Winter preparedness

• Cleanup your garage to park your vehicles this winter.  Organize and put away your gardening supplies, bring out snow shovels for when needed.
• Be prepared by purchasing a few bags of ice melt.
• It is a great time to donate some of the junk you have collected that is cluttering your garage so you can park inside.
• Clean gutters and downspouts of debris and leaves.  Be careful when using a ladder and water to hose down the gutters.  Keeping clean gutters will keep snow and ice dams from forming and causing water damage to the interior of the home.
• Drain garden hoses and disconnect from outside spigots.  This prevents the spigots from freezing.  Install insulation covers over them which are easily available from a local hardware store.
• Wash and clean exterior windows and screens.
• Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, and children’s summer toys.  Discard broken or damaged items that you know you will not use the following spring or summer.
• Check chimney and have them cleaned professionally if necessary. A clean and properly maintained chimney will prevent possible smoke damage to your home. 
• Firewood purchased by the cord instead of the occasional trip to the store.
• Check your attic; make sure you have at least 6” – 8” of insulation.  Lack of insulation causes heat loss as it gets colder and possible frozen pipes in an extreme winter.

How to clean-up after flood damage

How to clean-up after flood damage

RIA Flooding Clean-Up Advisory for Restoration Professionals

Hurricane Katrina provided restoration contractors with the unique opportunity to learn how to respond to massive flooding over a large, affected area. Some of those lessons came at a high price and offer invaluable information for restoration professionals responding to flooding across the country.

Environmental Contaminants

Due to the variety of contaminants that can be found in the flood waters, proper PPE is crucial for anyone working in the flood-affected areas. There are potential health problems for individuals who have skin contact or inhale any of the contaminants.

Environmental contaminants found in flood waters could include:

• Micro-organisms/Bacteria – e.g., gram negative bacilli from raw sewage or animal feces, fungi, viruses and parasites
• Heavy Metals – e.g., arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, silver, zinc
• Diesel Range Organics – e.g., oil (Note: N-95 filtering masks do not provide adequate protection against oil mist.)
• Agro-pollution from Pesticides – e.g., DDT, Chlorodane, Heptachlor, non-water soluble organochlorine compounds and fertilizers
• PCBs

Health Issues

In New Orleans, contaminants were found in levels high enough to impact the health of those exposed to them. Unprepared workers and volunteers could place themselves at risk for long-term health effects following exposure. Due to testing limitations and a lack of testing standards, these hazards may not be identified until well after workers have been exposed to them.

Injuries and illnesses can include:

• Antibiotic resistant staph infections (MRSA)
• Flesh-eating bacteria
• Intestinal complications
• Respiratory problems
• Exposure to e-coli
• Undiagnosed rashes
• Normal work-related injuries – e.g., falls, vehicle accidents, cuts, bruises

Pittsburgh Protocol

Flood-borne contaminants will impact residents, workers, buildings, vehicles, infrastructure and vegetation. All flood-impacted porous materials should be

removed and replaced. Contamination will also be present in semi-porous materials such as studs, sub-flooring and wall sheathing. Any remaining structural components should be thoroughly cleaned following the Pittsburgh Protocol.

The Pittsburgh Protocol was developed in 2004 following Hurricane Ivan and its effects on the Pittsburgh, PA area to deal with mold growth and severe bacterial contamination. There are four basic steps:

1. Work areas should be placed under negative pressure containment or well ventilated with fans, which exhaust outdoors.
2. Thorough removal of large quantities of mud by vacuuming is often impractical. Scrape off heavy deposits of mud. HEPA vacuum loose mold contamination. The remaining mold should be treated with a foam application of an antimicrobial/cleaner.
3. Pressure cleaning with an antimicrobial cleaner will remove the visible contamination and may afford short-term fungi-static protection to surfaces.
4. A highly permeable encapsulant should be applied using an airless paint sprayer to protect the surfaces and inhibit future growth.

What You Should Know

Restoration professionals should be aware that:

• If you haven’t been invited to the area, don’t go.
• If you do go, pre-planning is critical. Most supplies will need to be brought in with contractors – everything from generators, fuel and building supplies to living quarters and food for workers.
• Communication will be difficult, so satellite phones and/or walkie-talkie sets may be necessary.
• Vehicles should be equipped with GPS since many street signs and markers may have disappeared during the flooding.
• Use unmarked vehicles (without company logos) to lessen the risk of vandalism or having equipment “misappropriated”
• Don’t offer an opinion or expertise that you don’t have. If health issues are involved, refer the client to a doctor.

