common home maintenance myths…€¦ · 6 common home maintenance myths ... ppe, and organise for...

Myth #1

I can get rid of pet stains using stain remover that I buy from the supermarket

The isle for stain removal products at the supermarket is stocked shelf to shelf with sprays,

gels and powders that claim to remove 100% of stains.

But pet stains cause a number of problems that go far beyond the stain itself. Often pet

stains are not a result of a once-off accident, but a reoccurring stain due to the pet’s

territorial issues.

With pet urine there are 3 main issues to be dealt with; the visual stain, the bacteria, and

the resulting odour. The extremity of these 3 issues will vary depending on the pet and

their health.

Like odours (see myth #3), using a deodorant on the stain will only mask the odour and it will reoccur sooner or later. Generally

when a pet urinates on carpet the stain isn’t just in the carpet—it also goes through to the carpet underlay and often through

to the subfloor. This means that bacteria can also be found at all of those levels.

Its important to be sure that when the stain is treated it isn’t just the visible stain that’s being treated as this will continue to

generate odours. In some extreme situations it may be necessary to remove the underlay and treat or even seal the subfloor.

6 6 6 Common Home Maintenance Myths…Common Home Maintenance Myths…Common Home Maintenance Myths…

...that professionally trained technicians can help you with...that professionally trained technicians can help you with...that professionally trained technicians can help you with

As professional organiser you enter the homes and working environments of other people and help them to

organise their lifestyle. Sometimes these jobs may be a matter of mindset and helping people to order their lives,

and in other instances it may be a ‘messier’ job which requires a complete tidy up.

Did you know that there is a whole industry of trained professionals out

there to help you with the messier clean-up jobs?

Whether it be mould, animal stains, odour or blood, your clients may have some of the issues that we discuss in this

flyer. We want to make sure that you get the best possible service so that your clients can live and work in a clean

and healthy environment.

Get the best technician for the job every time. Look for the logo...

Myth #2

A bit of vinegar will kill mould for good

Mould grows under certain conditions that generally include moisture, high temperatures

and darkness. These are usually areas which have poor ventilation. Properties which have a

great deal of clutter may be more likely to see these conditions and experience mould

growth.

Mould in properties affects different people in different ways—there are a number of

studies that suggest medical conditions that result as a cause of mould growth in

properties which can include chronic fatigue type syndromes, respiratory illnesses, and

even depression.

Unfortunately removing mould is not as simple as buying a product from the supermarket and washing down the walls. Its

important to identify the source and develop a plan to remediate the situation and ensure that it does not reoccur. If you enter

a property that is affected by mould, engage a Professionally Trained Applied Microbial Remediation Technician to perform an

on-site consultation.

Myth #3

I can get rid of offensive odours by spraying odour-neutralising sprays.

There are a number of sprays that you can buy from the super market which claim to

get rid of offensive smells and odours. While these sprays may make the house smell

pleasant for a little while, they are just masking agents which cover up or hide the

existing odour with a fragrance that is stronger or more pleasant.

Fragrance sprays may be a good temporary measure, but the only way to get rid of

offensive odours—such as urine, mould and mildew, cigarette smoke or rotting food—is

to analyse the cause and treat the odour at the source. Professionally Trained Odour

Control Technicians will understand what to look for and how to treat odours to make

sure they get rid of them forever.

6 6 6 Common Home Maintenance Myths...Common Home Maintenance Myths...Common Home Maintenance Myths... 6 6 6 Common Home Maintenance Myths…Common Home Maintenance Myths…Common Home Maintenance Myths…



Myth #4

My carpet is dry if it feels dry when I touch it

It’s a common misconception that if carpet feels dry when you touch it then it must be

dry.

The reality is that if there has been a flood in a property — whether it be from a burst

pipe, unexpected storms or an overflowing washing machine— there is more to the job

than just putting down towels and waiting for the carpet to dry.

The water actually goes beyond the carpet and underlay and into the subfloor. Just

drying the carpet simply isn't enough, as you will still have a wet structure. This means

that if carpet has been flooded or damaged by water and not restored properly by a

professional, moisture may remain in the carpet. Mould growth thrives in these environments, and this can lead to serious (and

costly!) issues with mould later down the track. For these reasons it is important that you call a Professionally Trained Water

Damage Restoration Technician to come out and look at the problem as soon as the flood occurs.

Myth #5

The best way to clean up blood is to wipe it away It’s a common enough scenario —you walk into a property where somebody has knocked or cut themselves, and there is a

small amount of blood spilled on a bench, the floor or a table. Most people will grab a sponge and clean the mess themselves.

Many people don’t realise that there can be serious health risks associated with cleaning up blood. There are blood rules in

sport to stop people coming into contact with blood that isn’t their own, so why would you clean up someone else’s?

There are pathogens that exist in blood which can include hepatitis B and HIV. Some blood borne pathogens can remain alive

outside the body (in both wet and dried blood) for a number of days, and any contact that is made between this blood and any

open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nostrils, etc.) may potentially result in infection.

If you come across a large amount of blood, such as at a death or injury scene, you should contact a Professionally Trained

Crime & Trauma Scene cleaner to attend the scene. They will have a complete understanding of the necessary Personal

Protective Equipment (PPE) and know how to restore the property to its former state.





Myth #6

A toilet backflow can be treated like regular flood damage job

Flood damage from back flowing toilets is known as black water. The term black water is used to describe any waste water that

contains urine and faecal matter, but can also be used to describe any foreign water that is transferred indoor from outside

(think of all the oil, chemicals and animal waste that is found on the ground outdoors). Illnesses that arise from contact with

black water are transferred via pathogens (see myth #5).

The most common pathogens found in black water are bacteria, parasites and viruses, E. Coli, Salmonella, Leptospirosis,

Hepatitis and Tetanus – just to name a few of the nasty things you can pick up from contact with black water. The symptoms

range from diarrhoea, vomiting and fever to meningitis and liver and renal failure. At best, these pathogens will be violent,

unpleasant, and result in days of missed work. At worst, they can cause serious health defects, sometimes even resulting in

death; as most pathogens found in black water have the potential to be fatal to anyone who has a weakened immune system

or has not protected themselves with the appropriate vaccinations.

When black water enters a building either through a sewerage overflow or by coming in from the outside it is critical that all

the affected surfaces are professionally treated to ensure that this risk of disease does not continue. Professionally Trained

Water Damage Restoration Technicians understand these risks, and know how to protect themselves on the job with

appropriate PPE, and also how to restore the property to its pre-loss condition so that the property is fit for re-habitation. If

you enter a house that has been contaminated with black water you should exercise extreme caution by wearing appropriate

PPE, and organise for a Professionally Trained Water Damage Restoration Technician to come out to perform an on-site

consultation as soon as possible.



For more information about these myths or for help locating a Professionally Trained Technician

call 1300 192 968 or visit www.jenadyco.com

common home maintenance myths…€¦ · 6 common home maintenance myths ... ppe, and organise for...

Documents