When a difficult unit situation happens, property managers aren’t simply hiring someone to clean; they’re making a decision under pressure.
A severe-unit condition may involve hoarding, odor, sewage, biohazards, rodent droppings, difficult move-out conditions, or even a tenant's death. At the same time, property managers are often balancing ownership expectations, resident concerns, maintenance coordination, timelines, and documentation needs.
When pressure is high, it’s easy to focus on one question: “Who can get here fastest?”
Or sometimes: “Who gave the lowest number?”
But difficult-unit situations often require more than speed or price alone. A vendor who’s unclear about process, communication, scope, or documentation can create delays, confusion, and more operational burden.
The right vendor should help reduce uncertainty, communicate clearly, and support the next step in the property process. So what should property managers actually look for before approving a severe-unit cleanup vendor?
When a difficult unit situation is discovered, speed matters. But speed isn’t the only thing that matters.
Many property managers have experienced what happens when a vendor responds quickly but communicates poorly. Expectations are unclear. Questions go unanswered. Nobody knows what happens next. That creates more stress, not less.
A good cleanup vendor should be able to respond to urgent situations and explain the process clearly.
Don’t just ask: “How fast can you get here?” Also ask: “What happens after I call?”
A qualified vendor should be able to explain things like:
Property managers often coordinate maintenance, ownership expectations, contractors, and timelines simultaneously. The right vendor should make the process feel clearer, not more complicated.
Before approving a vendor, make sure they can explain what happens next in a way that actually makes sense.
Not every cleanup vendor handles severe-unit conditions. Some specialize in routine cleaning, janitorial work, or junk removal. Difficult unit situations often require a different level of experience, process, and communication.
Before assigning work, ask whether the vendor handles situations such as:
The goal isn’t to assume every situation requires specialized cleanup. It’s to make sure the vendor is the right fit for the unit's condition. A general cleaning or junk removal vendor may not always be the best fit. Asking the question early can help avoid delays, confusion, or scope changes later.
Documentation may not be the first thing property managers think about when hiring a cleanup vendor, but it often becomes one of the most important parts of the process.
Good documentation can make communication easier with ownership, regional leadership, maintenance teams, contractors, or insurance stakeholders.
Before approving a vendor, ask what information may be available during or after the job, such as:
Clear documentation helps answer important questions:
“What was found?”
“What work was completed?”
“What happens next?”
Every situation is different, but a vendor should be able to clearly explain what information may be available and how communication will work.
When difficult property situations happen, better documentation often makes approval, coordination, and next steps easier.
Difficult unit situations often involve more than the condition inside the unit.
Residents may notice activity. Staff may have concerns. Families, ownership groups, or neighboring tenants may already be asking questions.
That’s why professionalism and discretion matter.
A cleanup vendor should be able to communicate clearly, respect privacy, and avoid unnecessary attention on-site.
Before hiring a vendor, it helps to ask:
Property managers are often managing people and property at the same time.
The right vendor should understand that difficult situations can affect residents, staff, owners, and perceptions of the property. Professionalism and tenant sensitivity often matter just as much as the cleanup itself.
When evaluating a cleanup vendor, a clear process matters. A vendor doesn’t need to overwhelm property managers with technical language. But they should be able to explain what happens before, during, and after the work in a way that makes sense.
If the answer is simply: “We clean everything.” It may be worth asking more questions.
A qualified vendor should be able to explain:
No two situations are exactly the same. A hoarding situation may look very different from sewage, odor, or rodent-dropping cleanup. That’s why realistic expectations matter.
A good vendor should be able to explain the process clearly, answer questions honestly, and help property managers understand what comes next.
Communication matters more than many property managers expect. In difficult unit situations, a vendor often becomes part of a larger property process involving maintenance teams, contractors, ownership, timelines, and next-step decisions.
Before hiring a vendor, it helps to ask:
Sometimes, unexpected concerns are discovered once work begins. That could include hidden damage, odor sources, or contamination concerns that affect next steps. A good vendor should be able to explain what happens if something unexpected is found and communicate clearly about possible next steps.
Contractor and maintenance handoff matters, too. Property teams often need clarity before repairs, inspections, or additional work can move forward. A cleanup vendor should reduce operational stress, not increase it.
