Got Flood Damage in Western Washington? Some Reasons to Hire a Professional Biohazard Remediation Company to Handle the Cleanup

The flood waters are receding in northwestern Washington state, but homes and businesses and farms in Whatcom and Skagit counties have been devastated by the historic levels of water overflowing rivers. It’s so severe that coverage has been on a national level. You’ve probably seen photos like this one shown here (courtesy of ABC News). But it may be that the worst is yet to come.

Photo credit: ABC News

Estimates are that in some communities as much of 85% of properties have been damaged. Reports of basements filled with wet mud having walls collapse are not unusual. And even if your property hasn’t had a lot of physical damage, those waters and mud bring with them a very different type of risk. Flood waters are usually contaminated with biohazards that can produce infections and contagious diseases, which is why we DO NOT recommend property owners handle cleanup themselves. It involves much more than just drying things out, cleaning up the mud and dirt, and repairing structures.

Flood Damage Cleanup Is Best Left to a Professional

You can’t identify many biohazards just from looking at dirty water or mud. (Mold is an exception, and it’s usually the most common thing to develop after a flood, but that does take time.) The areas affected by the recent flooding are in large part agricultural, meaning that water is likely contaminated with animal feces. Fecal matter poses a substantial health risk, and when cleanup is not done properly and with the right protective equipment, those doing the cleaning can actually become sick themselves.

Another reason? Lack of expertise. If you aren’t a trained biohazard remediation professional, you likely don’t even know what to look for or where potential problems might arise. And there may be hidden structural damage.

Finally, knowing what needs to happen even after things appear dry and clean is very important. Biohazard and flood damage remediation companies like ours know what to look for and how to make sure the property is restored, disinfected, and sanitized.

Don’t risk your health and safety attempting to clean up after this recent flood. We are here 24/7 to help you. Flood damage repair and restoration is one of our specialties. We can work with your insurance company as well. Our trained biohazard and water damage cleanup technicians have the experience and the equipment to get the job done right. Contact us today – we serve the greater Seattle area, including communities that have been affected like Bellingham, Sumas, Everson, and Mount Vernon.

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The Most Common Biohazards in an Ordinary Home

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When most people hear the word ‘biohazard’, they think of things like hospitals or other locales were bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms may be present. But did you know that your house is full of them, too? As a company that specializes in biohazard cleanup, one thing we also offer is educational information such as this post, so that you can be informed and take precautions to protect yourself and hopefully not need our services.

Before we discuss what kinds of infectious organisms you might find in your own home, we should define the word ‘biohazard.’ Knowing what this means will help you understand what follows. From the Merriam-Webster dictionary, its most basic meaning is:

a biological agent or condition that is a hazard to humans or the environment

A biological agent is something that is (or was) alive. This is different from an inert substance that might be poisonous or dangerous. We think of biohazards mostly in terms of infections microorganisms like certain bacteria, fungi, and viruses. (Note that there are friendly fungi and bacteria as well.)

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look of what biohazards are commonly found in a home. Except for needles, these all originate in human and/or animal bodies.

Blood: It might surprise you just how common blood is in a home. Have a cold? You might get a bloody nose when you blow it. Bloody diarrhea might result from an intestinal illness. Someone working in kitchen preparing supper might nick themselves with a a knife or on the can opener, perhaps without even realizing it. That blood then might make its way into the food. Blood can carry all kinds of viruses and bacteria. Some of the most dangerous bloodborne pathogens are HIV as well as Hepatitis B and C. (These can all be fatal.)

Human and Animal Waste (Feces and Urine): Waste products from both humans and animals can carry all kinds of infectious or dangerous biohazards. Some may even be part of the dust that you commonly find in your home, because as feces particles dry, they crumble and if fine enough can be inhaled. Cleanup of animal or human waste should always be done with caution, as waste products can carry diseases. Fecal contamination of water and food is common; hence the frequent outbreaks of e coli and other ‘food poisoning’ organisms.

Pathological (Tissue) Waste: Though more commonly found in labs and hospitals, at times human or animal tissue may be found in a home. Here’s an example: Home births are becoming more common, and the placental tissue is considered a pathological waste product and needs to be disposed of properly. You may also have similar placental tissue if you have pets giving birth at home.

