Unattended Death Cleanup | The Horrors of Drying Alone
Unattended deaths are some of the most heartbreaking scenes we come across in this job. A person passes away and remains undiscovered for several days… or even weeks.
The media often glamorizes crime scene cleanup. But the quiet tragedy of dying alone is a horror story for both the close members of the deceased and the people who have to clean up the house. Unattended death cleanup requires technical mastery and compassion.
We at BioClean have served San Diego and Riverside families for several years now. Our team has also restored thousands of properties while honoring every life. We want to break down the challenges of unattended demise cleanup to help you understand why you need experts for this job.
What is an Unattended Death? Why Unattended Death Cleanup is Necessary
Trauma cleaners are some of the most resilient professionals who take care of individuals dying without witnesses. That’s because human decomposition follows very devastating stages… something laypeople will find horrifying.
Body enzymes start digesting tissues from the inside out. Bacterial action bloats the remains of that person, splitting their skin and releasing tens of thousands of bacteria into the surrounding environment. The body also releases fluids that contain DNA samples. Then, bloodborne pathogens penetrate carpets gallon by gallon, wicking up your drywall.
The longer a person’s remains stay undiscovered, the more pervasive this contamination gets. But we at BioClean handle unattended deaths professionally & compassionately.
Let’s talk about the challenges we resolve to ensure your peace of mind!
The Odor That Never Leaves Your Nightmares
Data shows that 2% to 4% deaths in America remain unclaimed. It means there are some 150k unattended deaths in the US annually. So, what happens to these dead bodies?
Purple-black decomposition fluids ooze out of corpses. These fluids carry volatile fatty acids that smell bad and penetrate a building’s structural cavities. No amount of masking covers the odor of death!
- Carpet padding becomes a breeding ground for toxins
- Ventilation circulates this stench through neighboring units
- Flies lay eggs in every crevice they can find
Cleaners have to breathe filtered air for 8 to 12 hours through full-face respirators. That’s why only professionals should be called for unattended death cleanup in California.
Structural Damage Beyond Surface Cleaning
Liquids can migrate unpredictably through your subfloors. They sneak between joists and into your crawlspaces. Wood subfloors delaminate from moisture saturation. Particleboard swells (an irreversible damage!). HVAC systems need a new evaporator coil after that.
Contaminated condensate drips may even scatter these pathogens throughout the apartment building. Without proper cleanup, you may face hefty fines and even terrible lawsuits.
Biohazard Risks Multiply Over Time
When people don’t call biohazard cleanup services after an unattended death, they simply risk the spread of bloodborne pathogens exponentially, especially when it’s warm & moist out there. Here’s why simple cleanup won’t help reduce this risk:
- Hepatitis B can live on surfaces for a full week before dying
- HIV remains viable for 5 days unless it’s cleaned properly
- Clostridium perfringens’ toxins thrive beneath your carpet padding
- Even wearing Level C hazmat gear may lead to percutaneous injuries through 400-denier Tychem suits
Survivors Carry the Emotional Weight Silently
Did you know that almost 40,000 Japanese people died home alone in one year? A person breathing their last unattended is always a tragedy!
- They live in isolation prior to their death
- Neighbors mention “odd smells” after a few weeks
- Suicide notes are found taped inside toilets
- Pets starved beside the person’s remains (consider the Gene Hackman story)
Our trauma-informed training recognizes that the timing for cleanup compounds the trauma felt by the deceased individual’s heirs. So, we coordinate coroner releases compassionately by understanding that a survivor’s emotional processing can’t wait for structural restoration.
Death Cleaning Services Bring Closure & Safety
When you’re responsible for cleaning out an apartment you own after somebody died there alone, we can provide the necessary expertise. Our unattended death cleanup process is very thorough. It includes:
- Demolishing contaminated materials
- Taking down carpets, paddings, baseboards, drywall sections, etc.
- Applying antimicrobial structural treatments
- Installing matching replacement flooring seamlessly
- Erasing virtual trauma reminders with neutral repaint
- Ozone treatments to make the indoor climate breathable again
- Carbon air scrubbing to verify odor elimination
The BioClean Team serves San Diego, Riverside, Phoenix, and Southern Nevada with licensed compassion 24/7. We understand the horrors behind unattended death cleanup demand both expertise and humanity. When tragedy strikes alone, we’re here restoring safety, dignity, peace of mind. Contact our caring team immediately.
