Safeguarding Your Furry Friends: A Guide to Cleaning Up Pet Areas After Water Damage in Summerfield, FL & Ocala, FL
websitebuilder • September 23, 2024
Water damage, whether from a leaky pipe, a flood, or a tropical storm, can wreak havoc on your home and disrupt your daily life. But amidst the chaos of cleanup and restoration, it's important not to overlook the impact on your furry family members.
At PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages, we understand the importance of safeguarding your pets' well-being during and after a water damage incident. In this guide, we'll provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively clean up pet areas, mitigate health risks, and create a safe and comfortable environment for your four-legged friends.
Understanding the Risks: Water Damage and Pet Safety
Water damage can create a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other contaminants that pose health risks to both humans and animals. Pets are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller size, closer proximity to the ground, and tendency to explore and investigate their surroundings by licking floors, walls, furniture, etc.
Here are some potential hazards to be aware of:
- Mold: Mold thrives in damp environments, and water-damaged pet areas can quickly become infested. Mold exposure can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health issues in pets.
- Bacteria and Parasites: Contaminated water can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause infections and gastrointestinal problems in pets.
- Chemical Exposure: Cleaning products, disinfectants, and other chemicals you may use to restore your property can be toxic to pets if ingested or inhaled, including fish tanks if contaminated.
- Structural Hazards: Water damage can weaken structures and create safety hazards.
Prioritizing Pet Safety During Cleanup
When dealing with water damage, prioritizing your pet's safety is crucial. Here are some essential steps to take:
- Evacuate Your Pets: If the water damage is extensive or you suspect contamination, evacuate your pets to a safe and dry location. Consider boarding them at a kennel or staying with friends or family until the cleanup is complete.
- Restrict Access: If evacuation isn't possible, restrict your pets' access to the affected areas to prevent exposure to hazards.
- Provide a Safe Space: Set up a comfortable and secure space for your pets away from the cleanup activities, ensuring they have access to food, water, and their favorite toys.
- Monitor for Health Issues: Watch for any signs of illness in your pets, such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms.
Effective Cleaning and Sanitizing of Pet Areas
Once the initial water damage has been addressed and the area is deemed safe, it's time to focus on cleaning and sanitizing your pet's living spaces. Follow these steps for thorough and effective cleaning:
- Remove Debris and Damaged Materials: Discard any items that have been damaged beyond repair, such as bedding, toys, or food bowls. Remove any debris or dirt from the affected area.
- Clean and Disinfect Hard Surfaces: Wash all hard surfaces, including floors, walls, and furniture, with a pet-safe disinfectant solution. Pay special attention to areas where your pet spends most of their time, such as their bed or crate.
- Clean and Sanitize Soft Surfaces: If possible, wash all soft surfaces, such as pet beds, blankets, and toys, in hot water with a pet-safe detergent. If the items cannot be washed, consider discarding them or having them professionally cleaned.
- Dry Thoroughly: Ensure all surfaces are completely dry to prevent mold growth. Use fans, dehumidifiers, or open windows to aid the drying process.
- Vacuum and Steam Clean: Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt or debris. Consider professional steam cleaning of these surfaces for deeper cleaning and sanitization.
- Air Purifiers: Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove mold spores, dust, and other allergens from the air.
Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
When cleaning up pet areas, it's crucial to use pet-safe cleaning products to avoid exposing your furry friends to harmful chemicals. Look for products that are specifically labeled as pet-safe or consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Avoid using bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals that can be toxic to pets.
- Choose natural cleaners: Opt for natural cleaners, which are generally safe for pets.
- Cleaning solutions: Always follow the instructions on cleaning products and dilute them properly when recommended to reduce irritation or toxicity.
- Ventilate the area: Ensure adequate ventilation when cleaning to prevent your pets from inhaling fumes.
- Supervise your pets: Keep your pets away from cleaning supplies and supervise them during the cleaning process.
Additional Tips for Pet Owners in Ocala and The Villages
In addition to the general cleaning and sanitizing steps, consider these tips specific to our region:
Here are some general tips:
- Be aware of humidity: The humid climate in Ocala, FL and The Villages, FL can make it more challenging to dry out affected areas. Use dehumidifiers and fans to reduce moisture levels and to minimize mold growth.
- Beware of pests: Water damage can attract pests like insects and rodents. Take preventative measures to protect your pets from these unwanted visitors.
- Monitor outdoor areas: If your pet spends time outdoors, ensure their outdoor spaces are also clean and safe after water damage.
PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages: Your Trusted Partner for Pet-Safe Restoration
At PUDDLES Restoration, we understand the importance of protecting your pets during and after a water damage incident. We'll work diligently to restore your home to a safe and healthy environment for both you and your furry companions.
