Call SERVPRO of Ames to Remove Sewage Water Safely

8/17/2020 (Permalink)

Many Story and Boone County homeowners have recently experienced a double whammy from both water damage and power outages after an unprecedented derecho storm ripped through the state. This problem combination makes homes susceptible to mold growth and harmful bacteria or viruses, especially when the floodwater includes sewage. Porous materials like carpet, carpet pads and insulation are breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, which can quickly cause foul odor and risk of severe illness from mold spores or dangerous pathogens. The sooner you can start cleaning up after water damage, the sooner you can stop mold and bad bacteria from growing in susceptible areas of your house.

Carpets and pads that have been damaged by sewage immediately need to be removed and disposed of since this is considered a category-3 loss. Sewage damage is the most dangerous form of water cleanup because the possibility of blood-borne pathogens and other contaminants is high.

If a company were to just clean sewage-damaged carpet, assuming it seemed fine, there is no guarantee the carpet would be clean or safe. Once the room became warm, you would almost immediately smell the sewage that was left behind in the carpet. This indicates bacteria or mold remains and would still leave you and your family in danger.

Sewage leaves too many unknowns for a company to assume a cleaning is enough to take care of the problem. The possibility of remaining fecal matter and disease-causing pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli put you and your family at high risk. 

Our staff at SERVPRO of Ames is trained to handle sewage damage safely and effectively. We make sure that we eliminate all the contaminants that pose health risks and never take shortcuts. We do it well and we do it right. If your home has had any amount of water damage, give us a call right away to come take care of it for you. You can reach us any time, day or night, at (515) 233-4544.

SERVPRO of Ames helping fight

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ames is here during this tough time to help keep you safe and healthy.

About the Coronavirus:

The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus is known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Scope of Cleanup Protocol:

SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning:

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including:

• Kitchen/Food Areas

• Bathrooms

• Schools/Classrooms

• Offices • Retail Spaces

• Water Fountains

• Shelving and Racks

• Sales Counters

• Carpets and rugs

• Stair Handrails

• Elevator Cars

• Playground Equipment

• Fitness Equipment

Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures:

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of waste.

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.

During this tough time, we just want you to know that SERVPRO of Ames is here to help residents and businesses in Ames, Boone and surrounding areas. Call us with any questions or concerns at (515) 233-4544.

How to Help Yourself and Your Loved Ones During COVID-19

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. 

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.  

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include

• Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
• Children and teens
• People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
• People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Wear a facemask if you are sick

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

For any concerns with keeping your areas clean and preventing any spreading of viruses in your own home, give us a call at (515)233-4544. We are here to help you all throughout this tough time.