Biohazard and Crime Scene Cleanup in Hendersonville, TN

When an older parent lived alone

Census figures show about 17.2 percent of Hendersonville residents are 65 or older, and roughly 71.7 percent of homes are owner-occupied. Put together, that means many longtime homeowners living on their own. When one of them dies at home and isn't found for a few days, the family is often coming from out of town and walking into something no one prepares you for.

You don't need to go into the affected room. Tell us where the home is and how we can get in, and we'll take it from there. During the assessment we look at:

• Flooring and what is beneath it, since carpet over pad can hide how far fluids traveled.
• Furniture the person was using, such as a bed or recliner.
• Whether odor has moved into nearby rooms or the HVAC system.
• Personal items, like photos, papers and jewelry, that you'll want set aside.

Our pages on cleanup after a delayed discovery and arranging unattended death cleanup as a family go into more depth.

Lake houses and second homes

Hendersonville runs along the northern shore of Old Hickory Lake, a reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. Lake properties bring a few practical issues:

• Some are second homes, so an incident may go unnoticed longer than it would in a full-time residence.
• Steep lots and long driveways can make it harder to carry out equipment and waste.
• Boathouses and lower-level walkouts sometimes need cleanup too.

We ask about access when you call. If the incident involved a boat or dock, tell us. Vessels may have their own rules about where we can work.

Falls, medical events and blood at home

Not every call follows a death. A serious fall, a medical emergency or an injury can leave blood on carpet, tile or furniture, and a spouse or adult child may not be physically or emotionally able to deal with it. For a small spill on a hard surface, a household can follow public-health cleaning guidance. Anything that has soaked into carpet, upholstery or the gaps in a floor, or that you simply can't face, is what blood cleanup after an injury is for. We also handle the bodily-fluid cleanup that can follow a long illness at home.

Sorting through belongings with care

In a home someone lived in for decades, the affected room is often full of things that matter: letters, photographs, a favorite chair, tools from a workshop. Families sometimes worry that a cleanup company will simply haul everything away. That isn't how we work.

1. We ask first

   Before we start, we ask what you're hoping to keep, such as documents, valuables, medications to dispose of properly, or anything sentimental.

2. We separate what's affected

   Items that weren't touched by biological material are set aside, untouched.

3. We check what can be cleaned

   Hard items like jewelry, frames and many keepsakes can often be cleaned and disinfected. Soft, porous items that absorbed fluids usually can't be saved, and we'll tell you which ones.

4. We list everything removed

   You get a list and photos of discarded items for your records and any insurance claim.

If an estate sale or a sale of the house is planned, that list helps the executor too. See our page on estate property cleanup.

Travel from Nashville

We don't keep an office in Sumner County. Hendersonville is about 18 miles northeast of downtown Nashville, usually by Vietnam Veterans Boulevard (SR 386) or US 31E. Weekday traffic in either direction can be heavy, and we may be finishing another job. Homes farther out along the lake or toward the county line can add more time, which we'll take into account when we plan your visit. When you call, we'll give you an honest estimate for the assessment and confirm it by phone. You can reach us at any hour.

Cost and insurance

Price depends on how large the area is, which materials need to be removed, how many rooms are involved and how much waste there is. We put all of that in a written scope before we start; our pricing page explains the approach. Homeowner's policies sometimes cover part of this work, but it depends on the policy. Before you throw anything away, talk to your insurer, and keep our photos and invoice for the claim. If you'd rather start online, the Order Online page takes a $2,000 initial deposit; that is not the final price.

Sumner County and neighboring towns

For the rest of the county, see our Sumner County coverage. Close by, we also serve Gallatin, Goodlettsville and White House.

Questions people ask