Tackling the Toughest Messes with Care: Disaster Cleanup

When a disaster strikes your home or place of business, the damage takes many forms. Sometimes, plumbing suddenly fails or the sewer backs up. Other times, unwanted animal guests like racoons, squirrels or rats or insects invade your house or office. In more severe cases, you may find yourself facing a Category 3 water loss — the kind of contamination that requires specialized cleaning, sanitizing, and restoration. In this post, we share our typical process for managing disaster cleanup.

At Red Truck Disaster Response, we work every day to help Treasure Valley homeowners and businesses recover from some of the messiest and most challenging situations. And while these events are never pleasant, they are usually far less overwhelming once the right team arrives to handle the problem quickly and professionally.

Animal and Pest Waste Disaster Cleanup

Uninvited pests like raccoons, squirrels, and rats can cause damage beyond what you see on the surface. They may chew through insulation, wiring, or structural wood. But one of the most dangerous and often-overlooked issues comes from their waste.

Feces and urine from animals can carry harmful bacteria, parasites, and airborne pathogens. Left unaddressed, they can create serious health risks for the people living in or visiting the property. Our team can get involved at the onset but often start our work after the source of the infestation has been handled by a licensed pest control company. Once the animals are gone, we work to clean, sanitize, and restore the affected areas.

This process often includes:

• Removing contaminated insulation and debris
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to eliminate biohazards
• Addressing lingering odors with specialized treatments
• Preparing the space for safe re-entry

By handling the cleanup the right way, we help you reclaim your property and prevent future problems.

Sewer Backups and Plumbing Failures

A sewer backup or major plumbing failure can cause damage quickly — and in many cases, this causes more than just an inconvenience. Contaminated water from sewer systems contains bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms.

We often respond to these emergencies within 45 minutes of receiving the first call. We work to:

• Extract standing water from the affected areas
• Remove damaged materials that cannot be safely cleaned
• Apply professional-grade disinfectants
• Begin structural drying to prevent further damage

In situations where the source of the issue is still active — for example, if a pipe continues to leak — we can provide plumber support. This means working side-by-side with your plumbing contractor to ensure the repair is completed before restoration moves forward. The faster these problems are addressed, the less likely you are to face secondary damage like mold growth or lingering odor.

Category 3 Water Cleanup

In the disaster restoration industry, water damage is classified into categories. Category 3 water — sometimes called “black water” — is the most severe. This type of water usually comes from sewage, floodwaters, or other heavily contaminated sources.

Because Category 3 water carries a high risk of disease, cleanup requires strict safety procedures and specialized equipment. Our technicians are trained to follow industry standards for Category 3 water cleanup, which typically involves:

• Wearing full protective gear to avoid exposure
• Removing all affected porous materials that cannot be sanitized
• Cleaning and disinfecting remaining surfaces
• Using high-powered drying equipment to ensure no moisture remains
• Conducting post-remediation testing when appropriate

While the situation may seem dire at first, professional cleanup can return your property to a safe and livable condition far more quickly than most people expect. We work to minimize your inconvenience and restore your situation to pre-disaster or better condition!

Sanitizing and Odor Removal in Disaster Cleanup

After animal waste cleanup, sewer backups, or Category 3 water events, lingering contamination is not always visible. That’s why sanitizing is such a critical step in the restoration process.

We usually use EPA-registered disinfectants and industry-approved cleaning protocols to eliminate harmful microorganisms. In many cases, odor removal also becomes a priority — not just for comfort, but because unpleasant smells can signal lingering contamination.

Our odor removal process often includes:

• Air scrubbing to filter airborne particles
• Ozone or hydroxyl treatments to neutralize odors
• Deep cleaning of surfaces, carpets, and ventilation systems

The result? A home or business that looks, feels, and smells clean — with the peace of mind that comes from knowing it’s safe to occupy.

Plumber Support During Restoration
When water damage results from plumbing issues, repairs must happen quickly to stop further damage. Our team typically coordinates with licensed plumbers to ensure that the cause is identified and fixed early in the restoration process.

This collaboration offers a few key benefits:

• Faster overall recovery time
• Reduced risk of repeat damage
• Seamless communication between trades

By working as part of a coordinated team, we help ensure that your property is not only cleaned and restored but also protected from future incidents.

A Positive Path Forward

No one expects to deal with animal waste, sewer backups, or Category 3 water damage in their home or business. But when these situations arise, you have options. With prompt response, professional equipment, and a compassionate approach, restoration is not only possible — it’s often faster and less disruptive than you might think.

We see every job as an opportunity to help our neighbors move forward. By combining technical skill with genuine care, we strive to make even the most unpleasant cleanup situations a little easier to navigate.

About Red Truck Disaster Response in Boise, Idaho

Red Truck Disaster Response was established in 2016. Through our experience working for a national franchise, we have seen first-hand how larger companies fail to provide the level of customer service their clients need and deserve when we are going through a loss to their home. We started Red Truck and made the conscious decision to put service first. Our clients are our highest priority. With a focus on professional and supportive service and open communication, we help our clients restore both their homes and their lives after a disaster. We will work with any insurance company and can handle any size loss. If you face a loss of any kind, 24/7, call our hotline (208) 336-3853 and we’ll be happy to help!

This blog is for informational purposes only. If you have questions about your specific situation, we will be happy to come out and look at no charge. Inspections are always free.