Hire an expert to clean up flood mess

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Hire an expert to clean up flood mess

Published Friday May 9th, 2008

Disaster Make sure bacteria killed properly, say restoration

specialists

Telegraph-Journal - Saint ,New Brunswick,Canada*

michelle porter

telegraph-journal

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/291274

JOHN - As floodwaters recede, leaving mould and bacteria in their

wake, two disaster restoration specialists want to get the message

out: Hire only certified professionals to do the cleanup.

" The big thing is to make sure the bacteria is killed properly, "

said Dick Hickey of Hickey Bros Disaster Kleenup.

" We know that the floodwaters are considered grossly contaminated.

It's sewage, basically, and in that water, mould spores can start to

grow quickly, within six hours. "

Hickey said the only way to be certain the job is done properly is

to make sure the company hired to do the cleanup is certified by the

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration.

In a press release issued by the institute, flood victims are warned

to " beware of scam artists " who are not professionally

certified. " When approached by any company for water restoration

services, ask to see the technician's official IICRC wallet card

that confirms training and certification, " the press release reads.

The majority of insurance companies cover only certified cleanup

professionals, Hickey said.

Different species of mould can cause different kinds of illnesses,

from respiratory problems to cancer.

" Typically mould affects those whose immune system is at risk. The

very young, the very old, someone recovering from an operation,

pregnant women. Those are the ones who have to be especially

careful, " he said.

Kim McCurdy, owner of Service Master and a flood victim herself,

said professional certified cleanup companies have the kind of

industrial equipment necessary to dry flooded floors and walls.

" These are grossly unsanitary conditions we are dealing with. This

is a safety issue.

" It doesn't have to have floaties and toilet paper in it to be

sewage, " she said, adding that the waters have been exposed to

septic tanks, dead animals, diesel, chemicals and other contaminants.

In these kinds of waters, protocol calls for the removal of dry

wall, carpeting, underlay, flooring, insulation and anything that is

wet. The area is dried using special equipment, scrubbed with water

and treated with an anti-mircrobial solution.

Cutting corners could allow bacteria to live and cause problems

years into the future.

She said only a certified disaster restoration technician can

properly assess the damage, potential areas of contamination and

create the best cleanup plan.

" Many people think, 'I'll suck up the water, crank up the heat and

open the window.' But that may actually provide the moist warm

environment that mould likes, " McCurdy said.

Even children's toys can be contaminated, if they were submerged,

McCurdy said. Balls and toys with air holes in the bottom cannot be

cleaned.

" You can clean the exterior of the toy. But you cannot clean the

interior and that's where the bacteria grows, " she said.

If you do attempt cleanup on your own, protect yourself by wearing

an organic vapour respirator, along with rubber gloves, eye

protection and protective clothing, McCurdy said.