Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Jan 05, 2009 @ 03:05 PM
Mold and mildew growth can be a health hazard, as well as a detriment to your home. If the mold covers an extensive area and/or you want a professional to clean it up, here are some tips for what to look for in a mold removal company.
- Ensure the company is certified by a reputable organization. These would include the National Association of Mold professionals, the International Association of Mold Professionals, EPA, or The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
- Ensure the company has a record of accomplishment for quality business with trusted references and referrals. Avoid "fly by night" companies and handymen looking for a quick buck.
- It is good practice to get several opinions and pricing options before deciding on the specialist.
- Never take an estimate only by phone. Make sure the specialist physically inspects the affected area.
- Request a copy of the inspection report, and do not be afraid to ask for a copy of the process to remove the mold, nor be afraid to ask the affect area be isolated to prevent spores from traveling throughout the residence/building.
- Make sure any air samples the mold remediation specialist takes is sent to an independent certified lab for analysis.
- Never trust a company, which tells you all molds, can be removed forever, but make sure they provide a warranty in case a severe mold problem resurfaces.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Jan 05, 2009 @ 03:03 PM
Normally people associate mold and mildew with humidity and warmer climates. This is because mold requires moisture to grow, and in those optimal conditions, it is very easy to see. However, during the winter months and in cooler climates mold and mildew growth remains, albeit slow.
The contained climate of a HVAC system is independent of the outdoor's or building's environment. Different conditions vary inside the system, which can introduce heat, humidity, and create rapid air movement changing on an hourly basis. These conditions within the air handler and ducts provide an opportunity for microbial growth. Only when there is a buildup in levels of contamination is the problem noticed.
With proper maintenance, those conditions will not lead to excessive growth. In order to provide a better and healthier indoor air quality, incorporate mold and mildew removal and the prevention of growth into your maintenance package. This should be year round, because HVAC systems have their winters and summers independent of those outside their world.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Dec 22, 2008 @ 01:49 PM
A flooded basement is one of the trickier elements of water damage restoration. It involves various steps to ensure a complete restoration.
If you have a flooded basement, make sure you turn off any electrical feed inside the house. At this point, before you are able to go down to the basement, you have no idea if you have any short-circuits down there, something which may cause fire hazards, or even threatens your life. If you do not have a circuit breaker up in the house, make sure to install one now, before you are in a situation when you need one.
Once you have turned off the electricity, it is time to assess the water damage. Armed with a flashlight, rubber boots, and common sense, you need to find out if the basement is flooded, or you can actually go downstairs and walk the floors of the basement. If the former, then the first thing you should do is to use a powerful water pump to extract all the water out of the basement so the water damage restoration can start. If the latter, then you can go downstairs and check on every item you have placed in the basement.
Now that you have a semi-dried basement, you can start working the water damage restoration for the material and objects in the basement, before you deal with the basement as a structure. Then you can move on to assessing stored furniture, appliances, air conditioning unit, heat pumps, and others.
Depending on the situation, when the flood actually entered the basement, appliances in the basement may or may not still work. There is the chance of a short circuit, which often damages the power supply of the individual device. You need a qualified electrician to be able to test every appliance. The good news is the power supply is probably the cheapest thing to replace in a device. The bad news is some appliances can sustain structural damage from floods. Case in point is freezers and/or refrigerators. Due to the nature of these two appliances, their walls have heavy insulation (rock wool, synthetic cotton, or foam). This insulation material has many air bubbles inside. These tend to fill up with water if soaked, thus acting like a sponge. Extracting the water out of these walls is virtually impossible without taking the appliance a part.
Leaving the water inside of these walls for extended periods will cause rust, and eventually will render the whole appliance useless. You are highly encouraged to contact a trained electrician to assist you with restoration services for these appliances.
Next, you will have to start the water damage restoration to the basement as a structure. The dry walls may be severely damaged and hence may require some contracting work. A damaged dry wall will eventually fall apart.