Sharps (Needles): Though technically not a biohazard themselves, we’ve included needles because both legal and illegal both drug use as well as insulin injection are common. Because of how they are used, needles automatically become contaminated with blood and may result in transmission of a biohazard (see ‘Blood’ above).

So how do you protect yourself and your family from these things? Knowing how to property clean, dispose, and disinfect is the answer. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. And if you have recently experienced a trauma in your home that has resulted in a large amount of biohazard material – especially blood – we offer safe, sanitary cleanup. We are a licensed biohazard cleaning and remediation company serving the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Spokane and Seattle areas but other PNW communities as well.

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Potential Bloodborne Biohazards in the Workplace

As a Washington state biohazard remediation company, we often encounter blood on our cleanup projects. Our technicians wear protective gear and they’ve been trained to identify and avoid contamination with blood, but that might not be true of workers in other industries. Many people get exposed to blood in the course of their jobs, and it’s very important to be aware of just how dangerous blood might be.

Blood itself isn’t the threat; it’s the microorganisms it can contain or provide a food source to that are problematic and potentially fatal. In fact, the three most common ones – hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV – can cause death. But there are many others as well. And it’s not just bacteria or viruses blood may harbor; there may be dangerous drugs like heroin or fentanyl present as well. Because of these health threats, we highly recommend you hire a professional biohazard company to clean up messes where blood is involved.

But often encountering blood is a regular workplace hazard, especially for those in the health care sector as well as first responders. Those in the housekeeping industry are at risk. Even sanitation workers might be exposed to blood during routine trash pick-up and transfer. And with IV drug use at an almost epidemic state, a prick from a used hypodermic needle might expose someone to contaminated blood. (Because of this, we get concerned when volunteer groups and others with no training handle homeless camp cleanup. Discarded, contaminated needles are usually in abundance on these sites.)

Because the potential of a blood-borne pathogen is so extensive, one thing we highly recommend is that people are made aware of the dangers that handling discarded needles and syringes can pose. A needlestick is probably the most common way someone inadvertently gets exposed to contaminated blood. We can’t say it enough: DO NOT handle a discarded needle with bare hands; where protective gear and exercise extreme caution. Dispose of needles and other sharps appropriately. Employers should also educate their workers on what to do in the event of an exposure. Emergency information should be posted. The CDC has good basic information on what to do in case of an exposure: click here to visit the CDC reference guide.

Something else to consider for those who routinely encounter blood in the course of their employment: getting a Hep-C vaccination. While there are no vaccines currently available for HIV or Hep-B, you can protect yourself against Hep-C. And if blood spills are a regular occurrence at your place of business, you may want to consider talking to us about safe and effective cleanup.

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Our Spokane Area Biohazard/Hazmat Cleanup Company Is Now Hiring

We are a hazmat cleaning and biohazard remediation company now hiring in our Eastern Washington locations, particularly the greater Spokane area. Open positions are on an on-call/will call basis, so we cannot guarantee any amount of hours. But this is a great job for a person looking for some additional income and who has a somewhat flexible schedule. We take calls and respond 24/7, and we need people who can be available on short notice.

Military, police, fire fighters, and medical personnel are welcome. Also helpful would be construction or janitorial experience. Training or experience in hazardous waste cleanup is a plus but is not required; we will train interested individuals.

Warning: Often our cleanup services include coming in to help a family recover physically and emotionally following a violent crime or suicide or other unexpected death. Our team members often face situations that can be hard to handle from an emotional standpoint, so the ideal person for this job would be one who can cope in the face of hard situations but is compassionate. Those who use our services are often experiencing one of the most difficult times in their lives, and our first concern is care for them. We expect our team members to conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism but have empathy for our customers.

BioHazard Cleanup Services Team MedTech Cleaners
MedTech Cleaners Biohazard Cleanup Team: Join Us!

