The Pros & Cons of Using Ozone Machines

Posted on by msi-admin

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a flood, fire, or a crime and/or trauma scene cleanup—restoration professionals often rely on specialized equipment to bring buildings back to safe, habitable conditions. One of the tools used in disaster restoration is the ozone machine, a device that releases ozone gas (O₃) into the air to help eliminate odors, kill mold spores, and neutralize airborne contaminants. While effective, ozone machines come with both benefits and potential drawbacks. Here’s an in-depth look at how they function in disaster restoration and the pros and cons to consider before using them.

What Is an Ozone Machine, and How Does It Work?

An ozone machine generates ozone gas by splitting oxygen molecules (O₂) into individual oxygen atoms that then bind with other oxygen molecules to create ozone (O₃). This third oxygen atom is highly reactive, allowing ozone to attach to and break down odor-causing particles, bacteria, and mold spores. This powerful oxidizing effect can make ozone machines useful in disaster restoration work, but it also means they must be used carefully and correctly.

Pros of Using an Ozone Machine in Disaster Restoration

1. Effective Odor Removal

  • Benefit: Ozone machines are well-regarded for their ability to neutralize strong, persistent odors caused by smoke, mold, mildew, water damage and the odors related to crime and trauma scene cleanup. In cases of fire or smoke damage, for example, these machines can help eliminate the burnt smell, leaving the space fresh.
  • How It Works: Ozone gas interacts with odor-causing particles on a molecular level, oxidizing them and breaking them down, which effectively removes the smell rather than merely masking it.

2. Mold and Mildew Control

  • Benefit: Ozone gas is known for its ability to kill mold spores in the air, making it a useful tool in mold remediation. Mold can release spores that not only spread further but can also affect indoor air quality.
  • How It Works: The ozone penetrates into small crevices where mold spores can hide, helping to sanitize areas that may be difficult to reach with other mold removal methods.

3. Reduction of Bacteria and Viruses

  • Benefit: Ozone machines can help reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses in an affected space. In restoration after floods or water damage, for instance, bacteria can often flourish, creating sanitation issues.
  • How It Works: The oxidation process involved in ozone treatment can damage the cell walls of microorganisms, effectively neutralizing bacteria and viruses

4. Non-Toxic Residue

  • Benefit: Once ozone breaks down, it reverts back to oxygen, leaving no toxic residue. This contrasts with some chemical disinfectants that may leave residues requiring additional cleanup.
  • How It Works: Because ozone is a gas that naturally breaks down over time, it dissipates quickly once the machine is turned off and the space is ventilated, reducing chemical impact on the environment.

Cons of Using an Ozone Machine in Disaster Restoration

1. Health Risks for Humans and Pets

  • Drawback: Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent, which can irritate the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as coughing, chest discomfort, and throat irritation. It is also harmful to pets, plants, and other living organisms.
  • Consideration: Rooms need to be fully vacated when an ozone machine is in use, and treated areas must be thoroughly aired out before re-entry. Restoration professionals should follow all safety guidelines to avoid prolonged exposure.

2. Potential Damage to Materials

  • Drawback: Ozone is known to accelerate the degradation of certain materials, such as rubber, electrical wiring, and some plastics. Overuse in a building can lead to deterioration of items such as carpet backings, insulation, and rubber seals.
  • Consideration: Restoration professionals should limit ozone exposure on sensitive materials and be cautious about where and how often they use ozone in enclosed areas with delicate items.

3. Limited Effectiveness on Certain Types of Mold

  • Drawback: While ozone can kill mold spores in the air, it may not penetrate surfaces deeply enough to eradicate mold colonies growing in porous materials, such as drywall, carpet, or wood. This limits its effectiveness in comprehensive mold remediation, and is basically an additional tool, but not required or to be used as the primary method of mold remediation.
  • Consideration: Ozone treatment should be seen as part of a larger remediation strategy and may be best used as a supplement to other mold removal methods, especially for mold that has already established itself in porous materials.

4. Regulatory and Safety Concerns

  • Drawback: Some regulatory bodies and organizations advise against the use of ozone generators in occupied spaces due to the health risks involved. Ozone’s safety threshold is low, meaning that even minimal exposure can be harmful, and its production is regulated in certain areas.
  • Consideration: Professionals should always check local regulations and ensure they are complying with any guidelines set forth by organizations such as OSHA and the EPA.