The best vendors help property managers feel informed, supported, and clear about what happens next.
Not every vendor is the right fit for a difficult unit situation. Sometimes red flags show up in vague answers, poor communication, or unclear expectations.
Proceed carefully if a vendor:
A red flag doesn’t automatically mean a vendor is wrong for the job. But difficult unit situations often involve more moving parts than standard cleaning. Asking a few extra questions up front can help property managers avoid delays, confusion, and an added management burden later. In many cases, confidence comes from clarity.
Sometimes the fastest way to evaluate a cleanup vendor is to ask better questions. A qualified vendor should be able to clearly explain the process, communication, expectations, and next steps. If answers feel vague or rushed, it may be worth asking a few more questions.
Good vendors shouldn’t struggle to answer these questions. The goal isn’t to turn every vendor call into an interview. It’s to ensure expectations are clear and that the vendor is the right fit for the situation at hand.
Choosing the right cleanup vendor often involves more than price or availability. Property managers may need to compare response, communication, documentation, discretion, and operational fit before making a decision.
If you’d like a practical framework for comparing vendors during calls, bid review, or preferred-vendor planning, download the Property Manager Cleanup Vendor Evaluation Checklist.
This printable worksheet helps property teams:
Download the Checklist
Property Manager Cleanup Vendor Evaluation Checklist
Planning Ahead?
Add Bio-One of Fort Worth to Your Vendor List
Need Local Support?
What qualifies as a severe-unit condition?
A severe-unit condition is a property issue that may require more than routine cleaning or maintenance. Examples may include hoarding, strong odors, sewage backups, urine or fecal contamination, unattended death, rodent droppings, biohazards, gross filth, or difficult move-out conditions.
Should maintenance handle biohazard situations?
That depends on the situation and your internal policies. Some issues may be manageable through maintenance or janitorial teams, while others may require a vendor with specialized cleanup experience.
What documentation should I ask for?
Ask what documentation may be available before work begins. Depending on the situation, that could include a written scope, estimate, photos where appropriate, work summaries, invoice detail, or handoff information.
What should a cleanup vendor explain before starting?
A vendor should be able to explain what happens next in plain English. That may include the first-call process, communication expectations, whether an assessment is needed, and what happens during and after cleanup.
Is janitorial cleaning enough for difficult unit situations?
Sometimes, but not always. Routine cleaning vendors may be the right fit for some situations, while more complex conditions may require a different level of process or experience.
How quickly should a vendor respond?
That depends on the situation. Some unit conditions require urgent attention, while others may be scheduled. Speed matters, but a vendor should also clearly explain timelines and next steps.
What happens if hidden contamination or additional issues are found?
Sometimes additional concerns are discovered once work begins. A qualified vendor should explain how unexpected conditions are communicated and what happens if the scope changes.
Should I have a preferred vendor before I need one?
Many property managers think so. Having a vendor identified in advance can reduce scrambling, speed up decision-making, and create more consistency in urgent situations.
What questions should I ask during a vendor call?
Ask practical questions about scope, communication, documentation, timelines, and what happens if additional issues are discovered. A good vendor should be able to explain the process clearly.
Can Bio-One help property managers?
Bio-One works with property managers on difficult unit situations, including hoarding, odor, biohazards, sewage, rodent droppings, unattended death, gross filth, and difficult move-out conditions. Services and availability may vary by location and situation.
By now, most of us have heard of Marie Kondo’s famous book and Netflix series, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It’s definitely nice to be in a clean space, but is it life-changing? Or magic?
Believe it or not, clearing the clutter in your home really can make a big difference in many aspects of your life.
The most obvious reason to clear the clutter is for health and safety reasons.
Too much mess can harbor the growth of dangerous germs, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.
You need to be able to wipe down floors and surfaces. It’s also essential to throw away old food and make sure pipes are clear and functional. This prevents:
But what if you keep everything sanitary?
Are there reasons beyond health and safety to pick up?
Research tells us yes—clearing the clutter can benefit your health in a number of ways.
Decluttering can help you get a better night’s sleep—and not just because you no longer have piles of laundry on your bed.
People living in cluttered homes are more likely to experience insomnia. The exact link between clutter and trouble sleeping isn’t clear, but it is somewhat of a chicken-and-egg problem.