Job qualifications:

  • In good physical shape – jobs can be strenuous at times
  • Hard working and have the ability to multi-task
  • Available evenings and weekends (although not all jobs are at these hours)
  • Able to handle yourself in situations that may be emotionally challenging
  • Must be age 18 or older, have reliable transportation, and a valid driver’s license
  • Be able to pass a background check and drug testing

Pay rate: Pay is hourly, $18 to $20, starting pay depending on experience

To apply, please send a resume with contact information to: [email protected]

Appropriate protective gear is provided. Our protocols meet or exceed COVID-safe requirements and recommendations. We look forward to hearing from you!



Thank you, we look forward to talking with you.

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We Handle Water Damage Repair in Washington State and Surrounding PNW Areas

Here in the Pacific Northwest, flooding and related water issues can often cause damage to homes and businesses. Water damage repair and property restoration is one of our very important services. And it involves much more than just getting things dried out and fixed. When not done properly, water can create a whole host of problems, including mold. And if the water was contaminated by any type of biohazard (such as from a sewer pipe leak), there are possible infectious organisms to deal with as well.

Step one is contacting your property insurance company immediately. And we highly suggest you take pictures to document what has occurred. We do have the experience to work with insurance adjusters on behalf of our clients. But we still suggest people take photos, both of the water and your property, paying particular attention to damaged areas.

What Water Damage Repair May Involve

This flooding river could be carrying multiple contaminants, including human or animal waste.

Of course, before you can begin to get your property restored after water damage has occurred, the source of the water needs to be identified and dealt with so no further problems result. For example, if a leaky roof has caused structural damage in your home, the first step is to get the roof repaired or replaced or further water leaks are going to happen.

Then once the water flow has stopped, the next step is to get things dried out. Often it’s hard to tell exactly how much damage has occurred until things begin to dry. A variety of methods may be employed, such as large fans and blowers, dehumidifiers, absorbing agents, etc. Getting the moisture removed is crucial to preventing any potential contamination from spreading.

But in conjunction with drying the water up, the type of water needs to be identified. Is it relatively clean water? For example, a broken water line in your home may result in drinkable water spewing out. Contaminants would be few, if any. But it’s far different if the water is what is classified as ‘grey’ – waste water. Grey water can include any type of cleansing agents (such as a dishwasher or washing machine or even a bathtub overflow).

And then there is what is known as ‘black water.’ Black water likely contains human or animal waste. Sources of black water might be from a sewer line to even an overflowing river. Cleanup from ordinary ‘pure’ water (rain water, condensation, household water pipes, etc.) rarely requires disinfection. But grey water may need it, and black water definitely does. So it’s very important to know what type of water you’re dealing with. When in doubt, the water should be tested. Even rain water – if it comes in from ground flooding – can be contaminated with whatever biohazards might be in the ground.

Property owners might think of tackling clean water damage repair and restoration themselves, but it’s often labor intensive and the services of a professional might be easier and more convenient. If waste or black water are involved, we definitely recommend hiring a professional biohazard cleanup company like ours.

Getting the water stopped and dried up as soon as possible is extremely important, both to preventing further structural damage as well as any potential health problems. Did you know that mold can develop in only 24 hours? That’s one reason why we move quickly to get water dried up.

But that’s only the beginning. In our upcoming post we’ll discuss what happens after all the water is gone.

MedTech Cleaners offers damage restoration and repair – from water and other sources – in the greater Spokane area, as well as other communities in Washington State, Oregon, and Idaho.

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How to Spot the Signs of Mold in a Home

One biohazard we often encounter when doing cleanup in a hoarder home or water damage remediation and restoration is mold. Mold is much more than just an eyesore or an annoying residue that needs to be removed – it is actually a health threat. And there doesn’t have to be much of it present to cause problems. It also doesn’t take long for a small bit of mold to grow into a huge mess.

Finding mold when it first develops is crucial to keeping it under control and even eliminating it. But how do you spot it when it’s first growing?

Detecting Mold in Your Home

Believe it or not, one of the first signs you may have mold isn’t visible dark blots like those shown below. Here are a few that are indicators you may have a mold problem.

Smells: Mold – like mildew, a related microorganism – has a telltale unpleasant odor. If you’ve noticed a new smell recently, it could be mold developing. Some people describe it as musty or earthy, or even like old socks. You may also smell what seems like dirt.

