Is it completely safe to use a fogging machine for sanitizing? Can it harm people or pets' health?

Yes, it is completely safe, though open food, like fruit bowls or other kitchen materials, should be put away in closed areas before the disinfecting service. The only danger with the process is if someone were to breathe in the aerosolized disinfectant. For this reason, everyone has to vacate the area when the disinfecting process is being conducted, and they are not allowed to enter the area until after the disinfectant has completely dried on the surfaces. In fact, our team of disinfection specialists wear full personal protective equipment when using the fogging machine, to protect their skin and lungs from contact with the chemicals used for sanitizing and disinfecting. The disinfectant we use is EPA-registered, and is low toxicity. In addition, we only use disinfectants that have met the criteria of the EPA for use against COVID-19 that are included on List N.

Does the disinfecting process guarantee total virus remediation?

No, it doesn't. Part of the reason that we can't guarantee total remediation is that the world is still learning about COVID-19 - it is early days yet. From what is known about the virus, it is likely that disinfectants that have proven efficacy against human coronavirus should also be good for killing COVID-19. When more time has passed and more samples of the virus are available for research by manufacturers, we will be able to know for sure which products are best. However, we can tell you that the disinfectants we use are excellent and were designed for use in healthcare facilities, where disinfecting properly is critical. This level of disinfection means that it will kill over 99% of viruses, bacteria, and fungi on surfaces that are treated. We are following the data closely to make sure we are providing the best service possible for our customers.

Can we live in the house after the disinfection? We have nowhere to go for a while.

Yes. Even though you can't be in the house while we are disinfecting for you, you will be able to return very quickly. You will just need to wait long enough for the disinfectant "fog" to settle on the surfaces from the air, and for the now wet surfaces to completely air dry. Usually, this can take as little as 30 minutes from the time our techs complete the service, but the technician will advise you if you need to be out for a couple of hours or so.

Should I sanitize my Brick and Mortar business after the pandemic is over?

Yes, definitely, though there may be stages before the pandemic is over where the economy is reopening. In that case, when people return to places of business that have been closed and interact with customers or clients there, disinfecting is a very high priority. Every working place which will have people working there should be sanitized, and the frequency with which this should be done will depend on the needs of the business. Under OSHA, workers are entitled to safety in the workplace, and as time progresses, there may be local government, state government, or even federal government criteria for businesses to operate. Business owners have a responsibility to their employees and their clients to take the necessary precautions to maintain a safe environment. If your business is currently operating, please consider disinfecting the premises as required if any of your employees may have been at work and contagious with COVID-19.

Should I sanitize a house even if no one in the family had COVID-19?

This is something that does not have one right answer. There are several strong reasons to consider home sanitizing. We know that researchers have found that the virus that causes COVID-19 can stay on some types of surfaces for a long time, even days. A person can be contagious before they get symptoms of COVID-19, and these symptoms can be very mild. In fact, some people can be infected with COVID-19 and be completely asymptomatic. So it is completely possible that someone in your family has had COVID-19 without knowing it. If this is the case, there may be traces of the virus in your home that may be able to infect someone. The risks might be to someone else then, who would come into your home to visit, who might be more likely to have a more serious version of the disease due to underlying health conditions.

Sanitization and Water Damage Restoration

Sanitizing and Disinfecting a Water Damaged Area Is Important To Your Health

Water damage creates health hazards, especially if it was due to sewage backup or a flood. Sanitizing and disinfecting the water damaged area is a crucial and required step before the affected area can be fully restored. Disinfecting and sanitization needs to be done to the whole affected area, including floors, carpets, walls and any other part of the water damaged property.

Why Sanitization is Necessary

Water damage is categorized into three types, depending on the cleanliness of the water - Category 1 (Clean Water), Category 2 (Grey Water), and Category 3 (Black Water). Each category progresses in the level of potential health risk they pose, with Category 3 being the most dangerous, often containing sewage, harmful bacteria, and other contaminants. Regardless of the category, all forms of water damage require immediate attention. Sanitizing not only eradicates the contaminants present in the water residue but also combats mold spores that may have begun to flourish in the damp environment.

You need to act quickly in such a situation so that you can save your possessions and more importantly - do restoration of the damaged area in your home. A huge part of the process is proper sanitization of the home, to prevent mold growth and disinfect the home from possible diseases and health hazards.

And you definitely should not wait. The success of the water damage restoration normally depends on how long the water has been sitting around. Water that has been standing is normally a perfect breeding point for molds. Mold not only destroys your furniture and walls but they also affect the quality of air in your house. This is very tragic since it can trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions.

