SERVPRO of El Centro offers Biohazard Cleaning

1/2/2023 (Permalink)

You can call on SERVPRO of El Centro to help with Bio Hazard.

Depend on SERVPRO for Certified Technicians Remediate Commercial Biohazard Contamination in the El Centro Area

A range of different events can cause biohazard contamination in your commercial building. Trauma and crime scenes, long-term dangerous building materials, and events such as sewage spills or fire damage.

Who Is Responsible for Crime Scene Cleanup?

If a commercial building is the site of a crime, injury, or death, once the first responders leave, the cleanup is usually the responsibility of the property owners. This realization can be shocking and worrisome as budgeting for this type of service is not in the typical business plan. Make sure to inform your insurance company, as claims for abatement after trauma or crime are often covered. We are familiar with the documentation needed and always offer to help act as a liaison with your carrier.

What Kinds of Biohazards Can SERVPRO Mitigate and Remediate?

If a traumatic injury or even death is the underlying event, we clean a disinfect the location for the following contaminants:

• Blood
• Tissue
• Other bodily fluids
• Drug residues

When police or other safety officers responded to a crime in progress and perform a post-crime investigation, the hazardous materials present can also include but are not limited to:

• Tear gas and pepper spray residues
• Evidence gathering residues
• Chemicals from illegal substance manufacture

During construction, water or fire damage remediation, and stand-alone inspections, hazardous materials and microbial growth can halt progress because of the presence of:

• Asbestos
• Lead, usually as paint
• Molds
• Mildew
• Chemicals discovered or spilled

Can My Housekeeping Staff or Contracted Cleaning Company Handle the Cleanup?

Regardless of the source of biohazardous waste in your commercial space, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and rules apply during the abatement. The hazardous substances can be injurious to health via skin contact or inhalation. SERVPRO's biohazard technicians earn and are current with all certifications required before we send them to your property. It is unlikely that your day-to-day cleaning staff has the specialized training, equipment, or certification necessary to remediate the scene lawfully.

How Are My Customers and Employees Protected During Biohazard Remediation?

We contain the affected area, sometimes with a series of "clean" to "contaminated" rooms for technician and occupant safety and offloading debris without spreading contaminants. We wrap the workspace with 1.6 mil polyethylene to prevent the dispersal of any airborne hazards during the remediation. Negative pressure air scrubbing technology confines even microscopic particles during the project, forcing them through HEPA filtration for particle capture. Our crew wears personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their health. We use containment, such as plastic barriers, to prevent the spread of contamination.

Are Permits and Specific Hazardous Waste Site Disposal Required?

Every locale follows protocols to ensure the safety and health of occupants of contaminated buildings, the general public, and biohazard remediation crews. Expecting business owners to become hazardous waste remediation and disposal specialists is unrealistic. Our mission when developing a biohazard cleanup plan for your commercial space includes our commitment to obtaining all needed permits and following appropriate procedures from containment through discarding hazardous substances and materials. You can have confidence that a nightmare of bureaucratic requirements does not follow your stress of needing biohazard cleanup. We are experts and walk you step by step through the process.

Speaking of Stress--Will Biohazard Remediation Cause My Workforce to Relive the Trauma?

We prioritize sensitivity training for our biohazard cleanup crews. The aftermath of a tragedy or the fear inspired by potential exposure to injurious substances or chemicals is incredibly distressing and disturbing. Although we indeed refer you to other professionals for questions about a biohazard scenario's mental or physical health effects, our entire team treats your crisis and the individuals affected with respect and compassion throughout the project.

Are Repair and Rebuilding Services Available?

A long list of structural damage issues can follow the completion of remediation. We hold a California general contractor license and can transition from remediation to helping repair  and build back, including:

• Wall, ceiling, and floor removal, repair, and replacement
• Door and window replacement and rehanging 
• Carpet and pad cleaning, removal, and installation
• Repairing and resurfacing
• Furniture repair and cleaning

Crafting a response to a biohazard cleanup emergency is uncharted territory for most business owners. SERVPRO of El Centro and Salton City stands ready to help with certified technicians and the specialized equipment needed. Call (760) 337-5858 day or night to review your options at this difficult time.