Another thing to watch for is the damage done to the basement walls. Chances are, these walls are also insulated with rock wool, and you need to make sure that this insulation is either replaced or completely dry as not to attract mold. The good news here is, unlike refrigerators, basement walls are accessible and you can extract the insulation without tearing down the whole basement. Once outside, the insulations can either be dried and treated, or totally replaced with a new roll.
Posted by Lyndsey Walker on Tue, Dec 16, 2008 @ 08:06 AM
Carrara Companies was awarded Best Commercial Float in the city of Akron’s 22nd Annual Welcome Santa Parade on Nov. 29. The float featured a Carrara truck pulling a sleigh with a half-constructed wall inside, decorated with Christmas trees and wreaths.
The parade kicked off at noon and followed down South Main Street. It featured five 48-foot-tall character balloons — similar to those featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — in addition to musical ensembles, marching bands, themed floats and, of course, Santa Claus in his sleigh.
Justin Sucato, Carrara Companies president and owner, rode on the float
in the parade with his family, along with other employees. The staff at Carrara Companies made this all possible. A lot of hard work and hours went into constructing this float.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Nov 24, 2008 @ 11:16 AM
Ice Damming is a barrier of ice that does not allow water to properly flow off a roof. They are the result when water from melting snow flows to a roof's edges and freezes. Normal signs of ice damming, is the appearance of water staining on interior ceilings and walls.
Ice Dams frequently occur during the winter months when melting snow results in moisture, which becomes trapped, on the roof because the ice dams prevent the water from reaching the gutters, downspouts, or the ground. It is important to mention roof shingles are designed to shed water, which runs down the roof, not protection from water pooling on its surface.
Eventually, standing water backs up under the shingles and penetrates the roof sheeting. If left unchecked, it can result in significant damage. Prompt action and maintenance are the keys to ice dam prevention. Here are some tips to consider:
Since most damming occurs when the undermost layer of snow closest to roof melts, a cold roof prevents that deepest layer of snow from melting. Be sure the attic is well ventilated, with vents free of snow and debris. Properly insulate the attic, and have a qualified contractor inspect for bare spots and areas of insulation, which are matted down.
Another way to prevent Ice Dam formation is to remove snow from the roof when possible. With assistance, use a stepladder and roof rake to remove the lower 4-6 feet of snow. This will free up moisture and allow it to flow off the roof.
When roof damage has occurred, contact your insurance agent for qualified contractors in your area. Ensure to have them identify water entry points and install a temporary cover and drainage system. Lower the temperature in the affected area(s) by improving ventilation and adding insulation. Any roof replacement should include the installation of an ice and water shield.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Tue, Nov 18, 2008 @ 12:20 PM
Over the years, people have been spending more and more of their time indoors. Approximately 90 percent of America's population is spent indoors, while 65 percent of that is spent in the home. Because of this, people are more exposed to indoor air pollutants, and those most susceptible are children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons whom are sick.
The sources of these pollutants vary from chemicals in simply cleaning products and pesticides, to basic activities such as cooking, bathing, and heating/cooling the home. There are some easy ways for anyone to take to reduce the potential for indoor air pollution and to improve the quality of their air.
Control the source of the pollutant. Instead of increasing energy costs by increasing ventilation, it is best to find where the source of the pollutants are coming from and test accordingly. Having your vents professionally cleaned will also help eliminate some of the airborne threats. Be sure to consult your state or local health department or professionals who have experience in solving indoor air quality problems.
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Nov 10, 2008 @ 09:47 AM
Over the years, people have enjoyed the comfort and warmth of candles. They have provided symbolism and hope, and, unfortunately, sometimes a mess. Here are some carpet cleaning tips to remove those accidental waxy messes.
While most carpet cleaners use a hot water extraction method, a simple solution can be done with your household iron. Place either a brown paper bag or white towel over the affected area and, with the iron on low to medium, gently push the iron on the towel or paper bag in a blotting motion. Allow the newly melted wax to absorb in the towel or bag, and repeat as necessary to remove as much visible wax as possible. If there are still some residual oils, try using a citrus gel solvent spotter to remove them.
