Carrara Companies Cleaning & Restoration Services Blog

Electronic Restoration from Cigarette Smoke?

By now, we all know of the risks of what smoking does to our health. But can cigarette smoke really be unhealthy for our contents, especially our electronics? You bet. Like our bodies, electronic devices generate heat and need air to breathe, and in doing so create an environment in which dust can collect in and on the circuitry. Unlike regular dust though, dust from cigarette smoke contains three things which can kill electronics: moisture, nicotine, and tar.

Moisture can condense on the circuit boards, allowing the dust and other elements to gather and stick to it. There is also the possibility of excessive moisture causing corrosion of the metal components on the boards themselves. The nicotine and tar co-mix to basically encrust on the interior components, causing fans to clog and heat sinks to fill with this material. This can cause overheating, and essentially kill the electronic.

Another danger is data loss. The small particles which travel in cigarette smoke, can seep into a hard drive, and cause damage to the platters which hold the information. If those platters become damaged, there is a greater potential the data contained on those disks becomes corrupted, lost, and sometimes unrecoverable.

Finally, cigarette smoke causes a discoloration of the material. The sticky tar and nicotine will cause the color of the material to turn burnt-yellow. Even during restoration, if the build-up is significant, they will always be some measure of discoloration due to the chemical reaction caused between the elements.

The best thing to do is obviously quit smoking. If however, this is not an option, regular maintenance and staying clear of your electronics while smoking will give them a longer life.

Air Duct Cleaning Will Change the Way You Breathe - Part 2

Now you know the reasons why you should have your air ducts cleaned regularly, below are some helpful reminders on whom do you find to do the work.

How do you choose an air duct service company?

A word of caution if you make your decision based on price. The national average price to clean ducts for a medium size home will range from $400-$1,000. If you come across a company who can clean your ducts for an amount significantly less, then you are not getting a quality company and their process may leave you “breathless”. Properly cleaning your HVAC and duct system can’t be done for $100 or even $200. These companies are referred as “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system.

Ask for a description of their cleaning process. The top cleaning companies will use a rotary brush which will scour and clean the duct while using negative air pressure and a powerful vacuum to suck up the debris before it gets airborne.

You should also do your due diligence and research the companies you are calling. Go to their website (if they don’t have one that could be a red flag), are they part of the Better Business Bureau and are they a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).

Find out if you can be involved in the cleaning process by looking at your system before they start cleaning and after they are done. Ask them to show you the debris that was in your system. If they won’t/can’t show you the duct work before and after, you should be waiving another red flag. If you are not going to be home during the cleaning, demand before and after pictures so you can feel comfortable the work was actually done and your investment was worth it.

Finally, asking for references and referrals which will solidify you made the right contractor choice.

Points to Remember

1. Don’t make your choice strictly on price. All good companies are going to be in the same ballpark. Cheaper is never better and if it’s too good to be true, it is.
2. Ask about the cleaning process and confirm they are using negative air and a vacuum system.
3. Do your research, website, BBB, NADCA, references.
4. Get involved in the cleaning process to protect your investment.

Air Duct Cleaning Will Change the Way You Breathe - Part 1

As we spend more time indoors during this time of the year, breathing clean air is even more critical, especially for those with respiratory disorders. Many people spend countless hours cleaning their homes, vacuuming, dusting etc. only to ignore their central air system and have their contaminated air blowing throughout their home.

As you prepare to make the investment in having your central air system and duct system cleaned, there are many questions you should ask.

Can having our system cleaned REALLY improve our indoor air quality?

Bacteria, fungi, mold and small particles of dust collect in your HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system) and have potential to cause health problems. You can improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) by removing these contaminants.

How often should I have my air ducts cleaned?

There is not a right or wrong answer, the homeowner needs to make their own decision taking into consideration the following factors:

• Recent renovations or remodeling in the home
• Pets in the home
• Water or smoke in the HVAC system
• Anyone with respiratory challenges who would benefit from improved air quality
• Smokers in the home
• Visible mold growth in the duct work
• Ducts clogged with dust or debris

Radon Impacts Indoor Air Quality

When you think of dangers in the home or office, radon is not one usually on the top of most people’s lists. However radon is responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths per year in the United States, with lung cancer being a known effect from exposure.

What is radon? Radon is an invisible gas, both tasteless and odorless. It is produced from the decay of natural occurring uranium in soil and water, and may accumulate in homes, commercial buildings, and drinking water. It usually gets into a building, impacting the indoor air quality, through cracks, gaps, and/or joints in the structure or substructure as well as hidden cavities and a building’s water supply.

The State of Ohio falls into the moderate-high zones for potential elevated radon levels. It is recommended all homes be tested for radon, and if in the market for a new home be sure to ask if the home as been tested. Although many homes today are built to prevent radon from coming in, it is still a good idea to have testing done.

Thankfully, testing for radon is easy. You can purchase a test kit yourself or hire a qualified radon testing company. If there is a radon problem, it probably can be fixed for about the same amount of money as other common home repairs.

