The dangers of sewage backups

Sewage water contains bacteria and diseases because it contains all types of waste, especially that stormwater and raw sewage share the same sewer lines.

Some of the dangers that biohazards from sewage water include the following:

1. Escherichia coli
2. Hepatitis A
3. Dermatitis
4. Skin and eye infections
5. Asthma
6. Gastroenteritis
7. Well’s Disease
8. Allergic Alveolitis
9. Damage to blood, kidneys, and liver
10. Legionnaires Disease

Seeking help from professionals

At 911 Remediation, we have fully trained and knowledgeable sewage cleanup technicians dedicated to safely and efficiently fix all types of sewage. Our team of professionals is committed to providing top-notch sewage cleanup services that adhere to the standards set by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Our IICRC-certified technicians have been fully trained to professionally, safely, and properly extract mud and sewage water from your home. We will then remove and dispose of porous materials that have absorbed sewage water, such as carpets, furniture, bedding, and other items, to prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria. As for nonporous materials, we will clean them with eco-friendly microbial to decontaminate the affected areas.

Once you call us, we will immediately send out our technicians to locate, fix, and treat all the problems in your sewer line. We will remove sewage water and mud from your property with our state-of-the-art equipment. We will treat all infected areas in your home to ensure that the spread of biohazards is prevented.

After ensuring that all sewage and mud are gone, we will then bring in our expert air movers to blow the moist air inside and outside your property. We will also use dehumidifiers to soak up moist air, keeping your home dry and free from mold infestation.

Most homeowners don’t give their sewage line a lot of thought because it’s something that you don’t see every day. A lot of people are also not aware that maintenance of the sewer lateral, the pipeline between the city’s main sewer line and your property, is their responsibility. So their sewer line goes unchecked for a long time until something goes wrong. When that happens, it’s often a problem that will cost a lot to repair.

Your home’s sewage line is an integral part of your house because it will transport wastewater from your house into the main underground sewage. This is why it’s important to check it regularly.

Causes of sewer backups

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to maintain and fix any part of the sewer lateral that extends into the street.

These are the common causes of sewer backups.

• Old sewage systems

According to The American Society of Civil Engineers, the country’s over 500,000 miles of sewer lines are on average over 30 years old. With more homes being built and connecting to these aging sewage systems, backups are commonplace.

• Combined pipelines

Most systems combine stormwater and raw sewage into the same pipeline, exposing them to more volume than they can handle.

• Tree roots

Tree roots seek moisture and can make their way into cracks in the sewer lines. As they grow larger, this can cause extensive and expensive damages.

Call our fully trained and equipped technicians today to clean up and treat your sewage today!

Mold can affect anyone, whether or not they have been previously exposed to the organism. Oftentimes, the initial symptoms of mold exposure are diagnosed as the flu. Accordingly, little effort is expended in taking the necessary precautions to avoid exposure.

What is likely to cause sickness is not the accidental exposure. However, significantly more danger lies in exposure to heavy concentrations of the organism over extended periods of time. It is worth noting that fungal diseases often clear up without any interventions, but some persist and spread via the bloodstream to the entire body, with the potential to cause dire complications.

It is important to inform the workforce on the specific symptoms characterizing mold presence. Mold causes allergic and irritant symptoms which are similar to flu symptoms (coughing, sneezing, sore throat, blocked nose, sinus congestion, skin rashes, etc.). It might be beneficial to ask employees to take note of when the symptoms occur and when they subside – it is entirely possible the employee is exposed at work. However, they might suffer from the symptoms of mold exposure at their own home. A good indicator is to note if the symptoms subside during vacation time.

Your family practitioner can help

If suspicion arises, it is advisable to consult a physician. They are a proper source of guidance, as they can simply and accurately determine whether your symptoms occur as a result of a mold allergy, either by a physical examination, a blood test or a skin test. If more severe symptoms arise, such as acute asthma, lung or sinus infections or skin rashes, seeking immediate medical care is advised.

Allergy symptoms are one of the top five causes for missing workdays. However, it is worth noting that most of the symptoms can significantly reduce productivity of the employees while they are working. The key productivity busters are: 1) decreased ability to concentrate and function, 2) activity limitation, 3) decreased decision-making capacity, 4) impaired hand-eye coordination, 5) problems remembering things, 6) irritability, 7) sleep disorders, 8) fatigue.

