When Portland businesses face their toughest cleaning challenges, they call TBM. Here's how we've responded to emergencies, outbreaks, and urgent situations that others couldn't handle.
County COVID-19 Hotel Response: Decontaminating a High-Risk Facility
Client: County of Multnomah (contracted)Location: Portland, ORTimeline: 2020 (ongoing during pandemic)Service Type: Biohazard Decontamination
The Challenge
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county converted a full hotel into emergency housing for homeless individuals. Nearly every room was occupied by COVID-positive patients. The facility needed professional decontamination that could handle:
Extreme biohazard conditions: COVID-positive patients in nearly every room
Unpredictable environment: Working with vulnerable, sometimes uncooperative populations
High contamination risk: Rooms with bodily fluids, medical waste, and hazardous materials
Urgent timeline: Rooms needed to be turned over quickly for incoming patients
Safety compliance: Full OSHA bloodborne pathogen protocols required
"This wasn't a typical cleaning job. Every room told a story - and not all of them were pleasant. We found everything from medical supplies to items that shouldn't have been there. It was one of the most challenging environments our team has ever faced."
Our Response
We mobilized our entire team with specialized biohazard protocols:
Full PPE deployment: N95 masks, face shields, disposable gowns, double gloves for every crew member
EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants: Products proven effective against SARS-CoV-2
Two-stage cleaning protocol: Remove contamination first, then disinfect with proper dwell time
Hazardous waste removal: Proper disposal of medical waste, sharps, and contaminated materials
Electrostatic disinfection: Full-room fogging to reach every surface
Air quality management: HEPA filtration and ventilation protocols
Documentation: Logged every room cleaned for county records
Safety First: We held daily safety briefings, monitored crew health, and rotated team members to minimize prolonged exposure. No TBM employee contracted COVID during this assignment.
The Outcome
100+
Hotel Rooms Decontaminated
24/7
Availability for Emergencies
0
Employee Infections
100%
County Compliance
The hotel remained operational throughout the pandemic, providing safe emergency housing for vulnerable populations. The county recognized TBM's work as essential to their COVID response efforts.
Key Takeaway: When other cleaning companies turned down this job due to safety concerns, TBM stepped up. We proved that with proper protocols, training, and equipment, even the most challenging biohazard situations can be handled safely and effectively.
"This was the hardest job we've ever taken. But we knew that if we didn't do it, those vulnerable people wouldn't have a safe place to recover. That's what separates TBM from other cleaning companies - we show up when it matters most."
— TBM Operations Team
Visual Documentation
Documenting the challenges and outcomes of this critical COVID-19 decontamination project.
Full PPE Deployment: TBM crew in complete personal protective equipment including N95 masks, face shields, disposable gowns, and double gloves preparing for COVID-19 hotel decontamination.
After Professional Decontamination: Same hotel room after complete biohazard cleaning, hazardous waste removal, electrostatic disinfection, and HEPA air filtration - ready for safe occupancy.
Emergency Water Extraction: Full-Building Flood Response
Heavy rain overwhelmed the building's door seals, flooding the entire first floor with several inches of standing water. When we arrived, the scene was dramatic: long commercial hallways transformed into reflecting pools, with ceiling lights bouncing off inches-deep water stretching the full length of the corridors.
Extensive flooding: Water covering entire hallways wall-to-wall - you could see your reflection in the standing water
Professional office building: Modern facility with white walls, wooden benches, plants - all surrounded by water
Multiple corridors affected: Water extended down full-length hallways into office spaces
Door seal failure: Water penetrated through bottom door seals throughout the facility
Time-sensitive situation: Water needed extraction within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth
Business continuity crisis: Client needed facility operational by Monday morning
Volume challenge: This wasn't a small leak - this was a full-building flood event
All-Hands Response
We deployed our entire company - every available crew member and piece of extraction equipment we had:
Full team mobilization: Called in off-duty staff for emergency response
Every piece of equipment: Portable extractors, shop vacs, wet/dry vacuums - everything we owned deployed simultaneously
We're not water damage specialists: But we were already their cleaning company, and they needed help immediately
Zone-based extraction: Divided facility into sections for systematic water removal
Every fan imaginable: Every fan we owned from our company, every fan within the facility itself, borrowed fans, rented industrial air movers - all deployed simultaneously for maximum airflow
Moisture monitoring: Checked moisture levels every 6 hours until dry
Antimicrobial treatment: Applied to prevent mold growth
Honest Truth: Water damage restoration isn't our specialty - we don't have truck-mounted equipment or handle that level regularly. But we were already their trusted cleaning partner. When they called in a panic, we showed up with everything we had and figured it out.
Crisis Averted
< 12 hrs
Water Extraction Time
48 hrs
Complete Dry Time
$0
Carpet Replacement Cost
100%
Carpet Saved
The facility reopened on schedule Monday morning with completely dry, clean carpets. No mold developed. No replacement needed. The client avoided tens of thousands in carpet replacement costs.
