It is unfortunate that death and violent crimes are part of our society. Following a suicide or death, it is important to take the right actions ensuring the safety of yourself and others. Trauma scenes often involve biohazardous materials such as bodily fluids, that can spread infectious diseases if they are not handled properly.
Trauma scene cleanup is typically used for removal of human blood and other bio-hazardous wastes following major accidents, deaths, suicides, murders etc. Our top of the line trauma cleanup service can guarantee an extended life for all of your carpeted and upholstered surfaces.
Trauma cleanup services
With our 24/7 emergency response, our professionally trained technicians are ready to perform and protect your property. Our technicians may find themselves cleaning for various residences and businesses and are prepared to safely and discreetly rectify any scene while properly disposing any bio-hazardous waste.
What equipment do you need?
Typically for a trauma scene cleanup we use effective equipment and cleaning products to eliminate forensic and other residue from crime scenes and so on.
Restoration
We eliminate odors, disinfect, and sanitize the location to ensure it is spotless and as appealing as possible. Restoring the scene after a traumatic incident is a very difficult process although the best part about choosing Stematic is that our restoration services are often covered by insurance policies. With our trauma restoration services we always work as effectively and efficiently as possible to clear up all traces of the scene so that the people involved can start to rebuild their lives again.
Sanitation Process
Step 1: Control the Contamination
For maximum control, our technicians use proven sanitation procedures, by establishing three zones using plasting sheeting and bio-tape to separate the contaminated area from other parts of the building.
Step 2: Biohazard cleanup
Cleaning, sanitization, and deodorization are the three main focuses for the most effective trauma scene restoration process.
Cleaning involves removing all traces of dirt, chemicals, blood, and biological materials from the area.
Sanitization occurs after cleaning, technicians treat the control zone with disinfectants by spraying surfaces at precise intervals. All surfaces are wiped thoroughly and are inspected to ensure they are completely clean and contamination free.
Deodorization is the final step, a deodorizer is used to eliminate the possibility of unwanted, lingering odors.
After a traumatic event it is important to have the scene cleaned and restored professionally to ensure it is back to normal thus, leaving no health risks or memories of the traumatic event in the space.
At Steamatic our crime scene cleanup teams are trained to work quickly, efficiently and most of all respectfully, keeping in mind at all times the needs of the affected family and others. If you would like more information about our helpful and sympathetic trauma clean up services call Steamatic today at 1-888-767-7616
4 Beneficial Reasons to Clean Your HVAC System
What is HVAC cleaning?
HVAC cleaning is an intensive and highly effective treatment that can remove over 80% of mold, mildew, and other contaminants from your home. The HVAC unit in your home is where allergens, pollutants, debris, and dust can collect. The build-up of these bacterias can cause you and your family health problems and cause your HVAC system to become much less efficient.
The 3 step plan:
With Steamatic you will find the most effective and dependable three-step plan that works to loosen and kill the bacteria, viruses and mold spores and then effectively removes them.
Step 1: Determine if there is actually a need to clean the system or not.
Step 2: Figure out how much dirt and debris is in the system
Step 3: Determine weather you can clean it yourself or if it is so bad that it needs professional attention
Air Quality
Indoor air quality is one concern that property owners have when investigating their air conditioning system. Although, dirty ducts do not necessarily mean harmful air they may contribute to serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or environmental allergies.
Energy Savings
HVAC systems are expensive and use up a significant amount of energy. If your HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature. As a result, less energy is consumed and more money is saved!
System Durability
It is important as a homeowner to maintain a proper maintenance routine. Replacement parts and labor for heating and cooling systems are very expensive and total replacements cost an enormous amount of money as well.
Allergies and Odors
Air Duct cleaning is often required to provide a healthy environment for allergy sufferers. By cleaning your HVAC system you will significantly reduce the amount of allergens in the home or workplace.
Here are some do-it-yourself, cost- cutting, energy-saving HVAC tips that provide long term efficiency.