Employers, take note of this

The key for dealing with this cause of significant productivity loss are threefold: 1) accurate diagnosis of allergens and the work environment, 2) Proper environmental controls, 3) Suitable medications for the affected individuals.

At 911 Remediation, we take every aspect of our work seriously. As specialists in 24/7mold remediation and water damage restoration, we ensure all environments are safe for our team and clients before we begin a job.

This involves testing for lead. As many people know, lead poses various dangers to children and adults alike, though children absorb lead quicker than adults.

In children under six years of age, lead can:

• Cause a reduction in IQ and learning disabilities
• Problems with behavior

For adults, lead can:

• Cause high blood pressure
• Cause hypertension
• In pregnant women, lead can transfer to fetuses

The most common way for people to become exposed to lead is through dust, or from soil or chips of paint.

Why is lead still a threat?

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million properties, until it was no longer allowed for use in residential structures after 1978. This means any projects which disturb painted surfaces may cause lead-dust to circulate, posing significant risk to households.

What Does the EPA Say about Lead?

The Environmental Protection Agency provides plenty of advice on staying safe from lead poisoning. We test for lead as the nature of our work means surfaces may be affected and paint can be removed, potentially creating lead-dust. As well as paint, lead may also come from soil and water – as water-damage restoration specialists, we need to be sure our team will be safe, and our clients will remain secure after our job is done.

For households who believe their walls may be covered with lead-based paint, precautions should be taken when undertaking any renovation work: keep dust contained inside the work area; try to minimize dust as much as possible; cleaning thoroughly is also key.

The EPA recommends certified professionals are hired to check for lead-based paint: these people can inspect your home to identify any risky paint, and the locations it’s used in. Additional risks – such as lead in soil or water – will also be pinpointed, and the inspector will recommend ways to handle the hazards

How we Work to Stay Safe

The law demands that any professionals hired to repair or renovate a property built before 1978 have certifications to prove they know how to prevent lead contamination – at 911 Remediation, we carry certifications from various regulatory bodies. Our team is dedicated to maintaining the safest working practices and ensuring all properties are safe for use after our work is done.

Contractors such as ourselves, hired to work in areas with a risk of lead contamination, must do the following

• Cover flooring and immovable furnishings
• Seal off doors and vents
• For exterior jobs, keep the ground covered and, when needed, create vertical containment
• Avoid using any open flames
• Avoid grinding, sanding, needle-gunning, and using power tools without a shroud and HEPA vacuum-attachment
• Avoid using a heat gun with temperatures exceeding 1100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Clean the area using a mop for effective wet-wiping
• Clean debris and dust with a HEPA vacuum unit

The EPA demands contractors follow specific cleaning protocols: floors should be wiped with cleaning cloths, which should be compared to an EPA-provided cleaning verification card to assess if cleaning has been adequate. Apparently, research has shown that following the EPA’s protocol can effectively reduce hazards related to lead-dust.

More information on the EPA’s recommendations regarding lead-poisoning can be foundhere.

To learn more about our pre-work lead tests, feel free to get in touch!

The attic is at the top of the house, and usually the last place you think of cleaning. However, when you eventually get around to attic cleaning, you might find that the clutter you find is not all inorganic.

Why?

Attics usually have some type of insulation, either to keep heat out or in. Insulation materials are peculiarly suitable for building nests. Since most people are seldom in attics for any length of time, it can be a haven for critters and a handy repository for their droppings.

You might find any number of animals getting cozy in your attic. It may be mice, rats, bats, or even squirrels. If you’re lucky, the only thing you will see is about a thousand droppings decorating your floor and all flat surfaces. Clean droppings and you should be fine, right?

Well….

If critters are living in the attic, it is almost certain that insulation is no longer intact. The best-case scenario is they have nibbled off some parts of the insulation and pulled the material off to make their nest. The worst case is they are living in the insulation itself.

What does this mean?

It means that these critters are not only pulling your insulation to shreds, making them all but useless, but also pooping and peeing in it. It makes attic cleaning a lot more complicated, and a lot more urgent. Critter droppings and urine don’t have to smell to be dangerous to your health, so you need to do something about it at once.

