More than a broom and dustpan
Most people expect to sweep up glass after a burglary. What surprises them is everything else. An intruder who breaks a window is often cut, leaving blood on frames, floors and doors. Vandals sometimes leave urine or feces inside, especially in vacant homes and commercial spaces. Investigators then dust doors, windows and surfaces for prints.
Each of those calls for a different approach, and some carry health concerns that a regular cleaning crew isn't set up to handle.
What we clean up
- Broken window and door glass, including fine shards in carpet and tracks
- Blood left by an intruder on frames, sills, floors and belongings
- Urine, feces or vomit left behind
- Needles or drug paraphernalia, especially in vacant properties
- Fingerprint powder on doors, windows, cabinets and safes
- Emptied drawers, overturned furniture and general debris
Hidden hazards after a break-in
Fine glass fragments travel farther than people realize and settle into carpet, upholstery and window tracks. Blood from a stranger should be handled as potentially infectious material, since you don't know anything about the person's health. Discarded needles are a real puncture risk; FDA advises placing used sharps in a proper sharps container rather than loose in the trash.
If you find a needle, don't pick it up by hand. Leave it where it is and point it out to us.
How we restore the space
- Confirm the report is done When you call, we check that police have finished and that you've taken any photos you want for your own records or insurer.
- Clear sharp hazards first Glass, needles and other sharp debris are collected before anything else, using tools and puncture-resistant containers.
- Address biological material Blood, urine and waste are removed and the surfaces cleaned and then disinfected with EPA-registered products per label.
- Remove fingerprint powder Powder is lifted dry with HEPA-filtered vacuums before any wet cleaning, then surfaces are cleaned to suit the material.
- Final pass We vacuum floors and furniture for fine glass and leave the space orderly.
Vandalism without a break-in
Not every incident involves theft. Vandals sometimes target a building's exterior, a common area, a restroom or a vacant unit, leaving human waste, bodily fluids, smashed fixtures or discarded paraphernalia. Stores, offices and restaurants may find this at an entrance or loading area when they open in the morning. Vehicles can be targeted too.
We clean and disinfect the affected surfaces and remove contaminated debris so your staff don't have to handle it. Graffiti removal, painting and fixture replacement are separate jobs for a painter or contractor. If the same area is hit repeatedly, let us know; a regular schedule may make more sense than one-off calls.
Securing the property
A broken door or window may need to be secured before anything else. Tell us about it when you call so we can talk through options or point you to someone who handles emergency board-up. Permanent glass, door, frame and lock repairs go to a glazier, carpenter or locksmith.
For landlords and business owners
Vacant rentals and closed storefronts are frequent targets. If a property has been occupied without permission, there may be more than one area to clean, along with sharps or significant waste. Our squatter cleanup page covers those situations, and fingerprint powder removal explains that part of the work in more detail.
Insurance may cover some of this depending on the policy and the cause of loss. Many policies list theft and vandalism among the specific causes of loss they cover (called named perils). Check with your agent before work begins. We can provide photos and a written scope for your claim.