Contractor Licenses:

CSLB: 978462

SERVPRO provides "Certified" cleaning

11/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRP provides special cleaning for biohazard situations.

Helping Companies Get Back to Business and Consumers to be Safe

Since 2020, El Centro, Yuma, and the other cities across our region have experienced business closures due to Covid 19. Companies had to perform special cleaning precautions before they could re-open. Life during the on-going Covid situation is certainly new kind of normal.

It was determined that the major spread of the virus is by people-to-people through the air. However, the expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have changed from what it use to be before Covid-19. 

Today, we still remain concerned about being safe from potential infections.

The global COVID-19 pandemic with new waves of mutated Covid is top of mind for many consumers and citizens. That is why SERVPRO Industries continues to offer a cleaning program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected by the public.

"Certified SERVPRO Cleaned "is a cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current and changing COVID-19 cleaning protocols. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products at SERVPRO Industries headquarters in Gallatin, TN; to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch-points, foot traffic, and congested locations.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting  equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call SERVPRO of El Centro today for a free consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City today at (760) 337-5858 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA-approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO-certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Bio-Hazard Cleaning Must follow Safe Protocols

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are trained to perform safe BIO-HAZARD CLEANUP.

For Trauma Scene Cleanup, Reach Out to SERVPRO of El Centro for Prompt and Compassionate Assistance.

No one expects or can predict the need for the cleanup of a trauma scene in El Centro. Many trauma scenarios can happen and result in the need for professional help to respond to the cleanup of the situation's aftermath.  Not just any cleaning company can provide you or the authorities with the level of services required. It takes a company experienced, trained, and certified in trauma scene recovery. 

What Are the Specific Circumstances Considered to be Trauma Scene Cleanup?

• General crime scenes

Includes the removal of evidence-gathering residues such as teargas, pepper spray, chemicals to highlight organic wastes and splatter, and fingerprint powder, among others)

• Suicide, homicide, and unattended death 

Includes bodily fluids and tissue removal on surfaces and spaces where those substances migrated (cracks, crevices, subfloors, building cavities). It can require the use of agents to illuminate the migration of infectious and otherwise dangerous substances.

• Infectious disease, viral, and microbial contamination

Includes specialized cleaning treatments using EPA-registered products to thoroughly remove microbial from the indoor environment.

• Illegal Drug Distribution or Manufacturer 

Includes containing and clean-up of the space and residues with exceptional care because the remnants and residues of drugs can be deadly when inhaled or contaminate a person's skin.

Should I Perform the Cleaning Myself?

Consumer cleaning products are inadequate for safely and thoroughly removing the types of residues found at trauma scenes. A person can unwittingly put themself and their family in harm's way by not knowing the risks and the correct protocols. Because of the many potential dangers, our employees wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard against infection, ingestion, absorption (through skin contact), or inhalation of the biohazards encountered. Our professional trauma scene cleanup technicians are trained and have earned certifications in this discipline. This is not a job for the amateur.  

Who Pays for the Cleanup?

Insurance policies often cover the cleanup costs. In other situations, public agencies may take on the cost or recommend funding sources.

Trauma Scene Cleanup Technicians Understand the Emotional Difficulties 

As part of their training, our technicians learn about the emotional toll that crimes and trauma scenes take on you, your loved ones, and your business associates. Expect our crew to treat you and the others with respect, empathy, and compassion during every project.

The specially trained and certified trauma cleanup team at SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City is ready 24/7 to deliver professional services promptly and compassionately. Call us at (760) 337-5858 

We can handle Biohazard Cleanup.

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't mess with biohazardous contamination.

How Should I Handle Biohazard Cleanups In El Centro?

