Month: December 2022

what types of microorganisms are considered a biological hazard

Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites, and Fungi: What Type of Hazard Are They Considered?

Written by adleverage on December 30, 2022. Posted in Biohazard Cleanup. No Comments on Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites, and Fungi: What Type of Hazard Are They Considered?

Do you need urgent biohazardous materials disposal in Los Angeles? Call Restorerz Emergency Services at (323) 997-4978 for speedy, professional services.

With uncountable numbers of microscopic organisms on earth, it’s important to distinguish between harmless and harmful microorganisms. Thanks to centuries of research, we know more about these organisms and can now separate them.

So, what types of microorganisms are considered biological hazards? The organisms that are considered biological health hazards include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi (mold). These biological agents are dangerous because they can cause various health problems, including tetanus, food poisoning, respiratory infections, and parasite infection. When inhaled, ingested, or in contact with the skin, these microorganisms can pose serious threats to human health.

Humans come into contact with these biological hazards through air, food, and water. To better understand the risks, it’s crucial to recognize that bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi are considered types of biological hazards. Biohazard cleanup by Restorez helps reduce the risk of transmitting these microorganisms to the barest minimum. This article will look at these microorganisms in more detail.

Bacteria

Bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms, and billions exist all around you, including inside other living organism. Most bacteria serve a purpose. They support different plant and animal life forms and are useful in many medical and industrial processes. In the context of health risks, bacteria are classified as biological hazards due to their potential to cause various diseases.

There are many different types of bacteria across the universe, but scientists group them according to the following shapes:

Spherical bacteria (e.g., streptococcus)
Rod-shaped bacteria (e.g., anthrax)
Spiral bacteria (e.g., treponema—responsible for syphilis)

Some of the diseases bacteria can cause in humans include:

Typhoid
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Bubonic plague
Cholera
Diphtheria
Dysentery
Tetanus
Botulism
Diarrhea

The bacteria that cause some of the diseases above thrive in dirty environments. Treating them and the mediums they may thrive in as biohazards is the best way to prevent transmission to humans.

Viruses

Viruses are microorganisms that only thrive and multiply in hosts such as animals, plants, and humans. They are complex organisms that trigger different reactions in different ways. Viruses are responsible for viral diseases like:

Smallpox
COVID-19
Most types of flu
Mumps
Common cold
Hepatitis
Chickenpox
Rubella
Measles
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Polio
HIV
Ebola
Zika
Dengue Fever

In terms of public health, viruses are considered significant biological threats due to their modes of transmission and potential to cause widespread illness. Viruses spread through:

Direct contact
Bodily fluids
Touch
Respiratory droplets
Insects
Mother-to-child transmission
Contaminated food and water

Professional biohazard handling reduces the risk of spreading viruses through some of these transmission channels.

Parasites

When answering the question, “What types of microorganisms are considered biological hazards?” parasites go under the radar. It’s important to recognize that parasites also fall under the category of biological hazards that endanger the lives of millions globally each year.

Parasites live inside host organisms and depend on them to grow and multiply. While many parasites are microorganisms that are not visible to the human eyes (e.g., malaria parasites), others can grow as long as 35cm.

Parasites enter a human host through:

Insect bites
Person-to-person contact
Mishandling of human waste
Contaminated food and water

Fungi

These are microorganisms like mushrooms, yeast, mildew, and mold. Fungi reproduce by releasing small, lightweight spores, which can travel far distances in the air. The spores can last long in adverse environmental conditions, which explains why mold and other types of fungi are resilient.

When considering health implications, fungi represent another group of microorganisms that pose hazards due to their potential to cause health issues.

Mold receives the most attention among fungal microorganisms because of its influence on public health. It produces irritants, allergens, and in some cases, toxic substances. As a result, it’s one of the leading causes of asthma in allergic and vulnerable populations.

Mold also produces mycotoxins, which cause health problems when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

What Are Other Types of Biological Hazards?

Other types of biological hazards include:

Biotoxins

Biotoxins encapsulate any biological substances that are poisonous and toxic to humans. Most biotoxins come from bacteria, insects, plants, and animals. Prolonged exposure to these biotoxins can lead to adverse physiological reactions.