"When we got that call on Friday afternoon, we knew it was all-hands-on-deck. Every person on our team dropped what they were doing and showed up. That's what 18+ years of experience looks like - knowing exactly how to mobilize for an emergency."
— TBM Emergency Response Coordinator
Visual Documentation
Before & after documentation of emergency water extraction that saved the client's carpets.
Emergency Flood Conditions: Commercial office hallway with inches of standing water covering entire floor - ceiling lights reflecting off water surface, professional building with white walls and wooden benches surrounded by flooding.
All-Company Mobilization: Every available TBM crew member with all extraction equipment deployed - portable extractors, shop vacs, wet/dry vacuums, industrial fans, and commercial dehumidifiers running simultaneously for rapid water removal.
Crisis Averted - Carpet Saved: Same hallway after complete water extraction and 48-hour drying process - completely dry, clean carpet with no mold growth, no replacement needed, facility reopened on schedule Monday morning.
A viral outbreak spread through the daycare, affecting multiple children and staff. Standard cleaning wasn't stopping transmission.
Active viral transmission: Illness spreading despite existing cleaning protocols
Vulnerable population: Young children with developing immune systems
Chemical resistance risk: Improper disinfection can make viruses adapt to chemicals
Parent concern: Families considering pulling children from center
Regulatory pressure: Health department monitoring the situation
Scientific Disinfection Protocol
We implemented a staged approach based on CDC guidelines for preventing chemical resistance:
Stage 1: Deep Cleaning (Week 1)
Remove all organic material with soap and water first
This eliminates the biofilm that protects viruses
Disinfectants can't work on dirty surfaces
Stage 2: Initial Disinfection (Week 2)
EPA-registered disinfectant with 10-minute dwell time
Focus on high-touch surfaces: toys, door handles, tables, chairs
Document every surface treated
Stage 3: Rotating Disinfection (Weeks 3-6)
Rotation strategy: Alternated between different EPA-registered disinfectants
Why it works: Prevents viruses from adapting to a single chemical
Child-safe products: All chemicals safe for use around children
Frequency: Daily disinfection with weekly deep cleaning
Staff Training: Taught daycare staff proper cleaning and disinfection procedures to maintain results long-term.
Outbreak Eliminated
2 weeks
To Stop Transmission
0
New Cases After Treatment
100%
Parent Confidence Restored
6 weeks
Follow-up Protocol
The viral outbreak was completely eliminated within 2 weeks. No new cases occurred. The daycare remained open and maintained full enrollment. Health department signed off on our protocol.
Long-Term Impact: The daycare adopted our multi-stage cleaning protocol as their new standard, significantly reducing illness transmission in subsequent years.
"A lot of cleaning companies would just spray disinfectant and call it a day. We understand the science - you have to remove the dirt first, then disinfect properly, and rotate your chemicals to prevent resistance. That's the difference between temporary results and actually solving the problem."
— TBM Disinfection Specialist
Visual Documentation
Scientific disinfection protocol that eliminated viral outbreak and restored parent confidence.
Systematic High-Touch Disinfection: Methodical treatment of all high-touch surfaces in daycare classroom - tables, chairs, door handles, light switches - using EPA-registered child-safe disinfectants with proper 10-minute dwell time.
Multi-Stage Toy Disinfection: Stage 1 deep cleaning with soap and water to remove biofilm, followed by Stage 2 rotating disinfectants to prevent chemical resistance - every toy individually cleaned and documented.
Electrostatic Disinfection Technology: Full-room fogging with electrostatic sprayer ensuring complete surface coverage including hard-to-reach areas - eliminating viral transmission while maintaining child-safe chemical levels.
Emergency Snow Removal: When Maintenance Called In Sick
A major snowstorm hit Portland overnight. The building's maintenance supervisor called in sick, leaving the facility with snow-blocked entrances, dangerous walkways, and no one to clear pathways before employees arrived.
Safety hazard: Ice and snow blocking all building entrances
Liability risk: Employees and visitors at risk for slip-and-fall injuries
Time pressure: Building opened in 2 hours - pathways needed clearing immediately
Brutal conditions: Freezing temperatures, heavy snow, physically demanding work
Not our job: Snow removal isn't part of our cleaning contract
We Showed Up Anyway
When the facility manager called TBM in desperation, we didn't hesitate:
Immediate deployment: Sent available crew members with shovels and de-icer
Route prioritization: Cleared main entrances first, then walkways, then parking areas
Ice treatment: Applied de-icing salt to prevent re-freezing
Continuous monitoring: Checked pathways throughout the day as snow continued
Physical labor: Hours of manual shoveling in freezing conditions
"It was cold. It was hard work. And it definitely wasn't what we signed up for. But our client needed help, and we weren't going to leave them stranded. That's what partnership means."
