Last month marked the three-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, a hurricane that wreaked havoc on New Jersey, New York, and the entire Eastern seaboard. Roads, structures, boardwalks, homes, and countless businesses were severely damaged and destroyed as the deadliest hurricane of the year hit land just two days before Halloween 2012.
In the months thereafter, thousands of volunteers, government workers, and contractors engaged in an extensive cleanup effort, rebuilding businesses, infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods. Without a doubt, when a hurricane strikes a heavily populated area like the tri-state area, homeowners and businesses alike need access to property damage experts they can trust.
If you’re a business owner, property manager, or building manager and your property becomes flooded due to a storm or hurricane, here are a few things to look for in a cleaning/restoration company:
Certifications – Look for companies with appropriate certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Restoration Science Academy (RSA). These certifying bodies hold companies to a higher standard and provide evidence that those companies’ workers have sufficient knowledge and experience to perform high-quality services.
Thorough services – Water damage due to flooding can cause serious problems in a building—but there’s much more to property cleanup than just drying things out. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration explains that floodwaters often contain infectious organisms—E. coli, salmonella, shigella, hepatitis A virus and many other types of potentially harmful bacteria, even in “clear water.” Buildings not property cleaned can be hazardous to residents and workers, causing a range of health issues from headaches to tetanus and more serious diseases. Be sure that any mold removal and remediation is performed properly. That includes:
- Thorough cleaning of all surfaces that have come into contact with floodwaters.
- Sanitization of all affected surfaces.
- Disinfection with detergents that destroy germs and prevent spreading.
Responsiveness – With flood cleanup, time is of the essence. Find a professional restoration and cleaning company that makes it a policy to respond to all calls quickly, no matter what time of day or night, and get your cleanup plan started as soon as possible. Immediate action is a must—time delays allow infectious organisms to reproduce and spread.
Quality equipment – The quality of work performed by a company depends on the type of equipment and products used. Be sure the company you hire uses equipment and cleaning products that are highly effective at sanitization. Any sanitizing agents must reduce bacteria on surfaces, and any disinfectants need to inactivate or eliminate human-disease causing microorganisms or pathogens.
If you live or work in northern New Jersey, AOA Cleaning & Restoration is your certified property damage expert. We provide emergency commercial cleaning services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you’re dealing with flooding, from a storm or something else, call us at 201-848-8600…we can help.
AOA Cleaning & Restoration is a licensed mold remediation contractor, certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Restoration Science Academy (RSA). The company sanitizes and disinfects with state-of-the-art HALO machinery and Sanosil products. Learn more at www.aoacleaningandrestoration.com/commercial-cleaning.