Blood and Blood Products

Blood is not a biological hazard—unless it is contaminated or comes from an infected source. Blood products like white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, tissues, and plasma are all hazardous if poorly handled.

Environmental Specimens

Environmental specimens refer to plants, soil, organic matter, and water containing biological hazards. So, scrapings of mold-heavy paint qualify as environmental specimens that require professional handling.

What Are the Different Methods of Biohazard Waste Disposal?

The major methods of biohazard waste disposal include:

Autoclaving

This process uses high-temperature steam to destroy biohazards completely. It’s a highly effective method because it is more affordable than other waste disposal options. It also doesn’t put the biohazard disposal staff a risk of contamination or infection.

Biohazardous waste handling companies use autoclaving to sanitize 90% of the waste materials before sending them to a landfill.

Incineration

Incineration burns biohazardous waste at high temperatures. It’s fast, easy, and simple. However, the emissions can be dangerous. Incinerators for processing biomedical waste require careful planning. Disposal teams site these incinerators away from local populations.

Use of Chemicals

Chemical disinfection is the biomedical waste disposal method of choice for liquid biohazardous waste.

The chief chemical constituent is chlorine, which can kill pathogens and microorganisms. It’s possible to use chemical disposal when dealing with solid wastes, but you must grind the materials first to ensure full decontamination.

Microwaving

This process involves creating a solution of shredded biohazardous waste and heating the solution in a compartment to kill microorganisms and pathogens. The process is more energy efficient than incineration and works for all biohazardous waste types.

Is it Possible to Safely Dispose of Biohazardous Waste Without Professional Help?

It’s possible to dispose of small quantities of biohazardous waste without professional help if you have the right gear and know how to complete the process safely without putting yourself and everyone around you at risk.

However, it’s best to always seek professional advice when dealing with biohazards that can trigger community health concerns.

Request Fast Emergency Biohazard Cleanup Services

We hope this article helped with understanding what types of microorganisms are considered biological hazards. It’s essential to recognize that bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi are considered biological hazards that can threaten health if not properly managed. Do you have any biohazard materials you need to dispose of? Contact the Restorerz Emergency Services team today.

Mishandling biohazards puts you and everyone around you at risk. Don’t ignore it. Our team can safely dispose of contaminated feces, urine, and blood. We can also clean infected or contaminated surfaces and dispose of contaminated clothing and such personal effects.

Call Restorerz Emergency Services near you at (323) 997-4978 to book an appointment. Learn why you should hire a professional biohazard cleanup team today.

What are The Things That Can Be Salvaged After a Fire?

Written by adleverage on December 20, 2022. Posted in Fire Damage. No Comments on What are The Things That Can Be Salvaged After a Fire?

Fires are highly destructive. Each year, property owners lose billions of dollars to fire accidents. A house fire can destroy a property and all possessions within minutes.

When house fires occur, recovery often feels like an impossible task. However, it’s possible to salvage some of your personal belongings. Many things can be salvaged after a fire with proper cleaning. Restorerz Emergency Services offers fast, professional fire damage restoration. Homeowners who choose fire damage restoration by Restorerz experience a faster return to normalcy. We make the home livable again, and we help recover some of your personal items.

Explore what can be salvaged after a fire and what to throw away after smoke damage has occurred.

Understanding What Fire, Smoke, and Soot Really Do

House fires do more than burn your possessions. They also deposit smoke particles and soot everywhere. This can lead to:

Property damage: After an already destructive house fire, smoke and soot deposits will stain your belongings and, due to their chemical composition, can cause corrosion in many materials if not properly cleaned up.
Bad smells: Smoke smells linger long after a surface cleaning, because the smoke particles penetrate deep into surfaces. Professional remediation helps remove these smells for good.
Health risks: Some serious health risks homeowners face after a fire include respiratory and chronic breathing issues, eye and skin irritation, food contamination, and other long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease and an increased cancer risk.