For the above reasons, we at Flood Damage Pro recommend professional sanitization and restoration, which is very important and will help you as a victim to recover from such instances. In the next section, we'll explain what sanitization is, review a correct water damage restoration process and highlight the importance of sanitization.

How Do Sanitizing Chemicals Work?

The sanitizing chemicals used in water damage restoration work by breaking down and destroying harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In addition to destroying harmful microorganisms, sanitizing chemicals also help remove stains and odors caused by water damage. This is particularly important for carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics that have been affected by water. By deodorizing and removing stains, the sanitizing chemicals help restore the affected materials to their pre-damaged state.

Professional Sanitization Services

Proper sanitization is crucial in water damage restoration.

While some minor water damage situations can be handled on your own, it's always best to seek professional help when dealing with severe water damage. A professional restoration company has the necessary equipment, expertise, and knowledge to properly sanitize and restore the affected areas.

Minimize Your Property Damage

Aside from ensuring your safety and health, professional sanitization can also help prevent further damage to your property. For instance, if not properly sanitized, mold growth can continue to spread and cause further structural damage or pose health hazards.

Hassle-Free Restoration

Moreover, professional sanitization can also save you time and effort. Trying to tackle water damage restoration on your own can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially if you don't have the necessary equipment or expertise. Hiring professionals can save you from these hassles and ensure that the restoration process is done efficiently and effectively.

Steps for Water Damage Restoration:

Here are the steps our water damage professionals will take to restore your property after water damage:

Disconnect the power

The first step in any water damage is to cut off the power supply and unplug electronics. This is very important for safety.

This is also a good time to move out furniture and rugs so they can be dried and disinfected.

Water Extraction and Drying

Using professional extraction equipment, we remove as much water as possible. If there's no sewer backup, we channel water to drains. Dehumidifiers and fans are used for thorough drying to prevent mold growth.

Disinfect and Sanitize

once the area is dry, our experts disinfect and sanitize affected surfaces, including wood beams, concrete, and other non-porous materials. A powerful disinfectant is applied to eliminate bacteria and prevent mold growth.

Flood Damage Pro's technicians specialize in disinfecting and sanitizing water damaged area, to restore them and make them a healthy environment again.

Sanitizing Goes Beyond Simply Cleaning

Sanitization and water damage restoration go hand in hand when it comes to ensuring your safety, health, and the proper restoration of your property. It's important to act quickly and seek professional help when dealing with water damage. Water damage is never a pleasant experience, but with the help of our professionals and proper sanitization, you can minimize the damages to your property and get back to your normal life sooner. Don't hesitate to seek professional assistance for water damage restoration - it's worth every penny for the safety and well-being of you and your loved ones.

For All Your Sanitization Needs

Flood Damage Pro is able to sanitize your indoor environment even when there has been no water damage at all. Viruses and bacteria can last for days on hard surfaces, and when there is an outbreak, you run the risk of it spreading to your family or your employees. There are areas that should be disinfected many times daily. These are the things that we touch and use the most. These include computer mice and keyboards, desktops, light switches, doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, and countertops. However, there are many other surfaces that may be able to spread germs, that we might not think to clean as frequently.

Professional Services for Large Areas

When you need to quickly treat a larger area, like a complete room, all the living areas in the house, an entire office, or your air duct system, this is where effectiveness is most important. We use an EPA registered intermediate level disinfectant that can clean, disinfect, and deodorize. This solution is distributed evenly over all exposed surfaces with a fogger. The fogger takes the disinfectant solution and aerosolizes it into a fine mist for even coverage and quick drying. This method is ideal for covering larger areas quickly and efficiently.

Besides disinfecting and sanitizing for open areas indoors, Flood Damage Pro also offers the same service for your air ducts. In this way, you can make sure that the air you breathe is free of microbes. This is a service with a set price that covers all the vents in your system, so you can take care of your whole system quickly and affordably.

Deep Cleaning for Soft Fibers

While our disinfecting process is fast, it works best on hard, cleaned surfaces. The CDC recommends that soft surfaces, such as carpets, rugs, and upholstery, should be cleaned as usual, and then washed at as high a temperature as possible. This is even when disinfecting a room where a potentially exposed person has been. As we all know, there are many things, like wall-to-wall carpet, upholstered furniture, and other furnishings that won't fit in your washing machine.

For this reason, Flood Damage Pro offers deep cleaning services to sanitize these materials.

In conclusion, for any problems related to the above discussion, call Flood Damage Pro for all your professional damage restoration needs. When it comes to water damage, there is no better place and time than now! Call Flood Damage Pro for an estimate today at 866-869-4167.