Clutter increases stress levels, which makes it harder to fall and stay asleep. Lack of sleep leads to difficulty concentrating and completing tasks, which can make it hard to clean.
Imagine how your quality of life improves when you’ve had a good night’s rest. Now, let that feeling motivate you—better sleep is on the way.
When your home is messy, it can be difficult to have friends over. You may resist inviting others out of embarrassment, or it may not be possible for practical reasons. Everyone needs a place to sit, after all!
When you create a fresh, welcoming space, you can enjoy the company of your loved ones in your own home. You can even host friends and family from out of town when they come to visit.
Decluttering can help you cultivate your connections and begin creating new ones.
Even if you’re not consciously aware of it, clutter in your home may be affecting your stress levels.
On a conscious level, seeing clutter can be a constant reminder of your to-do list. When you see a pile of items on your counter that need to be put away over and over again, your brain feels a little ping of guilt.
Over time, constantly feeling that need to clean up can create a heavy stress load. And in this day and age when so many are working from home, that added stress all day every day while trying to be productive at work can quickly build to overwhelm.
Clutter can also affect your stress levels subconsciously. Seeing clutter can overwhelm your working memory.
Your brain is constantly working on a subconscious level to determine what you need to pay attention to and what you need to ignore. When there are items everywhere, the brain works harder to process what should be noticed.
On the other hand, cleaning up clutter lets your brain relax. Being in a clean room may decrease your cortisol, or stress hormone, levels.
Just as your brain working hard to ignore clutter can lead to stress, it can also lead to distraction. Cleaning up your space can improve your ability to focus on tasks and get things done.
On a physiological level, your brain will simply have less stimulation. The more you see, the more work your brain has to do. When your area is clean, you can funnel that brainpower into whatever you’re working on.
Clutter affects your focus on a conscious level, too. If you’re noticing cleaning tasks that need to be done, it can be hard to hone in on the task you’re working on.
Even if you’re trying to focus on cleaning, multiple messy areas can make it difficult to choose just one. Every tidying task you complete gives your brain just a little more room to focus.
When you’re in a clean space, odds are you feel better. Studies link cleanliness to a better mood, feelings of accomplishment, and the ability to relax.
Even if life circumstances are bringing you down, having a well-ordered space can still help you respond more calmly to stress.
Emotional regulation is the ability to respond mindfully to your emotions instead of reacting thoughtlessly to triggers. In a clean space, your brain is less distracted, giving you the mental real estate to process your feelings and respond thoughtfully.
Once again, it all comes down to brain space—when you’re not distracted by visual clutter or feeling guilty about jobs left undone, your brain has more space for other things.
You can dedicate the time you spend worrying about clutter to solving problems and growing new ideas. If you create physical art, love home projects, or are a crafter, you’ll have space to work on your projects (and hopefully, motivation to clean them up when you’re done!).
Despite all the benefits of having a clutter-free home, it isn’t always easy to make it happen. If you’re overwhelmed, let Bio-One help you. We have a discreet, compassionate team of cleaning experts who are passionate about helping you.
Call us today for a consultation.
We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the First Responder Relay in Las Vegas on October 16th. The First Responders Relay is a 9 person 48-mile running relay with stages ranging from 4.0 miles to 7.7 miles. The relay is competition comprised of first responder personnel from throughout the United States and the World, and is hosted by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF).
There is still time to register, but don't delay! Registration closes September 18. Visit www.CPAF.org to join us in Las Vegas!
The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is proud to announce that the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are now Presented by Bio-One, Inc.
Operating under the motto, "Help First, Business Second," Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times. Bio-One operates in 41 states with over 110 locations and is committed to providing first-class service.
"We are thrilled to add Bio-One as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 USPFC because First Responders warrant our support," said California Police Athletic Federation President LC Collins. "Bio-One’s reputation is second to none, and with their partnership, we can offer first responders a health and wellness outlet. We look forward to working with them for years to come."
Founded by San Diego Police Lieutenant Veon "Duke" Nyhus, The United States Police & Fire Championships were first held in San Diego in 1967. Duke recognized the need to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among the Public Safety and First Responder community members.
The USPFC caters to active and retired public safety and first responders who participate in Olympic-style competitions and open to individuals representing firefighters, law enforcement, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs across the country. Traditionally athletes compete in 45+ sporting events from biathlon to motocross across 35+ venues in Southern California.
