FIRE | WATER | MOLD | BIOHAZARD
- FAQ
Why Choose Us? Certified Excellence in Restoration...
Absolutely. At SourceOne Property Restoration Group, we uphold the highest standards of professional excellence. Our team is proudly certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the gold standard in restoration industry training and accreditation. This certification is a testament to our expertise in mold remediation, ensuring that we’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively tackle these challenges.
Furthermore, our commitment to safety and regulatory compliance includes our separate license in asbestos abatement. This certification allows us to safely handle and remove asbestos-containing materials, protecting both our clients and the environment from potential harm.
In addition to the previously mentioned certifications and licensing framework, we are fully insured with comprehensive coverage to safeguard client interest throughout the restoration process.
Our operations team is the backbone of our service excellence, each member bringing a wealth of training and licensing to the table. This ensures that every service we provide is performed with the utmost professionalism and expertise.
At SourceOne Property Restoration Group, your safety, satisfaction, and trust are our top priorities. We are dedicated to delivering quality restoration services with transparency, integrity, and accountability at every step of the way.
All estimates and inspections are a complimentary service provided, to schedule an inspection please contact us today.
SourceOne’s is locally owned and operated with its corporate location in Fort Lauderdale, FL. However we are state licensed and capable of rendering services throughout the state of Florida. With that said, our client base is mostly in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade County. Some of our main areas included are Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale by the Sea, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Hollywood and Plantation, Florida.
Water Damage...
Immediately after water damage, it’s crucial to stop the source of water, disconnect electrical appliances, move furniture or perishable items away from the affected area, take photos for insurance claims, and contact a water damage restoration specialist.
New water damage may take about 3-7 days for the drying and initial repair process.This can vary based on room size. Bigger areas affected need longer dry times, So it is critical to start the drying process immediately to prevent or decrease the potential of mold growth. Nonetheless there will need to be a specific protocol taken to restore your home or business.
Yes, a one-time water leak can indeed cause mold. Mold spores can begin developing within the first 24-48 hours following water exposure from a leak. The quicker you react the better chance you have of preventing mold growth because even a brief period of dampness can create suitable conditions for mold to thrive. The potential for mold development depends on several factors, including the duration of the water exposure, moisture levels, and the types of materials affected.
Detecting moisture behind walls without causing damage is both crucial and achievable with the right tools and techniques. Here’s how you can tell if there’s moisture behind a wall:
- Use a Moisture Meter: There are typically two types of moisture meters: Pinless moisture meters are non-invasive and use radio frequencies to detect dampness up to a certain depth from the surface without causing any damage. Pin-type meters, while requiring contact, leave minimal marks and measure moisture content by electrical resistance between their probes. Both types are effective for assessing moisture in various materials, including sheetrock, plaster, and even concrete.
- Look for Physical Signs: Common indicators of moisture include discoloration, staining, peeling paint or wallpaper, and warping of the material. You might also notice a musty smell, which is a telltale sign of mold resulting from excess moisture.
- Thermal Imaging Cameras: While they don’t “see” moisture directly, thermal imaging cameras can detect subtle temperature differences caused by the presence of moisture. These cameras are useful for identifying patterns of moisture spread, especially in areas difficult to reach or inspect visually.
- Professional Inspection: Sometimes, the signs of moisture are not visible or easy to detect without professional equipment. In such cases, hiring a professional who can conduct a thorough inspection using the proper tools might be necessary to determine the extent of moisture and potential damage.
Most insurance policies cover water damage restoration services. With the frequency of significant rain and flooding in Broward County here’s some other helpful information to help prepare in advance. Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and unnatural disasters. FEMA also has a disasters and assistance program that helps with local resources when major storm events happen. As your trusted local restoration company, we have the experience to work directly with insurers to streamline the claim process.
Fire Damage...
