Water Damage

Identify source and category of water: Category 1: Clean water Category 2: Gray water Category 3: Black water (sewage) Identify class of water loss (extent of saturation). Inspect affected materials (drywall, flooring, insulation, contents). Take photos, moisture readings, and notes. Determine scope of work and drying plan.

Documentation (Critical for Insurance)
Pre-mitigation photos and videos.
Moisture mapping (walls, floors, ceilings).
Equipment logs (air movers, dehumidifiers).
Daily progress notes.
Customer authorization and insurance info.

Water Extraction
Remove standing water using:
Truck-mounted extractors
Portable extractors
Submersible pumps (for heavy flooding)
Extract from carpets, pads, and flooring.
Remove wet contents if needed.
Removal of Unsalvageable Materials (Demo)

Remove materials that cannot be dried or are contaminated:
Drywall (typically cut 12–24 inches above wet line)
Baseboards
Carpet padding
Insulation
Bag and dispose per local regulations.
Set up containment if contamination is present.

Drying & Dehumidification
Install equipment based on loss class:
Air movers (focused airflow)
Dehumidifiers (LGR or desiccant)
HEPA air scrubbers if needed
Control temperature and humidity.
Establish proper air circulation patterns.

Monitoring & Daily Adjustments
Daily moisture readings and psychrometric checks.
Adjust equipment placement and quantity.

Document drying progress.
Communicate updates to homeowner and insurer.

Cleaning & Sanitizing
Apply antimicrobial treatments (if required).

Clean affected surfaces and contents.
Odor control if necessary (fogging, hydroxyl, ozone—when appropriate).
HEPA vacuuming for Category 2 or 3 losses.

Drying Completion & Verification
Confirm all materials meet dry-standard moisture levels.
Final moisture map and photos.
Remove drying equipment.
Customer sign-off on mitigation completion.

Fire Damage

Initial Inspection & Damage Assessment
Identify type of fire (important for cleaning method):
Protein fire
Natural fire
Synthetic fire
Electrical fire
Furnace puff-back
Identify smoke and soot migration throughout the structure.
Assess damage to:
Structural components
Contents
HVAC system
Determine salvageable vs. non-salvageable materials.
Take photos, videos, and initial notes.

Documentation (Critical for Insurance)
Pre-mitigation photos/videos.
Room-by-room inventory of damaged contents.
Smoke and soot mapping.
Equipment and labor logs.
Customer authorization and insurance info.

Emergency Services (Stabilization)
Board-up missing doors, windows, roof openings.
Roof tarping if needed.
Water extraction if firefighting water caused flooding.
Temporary power or lighting if required.

Debris Removal & Controlled Demolition
Remove fire-damaged and unsalvageable materials:
Drywall
Insulation
Flooring
Charred framing (if required)
Establish containment to prevent cross-contamination.
Dispose of debris per local regulations.

Soot & Smoke Residue Removal
Dry cleaning methods (depending on material and fire type):
HEPA vacuuming
Dry sponging
Wet cleaning where appropriate:
Alkaline or specialized fire cleaners
Clean:
Walls, ceilings, framing
Cabinets, fixtures
Hard surfaces
HVAC cleaning if contaminated.

Deodorization & Air Quality Control
Install air scrubbers with HEPA and carbon filters.
Apply deodorization methods as needed:
Thermal fogging
ULV fogging
Hydroxyl generators
Ozone (only when structure is unoccupied)
Seal surfaces with odor-blocking primers if required.

Contents Cleaning & Pack-Out (If Needed)
Inventory, pack, and remove contents.

Clean and deodorize contents off-site or on-site.
Store contents securely.
Document salvage vs. non-salvage items.

Final Cleaning & Verification
Final detailed cleaning of all affected areas.
Post-mitigation photos.
Air quality confirmation if required.
Customer walkthrough and sign-off.

Mold Damage

Inspection & Mold Assessment
Identify visible mold growth and suspect areas.
Use moisture meters and thermal imaging to locate moisture.
Determine extent of contamination (square footage).
Identify affected materials:
Drywall
Insulation
Framing
Flooring
Contents
Determine if a third-party mold test or protocol is required.
Take photos, moisture readings, and notes.
Documentation & Authorization
Pre-remediation photos and moisture maps.
Written scope of work.
Signed work authorization and disclosure forms.
Insurance info (if applicable).

Moisture Source Correction
Stop the cause of moisture before remediation:
Plumbing repair
Roof leak repair
HVAC condensation correction
Without moisture control, mold remediation will fail.

Containment Setup
Establish containment based on contamination level:
Limited containment (small areas)
Full containment (walls, ceilings, zipper doors)
Use negative air machines with HEPA filtration.
Seal HVAC registers to prevent cross-contamination.

Removal of Mold-Contaminated Materials
Remove porous materials that cannot be cleaned:
Drywall
Carpet and padding
Insulation
Ceiling tiles
Double-bag debris and dispose per regulations.
Maintain negative pressure throughout removal.

Cleaning & Mold Treatment
HEPA vacuum all exposed surfaces.
Clean semi-porous and non-porous materials using:
Antimicrobial cleaners
Wire brushing or sanding (if required)
Apply EPA-registered antimicrobial treatments.
Do not rely solely on fogging or spraying.

Drying & Dehumidification
Install air movers and dehumidifiers.
Dry materials to normal moisture levels.
Monitor humidity and moisture daily.
Document drying progress.

Post-Remediation Cleaning & Verification
Final HEPA vacuum and wipe-down.
Remove containment carefully.
Optional post-remediation verification (PRV):
Visual inspection
Clearance testing by a third party (if required)
Final photos and documentation.

Crime Scene & Trauma Clean Up

Scene Safety & PPE Setup
Perform a site safety assessment.
Identify hazards:
Bloodborne pathogens
Sharp objects
Structural damage
Chemical exposure (pepper spray, tear gas)
Don full PPE:
P100 respirator or full-face respirator
Tyvek or biohazard suit
Double gloves
Eye and shoe protection
Establish work zones (clean, transition, hot zone).

Documentation & Authorization
Obtain signed authorization to proceed.
Pre-cleaning photos (when allowed).
Document affected areas and materials.
Coordinate with insurance or victim assistance programs (when applicable).
Containment & Ventilation Control
Set up containment to prevent cross-contamination:
Plastic sheeting
Zipper doors
Use negative air machines with HEPA filtration.
Shut down or seal HVAC systems if contaminated.
Biohazard Removal (Source Removal)
Remove all visible biohazard materials:
Blood
Bodily fluids
Tissue
Remove porous materials that cannot be disinfected:
Carpet and pad
Drywall
Furniture
Bedding
Use proper sharps handling procedures.
Double-bag waste in red biohazard bags.
Cleaning & Disinfection
HEPA vacuum affected areas.
Clean surfaces using:
Hospital-grade disinfectants
EPA-registered biohazard cleaners
Scrub and treat:
Floors
Walls
Fixtures
Structural materials (as required)
Allow proper dwell time per disinfectant instructions.
Deodorization & Air Treatment
Use odor control methods as needed:
Hydroxyl generators
Thermal fogging
Ozone (only when unoccupied)
Address decomposition odors if present.
Replace or clean HVAC components if affected.
Waste Handling & Disposal
Transport biohazard waste per DOT regulations.
Dispose at licensed medical/biohazard waste facilities.
Maintain chain-of-custody documentation.
Decontaminate tools and equipment on-site or off-site.
Final Verification & Clearance
Perform detailed visual inspection.
ATP or surface testing if required.
Confirm no visible or detectable biohazards remain.
Remove containment.
Final photos and documentation