The long-term effects of Water Damage

Whether caused by a flooding or a simple leak in the roof, water damage can have catastrophic consequences on your home. While destroying your property, your furniture, electronics, it goes so far as to put your health at serious risk. Not to mention the damage it does to the resale value of your home.

Heavy rain, quick melting of snow, flash floods increase the possibility of water damage, made worse if your home lacks adequate waterproofing. Causes for water damage can range from a flood to a broken pipe, a sewer backup, broken fixtures, plumbing leaks, foundation cracks, clogged toilets, 
overflowing washing machines, 
faulty drainage systems, etc.

Water damage tends to start out unseen. The first and most critical step to fixing it is detecting it. It is important to have it remediated as soon as possible to prevent it from causing problems some of which are listed below.

Discoloration and Sagging

The unmistakable sign of a leak is discoloration of the ceiling, the beams roofing underlayment or of the walls. This can be considered the most minimal long-term water damage. When water accumulates in one spot resulting in a sudden bulge or change in the ceiling or walls, it causes the structure to ‘sag’.

Structural Damage

When a leak occurs, water seeps into drywall and gets absorbed. It causes the material to warp, chip or swell. If not treated quickly enough, it poses danger to the home’s structure.

• Constant exposure to water can result in the growth of fungi or mould, which then rots the structural wood. A worst case scenario is when the area at risk is an important structure of the house, like a support beam. It is of paramount importance to fix the leak and repair the damage. If ignored, it might just bring your roof down. 

• Concrete is more durable than wood. But, in cases such as flood damage, the accumulation of moisture in cracks and crevices can cause a host of problems including corrosion of steel inside the concrete structure.
• Water damage can also affect electrical wiring, the electrical circuit box, and electrical equipment in the house. This could risk the occurrence of power breakdowns at the least, and in worse situations, electrical burns and electrocution. 

Mildew and Mould 

One of the most common consequences of water damage is the growth and spread of mould in the house. Moisture trapped in a confined space quickly invites these microscopic fungi which destroy everything they touch and then continue to spread to other areas. Mould can potentially weaken the framework where a leak is located, thereby weakening the foundation of your home.

Health Risks

Mould produces spores, which when come into contact with water, proliferate, and begin to pollute the air. This poses a serious health risk. From aggravating allergy and asthma symptoms, from causing breathing difficulties, to respiratory diseases, mould affects children, the elderly and people whose immune systems have already been compromised.

As soon as a residence or any structure has been compromised by water damage, immediate cleanup and remediation is very important. If it is extensive, and you attempt to treat it yourself, you may not manage 100% damage control. In time, the lingering effects of the damage may come back to haunt your home and family. Your safest move would be to call in the professionals. Bio Cleanse Services is all equipped to help you in your toughest times. Call us on 0412 547 547 or visit our website to know more.

What should one do if a pipe bursts

A pipe burst can happen any moment and cause severe water damage to your home. If you find yourself in a situation where a pipe has burst it is important to take the following steps to minimise the water damage and cost of repair.

Shut off the water Supply:

First and foremost, turn off the main water supply to stop the water flow. Next, turn on all the cold faucets to drain out all the water. This will help to ease the existing pressure in the pipes. Then switch off the heating system and turn on all the hot taps to release all the remaining water. Don't forget to flush all the toilets. Once all the water has been drained, there will be no leakages.

Locate the break:

It is important to find out which pipe and where exactly it burst to avoid further damages. Once you've identified that, you will get an idea of what should be your next step. For example, if the burst occurred due to a tiny crack, you can fix the issue by patching it up. If the break or crack is in the main water pipe, it should be handled and repaired cautiously.

Reach out to professionals:

If there are any water damages, immediately switch off the main electricity supply and do not touch any wet appliances. In situations where cleaning and repair is beyond your capacity, it is important to call a professional water damage restoration company to clean, dry and restore your home. Simultaneously, hire a professional plumber to repair or replace the burst pipes. And if the house has suffered any electrical damages, for instance, if the wiring has been damaged, call a reliable electrician to repair it. Do not attempt to clean and repair on your own as this could be dangerous or further worsen the damage.

Contact your Insurance company:

In an event like this, it is best to file an insurance claim by approaching your insurance company. The insurance agent will advise you what steps need to be taken to process your insurance claim. The insurance agent will come and assess the extent of water damage in your home. Documentation of the damage is a must and this can be done using a digital/video camera.