Another issue is the musty odor that dirty HVAC systems leave in your home. Dust, mold or mildew may be present in your HVAC system if this is an issue. Proper sanitizing and deodorizing can eliminate the smell within the system that is flowing through the air.
How does the process work?
During the cleaning process the HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (with a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Negative pressure allows fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne and harmful to people’s health. The negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are then collected and removed from your home.
With Steamatic you can be confident that we never perform an HVAC cleaning process before checking your system first to ensure that the service is required or not.
Wallpaper Cleaning Tips from Steamatic
However, cleaning your wallpaper still requires a bit of a commitment, so take these tips from Steamatic seriously and ensure you are bringing out the beauty in your home.
It’s usually a major job to clean wallpaper. Don’t risk ruining your beautiful wall because of a badly advised website telling you to use inferior or incompatible products with your wallpaper. We’ve got some useful cleaning tips below to help you remove dirt and grime and restore your wallpaper back to it’s original beauty without damaging it in the process.
What Kind of Wallpaper Do You Have?
It is important to cater your cleaning methods to the material of your wallpaper. This is crucial in the cleaning process. Some cleaning solutions are great and effective on some wallpapers, but could completely destroy, or in the very least, not clean another.
Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper
You can use more mild scrubbing tools with vinyl coated wallpaper, but never use abrasive cleanser! This could completely ruin your wallpaper.
Coated Fabric Wallpaper
Coated fabric is quite durable, but will not fare well against ink stains. Be wary of using it in a room where there are children.
Solid Vinyl Wallpaper
We would say that solid vinyl is the easiest to clean and maintain wallpaper available. it is resistant to grease and moisture, preventing major dirty accumulation. It is easily wiped and scrubbed, and there is a lot of freedom in terms of products you can use on it. It is a must in playrooms and children’s’ bedrooms.
Paper Wallpaper
Despite its simplistic beauty, plain paper wallpaper is quite tricky and sometimes annoying to upkeep. It absorbs dirt and moisture instantaneously and shows water stains more than any other type of wall paper.
Waterproof Wallpaper
This type of wallpaper is typically made from vinyl or acrylic. It should ideally be washed with mild cleansers, and never anything abrasive.
Spot Cleaning and Dusting Wallpaper
Dusting is, luckily, pretty easy and straightforward. Use extended dusters for hard to reach areas. After you have dusted, find those pesky fingerprints left behind and spot treat them. This is simple; all you need is a damp dish rag or towel.
General Wallpaper Cleaning
How To Clean Your Home After A Flood
The quicker the procedure is started, the better. It is important to remove existing water and dry out the area as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of mold and mildew, and stop further damage.
This involves pumping out the water, drying out the impacted area and its contents, and detecting hidden areas in which mold could potentially thrive. From the furniture to the subflooring, a complete assessment of the overall damage must be done. It is important to have knowledge on the best and safest way to do each and every step of the process.
Is this process one to be tackled alone, or is it more beneficial to hire a trained and experienced professional in the flood clean-up industry?
While many home and office owners may approach the situation as a DIY project for financial savings, their lack of experience and knowledge regarding such a problem may result in further damage to the structure and items inside it. Certified professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to work quickly and efficiently to solve this overwhelming problem.
From the removal of the water to the salvaging and restoration of the property, what can a professional in the industry offer that the typical home or business owner may not?
Companies specializing in this type of work will provide an adequate number of employees to address the situation promptly. They are equipped to evaluate the area and begin the clean-up process. While drying out the property is crucial, only a skilled professional will have the know-how to determine if disinfecting or other precautions are necessary based on the source of the water and the extent of the damage. Assessing for structural damage is an aspect that only skilled contractors with the proper moisture sensing equipment can perform, and if this task is not completed properly it could result in future complications.
They are aware of the precautions that must be taken like shutting off the electricity and natural gas to the area, and protecting themselves against possible animals that may have come in with the water. Those not trained in such work may put themselves at risk if unaware of these safety measures. In addition, a reputable company will be able to work as a liaison between the property owner and their insurance company when working through the claims process.
Restoration Process
The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage.