Building Opened Safely On Time
2 hours
All Routes Cleared
0
Slip-and-Fall Incidents
On Time
Building Opened
100%
Client Gratitude
All entrances and walkways were cleared before the first employees arrived. No injuries. No delays. The building operated normally despite the snowstorm.
Why It Matters: This wasn't a cleaning job. It wasn't in our contract. But when a long-time client needed emergency help, TBM showed up. That's what 18+ years of partnership looks like - going beyond the scope of work to support your success.
"Could we have said 'that's not our job' and gone home? Sure. But that's not who we are. When you've been cleaning someone's building for years, they're not just a client - they're a partner. And partners help each other out, even when it's freezing cold and your back is killing you."
— TBM Crew Lead
Visual Documentation
Going beyond cleaning - emergency snow removal that kept the building open and employees safe.
Emergency Safety Hazard: Building entrance blocked by heavy overnight snowfall creating dangerous slip-and-fall risk with no maintenance staff available - facility at risk of delayed opening.
TBM Beyond the Call: Cleaning crew manually shoveling snow routes in freezing conditions - not in our contract, not our specialty, but client needed help immediately and TBM responded without hesitation.
Partnership in Action: Cleared and de-iced walkways ready for safe employee access - building opened on time with zero slip-and-fall incidents, demonstrating 18+ years of client partnership.
Last-Minute Event Rescue: 24-Hour Notice Pre & Post-Event Cleaning
Friday afternoon: the phone rang with a frantic facility manager. They had a major event scheduled for Saturday - and they'd completely forgotten to schedule cleaning services.
Less than 24 hours notice: Event starting Saturday morning with no janitorial coverage
Pre-event cleaning needed: Facility had to be spotless before guests arrived
Post-event cleanup required: Full cleanup after the event concluded
Weekend emergency: Most cleaning companies don't even answer the phone on Friday evening
Client in panic mode: "Can you help us? Anyone? Please?"
On-Standby Team Deployment
This is exactly why TBM keeps crews on standby - for moments like this:
Friday evening coordination: Immediately assembled available crew members
Saturday morning pre-event cleaning: Floors, restrooms, common areas, trash removal - full facility detail
Event support: Standby crew available if issues arose during the event
Post-event cleanup: Returned after the event for complete breakdown cleaning
Sunday morning verification: Final walkthrough to ensure everything perfect for Monday opening
Why We Keep Crews On Standby: Emergencies don't happen during business hours. Events get forgotten. Pipes burst on weekends. Having trained staff ready to deploy at a moment's notice isn't just good service - it's what separates TBM from companies that "check back Monday."
Event Executed Flawlessly
< 24 hrs
Response Time
100%
Event Success
Weekend
Emergency Coverage
0
Issues Reported
The facility was spotless for guest arrival. The event proceeded without any cleaning or maintenance issues. Post-event cleanup was completed swiftly. Monday morning, it was like the event never happened - except for one very grateful facility manager.
Happy Ending: Everything went according to plan. Client was relieved. Guests were impressed. Event was successful. And everybody had a nice weekend - including our crew, who earned well-deserved overtime pay for saving the day.
"We could have said 'sorry, we're booked' and enjoyed our Friday night. But when someone's in a genuine bind, and we have the people and capability to help - why wouldn't we? That's what 24/7 emergency service actually means. Not just for pipes and floods, but for the quiet emergencies too, like a forgotten phone call that could ruin someone's important event."
— TBM Operations Manager
Visual Documentation
Last-minute event rescue - from Friday panic call to Saturday perfection in under 24 hours.
Event Space Perfection: Venue spotless and guest-ready before event start - no cleaning or maintenance issues reported, proving why TBM keeps trained staff on standby for weekend emergencies.
Complete Post-Event Breakdown: Crew returned after event conclusion for swift breakdown cleaning - by Monday morning, facility restored to pristine condition as if event never happened, relieving one very grateful facility manager.
What Our Customers Say
4.9 out of 5 based on 47 customer reviews
Karen Stevens
Facility Manager, Portland
"Read their COVID hotel case study - hired them immediately. Real stories, real results. Exactly what we needed for our facility."
Case Studies
Brian Foster
Operations Director, Beaverton
"Real stories, real results - not just marketing fluff. The case studies convinced us they could handle our challenging facility."
Proven Results
Amanda Brooks
Director, Lake Oswego Daycare
"The daycare disinfection protocol sold us on their expertise. Scientific approach and proven results - exactly what we needed."
Disinfection
Christopher Hall
Property Manager, Tigard
"These aren't stock photos - this is real work they've done. The transparency and documentation is impressive."
Transparency
Nicole Turner
Business Owner, Gresham
"Transparency about capabilities (water extraction story) builds trust. They're honest about what they do and don't specialize in."
Honesty
Your Challenge Could Be Our Next Success Story
Emergency response. Specialized disinfection. Impossible situations. That's what we do.