Helpful Industry Terminology
Restoration
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The reduction or removal of a contaminant.
A portable air-moving device equipped with HEPA or carbon filtration. It can be used to filter air while creating negative pressure in contaminated areas as an “air scrubber”, removing airborne contaminants without changing air pressure.
Literally means “against microorganisms.” A substance, mechanism or condition that inhibits the growth or existence of an organism.
Most structures built before 1977 may contain asbestos. Although banned in 1977, it may be present in structures built as late as 1983, due to grace periods. Asbestos has the potential to cause lung cancer. In older structures consider the possible presence of asbestos in VCT square, sheet vinyl backings, and adhesives.
Technique used to control or prevent the flow of water to basements. The most common methods used include sealers, water drainage, and waterproofing coatings.
Board-up Service & Service Barriers
Securing and enclosing openings. Temporary building enclosures protect homes, businesses, and belongings while construction or restoration is taking place.
Treatment that prevents or controls corrosion or deterioration of metals. (Rusting, which occurs when iron and water are combined, is the most common form of corrosion).
To physically remove the source of odor.
Thorough removal of dirt, stain, or other impurities. Detailed cleaning is normally required following the completion of construction.
The process of restoring property so that home and business owners can return quickly following a disaster.
A biocidal compound that kills a broad spectrum of the non-pathogenic microorganisms.
Emergency Response/ Emergency Cleanup
Professionals are called in when an emergency requires more than basic cleaning. Emergency response teams are available 24 hours a day and are highly trained on proper mitigation techniques.
The destruction caused by fire to home, buildings, or property. Fires are categorized by their rate of combustion. Oxygen-rich fires burn fast, produce smaller particles, and are termed “dry smoke”. Oxygen-starved fires smolder, produce larger particles, and are termed “wet smoke.”
The damage fires leave behind includes smoke, soot, and odors. If the damage is not assessed and the mitigation process is delayed, the cost and scope of the loss can increase.
Reconstructing a building due to fire damage.
The process of restoring and recovering property and belongings after a fire. The objectives include minimizing existing damage, stabilizing the structure, removing soot and odor, and reconstruction.
Preventative actions taken to reduce or prevent fires. This may entail fireproofing (making materials fire-resistant) or removing hazardous materials.
The unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organisms embracing a large group of microflora including molds, mildews, yeasts, mushrooms, rusts, and smuts. Fungi require external food sources, as well as a source of nitrogen other than atmospheric nitrogen.
The abbreviation for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
High-effieiency particulate air filter. A specialized filter capable of removing 99.7% of particulates 0.3ยต in diameter. HEPA air filters are the most effective type of filter at capturing allergens such as mold spores.
Indoor air quality. The characteristics of the indoor climate of a building, including the gaseous composition, temperature, relative humidity, and airborne contaminant levels.
Most structures built before 1960, and as recently as 1986, contain some lead paint. Lead accumulates within tissues and affects practically all systems within the body.
Designed to prevent or remove heightened awareness to odors by providing a fragrance which is stronger and more pleasant to smell while the source of the odor is being eliminated.
A thin layer of tissue that covers a surface or object.
A weather pattern that is similar to a tornado except that the winds stay in a straight line at the surface and the damage comes from one direction. Microbursts have been known to take the roofs off of buildings and knock over full-grown trees.
A parasitic fungus that produces a whitish substance. In addition to the preference for warm temperatures, fungi prefer dampness, darkness, organic food source, stale or stagnant air, and time.
Agents that destroys mildew and prevents further growth.
An agent that limits, controls, or regulates the growth of mildew.
A cottony or woolly-looking fungus that appears in various colors, depending on the spores borne on the filaments. Fungi thrive in warm temperatures, dampness, darkness, stale or stangnant air, and when an organic food source is present. For more information on molds, see FAQs On Mold on our blog.
Also known as abatement, remediation, or removal. The goal of mold remediation is to eliminate visible and hidden mold. For more information on molds, see FAQs On Mold on our blog.
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Mold spores are too small to see with the naked eye. Because of their size they travel by air currents into our lungs. The most common health effects of mold are allergy related and include sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes. Learn more about the heath effects of molds at the CDC website and on our Blog at FAQs On Mold
While some odors can be removed by shampooing or cleaning, water- and smoke-based odor normally require professional assistance. Odors are typically removed with the use of ozoning, soda blasting, or sealing.
An air cleaning device that produces highly reactive ozone, which reacts with volatile organic compounds to form nonhazardous products and reduces the number of biocontaminants. These devices are controversial because their touted benefits may only be accomplished at ozone levels above recommended exposure levels.
In the vast majority of cases, consultants recommend considering demolition on select items only.
A building in which the indoor air quality is considered to be unacceptable to a substantial proportion of occupants.
A phenomenon in which building occupants experience a variety of health and/or comfort effects linked to time spent in a particular building, but where no specific illness or causative agent can be identified. Symptoms in sufferers often include headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation.
Smoke Damage Cleanup and Removal
Neutralizing or removing smoke odors that linger after fires.
Smoke is composed of gases, aerosols, and air-borne solids. Dry wood, natural fibers and paper all produce small, non-smearing residues. Plastic, foam, and rubber (polymers) produce large, easily smeared residues.
A safe process of removing paint or other material from most surfaces. Soda blasting is similar to sand blasting, but it has the advantage of not causing harm to the object or the environment.
When a load-bearing structure is stressed to its limit and fractures occur. Failure occurs when the structure's maximum load capacity is exceeded.
Assessment is the first step in projects requiring structural repairs. Typically, repairs involving load-bearing elements are considered structural damage repairs.
Placing shores, or props, against a structure for temporary support. Shoring is often used to stabilize parts of a building while it is undergoing construction.
Uses high temperatures to produce fog very quickly. The most common use for fogging is insect abatement and surface disinfection.
The nature and degree of a given agent's adverse effects on living organisms.
The deliberate destruction of property. Those affected by vandalism should take steps to return their property to its previous condition to prevent lasting damage. This may entail the removal of paint, marker, glass, and other materials, and repairing damaged property.
The amount of free water that is held loosely by adsorptive surfaces in the capillary spaces and on surfaces of materials; the vapor pressure of water in a material divided by the vapor pressure of water at the same temperature and pressure.
Impairment of the usefulness, future use, or value of property by water.
The act or process of restoring property to a pre-damage or former state.
A water leak occurs when water escapes through a breach or flaw. Quick repair may prevent serious water damage to property.
The recovery process takes place when structural damage occurs as a result of heavy winds. Trained industry experts are able to restore damaged property to its pre-loss condition.
The damage caused by wind can be anything from fallen trees to damaged roofs. After damage assessment, the reconstruction process can begin, which will be different for each unique project.
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