5. Temporary Results in Some Cases

  • Drawback: Ozone machines may eliminate odors temporarily, but if the underlying cause of the odor remains—such as water damage that continues to harbor mold—odors may return.
  • Consideration: Ozone treatment is often most effective when combined with comprehensive remediation techniques. For example, water-damaged areas need to be dried and repaired to prevent mold from recurring.

In the realm of disaster restoration, ozone machines can play a valuable role in addressing odors. However, their use should be balanced with caution and awareness of potential drawbacks. While ozone is effective for odor control and surface sterilization, its limitations with deeply embedded mold and its potential impact on health and materials must be carefully managed. When used correctly and in conjunction with other remediation methods, ozone machines can enhance disaster restoration efforts, helping to restore safe, fresh, and habitable spaces after fires, floods, and other disasters.

How to Clean Smoke Damaged Laundry

Posted on by msi-admin

When the fire is extinguished and the trucks have left, your home will undoubtedly have significant damage. The flames themselves are responsible for only part of the destruction, as smoke and soot can cause just as much – if not more – damage. Fabric and clothing in your home can quickly take on the smell of smoke and will require professional cleaning and restoration. But there are ways to help mitigate the damage and salvage contents and clothing in the event of a fire.

The first part in every claim is always to document the damage. Maintaining detailed records of the series of events and the damage it has caused can help facilitate your claim. More documentation is better than less, so never feel anxious about collecting a lot of information. But prior to stepping foot in your home, you have to be sure it is safe. Wearing protective gear like masks and gloves will minimize your risk of inhaling or touching contaminants, but also hiring a professional contractor to ensure the structure is free from defects will avoid potential injury when entering the dwelling.

Sorting Through the Fabrics

Sorting through the fabrics is a vital first step in minimizing fire damage to clothes. The process begins with separating the items into two categories: salvageable and non-salvable.

  1. Identify all salvageable items: Many fabrics that aren’t burnt can often be saved, even if they have suffered smoke damage.
  2. Separate the unburnt from scorched items: It’s important to keep these two categories apart to prevent cross-contamination.
  3. Check for color preservation: A priority is ensuring the vibrant hues of your clothes don’t fade during the restoration process.
  4. Take note of fabric type: Different textiles require different cleaning techniques for effective soot removal.
  5. Handle smoke damaged garments with care: These act like VOC and particulate sponges, making them highly susceptible to retaining smoke.
  6. Consider professional help: For severely damaged items, fire restoration professionals who specialize in salvaging scorched textiles may be necessary.

Remove the Soot From Fabrics 

  1. Take the items outside and shake the soot off gently. As soot is oily, it can easily stain fabrics if you don’t shake it off lightly.
  2. Alternatively, use a high-powered vacuum cleaner with a narrow tip. Please keep it one or two inches away from the fabric.
  3. Never use a brush tip attachment – it can force soot particles into the clothing.
  4. It’s strongly recommended to get professional help for soot removal from textiles. One wrong move, and you could stain your fabrics permanently.

Deodorize Clothing

Deodorizing the fabric before they are cleaned will help remove smoke odors from the material. Masking agents should not be used as they will only last for a few days to even a few hours, and then the smoke smell will return. Proper deodorization requires a professionally trained company to use ozone treatments which will break down the smoke molecules and eliminate odor. Misuse of ozone machines can cause serious damage to clothing and even health risks.

Washing Options

Once the clothes have been deodorized, then they can be cleaned. Here are some of your options:

  1. Dry Cleaner – This should be a place where they specialize in smoke damage as not all dry cleaners have been exposed to such a loss.
  2. Washing Machine –  Smoke damaged clothes should be washed separately to avoid cross contamination with clean clothes. Washing in small loads can help clean the clothes better than full ones, and heavy detergent designed for smoke damage should only be used to cut through the smell.
  3. Hand Washing – Delicates or heavily damaged items will need to be hand washed and could take a few rounds to remove odors. Rinsing thoroughly and changing water will also help remove damage as well. Always remember to agitate lightly as not to cause damage to the fabric. Line drying the clothes if available is recommended as the use of a dryer can further damage the fabric due to the high heat.

A fire can be devastating and life altering, so knowing who to call in case of loss is an imperative fire step in the fire damage restoration process. Trusting the wrong company, or “fire chasers,” who only concern themselves with how much they can squeeze out of your claim will make your loss an even greater nightmare. For professional fire damage restoration done right the first time, trust the certified team at MSI. Our fire damage restoration cleanup team is on call 24/7 and ready to get you back to the norm you know in a quick, safe and cost efficient manner because we actually care and take pride in our work.