"At Bio-One our support for Law Enforcement and Fire Service Officers is unwavering, and we're thrilled to partner with the California Police Athletic Federation during this memorable event," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One. "We wish each athlete success and look forward to celebrating these everyday heroes."
The 2021 USPFC Presented by Bio-One will take place from June 10th to the 19th in venues across San Diego, California, and strengthen the relationship between First Responders and the community for many years to come!
About the United States Police and Fire Championships
The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is the parent organization of two multi-sport programs designed for peace officers and firefighters. The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are open to active or retired public safety and first responder personnel from an eligible agency within the USA. For more information, please visit www.uspfc.org.
Losing a loved one in an accident is incomprehensibly painful. The seeming unfairness and randomness of the moment is almost impossible to accept at first as grieving friends and family members try to rationalize what happened. They often feel guilty for not doing enough to prevent the death despite the fact that the incident was entirely out of their control. But nobody can prepare for the sudden and unexpected. Accidental deaths are by definition unnatural and unintentional. They include slips and falls, traffic accidents, poisonings, accidental weapon wounds, drownings, fire injuries, head traumas, industrial accidents, choking deaths, explosions, and natural disasters. Fatal accidents have always been a leading cause of death in America. But unfortunately, they are becoming more common.
According to the non-profit National Safety Council, accidental deaths increased 96 percent over the last 25 years. Though they decreased significantly between 1950 and 1980, fatal accidents have been growing rapidly since the mid-1990s.Despite our innovation in creating safer technologies, today’s rate of 52.2 deaths per 100,000 people hasn’t been seen since the mid-1970s. Now, accidents are the number one leading cause of death for people aged 1 to 44, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For all demographics, they are the third leading cause of death nationwide, with 169,936 deaths reported by the CDC in 2017.
While researchers have not reached a consensus on why accidental deaths are increasing, the NSC points to three trends to explain the rise, including increases in poisonings, motor vehicle deaths and falls among older adults. All of these injuries are preventable, they say, arguing on their website that institutions “have not consistently prioritized safety at work, at home and on the road”. Poisonings, the leading unintentional injury among CDC data, increased 11 percent between 2016 and 2017 . The NSC attributes the growth to the opioid crisis, which claimed the lives of 47,000 Americans in 2017 .
To put the CDC data into perspective, 466 people die from accidental injuries every day The number of friends and family members affected by the death of a loved one is even higher, resulting in an ever-growing community of people who must find ways to manage their grief. Bio-One works with these families every day to facilitate their steps towards recovery.
When fatal accidents happen, we dedicate our resources to helping families restore their home or business in a safe, private and efficient manner. Because first responders do not decontaminate crime scenes after they respond to a call, we step in to ensure that families are not exposed to disease and other dangers. Crime scenes harbor harmful bloodborne pathogens that contaminate the immediate area, leaving everyone on the property vulnerable to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Our licensed technicians use powerful, environmentally safe chemicals to thoroughly disinfect the area so you can rest assured that your family will be safe. We work with an appreciation for your valuables and will replace furnishings if need be. In hoarding situations, we remove clutter that may present a danger to other inhabitants, including feces and other biological waste.
When you give us a call at your local Bio-One office, we’ll immediately connect you with a representative that will address your unique situation. Because we value your time during this difficult moment, a team will be dispatched to your home or business within an hour to complete the service. When they arrive, they’ll come in unmarked vehicles to safeguard your privacy. Our team approaches their work with the sensitivity it demands and endeavors to address your needs with the compassion it deserves. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We are on standby 24/7/365.
We often forget about the people left behind in the wake of a homicide. News stories reveal who died but often fail to identify how their death impacts their loved ones. When someone is murdered, their family, friends and significant others endure one of the most traumatic experiences that anyone can face. These survivors are some of the least researched crime victims in America, and they are everywhere. According to the most recent FBI data, 16,214 Americans were murdered in 2018. For every one of those individuals an average of 7 to 10 relatives were severely impacted, according to an estimate by Lu Redmond, a homicide grief expert.