The first thing you need to do is get rid of the critters. Attic cleanup and disinfection is useless if they are still in residence. Use traps or call professionals to do some heavy eviction before cleaning up the mess.

The next thing you need to do is inspect the insulation. Chances are you’ve already had to tear in there to get at your uninvited house guests, so insulation removal is probably inevitable.

The good news is stripping off all the old insulation means you can be sure there are no more critters hiding up there. It gives you the chance to find any holes through which they can get in and plug it up o prevent future infestations. It also justifying insulation replacement newer and more efficient materials.

You might even find that all this trouble over cleaning out your attic a blessing in disguise. You might not have realized you needed insulation replacement. You might not have had insulation at all.  Proper insulation can save you a ton of cash in heating and cooling costs in the long term.

Attic cleaning also gives you a chance to get rid of all that junk and discover treasures you might be able to use or sell. You might even be able to convert the space for something more than storage, such as a bedroom or rec room if it has enough head room.

Cleaning out your attic might be a chore you’ve been putting off for a long time, but you can turn it to good account. Getting rid of your rodent problem and replacing your insulation are just two of the long-lasting benefits.

What do you do when you are in dire need of home or office reconstruction services? Well, first, you need to read the next article, which presents you with the best professional reconstruction services for your personal residence or for your commercial property – provided by 911 Remediation. What do we offer? A full restoration package as a required solution for damaged structures due to water, storm, fire, or mold infections.

Perfectly Reconstructed

We are all aware of the damage stormy winds can cause our house or of the damage mold caused by dampness can bring about in attics or basements. Have you ever had mold accumulated around the corners of your ceiling or on the walls of the bathroom? Everyone who had experienced such damage knows that sometimes it runs so deep that you have to get the assistance of professionals to remove it, as a part of a comprehensive reconstruction service.

911 Remediation is the company to call, as we handle both residential and commercial structures. So, if your office has been hit by a flood or the sewage system got clogged and overflowing, 911 Remediation will come fully equipped with the proper tools and machinery to deliver a perfectly done reconstruction service, in each and every room.

Expert Solutions

Amongst our reconstruction services you can enjoy:

• Repainting
• Flooring, carpeting, tiles
• Electric appliances fix
• Professional work estimation
• cabinetry & carpentry
• Drywalls, baseboards
• Small to large scale remodeling
• Debris removal

Qualified and Licensed

Our professional team of experts is well trained and capable of handling all kinds of reconstruction services, as they are certified and accredited with the appropriate certifications and licenses required in this field.

Not only that, but they are also fully insured, as an integral part of the 100% satisfaction customer service 911 Remediation provides their clients with. Reconstruction and restoration services insurance is not something to settle on as a customer in need. Why? Because you don`t want to rely on luck, and you shouldn’t, when you are facing that kind of damaged structure, which is an ongoing hazard until fixed by professionals.

911 Remediation is certified according to all relevant regulations and prerequisites and maintains high standards of work quality and safety. When dealing with structural damages there is no place for even the slightest chance of negligence, so that is why we hire only reliable and professional experts, the best in the market, for that matter.

For professional reconstruction services call us now at (510) 275-3708.

The purpose of an exhaust vent is to improve air quality inside a home by venting excess moisture that might accumulate in living spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens. Beyond removing moisture and potentially smoke from the air in the case of a stove vent, an exhaust vent also helps prevent mold from growing in these same spaces as the result of moisture build up.

It’s surprising the number of do-it-yourself homes that exist where a kitchen renovation resulted in a stove vent not venting outdoors, or a new bathroom with a shower stall and no venting. If your home doesn’t seem to have the exhaust vents it should, or if you’re adding a bathroom or completing a renovation that may call for the addition of a new vent, here are some simple tips to help you along the way. The tips here are fairly general, assuming some knowledge, and providing merely general reminders. Some jobs, particularly those that are difficult to reverse if something goes wrong, are best left to experience after all and, depending on your knowledge and skillset, this may just be one of them.