Allergic Reaction Symptoms: Mold allergies are very common (it affects one in five of us) and while for many people who suffer allergies to mold the symptoms are more like hay fever, there are those who may have life-threatening respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing. If someone in your household is having itching, watery eyes or sneezing without an apparent cause, it might be mold. Runny noses and stuffiness may also occur. A rarer reaction is dry and scaly skin.

Condensation or Water Leaks: Whenever water appears in a home and is not immediately dried up, mold will likely develop. First it’s important to get to the cause of the water and eliminate the problem, or any mold remediation will be temporary. As the water continues to develop, so will the mold. For example, if you get condensation on your windows in the winter and don’t periodically wipe it up, you may find mold growing in the corners of your window frame. Damp basements are mold-prone.

Wet Areas: Certain parts of our homes are prone to moisture build-up.

Mold developing in a shower

Moisture should never be left confined. After you take a shower, leave the door open and let the bath fan run for about 10 minutes.

Mold may also develop in places you wouldn’t expect it to. Leave your washing machine lid up after use to let it dry out. Same thing with your microwave. If you take your food out and then shut the door, the steam from cooking will get trapped inside and could develop into mold if you don’t use your microwave often.

Another common source of mold is from a roof leak. This one is particularly hard to spot because the mold will grow in your attic space or area just under your roof, a place you most likely rarely are in. So it can grow undetected for quite awhile. Or it may develop in your insulation and even in your walls.

One thing is for sure, if you spot these potential signs of mold in your home, it’s time to call a professional biohazard remediation company. Getting rid of mold takes much more than just cleaning off the black spots. We offer biohazard cleaning of mold and other potential biohazards in Washington state and other parts of the Pacific Northwest. Contact us today – we can help.

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Biohazard Cleanup Basics: Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

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With the advent of COVID-19, it seems like the entire world has become focused on infection prevention. As a company that specializes in cleanup of biohazards (including infectious organisms), this isn’t new to us; it’s how we’ve been operating for a long time. Whenever we tackle a biohazard remediation project, we use all three of these methods to remove the biohazards and restore the property to a safe, clean state. There may be other things involved, such as physical repairs and restoration, but our priority is first to eliminate the health threat that infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms present.

Cleaning: Before any area can be disinfected or sanitized, it first has to be cleaned. Removal of dirt, grime, and debris is our first step. This is an important one, because germs may be hiding underneath. Removing anything on the surface may be done through scrubbing, washing, and rinsing. Of course, we may also do things such as trash removal, sweeping up dust, etc. But the priority is to get to a clean surface. However, “CLEAN” doesn’t mean it’s free of biohazards. Germs are invisible, and dirt-free doesn’t mean it’s sanitized or disinfected.

Sanitizing: Sanitizing should not be confused with disinfecting, and it’s used mostly for porous surfaces such as fabric. Using a sanitizing agent is useful when doing laundry. Read the label on the product you are using as a sanitizing agent, because it should list specific organisms it is effective at reducing. Note that chlorine bleach is both a disinfectant and sanitizer when used according to label directions.

Disinfecting: Disinfecting is a process used to eliminate infectious organisms on hard, non-porous surfaces such as glass, countertops, stainless steel, tile, porcelain, etc. Disinfectants are designed to either eliminate or inactivate germs, viruses, bacteria, funguses, and other biohazards. But again, read the label for the specifics of what organisms the disinfectant will work against.

If your concern is addressing the COVID-19 virus, disinfectants and not sanitizers should be used on hard surfaces. Why? Because of the main difference between sanitizers and disinfectants. Sanitizers that are approved by the EPA will kill only bacteria; EPA-approved disinfectants claim effectiveness against both bacteria and viruses.

Is your disinfectant approved for use against COVID-19? Look for an EPA registration number on the back label. You can also visit the EPA website for a list of approved products.

If your concern is addressing the COVID-19 virus, disinfectants and not sanitizers should be used on hard surfaces. Why? Because of the main difference between sanitizers and disinfectants. Sanitizers that are approved by the EPA will kill only bacteria; EPA-approved disinfectants claim effectiveness against both bacteria and viruses.

The most important thing you should know is that these three methods are NOT the same, and there are different substances and methods needed to accomplish each.

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