If the murder rate remains consistent, Redmond’s estimate means between 113,000 and 162,000 Americans will become homicide survivors each year. That’s in addition to the pool of survivors who already lost loved ones in previous years. Though the lack of research makes it impossible to quantify how many total homicide survivors there are in America, the number is high enough to warrant concern for how they are treated by health professionals.
For survivors, the grieving process is almost impossible to endure. Though loved ones will grieve in different ways depending on their relationship with the victim, the loss is shocking, unimaginable and absolute. They never had a chance to say goodbye to their loved one, and the plans they both shared will never come to fruition. This realization may be sudden. In some cases, it may take years. Some survivors find it difficult to accept a loved one’s death at first, resulting in a delayed reaction that is triggered by a situation that reminds them of the victim. According to the National Center of Victims of Crime, grief symptoms include shock, disbelief, numbness, changes in appetite and sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating, anger, confusion, increased anxiety and fear. Financial loss, depression and family conflict are also common symptoms.
Discovering a murdered loved one in the home can trigger post traumatic stress disorder. After the first responders leave the scene, some survivors may feel compelled to clean up the aftermath themselves. Confused that the paramedics don’t complete this work, they may think the cleanup process is their responsibility and act immediately. After all, they want to restore the scene as quickly as possible. Operating in a state of shock, they’ll remove the blood stains, body tissue and contaminated materials from the home without recognizing the threat to their physical and mental health. In addition to exposing their body to dangerous bloodborne pathogens, survivors may experience traumatic flashbacks of the experience in the future and suffer from heightened anxiety and emotional numbness. These PTSD symptoms prolong the recovery process, making it even more difficult for survivors to cope with their new lives.
Bio-One works with communities across the nation to avoid this outcome. We employ certified technicians that respond to scenes of violent crime and clean up dangerous biohazards that pose a threat to you and your family. When we receive a request for our services, we’ll send a team to the job site within an hour to assess your situation and perform a comprehensive cleaning solution that restores the property. Our powerful, environmentally friendly chemicals eradicate harmful pathogens that spread Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, giving you assurance that you will be safe long after the area is decontaminated. We’ll dispose of the infected materials that cannot be salvaged and replace flooring and other furnishings if we need to. Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, we’ll return it to its pre-incident state so you can focus on recovering.
We conduct this work because we want to help people who have been left to deal with a difficult, painful task. That’s why our company motto is “Help first, business second.” We don’t ask for payment until after the job is complete because we want to remove the safety threat from your home as quickly as you do. Every person on our team will arrive on-site with an understanding of the trauma you are going through and a respect for your privacy and personal needs. Contact your local Bio-One office today and we’ll immediately connect you with a representative that can assist you. We are available 24/7/365.
Although eight years have passed since the world’s top mental health experts classified hoarding as a unique compulsive disorder, the problem persists throughout the country. Researchers say that up to 20 million Americans suffer from this illness, which is described as an obsessive tendency to accumulate troves of objects with no practical value.Because hoarding is historically stigmatized and underdiagnosed, this number is likely a conservative estimate. Even more troubling, hoarding is expected to increase as the population ages and mortality rates rise. But the studies that dole out these numbers understandably focus on hoarders over other stakeholders in the community. Hoarders’ actions impact far more people than reflected in the data. Fires and collapsing structures caused by unstable hoarding situations jeopardize the safety of neighbors and government workers. Even animals suffer. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a quarter of a million animals are hoarded each year. But the people afflicted by the disorder’s worst consequences often live in the same household as the hoarder.
Families deteriorate as high levels of dysfunction, increased conflict and financial uncertainty hinder intimacy and devastate the emotional wellbeing of everyone in the home. Objects overwhelm the space and are guarded zealously by hoarders who are pathologically unable to discard anything they deem valuable. Hoarded items commonly include old newspapers, rotting food, cardboard boxes, pets, excessive piles of clothes and furniture that dominates the home. Space becomes constricted and practically unlivable, prompting hoarders to carve narrow passageways out of the clutter to navigate between rooms.
But despite the extreme measures’ hoarders take to endure these living conditions, the situation cannot be controlled. There is no space for shared activities among the family and no room to use necessary facilities like ovens, showers and beds. In fact, the concept of “space” alters entirely. Children may have to sleep on couches in the living room or in bed with parents to circumvent the clutter. Activities like eating, reading and sleeping are subject to the limitations of space and the normalcy of disorder.
