Integrated Restoration

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.