Emergency Cleaning Service in Florida

✓ What to Do

1. 1Stop the water source if possible (shut off the valve under the sink or the main water shutoff)
2. 2Turn off electricity in affected areas if water is near outlets
3. 3Move furniture and valuables away from standing water
4. 4Document everything with photos and video before cleanup begins
5. 5Contact your landlord/management company immediately
6. 6Call your renter's insurance company to open a claim
7. 7Call us for professional water damage cleanup

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't use a regular household vacuum on standing water — use a wet/dry vac or wait for pros
• —Don't walk through standing water near electrical outlets
• —Don't assume it will dry on its own — moisture trapped under floors and walls breeds mold

✓ What to Do

1. 1Wait for the fire department to clear the building before re-entering
2. 2Open windows for ventilation if safe to do so
3. 3Don't turn on the HVAC system — it will spread soot through the ductwork
4. 4Document damage with photos for insurance before touching anything
5. 5Remove undamaged items from the space if possible
6. 6Call a professional cleaning service — smoke damage requires specialized equipment

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't try to wipe soot off walls — smearing it into porous surfaces makes it permanent
• —Don't use water on soot-covered surfaces — it creates a paste that stains
• —Don't stay in a smoke-damaged home — the particles are a serious respiratory hazard

✓ What to Do

1. 1Do not touch the sewage water without protective equipment (gloves, boots, mask minimum)
2. 2Turn off HVAC and close vents in affected areas to prevent airborne contamination
3. 3Keep children and pets away from the affected area
4. 4Contact your building management — this is usually a building-wide issue
5. 5Call a professional biohazard cleaning service immediately
6. 6Dispose of any porous items that contacted sewage (carpet, fabric, cardboard)

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't try to clean sewage with household products — they don't kill the pathogens present
• —Don't use fans to dry the area — you'll spread contaminated particles through the air
• —Don't eat, drink, or smoke in or near the affected area

✓ What to Do

1. 1Assess the size — if it's smaller than a 3×3 ft area, you can likely handle it yourself
2. 2For small patches: spray with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, scrub with a stiff brush
3. 3For larger areas: do NOT disturb it — disturbing large mold colonies releases spores into the air
4. 4Notify your landlord in writing — Florida law requires landlords to remediate mold
5. 5For suspected black mold (dark green/black, musty smell), call a professional for testing
6. 6Increase ventilation — run fans, open windows, use a dehumidifier

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't paint over mold — it grows right through paint
• —Don't bleach mold on porous surfaces (wood, drywall) — bleach only works on non-porous surfaces
• —Don't ignore it — mold spreads rapidly and affects your respiratory health

✓ What to Do

1. 1Start with a plan — map out the space and decide what needs sorting vs. immediate disposal
2. 2Work with the person living there if possible — forced cleanouts cause psychological harm
3. 3Ensure proper protective equipment (dust masks, gloves) — air quality can be poor
4. 4Have dumpster or junk removal service arranged before starting
5. 5Professional cleaning after clearing — deep sanitization of all surfaces is essential
6. 6Consider mental health resources — hoarding is a recognized disorder and support exists

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't throw things away without sorting — important documents, valuables, and medication can be buried
• —Don't attempt it alone — hoarding cleanups are physically and emotionally exhausting
• —Don't expect a single-day job — most require 2–5 days depending on severity

✓ What to Do

1. 1Check for structural damage before entering — look for cracks, sagging ceilings, or gas smells
2. 2Photograph all damage before touching anything (for insurance)
3. 3Remove standing water as quickly as possible
4. 4Move wet contents to a dry area for sorting
5. 5Open windows and run dehumidifiers to start drying
6. 6Contact your insurance company within 24 hours

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't enter if you smell gas — leave immediately and call 911
• —Don't use electrical appliances that got wet until they've been inspected
• —Don't wait to start drying — mold begins growing within 24–48 hours in wet conditions

✓ What to Do

1. 1Call police first and don't touch anything until they've documented the scene
2. 2Contact your landlord about any structural damage (broken doors, windows)
3. 3Document damage with photos for your insurance claim
4. 4Once police release the scene, call us for cleanup
5. 5Change locks immediately (your landlord must provide this in Florida)

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't clean before police have processed the scene
• —Don't try to fix structural damage yourself — that's your landlord's responsibility

✓ What to Do

1. 1Do not attempt to clean biohazard materials yourself — it's dangerous and often illegal to dispose of improperly
2. 2Call a professional biohazard cleaning service
3. 3Keep the area sealed off from other occupants
4. 4If related to a crime or death, wait for law enforcement clearance before cleaning

✗ What NOT to Do

• —Don't use household cleaners — they don't meet biohazard decontamination standards
• —Don't put biohazard waste in regular trash
• —Don't attempt cleanup without proper PPE (personal protective equipment)