If the stain remains from a colored candle, try blotting the area with a mixture of hot water and commercial fabric or upholstery cleaner. There are some cleaners, which you can find online and in stores, that directly work for this, and takes only a little hard work. If the stain is persistent, then contact a professional carpet cleaner.
Posted by Lyndsey Walker on Mon, Nov 03, 2008 @ 09:56 AM
In maintaining your hardwood floors, it is important to give them the attention they require. If neglected long enough, the finish can wear away, and the dirt and moisture from everyday life can damage the wood. Here are some tips for keeping your floors looking like new.
- Make sure you clean up any mess, spills or debris, right away.
- Use a rug to cover your heavier traffic areas.
- Sweep or vacuum every 2-3 days to keep unwanted dust and dirt from settling.
- If mopping, make sure you use a product that is recommended for cleaning hardwood floors. Never use a product that may damage the wood.
Running this simple test is an easy way to determine whether your floor needs refinishing. Simply take a teaspoon of water and pour it over your heavier traffic areas. If the water beads almost immediately, then the finish is still in good shape. However, if the water seeps into the wood and darkens the area, this is a good indication your floors need to be refinished.
Unlike paint, stain tends to lighten when it dries, so make sure you test the finish in a small area not often seen, such as a closet. Stain varies from light to dark and each individual shade has its own affect. Therefore, ensure you follow the proper safety measures, should you choose to refinish the floor yourself.
However, if your flooring is severely damaged and may need more than just refinishing, it may be time to call in a professional. There are many different areas of wood repair, and it is important to recognize the problem beforehand. Repairing split or cracked wood is entirely different than repairing buckling or warping floors, so if you choose to do the work yourself, make sure you have the proper tools and knowledge. In addition, always make sure you adhere to any safety steps, which are required.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 @ 09:59 AM
Each Halloween, trick-or-treating brings smiles, laughter and months worth of candy. But even when the chocolate bars and sticky, gooey candies are eaten, traces of Halloween fun can still be found lurking on our carpets and rugs.
We've listed here some carpet cleaning tips and tricks for removing those scary Halloween stains. (Please remember these are general guidelines, and carpets and rugs with natural fibers or dyes may require special treatment. Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove stains, as it can destroy the texture of the carpet.)
- Chewing Gum: Freeze the gum with an ice cube for about five minutes or until the gum becomes hard. Break up the gum with a dull knife and vacuum the pieces. Detergents containing a citrus base may remove the stickiness of the gum, allowing it to be easily removed.
- Gooey Candy: Using either a dull knife to scrape, or a white paper towel to blot, remove as much of the candy as possible. Using a detergent solution, blot the affected area until it is covered with detergent. You want to avoid any detergents that contain bleach and/or lanolin. Rinse with a spray bottle containing water, blotting until you remove the stain. If this does not completely remove the stain, you may need to moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution. Let it sit for about an hour, and repeat as necessary. Light causes a chemical reaction with the peroxide so you do not have to rinse. Once the stain is removed, use a towel or paper towel to ensure the area is dry.
- Chocolate: Begin as you would with candy, and use a dull knife or paper towel to remove as much as possible. Once completed, mix cool water with ammonia (1 tablespoon of ammonia to ½-cup water) in a spray bottle, and cover the affected area lightly. Blot continuously with a white paper towel until the stain is removed.
Posted by Todd Ellebruch on Wed, Oct 22, 2008 @ 10:40 AM
Carrara Companies president and owner, Justin Sucato, is featured on bobvila.com this week to offer best practices on pressure washing.
In the article, Justin describes the benefits of two types of pressure washers - electric- and gasoline-powered - the four basic elements of pressure-washer performance, as well as tips on how to determine the best pressure washer for the job, big or small.
Follow this link to check out the article.
Find more information on residential pressure washing or commercial pressure washing from Carrara Companies.