: Extract as much water as you can with a shop vac, using the biggest attachment first then step down to the smallest. Create a good seal with the attachment by pushing down as hard as you can.  
2. Towel Absorbing: After extracting as much as possible with the shop vac, get a bunch of dry towels, lay one down on the wet area and walk across it to absorb more water. Remove the now wet towel, lay another dry towel, and repeat this process. Keep doing this with the towels until a towel is no longer wet after walking across it on the wet area. 
3. Moving Air with Heat: Place a fan or a box heater in place where it is blowing warm air across the wet carpet. If you have access to a dehumidifier, place it so that it the dry air it emits is blowing over the wet carpet by the fan. Turn the ceiling fan on to the highest setting possible. 

Not all wet carpeting is soaking wet, sometimes it just moist, so how to dry moist carpet isn’t as entailed as these steps. The household wonder ingredient, baking soda, can be excellent way to dry a moist carpet, just follow these steps: 

• Remove as much excess water as possible with dry towels or a shop vac, getting as down deep as you can into the carpet fibers. 
• Sprinkle a large amount of baking soda over the wet area. 
• Let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours. The longer it sits, the more it will absorb the wet and any odor.
• Vacuum over the whole area and either throw away the bag or empty the vacuum canister so the baking soda doesn’t clog the vacuum. 
• Run a fan of the area of carpet that was wet for a hour or so to get any linger dampness. 

A professional service for carpet cleaning with drying will use commercial, professional carpet drying equipment that will leave your carpeting as dry as possible. It is important to ask the technician when the carpet will be safe to walk on so that footprints are left on your fresh clean carpet!  They will often provide you disposable shoes wraps to put over your shoes for a period of time. Call (954) 548-5613 today for your carpet drying in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, FL.

Cleaning the substance up is fairly self-explanatory, but it will take more than those “picker-upper” paper towels. What about odor though, how to get rid of that sewage odor? Well, you can keep masking it with air fresheners and scented candles, but that is all its doing is masking it. To rid the sewage odor after the sewage removal, here are 7 proven ways to try: 

1. Sink overflow – this is a hole located across or under the faucet and accumulates bacteria, hair, soap scum, and toothpaste that produce that sewer smells. If you have hard water, it can clog up the overflow and keep it from doing its job.
2. Wax ring – this is installed before the toilet and seals the toilet to the floor to keep water from seeping out. If the seal breaks or becomes old and stiff, sewer gas leaks out.  This can be fixed by replacing the wax ring. 
3. Toilet base – when a toilet is installed, it should be caulked around the base along the floor. If it isn’t sewage odors will leak out and the toilet isn’t as secure to the floor as it should be. In less than an hour, you can caulk around your toilet, stop the odor, and firm the toilet in place. 
4. Bacterial growth – drains will accumulate a build-up of soap scum and organic matter, creating an environment for bacteria to stink up your house. Baking soda and vinegar mixture will clean out that bacteria and its odor. 
5. Unused sinks and tubs – maybe you have a guest bath that doesn’t get used? The sewer odor could be coming from the P-trap under the sink. An unused sink dries out and then sewer gas escapes through the drain and into the air. You can stop this from happening by running water in every sink or tub once a month. 
6. Leak check –  check under sinks and water heater, anywhere that could have a small pipe leak. Even the smallest leak can become a mildewed, moldy, smell. If you don’t see anything, have a plumber inspect your home. 
7. Garbage disposal – inside your garbage disposal is a black rubber piece that is the splash guard. Pieces of wood and other waste you put in to the disposal accumulate under that black rubber and start to smell. You can clean this with a brush by turning the splash guard inside out and gently scrub with the brush. 

No matter how much you clean and clean, with every type of cleaner you can find, sometimes, it takes professional cleaning and sewage removal. This is especially so when there is a need to remove sewage smell from carpet. 

How do you clean up raw sewage?

A sewage spill outdoors poses a threat to others besides yourself, and the environment. There are harmful pathogens in a sewage spill and immediate action is required.  First the area should be isolated and secured to keep contamination from spreading. Then preparations for clean-up should be made such as remove anything that can be cleaned and disinfected later. 

For a minor sewage spill:

• Sprinkle garden lime liberally over the affected area until totally covered in white dust.
• If there are thicker areas of sewage, use a rake to mix the lime with the spill.
• Wait24 hours.
• Shovel the contaminated lime into heavy-duty trash bags, double bagging.
• With garden hose, wash the lime remnants off the ground.
• With the garden hose or a sprinkler, water down the area to dilute any leftover contaminants.
• Allow area to dry in the sun for one day to  help kill the bacteria. Do not rake it anymore until it has thoroughly dried.  
• If there is any lime white dust still visible, water it until it dissipates. 