For more information about radon, how to obtain a test kit, or find a qualified testing company, visit the EPA’s website along with the State of Ohio’s website.

Infectious Control in Commercial Buildings

Whether a health care facility, school, or office building, you should have a housekeeping program which maintains your location's aesthetics, but more importantly, ensures your building occupants safety and health.

Today, the concern is surrounding H1N1, or swine-flu, but can it be deadly? There have been several cases, some covered by national media, where is has proven fatal, however studies have shown the normal influenza can be just as deadly. Germs, bacteria, and viruses can be a threat to your facility, and need to be controlled in an indoor environment.

If you fear your facility may be at risk, or wish to be pro-active in your infectious cleaning, make sure when selecting a cleaning company you have first done your research. Is the company a janitorial cleaning service, or do they specialize in infectious control? What practices and chemicals are being used in their processes? If you do find yourself in need of a company which provides this service, proceed with caution. Don't get caught spending money and not getting what you actually need.

For more information about different infectious diseases, please visit the Association for Professionals in Infection Control, http://www.apic.org/ and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/.

Proper Air Duct Cleaning Can Prevent SBS

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is not a term you often hear, but can be a major problem for any building occupant—either residential or commercial.

SBS is defined as a combination of ailments in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

There are more than 50 possible known symptoms including, but not limited to: headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, dry cough, and eye, nose, or throat irritation.

The possibility exists for multiple persons to report anyone of the symptoms, and may be dismissed without investigation, whether or not they are connected. The key indicator is if these symptoms are reported within a short time frame of several weeks.

There are potentially multiple causes for SBS, with possibly no single reason as the culprit. One of the major causes, however, is inadequate ventilation. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must effectively distribute airflow to people throughout a building. Failure of this system, or lack of maintenance, may cause indoor or outdoor air pollutants to buildup. Chemical and biological contaminants may also become trapped and linger in areas, causing people to experience these symptoms.

The best way to combat this issue is with proper and frequent maintenance of HVAC systems. A building investigation should be conducted to test the Indoor Air Quality, to ensure all systems are operating as intended. Additionally, air sampling for airborne contaminates should be monitored frequently.

The use of chemicals such as paints, solvents, and pesticides should be used in well-ventilated areas and when no one else is around.

Removal of any pollutants such as toxic mold or other microbial contamination should also be considered and conducted by trained professionals.

Detecting Mold in Your Home or Office

Do you think you have mold in your home or office building?  The following are some tips that may help you by investigating that suspicion. There is a myth that every building has mold. This is only half-true, as every building has mold spores within the indoor airflow. This does not mean there is mold growing!  If a mold spore lands on a material, which supports growth, it can flourish. Keep in mind spores are the reproductive stage for mold, and need an organic food source with a moisture content of 17% in order to grow. The moisture allows the spore to absorb the food source, and since most building materials are organic, the mold cannot grow without moisture.

To start your investigating you should use your sense of smell and vision. Active mold growth produces a microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC), also known as a musty odor. If you smell it, growth could be present. After the nose test, use your eyes to look for any growth.

Some common areas in a building for mold to grow are:

• Attic space, with poor insulation or lack of ventilation leading to condensation
• Potted plants can be a good environment for growth.
• Leaky pipes in the home
• Is the basement humidity controlled? Indoor air humidity should be between 30 and 50%. If humidity exceeds 60%, it may pose a problem.
• A leaking roof

These are all areas, which may be checked fairly reasonably. If you think you have mold growth in your building, you should contact a professional for advice.

Proper Flood Cleanup Prevents Indoor Mold Exposure

Winter only last several months, but the accumulating snow may cause severe problems when the Spring thaw arrives. Sewers and rivers back up and spill out and over into homes and offices, potentially causing health issues during the flood cleanup.

Failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Exposure can be minimalized or eliminated with the proper protection and knowledge of how to tackle the flood cleanup. Ensure personnel are trained in flood restoration, and are well equipped in properly removing any hazards for your home and office.

Frequency of Air Duct Cleaning Services

As one of the most important systems in the home or office building, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is also the central point for the collection of a variety of contaminants, which can affect the occupant's health. One important aspect considered in improving indoor air quality, is the removal of pollutants such as mold, fungi, hair, pollen, and bacteria.

While there is no set timeframe on when to have air ducts cleaned, several factors must be taken into consideration not the least of which is the preference of the homeowner or building superintendent. Some of the more frequent factors include:

• Smokers in the home or building.
• Pets/animals, which shed high amounts of hair and dander.
• Water contamination, or damage to the home/building or ventilation system.
• Occupants with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the HVAC system.
• After home/building renovations or remolding.
• Prior to occupancy of a new home or building.

Depending on the size of the home or building, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination, and how many persons are conducting the cleaning determines the amount of time it will take to clean the HVAC system. The most beneficial way to ensure the cleaning was effective is through a visual inspection. If any dust or debris can be seen, then the system should not be considered cleaned.

The Quality of Indoor Air

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.