Do's & Don'ts

Gray Water

Gray water is any tainted water, which may harbor harmful bacteria, fungi, yeasts and parasites; for example: toilet bowl overflows not having sewage solids or black water. Other gray water flooding may include broken fish tanks, waterbeds, stagnant water and non-potable water, water in dirty carpets or buildings, and water from an outside source.

Sewage Water

Sewage water is any contaminated water that does harbor harmful disease-causing bacteria, health-compromising organisms, toxins, and other agents which are known to be disease causing and potentially pathogenic to humans; for example: a main-line sewer system overflow in and under buildings, and toilet bowls with sewage effluent solids.

Restoration Standards

A competent water restoration company will have as part of its company standards a mandated injury/illness prevention program, while following suggested EPA flooding and containment guidelines, state and local health and safety regulations, and local building codes. All contaminants are taken seriously which are known to cause harm to the health of cleanup workers, occupants and the public. Stay out of all contaminated areas of the building.

Improper Cleanup Services

When potential biohazardous agents are not contained, removed and disposed of properly, a contractor may be liable for leaving buildings in a condition other than clean/sanitized. Consumers should comply with trained emergency worker requests and follow their recommendations in attempting to maintain building and occupant safety and health during containment and removal of potentially disease-causing organisms.

Sewage Contaminated Building Materials

It is important to identify which building materials are salvageable, compared to building materials requiring repair or replacement. Trained and certified technicians can address these concerns.

Sewage Contaminated Contents

All items should be evaluated for cleaning and sanitation, repair or replacement; for example: contaminated children's soft toys, slippers, personal hygiene and sanitary items should be discarded. Most wood furniture and other hard items can be sanitized.

Consumer Declines Services

Consumers occasionally decline to take appropriate steps to mitigate their water damage in order to attempt shortcuts to their restoration. A certified water restoration company may not then warrant any of their work to clean and sanitize the property, and may reserve the right to refuse to perform any work for that consumer.