For a major sewage spill, or for any size sewage spill in the winter: 

• This is too big for an individual clean  up, so connect with an approved pumper truck or a sewage clean up company. They are able to extract large amounts from the ground with a vacuum tanker.
• Debris and solid waste left behind should be removed and placed into double bin bags and place in the garbage.

How do you dispose of sewage?

The State of Florida has over 7,700 lakes, 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,500 square miles of bays and estuaries. There are countless wetlands as well and proper wastewater management is important for protection of the water quality for every citizen and visitor. For a private citizen to dispose of sewage waste properly, a list of wastewater facilities is available on the Wastewater Facility Information page.

Okay, so you had a small sewage back up, what’s the big deal? It was on your property; does it really matter to everyone else? Can sewage make you sick? Before we answer that, we could suggest you do a Google search about Flint Michigan.  While sewer gas isn’t toxic necessarily at low levels, chronic or high levels of exposure, have been connected to sewer gas poisoning.

The key components of sewer gas are: 

• Ammonia: can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and a higher level is toxic to humans, associated with organ damage or death.
• Carbon dioxide: a greenhouse gas that is safe on its own, when mixed with ammonia though, becomes flammable.
• Hydrogen sulfide: high amounts can cause adverse symptoms, organ damage, or death.
• Methane: extremely flammable.

Call (954) 548-5613 today for your sewage spill clean up in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, FL.

Smoke damage is deemed to be anything that is has been impacted negatively by smoke. It could be nothing more than an unpleasant smell or something along the lines of a structural damage. Smoke damage isn’t all the same and each type will have different ways for smoke cleanup.  The factors that create different environment that will determine the smoke cleanup process are: 

• Fire temperature
• Fueling materials
• Location of the fire

Depending on the damage type doe, the restoration and smoke cleanup will be impacted by these four types of smoke damage. 

• A Protein Residue: This smoke damage come from kitchen fires of a low-temperature nature leaving minimal amounts of smoke, soot, or streaking. However, finished surfaces like cabinetry can be permanently discolored, but not all smoke damage is visible, but the odor is strong. If a thorough smoke cleanup isn’t done, the  unpleasant odor will intensely permeate throughout the entire structure and remain without a thorough smoke cleanup. 
• A Dry Smoke: A fire fueled by paper or wood creates a dry smoke  because of the high temperatures it burns and how fast it spreads. After the smoke has cleared, the surfaces are covered in a light powdery substance, an easy smoke cleanup. However, it will seep into pores of everything, and the smoke smell stays. A deep smoke cleanup is needed to remove the smoke odor completely.  
• A Wet Smoke: A low heat from a smoldering fire will create a wet smoke, typically from rubber or plastic actively burning. A distinct smell with smaller flames are thick and have black soot with a dense, sticky smoke that covers every surface in the structure. Special equipment and process is needed for the smoke cleanup from this type of fire.  
• A Fuel or Oil: These petroleum residues aren’t commonplace in business and homes. It does create a  sticky ad thick smoke that is difficult to clean. The leftover smell is heavy and unappealing, easily noticed, destroying any type of clothing, curtains,  upholstered furniture, and other materials if not smoke cleanup and washed promptly.

Can you live in a house with smoke damage?

It isn’t recommended to remain living in the house until a thorough smoke cleanup procedure has been completed. The smoke from any object that has burned will contain carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and soot. If other items catch fire, the chemicals within them can are in absorbed and become part of the fire and smoke too. 

Smoke damage will cover the entire structure, clinging to walls, seeping into furniture, and clothing, damaging electronics, and settling into the ductwork. Once it is the ductwork, each time the HVAC system turns on, the odor will flow through the entire structure. 

Okay, so you’ve experienced a fire in your home and there is smoke damage and you’re asking, “How do I clean my house after smoke damage?”. Next to restoration experts, the American Red Cross are experts at smoke cleanup and recommend tri-sodium phosphate  products. Following the label directions, TSP reduces smoke and other odors in fabrics. They also offer the following suggestions: 

Smoke and soot can be removed from floors, furniture, and walls, with mild detergent or soap mixed with four to six teaspoons of tri-sodium phosphate and one cup household cleaner or bleach  with one gallon of water. With clean rags and wearing rubber gloves, go over these surfaces then rinse with clear warm water and allow to dry thoroughly.

Smoke and soot odor can be removed from clothing simply by washing in bleach water and TSP if the fabric is bleach safe. If not, washing clothing in cold water with the usual laundry detergent and1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Call (954) 548-5613 today for smoke damage cleaning in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, FL.