The effect of living like this leads to feelings of isolation, depression and vulnerability. Confounded by the fact that the hoarding family member is usually controlling, stubborn and sensitive to criticism, other people in the home often feel undervalued and powerless. Any attempts to remove the clutter are met with fierce opposition and outrage by the hoarder, who suffers from severe distress when confronted with the notion of losing their valuables. Aware of these consequences, the family usually lives in isolation, refusing to invite friends and relatives over to the home out of embarrassment. These claustrophobic conditions extend to the mind, which is overwhelmed by feelings of frustration, helplessness and anxiety. Financial strains ensue as the hoarder spends money on items that have no discernable value to other family members. As the acquisition of objects greatly outweighs the removal of other objects, credit limits are reached and space disappears, leading to home maintenance fees, financial debt and increasingly frequent family altercations.
Onlooking children often find themselves torn between parents in these situations. Child protective services may be invoked at some point, breaking up the family and degrading the bond between child and parent even further. This possibility weighs heavily on the minds of older children, who often feel compelled to silence for fear that they will be relocated by the authorities. Child protective services are often justified in removing them from the home. Households governed by an extreme hoarder are vulnerable to disease, air pollutants, pests and fires. Children in these homes also face stunted social and cognitive growth as they endure harsh living conditions and parental strife. Moreover, research indicates that hoarding behaviors are learned and adopted by the children of hoarders, who may subsequently pass these tendencies down to their own kids.
The strains that hoarding places on families illustrates why reaching out for help is so important. If you or a loved one are affected by this destructive disorder, please contact Bio-One for assistance. We remediate homes affected by hoarding on a daily basis and can connect you with tools that can help. We are on standby 24/7/365.
Akron, Ohio, October 1st, 2019 – Bio-One Inc. has announced the opening of its newest office, in the Akron community. Bio-One offices provide top-notch decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while treating clients with the privacy and compassion which difficult moments demand. This location will serve the Akron area, and surrounding areas, as well as assist all other franchised locations.
Bio-One located in Akron is owned by lifelong Akron residents Babs and Cuyler Costanzo. After spending years in the corporate world, Babs and Cuyler chose to start Bio-One to become more involved in serving their community and helping families in their greatest time of need.
"This is quite an honor for us, to have Babs and Cuyler own an office in the Akron area. The fact that we found a local man and woman who have a passion to help their community gives us great pride at our corporate office that we have the right people owning an office in Akron,” said Jason OBrien, CEO of Bio-One Inc. “Having Babs and Cuyler aboard signals that our constant efforts towards business and service excellence are paying off. We are proud to include Babs and Cuyler and their Bio-One office in our Bio-One family. They exemplify our company motto of Help First, Business Second."
For more information on Bio-One in Akron, please call Babs and Cuyler at (330) 888-5665 or visit www.BioOneAkron.com.
“Bio-One is here to help and serve our community when those are in need”
About Bio-One Inc.
Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in 35 States with over 90 locations. Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. Each office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. For more information about Bio-One Inc., visit the Company’s website at www.bioonefortworth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE BIO-ONE INC.
CONTACTS:
Bio-One
Babs and Cuyler Costanzo
(330) 888-5665
Info@BioOneAkron.com
Bio-One Inc.
Jason OBrien CEO
720-463-3004
Property managers adopt no-smoking rules for a reason. Strong odors diminish the market values for apartment units, homes, restaurants and office buildings. According to one estimate by the National Association of Realtors, homes lose 29 percent of their worth when they’re blemished by cigarette smoke .These properties may never sell, forcing landlords to invest in expensive restoration services to eliminate the odor and turn a profit. The Kennedy Restoration Company estimates that this process costs $15,000 for every 2-bedroom apartment unit in Portland, Oregon. A study approved by UCLA and supported by the California Department of Public Health came up with a more conservative estimate. They say that restoring multiunit apartments damaged by cigarette smoke in California will cost roughly $5,000 per unit on average. Though market values will differ depending on where you live, it’s fair to say that odor remediation services are almost always costly. They’re also time-consuming and laborious. Property managers lose money when they’re unable to rent out a unit and must find time in their day to conduct tedious research into restoration options that fit within their budget. Bio-One makes this process easy. We provide the most effective odor remediation service in the industry, and work with property managers daily to find an economical solution to their unique situations.