Venting to the outside

The whole point to an exhaust vent is that the moisture or smoke you are trying to get rid of must vent to the outdoors, or you’re only redirecting the problem from one space to another. People for instance, who think they can vent to an attic to avoid venting through a wall are simply forcing the excess moisture into that space where, yes, it will cause problems.

Gaining access to the outside can be done through a side wall, through the roof, or through the soffit (the underside of the roof for instance), depending in part on access and location, and in some cases perhaps, to aesthetics.

Measure twice

Before you cut the hole, measure the inside dimensions of the intake port so you know how big a hole to cut. And don’t forget the old saying, measure twice, cut once. The work you’ll go through if you accidentally cut the hole too big, or worse, crooked, is worth the time spent measuring and remeasuring. Speaking of crooked, a framing or layout square can ensure that the hole you cut is exactly that. It doesn’t matter how many holes you have cut in the past, or how accurate you think you eye is, there is always the chance you may be a little off and with something like this, even slightly off doesn’t work.

Safety first

Before you cut, be sure that you are equipped with the proper safety gear. Remember that cutting drywall and into a dusty attic space can release all kinds of things into the air, so goggles and a mask are essential. Make sure anyone who may be assisting, holding a ladder or just looking over your shoulder to see what you’re doing, is also equipped, just in case.

Connecting the pieces

Once you’ve cut the exterior hole and installed the wall cap, you can move back inside to attach the exhaust duct. Don’t forget to add a foam-rubber gasket to fill any gaps and help secure the duct on the outside and to make sure you aren’t creating a space that new moisture can enter. Then add some silicone adhesive to ensure it all stays in place.

Wiring

The next step involves wiring the fan so it actually works. If the key words white to white, black to black, green grounding screw, and electrical receptacle make you pause for even a second, you may want to call in professional help at this point. Not intending to be overly vague, wiring is another area you really want to be sure you have expertise, before you start so let’s just leave your tip at that.

Finishing

The final steps involve raising the blower motor and plugging it into the receptacle inside the housing you’ve installed, securing the motor with screws, and adding the finishing piece – the grill – and then testing to be sure everything works.

Professional help

As mentioned earlier, these steps and tips have been deliberately vague, in part because there are some things that require a bit of knowledge and experience to handle safely. If you know some of what you’re doing, what we’ve shared will explain itself.

If these tips did not completely make sense, it is probably worth bringing in a little professional assistance. While we love helping people make their homes better and healthier, the extra cost homeowners face when we have to not only install but fix a do-it-yourself project gone wrong, is a tough one. If you have a venting project to be done and you aren’t completely sure how to handle all of the aspects – from locating and cutting to wiring – call us to help before you try it yourself.

While the goal of parents includes providing their children with a home that is safe, where they are protected and can grow and flourish, all too often there is a risk to a child’s health and well-being hiding right there within those very walls.

More common than you think

A paper published on by the National Institutes of Health suggests that one cause of the growing incident of asthma and other breathing related issues in children is household mold and cites a direct connection to dampness and mold and lung function.

The article notes: “About 30 investigations from various countries around the world have demonstrated a close relationship between living in damp homes or homes with mold growth, and the extent of adverse respiratory symptoms in children.”

Wildfires are devastating on numerous levels.

First and foremost, there is the tragic loss of life among wildlife, civilians, and first responders. More than 40 lives were lost during the recent California wildfires, while billions of dollars’ worth of property damage was caused. At least 245,000 acres of land were burned, across Napa, Lake, Mendocino, and other areas,

Secondly, even if homes and businesses are not destroyed during a wildfire’s rampant spreading, they may still suffer extensive damage as a result. The flames may devour properties and destroy their foundations, while smoke is an obvious side-effect; both pose a very real risk to humans and animals alike, and are strong enough to damage properties too.

One of the most common challenges that a lot of property owners face is moisture hidden behind walls, under floors, or over ceilings. Water in these parts of your home or property can be difficult to detect since it’s not visible to the naked eye. If left undetected and untreated, excess moisture can lead to mold infestation, which can also lead to more problems, including health risks.

Mold can begin to accumulate in as little as 24 hours. This is why it’s important that you detect and treat the problem the minute you see signs of moisture in hidden areas in your house. One of the most effective and advanced tools used to detect moisture or water damage in walls or ceilings is a thermal scanner or imager.