Water restoration companies may hire outside experts to assess a property and determine a water restoration and water removal plan. These water restoration companies typically use high-tech equipment and well-documented procedures to control water damage. Water in basement areas may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of a property will require extensive remediation.
Health Hazards
It is important to hire one of these water damage restoration companies as soon as possible after water damage occurs. Moisture promotes the growth of mold and other organisms, increasing the risk for serious health problems.
Mold exposure may aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Exposure may also increase the risk for respiratory diseases and other medical problems. Cleaning up immediately can help mitigate the health effects of water damage on everyone in a home or commercial space.
Make sure you take immediate action against water damage when you notice it the first time. Prolonging the restoration of water damage could produce very permanent and sometimes dangerous results.
Water Damage Classification
Water damage increases the chance of mold growth throughout the home which is also a pretty penny to have taken care of. Not only is mold unsightly and unwanted, but it could also carry along with it some serious health hazards for you and your family. Nevertheless, water damage is something you want to avoid- and take care of immediately when it occurs.
Common Causes of Water Damage
What causes water damage? There are various causes of water damage including:
Natural events such as floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain can also causes water damage and can lead to having water in the basement.
Once your home, or business sustains water damage it is vital the cleanup process is started as soon as possible. It increases the likelihood of salvaging items such as furniture, carpets, rugs and other items. The earlier you assess and restore your water damaged home and possessions, the less likely it is that there will be further damage. It will also reduce the chances of fungus, mold, and mildew growth, which brings forth its own set of complications.
The Different Categories & Classes Of Water Damage
Assessing the severity of your damage helps to determine what is needed to begin the repair process as well as water removal. Here are the categories and classes assigned to water damage:
Category 1 – Clean water or water that does not pose a threat to humans as it comes from a sanitary source. Ex; Sink overflowing
Category 2 – Also known as gray water. Water is contaminated and can cause sickness if ingested. This water contains microorganisms and often originates from dishwasher or washing machine overflow. Ex; Seepage, broken toilets.
Category 3 – Called black water, this type is unsanitary and contains bacteria that can cause sickness or death if consumed. Ex; Sewage problems, contaminated water from a flooded river.
Class 1 – This is the least harmful form of water damage. Materials absorb very little of the water, and this usually impacts a portion of space so repair is the easiest in this type of situation.
Class 2 – This water has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and sofa cushions may be damaged. The repair is more difficult with class 2 damage as it can include an entire room.
Class 3 – The fastest rate of evaporation and affects an entire space. Water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead source which can soak through the walls ,sub flooring furniture and insulation.
Class 4 – This class of damage requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This class of damage can affect non-porous surfaces, hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
If you have experienced water damage to your property, contact Steamatic as soon as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damage
Where does water damage usually come from?
Water damage can happen a few ways including; foundation leaks, burst pipes, appliance valve failures or poor drainage. Burst pipes, valve failures and sewage backups are among the most troublesome, as they can create several inches of water in just a few hours. Of course, water damage can happen out of sheer bad lack. For example, you could have an unfortunate accident during a severe thunder and rain storm. There are many ways that your home could become vulnerable to water damage.
What are the dangers related to water damage?
When water starts to pool, it can quickly soak through anything it comes in contact with. If the water is contaminated, organic materials such as fabric and wood will most likely need to be restored. This is likely because that contaminated liquid is the perfect host for microbes, viruses and bacteria. As an example, flood waters are usually infested with cholera, hepatitis and other diseases.
Mold is another primary concern when water collects. Mold can quickly spread throughout a house by releasing spores into the air. This means that a colony can reach parts of your home that may seem dry or unexposed. Usually, short hand exposure to mold is not a huge concern but the regular inhalation of spores can cause health complications including; nausea, respiratory infection, fatigue and deadly neurotoxic complications.
The longer the moisture is stagnant in the home, the more problems it can cause which results in additional expenses. It is important to act quickly and responsibly when dealing with any water or moisture accumulation, because time will almost certainly make matter worse. Do not wait!