Items Commonly Salvaged After a House Fire

What can be salvaged after a house fire? It all depends on the item’s material. You may be able to salvage certain hard materials, which are the least likely to burn or melt in a fire, and washable fabrics. These include:

Glass: Glass can usually withstand high temperatures and won’t absorb water or the chemicals used to extinguish the fire. Soak the glassware in a solution of vinegar or baking soda and dish soap to remove soot stains after a fire.
Metal: Metal melts at extremely high temperatures, but most house fires don’t reach that point. Metal can withstand water and smoke damage. Remove stains from metal objects with vinegar and dishwashing soap, then restore them with sanding and a splash of paint.
Hardwood floors: You can salvage hardwood floors after a fire because they have a protective coating that keeps smoke and water from reaching the porous wood underneath. Wash the floor with dish soap if the floor isn’t heavily charred, then sand and refinish it.
Washable fabrics: Fabric materials that don’t catch fire during house fire accidents are generally salvageable because you can toss them into the washing machine. This includes furniture covers, curtains, and clothes.
Houseplants: If you wash the leaves off well, your houseplants may survive after a house fire.

What To Throw Away After Smoke Damage

It’s hard to know what to do after a fire. Any items that don’t appear damaged may look like they’re salvageable, but that’s not always the case. Below are some products you should discard after a fire accident:

Stained or melted plastic
Canned or boxed foods
Perishable items in the fridge
Cosmetics
Medicine

How Professionals Restore Personal Belongings After Smoke Damage

At Resorerz, our process for restoration is as follows:

Step one: We do an assessment to evaluate the damage and create a restoration plan.
Step two: Precautions are taken to isolate any unsafe areas and add temporary barriers.
Step three: We remove standing water and odors, clean, and discard damaged items and materials.
Step four: We perform repairs to fix structural, electrical, and plumbing damage, and then restore flooring, drywall, and air ducts.

In some cases, your insurance may cover the costs of the entire process, but this depends on the type of policy you have.

Items You Should Leave to the Professionals

Some items that may be okay after a proper cleaning by a professional include:

Upholstery and mattresses: Expert cleaners have the right tools and techniques to remove soot and smoke particles from these porous surfaces, restoring these personal belongings after smoke damage.
Electrical devices and appliances: If the fire didn’t burn or melt any components, your electrical devices and appliances may be salvageable, but check with an electrician first. Hidden damage may cause future fire hazards.

Call Restorerz Emergency Services for Restoration After a House Fire

Knowing what to do after a fire is not always straightforward. You may feel overwhelmed by emotions and end up saving things you should discard.

The chemicals firefighters use to put out fires can leave residues, making certain items unsafe to use without professional cleaning. Restorerz Emergency Services will come in with a clear head to sort any belongings not burnt in the fire. We know what can be salvaged and have a process for collecting them and making them usable again.

Contact us today for expert restoration services after a house fire. We serve Southern Californian and Nevada communities, including:

Glendale, CA
Van Nuys, CA
Placentia, CA
Gardena, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
And more

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I keep electronics that smell like smoke?

The only electronics you should keep after a house fire are those that have been looked at by an expert. Hidden interior damage can remain from smoke and soot, along with corrosion and potential fire hazards.

Is it safe to stay in the house after a fire?

No, it’s not safe to stay in your home after a house fire until it’s been properly inspected and cleaned. Not only is the structural integrity compromised, but soot and smoke particles are also present, presenting air quality concerns that could be extremely dangerous to your health.

How soon should the cleanup begin?

Start cleanup after a house fire as soon as it’s safe to do so. The faster a specialized cleanup crew begins, the more of your property will be salvageable.

Spot the Signs of Water Damage When Moving to A New Home

Written by adleverage on December 10, 2022. Posted in Flood and Water Damage. No Comments on Spot the Signs of Water Damage When Moving to A New Home

Do you need expert water damage restoration services for your new home? Call Restorerz Emergency Services at (323) 997-4978 to schedule an inspection.

If you’re planning on moving to a new home, dealing with water damage after signing on the dotted lines is a situation you want to avoid. Homes with water damage will need refurbishing to take care of problems like wood warping, mold infestation, paint damage, and more.