Signs of excess indoor moisture

Aside from that familiar musty smell, there are other telltale signs you’ve got to watch out for to know there’s excess moisture somewhere inside your house.

1. Damage on walls and ceilings

Peeling or cracked paint and lumps in the wallpaper can be caused by too much moisture inside your house. Take a closer look at your wall. If you notice any discoloration of the paint, then you can have a moisture problem at home.

2. Musty smell on furniture

Furniture items kept too close to the walls can have molds in them if there’s excess water in your walls. This is because air cannot circulate properly and can cause condensation if moisture is building up behind your walls.

3. Visible mold growth on baseboards and walls

If an area has excess moisture, such as in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms, mold will normally appear on walls, baseboards, and ceilings. So be sure to have it checked by a professional right away.

Preventing damage

Water damage is the number one problem that can weaken a home’s foundation, which can lead to serious structural damage in the long run.

Here’s how to prevent water damage in your home.

1. Make sure you have a good drainage system.

Downspouts should direct water 5 to 10 feet away from your home. Gutters should be kept clean at all times to prevent clogging. Your yard is sloped at least 6 inches over a 10-foot span to keep water from getting down to your foundation, causing cracks and leaks.

2. Test the sump pump regularly.

You want to make sure that your sump pump works when the storm comes. Check it at least once a year and perform tests before the heavy storm seasons. To do this, fill the pump pit with water. Wait for the float to rise to turn on the pump. Check to see if the water level falls.

3. Inspect for leaks.

Leaks will lead to mold and mildew, as well as termites and ants. Inspect walls, cabinets, under pipes, ceilings, and toilets for dark spots or stains. You should also check your roof for missing or lose shingles. Have all leaks and other damages fixed immediately to prevent moisture and mold.

How does thermal imaging work?

Infrared cameras or thermal cameras can detect moisture, as well as other building failures, saving property owners and contractors thousands of dollars on repair. This is why these gadgets are becoming more and more available and affordable. Insurance carriers are also using these modern tools for the identification and detection of moisture in interior walls.

Infrared thermography (IT) is a method that uses a thermal camera to capture an image that’s invisible to the human eye through infrared light emitted by a particular object’s thermal condition or the heat or lack thereof. This tool looks like a camcorder that produces a live television picture of heat radiating an object. More sophisticated cameras can even measure the temperatures in the image. It will then produce false-color images, called thermogram or thermograph, to interpret thermal patterns easier.

How to measure correctly

A thermal camera can be used in the detection of moisture. It will detect infrared energy and converts it into an electronic signal, which is then processed by the device to produce a thermal image on a monitor. It is used in recent innovations because it delivers cost-efficient thermal analysis.

However, using an infrared camera is only part of the solution. You will need temperature measurement tools or moisture meters to provide accurate data, which in this case is the presence of moisture inside walls and ceilings. The thermal camera will help locate areas with potential water damage. Moisture meters, on the other hand, will help check the depth of water infiltration.

Do not compromise on quality

If you suspect that your home is suffering from water damage somewhere, you should immediately call the experts to find the problem for you. Be sure to contact a reputable company to ensure that you do not compromise on quality.

The dangers of sewage backups

Sewage water contains bacteria, viruses and diseases since it contains all types of waste. Any sewage backup and damage should be considered an emergency as it may cause serious illness.

Some of the dangers that biohazards from sewage water include the following:

1. Escherichia coli                  6. Gastroenteritis
2. Hepatitis A                          7. Well’s Disease
3. Dermatitis                           8. Allergic Alveolitis
4. Skin and eye infections    9. Damage to blood, kidneys, and liver
5. Asthma                               10. Legionnaires Disease

Mold can affect anyone, whether or not they have been previously exposed to the organism. Oftentimes, the initial symptoms of mold exposure are diagnosed as the flu. Accordingly, little effort is expended in taking the necessary precautions to avoid exposure.

What is likely to cause sickness is not the accidental exposure. However, significantly more danger lies in exposure to heavy concentrations of the organism over extended periods of time. It is worth noting that fungal diseases often clear up without any interventions, but some persist and spread via the bloodstream to the entire body, with the potential to cause dire complications.