Preventive measures:

No doubt, it is easy to call some professionals to repair a damaged pipe and restore a water-damaged home. Yet, it is important to take precautionary steps to avoid such damages in the first place. Taking preventive measures is much simpler than fixing burst pipes and restoring a home and doesn't even burn a hole in one's pocket.

For expert water damage restoration services, turn to Bio Cleanse Services. Our restoration efforts will ensure that your home is returned to you damage free. To know more, call us on 0412 547 547.

9 Questions To Help You Declutter

Contact Us for an effective 'Hoarding Cleanup Service' in Sydney 0412 547 547.  

Why do you Need Professional Cleaning for Sharps and Needles?

Sharps is a medical term objects that possess a sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut the skin. Needles and syringes can be found in a variety of places including home, office or while you’re travelling somewhere. It’s best to stay clear of these objects as they could have been used for a variety of applications such as to manage the medical conditions of people or their pets, including allergies, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, infertility, migraines, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, blood clotting disorders, and psoriasis. Sharps and needles waste includes syringes, razors, knives, lancets, scissors, fishing hooks, insulin pen tips, pins, broken bottles, scalpels and EpiPens.

Due to all the potential dangerous used needles and other sharps carry, the proper disposal of these is paramount. It is best to dispose these in an FDA cleared sharps and needles disposal container or have a professional cleaning of sharps and needles done. Later being a better option as they not only properly dispose these objects but also take care of all the other contaminants and chemicals that could be associated with them. It is imperative that any spotting of needles and sharps is quickly reported and asked to be handled by trained professionals.

Sharps and needles have several dangers associated with them. They can cause severe infections to humans as well as our beloved pets. A simple cut or a wound from these objects can expose you various deadly viruses depend on what the sharp or needle has come in contact with, such as a chemical, harmful or biological material. If the needle or sharp has come in contact with blood, body fluids or cell lines, then there is chance of you catching a blood born disease such as Hepatitis B or C or HIV. There could be several other risks like, if the needle is dirty, it could give rise to Tetanus.

It is important that these objects are disposed in the correct way and we at Bio-Cleanse Services make sure that they are. Our team of trained and specialised sharps and needle clean up experts who work methodically and systematically to ensure that the area is left in a safe and a sharps and needle free area. Call now on “0427 411 789” to know more about our services or visit our website.

An insight into crime scene cleaning

Crime Scene Cleaners

If you have ever encountered a crime scene investigation, you would have a fair idea of how messy and chaotic a crime scene can get. But have you ever pondered what happens once the police, ambulance, and investigators have left the site? Well, there is a whole lot of cleaning left to do, more than one can imagine. And this is where the second responders, the crime scene cleaners come into the picture. Their job is intricate as they have to restore a bio-hazardous site to a safe and inhabitable state without leaving any trace of the horrific event behind. These cleaners possess the necessary knowledge, equipment and not forgetting experience to deal with the nastiest of crime scene events. Here's an insight into crime scene cleaning.

Home Restoration

Cleaning after a crime scene goes beyond any ordinary cleaning. Crime scenes include discharge of bodily fluids like blood and other matter that may contain deadly pathogens making the site a highly contaminated environment. And these fluids embed in surfaces, carpets, and furniture making it impossible to clean with regular cleaning supplies. Remediation of a crime site is done by experienced technicians who use state of the art equipment. And the bio-hazardous waste is disposed of in proper containers and items that cannot be salvaged are also discarded carefully.

Tackling Worst Case Scenarios

Based on the intensity of the crime, crime scene cleaning varies from one situation to another. In tragic events like brutal murders and painful suicides, the situation can be emotionally disturbing for the victim's family. Which is why crime scene cleanup involves cleaning and decontaminating the site in a careful and compassionate manner without causing further pain and worry to the family. No matter how horrific the situation is, the cleaners do a thorough cleanup to ensure that the place is hazard free and safe to reside in.

Comforting Families

Crime scene cleaning demands not only passion but also compassion. As the environment is already tense, the cleaners have to carry out their work without further affecting any family member's emotions. Alongside cleaning, the cleaners have to dispose of sentimental items in a careful manner without upsetting any of the family members. A clean up of this kind requires a high level of understanding for what the family may be going through and making them feel supported and comforted in their crisis.

Reaching out to Crime Scene Cleaners

For any kind of crime scene cleaning, be it a less or highly intense situation, it is important to call for the services of a professional crime scene cleaning company. If you experience a crime in your surrounding and have no idea whom to reach out to, give us a call immediately. Our cleaning crew has dealt with challenging crime scene situations and managed to restore sites to their original state. 

