Microbial Remediation – water loss and animals trapped in condominium

It was mid-winter when (we will refer to her as Jane) Jane, a West side property owner, who lives out of state, received the disturbing phone call.

The management company, who oversees the condominium complex where Jane’s investment income property resides, called. It was the dreaded call. She was notified that apparently pipes had frozen and burst in her second

floor condominium unit. The ensuing loss has caused significant water damage to her unit, as well as the units of her neighbors below. After

receiving the call, Jane wondered why her tenant had not called.

The management group let Jane know that personnel had entered the unit. The water was turned off. The leak has been stopped. The situation was temporarily stabilized. She was told that she, of course, had to come to

Cleveland immediately. Eventually, they also informed her that she needed to deal with the health hazard that her unit now posed to the complex.

Via telephone, Jane discovered that, apparently, without notice, her tenant vacated the property. Left behind along with abandoned trash and

belongings were; cats, birds and perhaps other unidentifiable animals. These creatures eventually starved to death, but not before depositing urine, feces

and ultimately their decomposing corpses throughout the unit. To make matters worse, a screened window was left open. Although this prevented

the animals escape, it allowed the cold air in to freeze and damage the pipes.

Jane caught a flight to Cleveland. Upon her arrival, Jane was greeted with an unimaginable scene. The pungent odor of animal urine, feces, and decomposing critters, coupled with the trash and visible mold growth in her property were a horror. Searching for a course of action, she spoke with the management company. Integrated Restoration, as it turns out, was on site in various stages of cleaning, disinfecting, structural dry out, and repairs of the other damaged units within the complex. It was suggested that she interview Integrated Restoration. Perhaps they could be of assistance.

After a site meeting and discussion with project manager Michael Stuckart, a plan for remediation of the unit was identified. As Jane became more aware of Integrated Restoration’s experience, training, qualifications and expertise, she felt at ease. As she would not be in town during the work, Jane required a qualified firm to oversee this water / mold remediation / bacterial contamination disaster. In her absence, she was certain that Integrated Restoration was the firm to handle her project. Integrated Restoration was put to task.

This type of, multiple challenge, project involves the dynamic utilization of a myriad of technologies. We initially established proper engineering controls. Negative air containment of the contamination site was achieved using exterior ventilation through HEPA filtered Air Filtration Devices. This process protected the remainder of the building and occupants from the various contaminants and malodors present in the offending unit. A combination pairing agent or humectant, with a masking agent was also applied with a fogging unit. The pairing agent is a chemical agent that combines with a malodorous molecule to form a new odor free molecule. These “paired” molecules become heavier that air, drop to the ground, and are removed by cleaning. The masking agent conceals the odor until the pairing agent performs its task.

The immediate employment of these technologies addressed both the psychological aspects of the odor and the safety issues presented by the microbial / bacterial contamination. The unit owners quickly focused on their own unit’s issues. The building was allowed to remain occupied while demolition and remediation commenced. Along with protecting the unit owners, the level and diversity of contamination present dictated that Integrated Restoration’s workers be outfitted in appropriate protective gear. Once outfitted, personnel removed the decaying organic material, along with the contaminated contents, carpet and pad. These contaminated items were placed in an onsite dumpster for disposal.

After removal of the heavy odor containing material, multiple stages of cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and odor control technologies were employed to render the project site habitable. First enzyme cleaners were used to address the urine and putrefying organic material odors. These solutions contain bacteria that produce enzymes which digest the protein, or decaying organic, contaminants. These solutions require dwell time to be effective. A severe odor counteractant was then used to further neutralize any remaining urine and protein odor.

A biocide, which is a solution that is designed to kill 99% - 100% of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, was then used to sanitize the loss site. The structural dry out was completed. In off hours, with warning signs posted, an ozone generator was operated within the suite. Ozone gas, through oxidation reactions, is the most effective form of decomposition odor removal. Although a slow process, it is always permanent.

After a final cleaning, the surfaces were sealed with an EPA registered fungicidal coating. A third party industrial hygienist was brought in to perform independent surface and air testing for microbial and bacterial contaminants. When the test results were provided, the suite was verified as sanitized, clean and healthy. Integrated Restoration had completed the entire process in just over a week. As her unit was no longer a threat, Jane’s nightmare was over. The suite was released for further repairs at Jane’s discretion.