Spotting the signs of water damage can save you money and ensure you’re negotiating with a clear picture of the home’s condition in mind.

As the leading water damage restoration experts in Los Angeles, we know all the signs of water damage in a home, and we’ll share them with you in this article.

The Top Signs of Water Damage to Watch For

Your home inspector will pick up on signs of water damage, but knowing what to look for will help you cross certain properties off your list and save money on inspections. A home has water damage if you spot the following:

Strong Damp Odor

A strong damp odor coming from inside a home often signifies water damage. Dampness has an easily identifiable smell. If the home has mold growth, you’ll pick up the smell of old cardboard or newspapers.

The smell will typically be strongest in the garage, basements, and bathrooms, but homes with severe water damage may smell damp and moldy, even in living areas. If you notice a moldy or musty smell, pay even more attention as you check for other signs of water damage we’ll cover here.

Flaking or Discolored Paint

The paintwork on a property is also good at communicating the presence of water damage in a property. Excessive humidity can leave paintwork work discolored, swollen, or flaking. However, most savvy sellers will repaint a home on the market, making this method less reliable.

Bloated Drywall

Drywalls in homes with water damage often have a swollen appearance in some parts because the material can absorb moisture. Therefore, inspecting every inch of drywall in the house is one of the surest ways to pick up on water damage.

Discolored or Soft Windows and Door Frames

This sign of water damage is easy to confirm without entering the house. Walk around the property and pay attention to the state of these frames.

Is the caulk peeling? Does the property have discolored or softwood? These are signs of water damage.

Roof Damage

Are there loose, discolored, or dimpled shingles on the roof? This is a clear sign of existing or future leaks. You should also check the roof’s insulation to ensure it’s in good shape. A home with poor insulation will likely have water damage as melting snow (due to escaping heat) can seep into the home’s roof and walls.

Dripping Water Sounds

While inside the property, listen for water leaks and dripping. Leaky faucets are easier to spot and repair. However, water leaks inside drywalls or underneath floorboards are harder to spot and may cause damage that will show up months after you move in.

Standing Puddles and Pools

Check all parts of the home for water pools and puddles. These often appear when there are burst pipes or other sources of water leaks somewhere on the property.

If you can spot any obvious sources of dripping or leaking, you can clean up the puddle (if possible) and wait to see if it will return. If it comes back, pipework may be leaking around the affected area.

Thriving Mold Colonies

Mold grows in any part of your home that’s always moist and damp. It can grow on drywall, ceilings, carpet, wood, and similar materials if they stay wet for extended periods.

Mold comes in different colors, but you can expect to find green, brown, blue, or black mold wherever mold grows in Los Angeles. Remember, homes with visible mold colonies have musty odors. If you perceive this smell in any home, head to the basements, bathrooms, or kitchens, and you’ll likely find mold growing there.

Discolored Walls and Ceilings

Water streak marks across a ceiling or wall signify water damage. A quick visual inspection will tell you if the home has water damage. When checking for signs of water damage with this method, start with parts of the home with lots of pipework, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and the attic.

However, as mentioned above, you can’t rely on this method of checking for water damage if the house recently received a makeover. Still, it’s a simple way to rule out water damage.

Don’t forget to inspect the home’s exterior when checking for water stains. Stains outside the walls could be due to water leaking from an overflowing gutter, mildew or mold growth, leaky water supply lines, and more.

Warped or Damaged Flooring

Water entering into the subflooring can cause wooden flooring to warp. Tiles may also come loose, and carpets will feel wet. While pipe leakage is the obvious culprit here, a saturated foundation is more problematic. Either way, you don’t want the expenses of rectifying the problem and stopping the water intrusion passed on to you.

Do You Still Want to Move Into the Property? Request Water Damage Restoration from the Pros

If the home with water damage ticks all the right boxes for you, you can still complete the move. First, you need to understand the cost of fixing the causes of the water damage and the cost of water damage restoration. A home inspector will give you an accurate picture of the situation.