Recovering from fire damage involves a series of steps beginning with ensuring personal safety and securing the property. Contact emergency services immediately and do not re-enter the damaged property until it has been declared safe by authorities. Seek professional fire damage restoration services, as they can effectively assess the damage, perform necessary clean-ups, and repair structural damage. Communicate with your insurance company to report the incident and understand your coverage for repairs and replacements. Also, don’t overlook your emotional well-being during this challenging time, seek support from family, friends, or professional counselors.
The duration of the fire restoration process really depends on the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area, and the specific restoration needs. Minor damages might be resolved in a few days, while extensive damages requiring significant repair and reconstruction could take several weeks or even months to fully address. Each situation is unique, and a detailed assessment by fire restoration professionals can provide a more accurate timeline.
- Prioritize Safety: Confirm the area is secure for cleanup activities by getting clearance from relevant officials first. Additionally, refrain from using any electrical devices that were impacted by the fire until they’ve been thoroughly evaluated and declared safe.
- Eliminate Unrecoverable Items: Conduct an evaluation to identify and discard items beyond repair, such as scorched clothing, bulky fabric goods, household furnishings, sleeping mattresses, beauty products, personal hygiene products, medications, and any foodstuff affected by smoke, soot, or chemicals used during firefighting efforts. It’s crucial to note that lack of visible damage doesn’t guarantee the absence of contamination.
- Improving Air Flow and Moisture Control: Enhance the circulation within your home by opening windows and utilizing fans, which assists in eliminating odors and hazardous substances from smoke. Employ a wet-dry vacuum to eliminate any accumulated water and address damp regions to halt mold formation. Items such as rugs and furniture with upholstery, if damp, should be moved outdoors to aid in the drying process.
- Surface Cleaning: Conduct a thorough examination of all surfaces to remove any soot accumulation. It’s also critical to have professionals clean your HVAC system to safeguard the indoor air quality. To ensure the air remains fresh, make it a routine to replace the air filters regularly.
- Hire A Pro: Remember, each situation may vary based on the extent of the fire damage, so it’s essential to adjust your approach accordingly. For comprehensive cleanup and restoration, hiring professionals who specialize in fire damage restoration can ensure your property and belongings are properly cared for and can help speed up the recovery process.
Mold Cleanup & Removal
You might have a mold problem if you notice a musty odor, see visible signs of mold growth, or experience health symptoms like allergies or respiratory issues when in certain areas of your home. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments, so any history of water damage or persistent moisture can also indicate a potential mold issue.
While the two are tied together hand-in-hand they are two separate processes that according to Florida Mold Assessment and Remediation Law require separate specialty licenses. All persons who are hired to perform mold inspections, or assessments must have a specialty mold assessor’s license. All persons conducting “mold remediation” (which includes persons performing removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter of greater than 10 square feet) must maintain a speciality license with DBPR for mold remediation.
Key Differences
- Purpose: Mold testing focuses on identifying mold, while mold remediation focuses on removing or controlling it.
- Process: Mold testing involves sampling and analysis, while mold remediation involves physical removal, cleaning, and disinfection.
- Timeframe: Mold testing is typically done before and after remediation to assess the effectiveness of the process. Mold remediation can take longer, depending on the severity of the problem.
- Cost: Mold testing can be relatively less expensive than mold remediation, which requires specialized equipment and labor.
- Expertise: Both mold testing and remediation should be performed by trained professionals with experience in addressing mold issues.
Yes, mold can cause health issues, particularly for individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Exposure to mold can lead to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, skin rashes, and in severe cases, can exacerbate asthma or lead to more serious respiratory conditions.
For more information on Mold you can also visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency website here (EPA).
Biohazard & Crime Scene Cleanup
Biohazard remediation focuses on the thorough cleansing, disinfection, and neutralizing odors in spaces affected by distressing incidents like injuries, fatalities, or the spread of infectious diseases. Unlike conventional cleaning, this specialized service targets the safe elimination of dangerous organisms and hazardous substances, such as blood and other bodily fluids.