How is water damage handled by technicians?
The first thing a technician will do is to remove any materials that have been compromised by water. This includes items such as; carpeting, baseboards, insulation, clothing, upholstery, and plywood. Once the items are removed, standing liquid will be pumped out and the area is dried and disinfected with industrial fans dehumidifiers and cleaners, this process can take several days.
As the drying process is happening, technicians will do a thorough inspection of the home for mold and any other microbes. This is a vital and crucial element of the inspection and ensures the safety of you and those in your home.
What kind of training should I look for when I hire a water damage restoration company?
When looking for a restoration company, ask them if they are trained by a respected organization such as the IICRC -Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Once you have verified that they are an accredited business, you should verify their credibility with their customers. Do some online research and see what other have to say about their performance and customer service.
Why Should You Hire A Professional For Water Damage Restoration?
Even if you find reliable and credited information to base your at home repairs on, your lack of professional equipment and training would make any and all restorations very, very difficult. Not only this, but these restorations may take your ten times as long as it would take a trained professional. Professionals that work in water restoration services are extremely efficient at their job and are well trained.
If you have sustained water damage in the home, now is not the time to sit around and debate the pros and cons of hiring a water restoration expert. Excess moisture can cause irreparable damage if you allow it to sit for a day or two. Our technicians goal is to remove any source of moisture in the home, clean any damage caused by excess moisture and dry out the area so it is inhabitable again. You’ll quickly find that Steamatic’s competitive and affordable pricing will ease your mind.
It is vital that homeowners use certified professionals, as you are trusting them to protect your health and safety once you are able to move back into the home. Only extensively trained professionals can offer you that peace of mind.
What kinds of Water Restoration Services do certified professionals offer?
Certified technicians can help with any types of damage caused by a flood. If there is any stagnant liquid, it will be vacuumed pumped out immediately as it can cause significant damages including warping ceilings.
Once the stagnant water has been removed, our professionals can assess the area, and remove anything that is not salvageable; items such as textiles, drywall and some types of wood.
The affected area is then sanitized with powerful solutions and dried out with industrial air movers and dehumidifiers. The process can take up to a few days depending on the severity of the damage.
At Steamatic to help the restoration process, we use a freeze dry method. We freeze items to solidify the water, and then gently heat them individually to evaporate the water before it can cause mould, mildew or deteriorate your items.
It is best to contact us within the first 24 hours so we can clean up water damage before secondary damages make themselves present.
What To Do When Your Home Has Water Damage
Contaminated storm surges or flood waters can transport pathogens and become a breeding ground for mold. If these mold spores are not taken care of, they can spread throughout the home or building, becoming even more difficult to remove. If the microbial threat is too great, government agencies can condemn the property.
Homes are very sensitive to water damage because the moisture content is difficult to detect once the flood waters recede. Stagnant liquid can promote microbial growth within 24 hours and can saturate all kinds of textiles and seep through your drywall.
Moisture can collect behind your walls, where mold and bacteria may multiply. If a family reacts promptly enough after water damage has occurred to their home, items such as clothes and furniture may be salvageable.
Before entering a home that has been affected by water damage, make sure that the electrical power has been shut off. There may be exposed wires or devices left plugged in that can electrocute people resulting in a major injury, or in the worst case, death.
When re-entering the building for the first time, you should make sure to move very slowly through it. Under the debris, reptiles or rodents can be hiding and may decide to bite if they feel any sort of threat. If you decide that you are going to enter the premises, wear protective clothing from head to toe to protect you from possible wildlife, as well as airborne contaminants. Don’t forget thick boots, rubber gloves and eye protection.
Normally, anything porous that has come in contact with contaminated fluids need to be discarded right away. Items including mattresses, box springs and pillows trap moisture quicker than other materials and encourage the growth of microbes.
If your home has suffered from water damage, you can help and prepare for professional cleaners by getting rid of all porous items such as those mentioned above before the cleaners arrive.