When you think of biohazard material, your mind probably flashes back to a television show featuring biological agents as part of a terrorist plot.  Or, you may think of the biohazard warning signs present on industrial buildings.  What most homeowners may not realize is that there may be some biohazards in their homes in the form of cleaning chemicals. 

There are property damage events that may happen that will contaminate a structure. Whenever floodwaters or sewage are present, bacteria will threaten your health. Even clear-water flooding can trigger the growth of nasty microbes in the indoor environment.

Part of our training and certification is done through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) involves the understanding of practical restoration efforts when infectious waste is present.  Whether contamination comes from body fluids, sewage water, or even triggered by clean water flooding our knowledgeable staff treats each job with the utmost caution to protect the health of all involved.  Protection usually implies the use of protective personal equipment (such as gloves, overalls, and goggles) as well as having immunizations relevant to the task at hand.
 When our SERVPRO technicians become aware of the presence of mold, they may go as far as to wear masks or purifying respirators to protect themselves.  The goal is to avoid any direct contact with the contaminants throughout the cleanup process.  Additionally, you may see our team setting up containment areas to avoid spreading pollutants.  SERVPRO technicians follow established guidelines and local ordinances concerning the disposal of biohazard materials. 

Consider SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City to be your partner if you ever require biohazard cleanup.  Just call us at (760) 337-5858.

Is It Better to Remove Asbestos or Leave It?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Do You Think Asbestos is an Issue in Your Business or Home? Call SERVPRO Today!

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Knowledge to Perform Asbestos Abatement in Your El Centro Home

Asbestos was widely used in homes and commercial properties from the 1930s until the 1970s. If your structure got built during that time frame, chances are good; there may be asbestos-containing elements in various places unless a previous professional abatement has occurred. The general rule from the EPA is to leave any materials that contain asbestos alone unless you are making upgrades to your home that have the potential to disturb the asbestos or otherwise release it into the air. 

Can SERVPRO Perform Asbestos Abatement Safely?

One of the most common scenarios for needing asbestos abatement in an El Centro home is the updating of a room in an older home. Asbestos can be present in

• Vintage floor tiles and adhesives
• Older sheetrock
• In the duct and pipe insulation
• Old insulation such as Vermiculite 

The Abatement Process Requires Detailed Attention 

People frequently use encapsulants to seal the asbestos, but these applications only work as long as the seal holds, and eventually, it may need removal. The technicians contain an area with asbestos before the removal process begins to inhibit the potential for any cross-contamination from occurring. Standard methods of containment are:

• The use of polyethylene film sealed with duct tape around the work site
• Negative air pressure machines fitted with HEPA filters to capture and port away any airborne particulate during the abatement while delivering fresh air into the work area
• Sealing off of vents in the room

Can a Vacuum with HEPA Filtration Remove Asbestos?

SERVPRO technicians have both handheld and larger-sized vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up debris and trap particles as diverse as soot and dried mold colonies. They are not safe for the removal of asbestos. It requires a specialized class H vacuum designed for cleaning up during and after the removal of the asbestos materials.

Safety First During the Abatement of Asbestos

When SERVPRO handles the removal of asbestos, they prioritize safety for all and follow the law. The chief hazard in asbestos is the mineral Chrysotile, a fibrous substance that can be harmful when it becomes airborne and gets aspirated or ingested. For this reason, along with containment, the techs wear head-to-toe PPE gear, including respirators.

There are different methods for handling removal, and it depends on whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable. If it can crumble easily and visibly white and powdery, it is friable. Non-friable asbestos is within other materials, and unless cut, sanded, or sawed, it does not tend to become airborne.

Replacement and Repair of Removed Building Materials

When asbestos-containing things get removed from a home, there are often needed repairs. With their general contractor license #CSLB: 978462, SERVPRO can go directly from the abatement process into any needed reconstruction to ensure the home gets returned to its preloss condition and is ready for safe habitation. 

SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City at (760) 337-5858 can handle the safe asbestos abatement in your home. Our technicians have extensive training in the mitigation and disposal of biohazard materials, call today.

Learn more about El Centro.