We will surely be there in your difficult times and take charge of all the cleanup. To know more about our services and how we can help, call us on  0427 411 789.

What Happens When an Unattended Death Occurs?

An unattended death is when a person dies and the body is not discovered for days or longer period of time. Unattended deaths are not uncommon because many people live alone now-a-days. These people tend to keep to themselves and do not socialize as much as others. Hence, when they pass away, it takes longer for someone to know that they are gone.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy for the family members. And handling the clean-up can be even more traumatic. The family should not have to deal with this mess alone. It is best to avail of the services of professional cleaners to thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas. The technician will ensure there is no further damage to your property.

As the body decomposes, it releases body fluids and potentially harmful bacteria that can make one sick and negatively affect the home and environment. There are generally five stages of decomposition:

Fresh: This stage begins immediately after the heart stops beating and visible changes caused by decomposition are limited. The small amount of oxygen remaining in the body is quickly depleted. The body releases enzymes that begin eating the cells from the inside out.

Bloat: This stage provides the first clear visual sign that microbial proliferation is underway. The accumulation of gases within the bodily cavity leads to the distention of the stomach and gives a cadaver its overall bloated appearance. The build-up of pressure along with the loss of the skin elasticity may also cause the body to rupture.

Active Decay:  During this period there is greatest mass loss. This happens due to maggots feeding of the body and the purging of decomposition fluids into the surrounding environment. This leads to strong and offensive odours being emitted.

Advanced Decay: The body loses most of its mass during this stage as its soft tissue decomposes and all organs, muscles, and skin become liquefied. By the end of this stage only hair, bones and cartilage remain. 

Dry/Remains/Skeletonization: After most of the body tissues have decayed and been eaten away by insects, the skeleton is still greasy from the remaining soft tissues and body fluids. Over time, those tissues lose moisture and begin to dry out and break down from environmental factors. Eventually, only the skeleton will remain, completely exposed and free from any tissues and fluids.

Bio Cleanse Services provides unattended death cleanup services to families and property owners. Our bioremediation specialists wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow approved safety and sanitation procedures to prevent the spread of diseases and bacteria.

Let us help lift the burden of the cleaning process, off your shoulders so you can begin moving on from this traumatic event. We service the areas of Sydney, Goulburn, Batemans Bay, Canberra & surrounding suburbs of NSW. Call now on 0412 547 547 or visit our website.

Steps to Meth Lab Cleaning

Picture Credits : Flickr

Meth (methamphetamine) labs, used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine, turn up in houses, apartments, motel rooms, sheds, trailers and even motor vehicles. Any house that has been used to cook meth can still have the harmful chemicals present in the vicinity even though the cooking has stopped. Thorough cleaning is required before you can start to live in the house or an apartment which has been previously used as meth labs.

Cleaning of meth labs is essential as the fumes contain harmful chemicals that give rise to a number of health problems like headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathing problems or respiratory irritation and, skin and eye irritation

Here are some tips for meth property cleaning:

1. First and foremost, determine if the property was used for meth lab cooking. And if so, to what extent?
2. After being seized, the property is aired out, decontaminated and closed for security reasons by the professionals. This short term airing-out is not enough for the area. Therefore it is necessary to air out the area before and during the cleaning process. Air out the property for at least 3 to 5 days.
3. Before starting any cleaning process, wear certified protective gear like gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. Respirators that offer protection against fumes are recommended.
4. Get rid of all the unnecessary items and dispose them properly.
5. Get rid of all the visibly contaminated objects or items that have odour. Most of the area in the vicinity of the cooking kit will be full of stains. Its best to get rid of it.
6. All the surfaces need to be properly cleaned with adequate cleaning methods, keeping personal healthcare in mind.
7. The ventilation system carries the air around in the house and particularly has most of the fumes sediment. Cleaning the ventilation is very important before starting to reside in the premises again.
8. Leave the plumbing and any additional odour removal to the professionals.

Meth lab cleaning is a complicated process involving the use of many counter chemicals in order to neutralize the effect of the existing chemicals used to cook meth.  It is highly advisable to hire expert professionals for meth lab cleaning.

We, Bio Cleanse Services, cover all aspects such as assessing the property, devising a solution, removal and disposal of hazardous chemicals, property cleanup, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVACs), High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuuming, decontamination of property, sanitisation of property and post sampling to ensure that it is chemical free and safe to occupy. Our service areas are Goulburn, Canberra, Batemans Bay and surrounding areas of NSW. Visit our website to know more about our services or call on 0427 411 789.