Get matched with top haulers in Broadalbin, NY

While a biohazard cleanup sounds like a scary process, knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns and set you up for success. It’s good to note that more than one professional might be needed depending on your situation, but that will be determined during the assessment. What you can expect during a home biohazard cleanup is the following:

• Assessment: The first step in this process is for a biohazard cleanup professional to assess the damage. They create a report that includes the biohazard safety level, the needed damage cleanup, and the time it should take to complete the project. 

• Setup: The cleanup professional prepares the site to prevent cross-contamination and reduce toxicity risk. This process can include tarping and creating decontamination zones. 

• Removal of surface contamination: Any contaminated materials are removed from the area, starting with large materials followed by small ones. The professional can assess any floor-related damage once everything is removed from the site. 

• Salvaging items: The biohazard cleanup professionals assess which items can be saved and which are contaminated beyond the point of saving. Those deemed unsafe will be disposed of immediately. 

• Waste disposal: The next step is carefully disposing of the hazardous waste. Your professional will place the contaminated items in specific containers to keep the contamination from spreading.   

• Disinfection: The house will be disinfected and odor-neutralized. Even more minor details, like light switches and bulbs, will be disinfected so that they do not recontaminate the area in the future. 

• Restoration: Once the decontamination is complete, the last step is to restore the home. This includes repairing the damage to flooring, walls, or even the home's foundation.  

In general, you can’t put old electronics in a dumpster. Not only is it illegal to improperly dispose of electronic waste in some states, but many dumpster companies have banned this type of waste from their dumpsters. It’s better to look into responsible disposal methods and call a junk removal company to pick up your electronic waste or visit an office or store offering electronics recycling.

Not every, but many, states classify fluorescent tubes and CFL light bulbs as hazardous waste that need to be disposed of in a specified manner. California defines its list of hazardous fluorescent tubes as follows:

• Fluorescent tubes, including low mercury tubes.

• Compact fluorescents, including low mercury lamps

• Metal halide lamps, such as floodlights for  large indoor and outdoor areas and gymnasiums

• Sodium lamps, such as those sometimes used as security lighting and outdoor floodlights

• Mercury vapor lamps, such as those sometimes used for street lighting

The items thrown into a dumpster either go to a landfill, recycling center, or a center for disposing of specialized materials. Your dumpster's destination will depend on your agreement with the company and the services they offer. If you choose to fill your dumpster with a mixture of landfill-approved items, it's important to keep recyclable and hazardous materials out of the pile.