Professional cleaners will be able to find pockets of excess moisture, and remove them. The cleaners have special equipment that is able to measure the moisture content behind tiles and wall seven though the surface may not feel wet on the outside. These technicians are also able to quicken the drying process to prevent the growth of mold or harmful bacteria.
Hiring experienced, dependable, certified professionals is crucial. Technicians must be trained extensively in order to thoroughly remove any compromised areas in the home. The technicians at Steamatic are trained to identify and remove any threats or compromised areas and do what it takes to restore them.
With over 40 years of experience in assisting residents with water damage restoration services, we have seen it all. We utilize a number of different restoration techniques in order to help you and your family recover as fully as possible.
For the most effective results after water damage, you should contact us within 24 hours so we can begin our clean up process before secondary problems set in.
Steamatic’s Trauma Scene Cleanup
Steamatic offers a crime and trauma scene cleanup service that will be specifically tailored to your needs, we work quickly, efficiently, and respectfully while we keep the needs of you and your family members in mind. Our cleanup involves the removal of human blood and other bio-hazardous wastes following major accidents, accidental deaths, suicides or murders.
We use our special equipment and cleaning products to help remove traces of residue left behind by forensic measures and police activity. At times, substances like fingerprint powder, tear gas, pepper spray, or bullet residue can be left behind. We make it our goal to eliminate and sanitize the entire area in a quick and effective way.
Left over waste such as blood is considered a biohazard that must be removed and sanitized as soon as possible. Blood is a bodily fluid that can carry and transmit disease, and can become toxic if left too long. Odours from crime scenes, such as chemicals used to detect evidence can also be considered hazardous. When left untended to they can spread toxic fumes into the air and emit bacteria.
Hiring a service to handle your crime or trauma scene clean up can be of huge help to you after an incident. There are many codes and regulations that must be followed in regards to the removal of biohazardous waste and chemical clean up. Some scenes can be quite disturbing and brutal; leaving it to professionals who are used to seeing these type of things can be of strong benefit to you and your stomach too.
Whether you are just simply curious as to the process of crime and trauma scene clean up, or you would like use a service for something that has recently happened to you, Steamatic is prepared to answer any questions you may have. We strive to be able to help a family get back to their everyday lives after a traumatic event by ensuring there is no trace of what happened left in their home.
Give us a call or check out our website today. It happens in your monday-night television shows, but it can also happen in real life, so be prepared with Steamatic.
Steamatic’s Guide to Spotless Windows
Before you get out the bucket of water and soap, make sure it is a nice day with not too much sun or heat. Excess heat and light can cause your windows to dry to quickly and can be a main contributor to streaking on the glass.
Begin by grabbing everything you need, this should be a clean or lightly used sponge, lint-free cloths, a small and soft-bristled scrubbing brush, paper towels, a glass cleaner such as windex, and if you have a squeegee, it significantly helps.
You are going to begin by sucking up dirt and debris with a vacuum, hand held vacuums work best in this situation. By vacuuming the area before hand it seriously decreases the spread of dust, dander, and dirt getting back on your windows and makes for an easier clean. If there is window gunk in the corners or creases along your window sill, remove that with a stick-like attachment and an alcohol-water solution. This can be anything from a tooth pick to a cotton swab.<
Next, remove dust and cobwebs by hand with a dusting cloth, usually damp as this allows more debris to stick and be removed from the surface. Afterward, brush the areas of the windows with the scrub brush, use it dry first and then dip it in warm, slightly soapy water and continue to scrub. Use plain water on a lint-free cloth to remove the next layer, and if you have a squeegee this is prime time to pull the water away from the surface. The squeegee with help to eliminate streaks as it cleans and dries almost immediately. Use the sponge to once more go over the windows, picking up anything you may have missed and dry with the lint-free cloth.
The final step is to use a cleaner, such as Windex for example, to shine the glass up and completely remove and streaks. Spray this directly on the window and wipe with a new paper towel for each spray.
The window will dry leaving no streaks behind.
If you are tired of stressing over your windows, if they have gone years without cleaning and you are not sure where to even start, try our tips and get that streak-free, sunny day shine.