Call today! 352-722-3790
What Happened A contractor in Williston, Florida stopped his team from “removing” the “mold problem” by, as they suggested, "spraying it with bleach." The contractor insisted that the mold remediation be done correctly and called PUDDLES . Upon completion of the work, PUDDLES insisted that the client retain an independent company to conduct a post remediation verification test to confirm that the mold remediation was done correctly. We were "lucky" to pass a PRV with a gaping hole in the floor.
What Happened The gaps between the ceiling drywall and the light fixtures allowed dirty air from the attic to mix with the air conditioner air, resulting in mold growth in the ceiling. CAN’T YOU JUST WIPE IT [MOLD] OFF! PUDDLES: No We get that a lot for mold removal, except it is usually said as a statement rather than a question. CALLER: Why not? PUDDLES: For many reasons: (1) the lab results confirmed it is mold, (2) it is on drywall, (3) the affected material is a popcorn ceiling, (3) …, (4) …, but more importantly, we don’t do that -- “wipe off drywall.” CALLER: But I was told you can. PUDDLES: You can, but we don’t; and we understand if you wish to call another company who would do that. No hard feelings. CALLER: Two days later: Caller agrees to us removing the affected material starting at 6:30 AM the next business day. Typically, the mold you cannot see is worse than the mold you can see. The same thing applied here.
Not calling PUDDLES will cost you more $$$$. Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. In this case, both the homeowner and their public adjuster chose a different (cheaper) company. That company never showed, never called, never emailed, never text; they did nothing. What Happened Hurricane Helene happened in Belleview, FL.
Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages, which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. What Happened Severe winds in Ocala, FL bent numerous shingles allowing water penetration when it rains.
What Happened Ocala, Fl: An elderly mother’s cat repeatedly urinated throughout the house, including on the carpet. When the mother passed away, the daughter inherited the house. Unfortunately, the daughter was unable to sell the house because prospective buyers complained about the odor . Given Florida’s temperature and humidity levels, it was not surprising that the odor remained in Ocala, FL. PUDDLES is often asked if we use an ozone machine to remove odors. According to the EPA, “When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.” See https://www.epa.gov/.../ozone-generators-are-sold-air... “Manufacturers and vendors of ozone devices often use misleading terms to describe ozone. Terms such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen.” Id. “There is a large body of written material on ozone and the use of ozone indoors. However, much of this material makes claims or draws conclusions without substantiation and sound science. … Often the vendors of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For almost a century, health professionals have refuted these claims … Some vendors suggest that these devices have been approved by the federal government for use in occupied spaces. To the contrary, NO agency of the federal government has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces.” Id. Because ozone can kill living things, such as plants, pets, and YOU; we do not use ozone machines. What We Did Removed the glued down carpet Utilize chlorine dioxide Implemented a Hydroxyl Machine Added a HEPA Air Scrubber with a charcoal filter Sprayed the entire house (walls and floors) with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial Fogged the entire house with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial approved for fogging Even if you do not plan to be in the property while the ozone machine is operational, ozone also breaks down organic substance, and rubber, plastics, fabrics, paint, and metals. That Gucci or Louis V handbag you love can deteriorate.
What Happened After removing the old flooring from a home in Belleview, Florida , the flooring company uncovered water on the slab that was trapped under the underlayment. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, water was slowly penetrating the vertical exterior walls via hairline fractures. Both the cracks in the stucco and in the concrete slab itself were resolved, but the flooring company wanted the concrete slab moisture levels below a specific percentage. What We Did Florida tends to have elevated levels of humidity, including Belleview, Florida. To increase the drying efficiency, we sealed all the windows throughout the house with 4 mil plastic to prevent any moisture penetration. We placed a Phoenix DryMax XL Pro dehumidifier and a Dri-Eaz Stealth AV3000 axial air mover in each room. We also implemented the use of a heater to increase the internal temperature slowly to draw the moisture out of the concrete.
Homeowners in Crystal River and West Central Florida dealing with insurance claims related to water damage and mold can trust PUDDLES Restoration for assistance. Learn about the complexities of the process and how we can help in this blog article.
WE REMOVED AND DISCARDED THE AFFECTED MATERIALS, CLEANED THE SUBSTRATE, THEN ENCAPSULATED RESULTING IN A CLEAN PRV.
The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) certification covers scoping, mitigation, cleaning, deodorization, subrogation, spoliation, documentation of residential and commercial fire and smoke damaged structures and contents. Upon completing this certification, you demonstrate that you are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Health and Safety Technician (HST) certification covers occupational health and safety. This certification demonstrates competency in cleaning, maintenance, and restoration industries concerning the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and health and safety principles. The certification covers engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment used in each specific industry or trade. The certification promotes the importance of hazard and risk assessments and implementing controls on the identified hazards. The hierarchy of hazard controls is emphasized so that eliminating, reducing, and controlling hazards will become the focus of health and safety instead of just regulatory compliance. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed to save lives and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and recognize and appreciate the value of health and safety on the job. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
