Welcome to ServiceMaster Restore of Lambton County

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?

Often times when it comes to the words clean, sanitize and disinfect they are used interchangeably. However, there is a significant difference between these terms and knowing what they mean can help keep your home or workplace a clean and safe environment.

Cleaning physically removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. It involves using soap or detergent and water along with a mechanical action such as wiping to remove germs from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. In order to kill germs properly, chemicals need to be applied according to the label as each product is different. Disinfecting does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. In order for a product to be considered a sanitizer, it must reduce bacteria on a surface by at least 99.9 percent. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

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Are there any warning signs to look for?

If there are dark spots on your ceiling, floors or walls, this is a sure sign of mold growth. Musty odours and mildew are often also signs that mold may be growing in your home. Respiratory and allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing and wheezing are a common indicator of mold growth as well. High humidity levels in the home that result in condensation on glass and metal surfaces are also a warning sign of mold.

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What does pre-loss condition mean?

There may be some damage to your commercial property and facility that existed prior to the loss. Therefore, these damages will not be included in the scope of repairs. We are responsible for returning your commercial property to how it was before the damage occurred, in other words, to its pre-loss condition, using materials of like-kind and quality. At your request, we will provide you with an estimate for any additional construction projects you may wish undertaken by our team. This additional work is termed, “non-insured work.”

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