You can proceed with the transaction if you’re happy to take on these costs. When it’s time for water damage restoration, don’t hesitate to call our team at Restorerz Emergency Services. We are experts at returning water-damaged buildings to optimum condition. Call (323) 997-4978 to request a consultation.

Can you spot signs of water damage due to a roof leak in your current home? Learn more about mitigating water damage from a roof leak.

Most Common Types of Water Damage Repairs

Written by adleverage on December 2, 2022. Posted in Blog. No Comments on Most Common Types of Water Damage Repairs

Water damage repairs can take different forms depending on your situation. In the restoration industry, water damage is categorized based on its nature, origin, and how hazardous it is. How a restoration professional handles the situation depends on the category. If you’re looking for water damage repair in Van Nuys, CA, professionals can address issues beyond fixing plumbing pipes, fixtures, drywall, floors, and electrical systems. The types of water damage repair that often come into play include:

Category 1: Clean Water Damage Repair

When clean water is the cause of damage, the health risks are low. But mold and contaminants from water-logged materials can become hazardous if the situation isn’t dealt with quickly. No matter how clean standing water is, it can turn into Category 2 (greywater) in about 48 hours. But before then, the water is usually safe to clean up yourself, unless the flooding and damage are extensive.

The kinds of water damage repair in a Category 1 situation can involve:

Leaky plumbing
Burst pipes
Broken aquariums
Damaged waterbeds
Malfunctioning appliances
Cracked toilet tanks
Rainwater
Melting snow

Category 2: Greywater Damage

Category 2 water damage is generally due to rising floodwaters. If a body of water has affected your home, it will infiltrate anything that is below the water level. Since it’s gotten into furnishings, building materials, wall cavities, electrical components, and plumbing, the visible damage is just the beginning.

Extensive damage can be difficult to repair. But greywater isn’t only water from floods. It can include wastewater from inside your home, such as from a bathtub or shower, dishwasher, sink, or washing machine. The level of pathogens may not be high, but you do not want to ingest this water.

The most commons sources of greywater include:

An overflow from a plumbing fixture or appliance.
A broken waste pipe in your drainage system.
A flood triggered by a weather event.

When around greywater, wear protective gear. Also, keep pets, children, or anyone with a compromised immune system away from flooded areas. If there are more than a few inches of standing water, hire a professional to clean and decontaminate your home.

Category 3: Blackwater Damage

Blackwater is water that is contaminated with human waste. It can contain many other pathogens or toxins as well. Sources include damaged toilets as well as backed-up waste pipes. Raw sewage is Category 3 water, so if a sewer pipe is blocked or broken, sewage can back up into your home, which may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, fungi, chemicals, and other pathogens).

Large-scale flooding is also considered blackwater. If a storm transports water into your home, this water damage is automatically labeled as Category 3. It may be rising river or lake water or even seawater. When blackwater floods occur, water and waste absorb into porous items like drywall, carpets, and upholstery, which usually cannot be salvaged. Ingestion or skin contact can lead to severe illness.

Stagnant greywater, if it has been standing for 48 to 72 hours, can be reclassified as Category 3 water, due to the reproduction of bacteria. Cleanup in any Category 3 water situation will require extensive removal of building materials and contents.

Water Damage Repair Should Begin Immediately

These classifications have been established by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Regardless of the type of water damage, any situation that involves water entering your home should be addressed with mopping, cleaning, drying, and ventilating. Personal items must be moved to a dry place and any wet/damp objects must be allowed to air out and dry.

At Restorerz, we employ professional-grade techniques to dry out affected areas. We’ll even move affected items to a secure, climate-controlled facility. Moisture-detection tools are used to identify hidden areas affected by floods, while advanced methods of ventilation and dehumidification are used to prevent additional damage and prevent/reverse the growth of bacteria and mold. We can also take numerous steps to rehabilitate your property.

Request Water Damage Repairs Today

Our team is certified to repair and restore any property damaged by water. Able to respond in 60 minutes or less, we’re open 24/7 and work with all insurance companies. If you need water damage restoration in Van Nuys, hire Restorerz for water damage repairs in Los Angeles and surrounding areas by requesting service on the web or calling 323-827-7842.