Recent Biohazard Posts

Biohazard Remediation

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

Biohazard contaminants should be considered very dangerous as they can cause serious potential health effects. Sewer backups and flood water are two common biohazard scenarios that can affect homes and businesses. SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to safely clean and restore this type of contamination.

Need Biohazard Cleanup? Call Us Today – 830-379-7474

After any biohazard or sewage contamination in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

  • Is it safe to stay in the house?
  • Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious potential health effects.
  • Flood water can contain sewage, pesticides, and other contaminants.
  • Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.

What to Do After a Contamination

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
  • Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
  • Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Contamination

  • Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don’t use television or other household appliances.
  • Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

24 Hour Emergency Service

Biohazards like flood water or sewer backups should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties has water damage restoration specialists and has specific training and expertise to safely remediate biohazard contaminants.

Biohazard Cleanup in Schertz, TX

10/27/2020 (Permalink)

Need Biohazard Cleanup Services? Call Us Today – (830) 379-7474

What is a biohazard cleanup?

Biohazard cleanup is a blanket term covering all the cleaning and decontamination work involving biological fluids and matter. There are a number of causes that could warrant a biohazard cleanup, otherwise known as biohazard remediation. Accidental death, unattended death, suicide, and crime scene cleanup are the most frequent causes that require biohazard cleaning. However, there is really no limit to the potential causes that may require a professional biohazard company to perform bioremediation work.

An easier way to approach the question is to take into consideration what needs to be cleaned. Any biological fluid (anything originating from within a human), including blood, feces, vomit, and more, are all potentially harmful if not properly disposed of. Common incidents that require biohazard cleanup involve death.

The process of cleanup is thorough and intensive because of health hazards caused by exposure to biological fluids. Our technicians are properly equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as specialized tools to clean any biohazardous material safely and thoroughly. 

Examples of Bioremediation we have cleaned include:

  • Unattended death
  • Suicide
  • Hoarding
  • Trauma
  • Pathogens
  • Rodent infestation
  • Crime Scenes

The nature and extent of the cleaning will determine the necessary steps in biohazard cleanup.

When should I call a biohazard cleaning company?

The affected area in a biohazard cleanup needs to be treated as soon as possible. Understandably, in the case of unattended deaths, this may not occur.  In many other situations, it is important to call SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties as soon as possible to schedule a time for cleaning.  

There are a number of reasons you should call quickly. As biological fluids deteriorate on surfaces in your home or business, they begin to let off an odor that can quickly render the area uninhabitable. Biological fluids, such as blood, easily seep through cracks and holes, causing extensive damage. This makes the remediation work more difficult by the day. What one might consider a small issue can quickly turn into an odor that renders the area unlivable. The longer an odor lingers in the affected area, the more drastic measures will be needed to properly complete the bioremediation.

If you find yourself asking when you should call about biohazard cleanup, the answer is probably right now.

Why do I need a professional to handle biohazard cleanup and biohazard waste?

The longer it takes to get a biohazard cleaned, the more risk there is to anyone in contact with the site of bloodborne pathogens.  Biohazard risks are a major concern and the reason that remediation has to be done properly and professionally. In this case, out of sight, out of mind isn't safe. One cannot simply wipe or hose off the affected area and expect the issue to be resolved. In fact, bloodborne pathogens are more hazardous than you would expect. Every 1 in 24 Americans have HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. These diseases, and the risk of exposure, cannot be taken lightly.

These bloodborne pathogens can survive up to 16 days after the death, meaning the risk continues long after the incident that necessitates a biohazard cleanup.  Because of such serious risks, our crews follow all safety protocols and contain, sanitize, and decontaminate all affected and potentially affected areas.

Our teams use specialized disinfectants and sanitizers to guarantee a safe environment after cleaning. Some materials and items are not safe to remain in the residence or building. These biohazardous waste items need to be properly disposed of in biohazard disposal bags. These bags are then boxed and taken for proper medical incineration disposal. Disposal of this material is required by law and is one of many reasons you need a professional to handle your biohazardous needs.

There are plenty of cleaning crews that might say they can take care of your bioremediation needs, but all cleaning should be handled by experienced crews.

We Are Here to Help With Any Biohazard Cleanups

When it comes to choosing the right people for your biohazard cleanup, there are a few things to consider.  You want to choose a reputable and experienced biohazard cleaning company. SERVPRO has provided this service for over 50 years and has technicians prepared to help. We have completed biohazard cleaning for all kinds of situations including crime scenes, trauma, and suicide cleanup.

With partnerships around Schertz, Cibolo, and San Antonio for safe disposal of biohazardous waste, our team at SERVPRO has the knowledge, experience, and resources to make your biohazard situation, “Like it never even happened.”

We understand that these calls are often the result of life-changing events such as unexpected and untimely deaths. Our staff is professional, patient, and empathetic towards your needs.

We know biohazard cleaning situations aren’t easy, and we are here to help.  

Our crews are available dispatch for 24-hour emergencies every day of the year.  We can be reached 24/7 at (830)-379-7474.  Call us any time.

We Are Cleaning Experts!

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

Pro-active Cleaning for Coronavirus COVID19, Influenza, and other Biohazards

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties, 830-379-7474

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html