Biohazard remediation is often necessary in a variety of circumstances, such as after violent crimes or homicides, instances of self-harm or unattended demise, accidents leading to the release of blood and bodily fluids, extreme hoarding cases, and encounters with chemical dangers. These incidents involve materials that pose significant health threats unless they are correctly sanitized and cleaned.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established specific guidelines for biohazard cleanup, primarily focused on protecting workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Here are some key aspects of OSHA’s regulations:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030): This standard is the primary OSHA regulation that applies to biohazard cleanup. It requires employers to implement a written exposure control plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employers must provide appropriate PPE to workers involved in biohazard cleanup, such as gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks, at no cost to the employees. Training on the proper use of PPE is also required.
- Hepatitis B Vaccination: OSHA mandates that employers offer the Hepatitis B vaccine series to all workers who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, again at no cost to the employees.
- Training: Employees must receive training on bloodborne pathogens and the precautions to take when dealing with hazardous materials. This training must be provided at the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may occur and annually thereafter.
- Use of Universal Precautions: OSHA requires the application of universal precautions, assuming that all blood and OPIM are infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. This approach requires treating all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to be infectious.
- Proper Handling and Disposal: The guidelines also specify proper handling, labeling, and disposal of biohazardous waste. Biohazard cleanup crews must use regulated waste containers that are closable, constructed to contain all contents, and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.
- Decontamination and Cleaning: The area must be properly decontaminated and cleaned using EPA-registered disinfectants that are effective against bloodborne pathogens. All equipment and work surfaces must be decontaminated after contact with blood or OPIM.
- Recordkeeping: Employers are required to keep medical records for employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and training records accessible.
Your best course of action…
Engaging a specialized restoration firm is crucial for adhering to the stringent standards and protocols established by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). SourceOne holds the necessary certification to implement the correct cleaning methods in situations involving biohazards, ensuring safety and compliance with industry regulations. These guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of workers handling biohazardous materials, reducing the risk of exposure to infectious diseases. For detailed information and updates, it’s important to refer directly to OSHA’s standards and guidance documents.
Asbestos Testing & Abatement
Asbestos mitigation involves strategies to decrease or eliminate asbestos-related health hazards in buildings, which can be achieved by either removing materials containing asbestos or sealing them off. This crucial procedure ensures the well-being of individuals within structures that house asbestos.
Identifying asbestos within your home requires following several important steps. Start by evaluating the construction date of your home; properties built before 1980 have a higher chance of incorporating asbestos in materials like pipe and boiler insulation, linoleum, caulking around windows, roofing components, and certain paints. These materials, if undamaged, usually do not emit asbestos fibers. Nevertheless, discovering damaged materials exhibiting wear such as tears, abrasions, or signs of water damage could indicate a potential for the release of asbestos fibers, thereby increasing health risks.
For a conclusive identification of asbestos, testing by a certified lab is necessary. Engaging a qualified and accredited asbestos specialist to collect samples for analysis is advised, particularly if you’re dealing with damaged materials or planning renovations that could disturb these materials. A professional from an industrial hygiene firm can evaluate your property, gather samples, and furnish a comprehensive report detailing the presence and condition of asbestos, as well as offer suggestions for its removal or containment. This crucial step precedes engaging an asbestos abatement contractor, ensuring adherence to all relevant safety and regulatory standards for the proper handling, removal, or encapsulation of asbestos.
To sum up, being vigilant about the presence of materials that may contain asbestos, conducting regular checks for any damage, and seeking professional assessment and testing are essential in detecting asbestos in your residence. Ensuring that these steps are carried out by professionals guarantees adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance, effectively minimizing the health hazards posed by asbestos.
It is strongly recommended to engage in expert asbestos abatement under various circumstances, such as prior to the renovation or demolition of structures built before the 1980s, when asbestos-containing materials show signs of damage, or in anticipation of any work that could potentially disturb these materials.