Odor restoration involves a comprehensive process that targets virtually every item in the building, including floorboards, drywall, ceiling panels and light fixtures. Technicians must ventilate the property, disinfect all surfaces and discard items that absorb and sustain the odor. That means carpeting must be uprooted, curtains must be replaced, and walls must be repainted with sealers that trap unpleasant aromas. Odors will return if this process is not conducted thoroughly, forcing remediation specialists to undergo an exhausting and meticulous cleaning procedure for every property they work on. The arduousness of these services explain why they are often so pricey. When you call your local Bio-One office for a service, we’ll give you a breakdown of total costs. But we do not require payment until after your property is restored.
Once you contact us, we’ll typically complete the job within a 24-hour window, giving you the quickest opportunity to place your property back on the market. Our process eliminates the possibility that odors will return, which often happens when people without the right training attempt to clean the space themselves. According to PBS, cigarette smoke pollutants linger on surfaces for up to five years. Because of the pervasiveness of these compounds, weak chemicals and superficial cleaning jobs simply mask odors for a couple of days. We’ll remove porous structures in the building that retain the odor, like carpeting and flooring, and use a powerful chemical solution to eradicate surface-level pollutants. Call us today and you’ll be connected to a representative who can address your situation. We are on standby 24/7/365.
If you hear fluttering, squeaking and other strange noises in the night, you likely have unwelcome guests living behind your walls. Bats are among the most troublesome. Because most species are endangered, federal law prevents you from harming or killing them. That means you cannot seal off entry points in your home while they are roosting inside. Doing so jeopardizes the safety of young bats who do not know how to fly. In lieu of starving to death, the adults will force themselves into your living space out of desperation, resulting in an unsettling experience for you and an often-fatal encounter for them. The complexities of removing them from your home make it easy to pass the problem off for another day. But you’ll want to act quickly. While bats are helpful to humans for controlling bug populations and stymieing the spread of the fatal mosquito borne Zika virus, they are dangerous. But not in the way you might think. Only about six percent of bats carry rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they hardly ever attack people .The far greater risk to your health comes from guano—or bat excrement.
Guano are black, shiny pellets that crumble to the touch. You’ll find them directly underneath a roost and around entry points, and they’re usually accompanied by dark, muddy-looking urine stains. Because bats eat a third of their body weight in insects each day, they can produce voluminous heaps of excrement in just a couple of weeks. The size of the buildup depends on the number of bats in your home and the length of time they are unattended. In severe cases, these piles will grow several feet high. But if you have large masses of guano in your home, it will become apparent quickly. An overwhelming odor, distinct to bat guano, will emanate from the roost and attract other invasive pests, like cockroaches and beetles.
A few scattered pellets can be swept up without a problem. But when guano pile up, they become a culture medium for fungi. When unaware homeowners try to remove these crumbling heaps of feces, noxious spores that cause histoplasmosis—a life-threatening lung disease—are released into the air and inhaled. Fortunately, not everyone who contracts the disease will exhibit any symptoms. A strong immune system will usually kill the bacteria before a virus develops and the infected person will move on with their life not knowing that their body had been fighting a fungal disease. But people with weakened immune systems, like small children, the elderly and AIDS patients, are especially vulnerable. Early symptoms are closely associated with the flu. In two to three weeks, fever, chills, muscle pain and headaches will set in. But people who do not reach out for help may begin to exhibit alarming respiratory symptoms. Shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain ensues, with the problem worsening until the lungs fail. Histoplasmosis can be treated effectively with prescribed anti-fungal medication if the infected person seeks a doctor quickly enough. But because of the health risk, homeowners are advised not to clean up guano themselves. Untrained and unwary cleaners will easily inhale spores while working in the narrow spaces that bats occupy. In some cases, they spread through the ventilation system and put everyone in the house at risk. Because of the size of the task, you’re better off hiring guano remediation specialists.
Bio-One has the equipment, the experience and the expertise to get the job done right. Our technicians will remove guano, urination stains and odors from your home for the most affordable price in the industry. We’ll also comprehensively disinfect the property to eliminate lingering bacterial threats. Contact us today and we’ll get the job done within a 24-hour window. Our offices never close.
