After the water is gone and the clean-up crews have finished, the serious business begins - getting back to normal. But can you? Major problems can still be coming. The question, of who ultimately pays will drag on as insurers and lawyers battle. Musty odours have started and in the aftermath of the flood is rampant growth of mould, mildew, bacteria and other microbial contaminants from wet or damp areas. Building structures, carpeting, furnishings and, most importantly, people will be affected.

The musty odour comes first, then you start to see the physical problem. Staining, defacement and deterioration force premature replacement. By the time the damages are visible, the costs can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As the contamination of surfaces builds and spreads, airborne levels of microorganisms rise sharply. Allergic and asthmatic reactions, building related illness, and even more serious consequences can be directly related to these high microbiological levels.

The problems can be prevented by insuring that effective microbial control is an integral part of your restoration strategy.

Permanent Antimicrobial: A Proven Solution

Effective control requires both the destruction of organisms living on surfaces and sustained antimicrobial activity on the surfaces to prevent regrowth. Simple disinfection, with conventional biocides, kills the germs in your building but do not stop regrowth and spread after the treatment. Conventional biocides are toxic by nature and designed to diffuse or leach into the environment. This can be a potential risk for occupants.

Permanent antimicrobial provides initial control of fungus, bacteria and other single celled organisms. It chemically alters building surfaces to provide long term protection from regrowth. Because it becomes part of the surface, it does not produce toxic or allergic effects in the building environment.

Prompt Action Protects Your Building, Its Occupants and Your Investment

In an effort to control the crisis, insurers and building owners often overlook the long-term consequences of flooding. Microbial contamination from high moisture levels needs to be identified and controlled quickly to reduce physical losses and minimise potential liability from occupant exposure.