It is important to inform the workforce on the specific symptoms characterizing mold presence. Mold causes allergic and irritant symptoms which are similar to flu symptoms (coughing, sneezing, sore throat, blocked nose, sinus congestion, skin rashes, etc.). It might be beneficial to ask employees to take note of when the symptoms occur and when they subside – it is entirely possible the employee is exposed at work. However, they might suffer from the symptoms of mold exposure at their own home. A good indicator is to note if the symptoms subside during vacation time.

Your family practitioner can help

If suspicion arises, it is advisable to consult a physician. They are a proper source of guidance, as they can simply and accurately determine whether your symptoms occur as a result of a mold allergy, either by a physical examination, a blood test or a skin test. If more severe symptoms arise, such as acute asthma, lung or sinus infections or skin rashes, seeking immediate medical care is advised.

Allergy symptoms are one of the top five causes for missing workdays. However, it is worth noting that most of the symptoms can significantly reduce productivity of the employees while they are working. The key productivity busters are: 1) decreased ability to concentrate and function, 2) activity limitation, 3) decreased decision-making capacity, 4) impaired hand-eye coordination, 5) problems remembering things, 6) irritability, 7) sleep disorders, 8) fatigue.

Employers, take note of this

The key for dealing with this cause of significant productivity loss are threefold: 1) accurate diagnosis of allergens and the work environment, 2) Proper environmental controls, 3) Suitable medications for the affected individuals.

At 911 Remediation, we take every aspect of our work seriously. As specialists in 24/7mold remediation and water damage restoration, we ensure all environments are safe for our team and clients before we begin a job.

This involves testing for lead. As many people know, lead poses various dangers to children and adults alike, though children absorb lead quicker than adults.

In children under six years of age, lead can:

• Cause a reduction in IQ and learning disabilities
• Problems with behavior

For adults, lead can:

• Cause high blood pressure
• Cause hypertension
• In pregnant women, lead can transfer to fetuses

The most common way for people to become exposed to lead is through dust, or from soil or chips of paint.

Why is lead still a threat?

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million properties, until it was no longer allowed for use in residential structures after 1978. This means any projects which disturb painted surfaces may cause lead-dust to circulate, posing significant risk to households.

What Does the EPA Say about Lead?

The Environmental Protection Agency provides plenty of advice on staying safe from lead poisoning. We test for lead as the nature of our work means surfaces may be affected and paint can be removed, potentially creating lead-dust. As well as paint, lead may also come from soil and water – as water-damage restoration specialists, we need to be sure our team will be safe, and our clients will remain secure after our job is done.

For households who believe their walls may be covered with lead-based paint, precautions should be taken when undertaking any renovation work: keep dust contained inside the work area; try to minimize dust as much as possible; cleaning thoroughly is also key.

The EPA recommends certified professionals are hired to check for lead-based paint: these people can inspect your home to identify any risky paint, and the locations it’s used in. Additional risks – such as lead in soil or water – will also be pinpointed, and the inspector will recommend ways to handle the hazards

How we Work to Stay Safe

The law demands that any professionals hired to repair or renovate a property built before 1978 have certifications to prove they know how to prevent lead contamination – at 911 Remediation, we carry certifications from various regulatory bodies. Our team is dedicated to maintaining the safest working practices and ensuring all properties are safe for use after our work is done.

Contractors such as ourselves, hired to work in areas with a risk of lead contamination, must do the following

• Cover flooring and immovable furnishings
• Seal off doors and vents
• For exterior jobs, keep the ground covered and, when needed, create vertical containment
• Avoid using any open flames
• Avoid grinding, sanding, needle-gunning, and using power tools without a shroud and HEPA vacuum-attachment
• Avoid using a heat gun with temperatures exceeding 1100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Clean the area using a mop for effective wet-wiping
• Clean debris and dust with a HEPA vacuum unit

The EPA demands contractors follow specific cleaning protocols: floors should be wiped with cleaning cloths, which should be compared to an EPA-provided cleaning verification card to assess if cleaning has been adequate. Apparently, research has shown that following the EPA’s protocol can effectively reduce hazards related to lead-dust.

More information on the EPA’s recommendations regarding lead-poisoning can be foundhere.

To learn more about our pre-work lead tests, feel free to get in touch!