Is Floodwater a Biohazard?

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage in Spring can Bring Contaminated Waters into a Home, but SERVPRO can Mitigate the Problem Safely

Cities close to sea level can experience flooding any time of the year. With the sea rise level increasing annually, storms and flooding occur more often and are more intense. Floodwaters create a biohazardous situation that requires professional intervention. 

What Creates A Biohazard Incidence?

When a home experiences flood damage in Spring, it brings contaminated water into the building. These waters are teeming with microbes, and it is vital to understand the dangers. Microbes are living organisms that can pollute our air and water. SERVPRO deals with three main types:

• Fungi – Multicell organism that digests materials to get the nutrients they need. Mold is a type of fungi.
• Bacteria– Like fungi, bacteria absorb surrounding material to get nutrients but are single-cell organisms.
• Viruses– Simple microbes that grow, multiply, and cause disease in living things.

While microbes are vital to the ecosystem, they can become a threat under certain conditions. Floodwaters are the perfect environment for a biohazard threat involving microbes. Homeowners should never attempt to clean up contaminated water on their own. 

SERVPRO of Westfield has trained, certified biohazard technicians who have the experience and the proper equipment to mitigate flood damage in Los Angeles. Call us today at (281) 907-0018 for more information.