Cleaning & Safety Procedures

• Fungal growth prefers clean water, so it will not be unusual to find little or no mold growth below the high water mark. There may be fungal contamination in wall cavities due to water wicking up the walls.
• OSB holds more water than plywood.
• Bleach is a destructive and ineffective antimicrobial and should not be used.
• Deep contamination requires deep cleaning. Basically, what goes in with water should come out with water. Heavy-duty cleaners and degreasers will be needed in addition to agitation.
• Employ aggressive drying strategies.
• In a high humidity situation, high heat is the most effective drying method.
• Open affected areas – including pulling out base moldings and cabinets.
• Plastic-coated electrical wiring can probably be salvaged if cut back to the point of water exposure.
• Treat clothing and textiles with textile compatible conservation treatments.
• Document the damage using photos, video and moisture mapping. Keep a daily log. It’s hard to remember what happened months after the fact.
• Remove the damaged materials and hose off or power wash the rest.
• Consider using unmarked trailers to bring in equipment and supplies.
• Train employees on the risks they will encounter, not on every aspect of the job.
• OSHA requires proper PPE, not over protection – Consider: breathable coveralls, P-100 dust masks (more comfortable than half-face respirators), PAPRs.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heat stress and keep employees well hydrated.

Business Basics

• Many homeowners will not have flood insurance, meaning very few will have covered losses. Find out up front who is paying and the payment terms.
• Insurance payments and policies vary – be aware that payments may arrive late or not at all.
• Consider offering a fee-based damage appraisal service. (Can assist your company in pre-qualifying a loss.)
• Know what licenses and legal requirements must be met by contractors for that jurisdiction.
• Make sure to organize your credentials (e.g., state licenses, certifications, etc.) in a presentable manner.
• Verify that your insurance will cover your company in the jurisdiction where you are working.
• Establish lines of credit with banks and equipment suppliers before traveling to the damage area.

These items are in no manner all-inclusive, but are designed to provide restoration professionals with the major issues that should be considered or addressed when working in a flood-damaged area.

For Additional Information

• Restoration Industry Association – www.restorationindustry.org
• Contractor Orientation to Catastrophic Disaster Work – RIA Technical Assistance Bulletin (click on Contractor Preparation Tips)
• The ABC’s of Returning to Flooded Buildings – FEMA Recovery Advisory
• Initial Restoration for Flooded Buildings – FEMA Recovery Advisory
• Health Concerns Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged Homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency – www.fema.gov
• American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress – www.aaets.org

Special thanks to Frank Headen, CR, WLS, CMH; Michael Pinto, CSP, CMP; and Cliff Zlotnik, CR, WLS, CMH, for sharing their knowledge and expertise.

The above document is published by RIA and can be accessed in pdf here

Avoid getting ripped off after Hurricane Isaac

How Can Homeowners Avoid Getting Ripped Off After Hurricane Isaac?

How to Protect Yourself from Getting Ripped Off after a Storm?

What special questions should you ask repair specialists who are performing storm damage?

How can you ensure that the professional you’re choosing will work with your insurance?

Should you be wary of service companies that come knocking as soon as the storm is over?

Are local companies the best way to go even if they can’t get to you as soon as others?

What should homeowners look for to determine if a company might have poor service or a history of fraudulent repairs?

Isaac has been upgraded to Hurricane and is headed for the US coast right for the state of Louisiana.  The front side of the storm has already dropped several inches of rain, the eye will pass through and the back side of the storm will dump several inches more.  We are in Wichita, KS and preparing to team up with local vendors to serve clients in Louisiana.  We will work under local ServiceMaster assisting them with whatever they need in restoring homes and business after they have encountered flood and or water damage.

In Wichita, KS we experience many spring storms and related damage.  I have personally experienced hail damage at my home.  With a hail storm many business send us flyer in the mail and many sent canvassing crews.  I choose not to use any that came to my door or sent me mailers.  I knew some names from the local market who I called to get advice.  I waited for things to slow down and then got the repairs done.  I was able to get a good value for the $s I was willing to pay.

In the event of a floor or a hurricane Isaac, waiting may not be an option.  My encouragement to those needing services, call on ServiceMaster for all your flood and waterdamage cleaning needs. We have standing contracts many Insurance companies to give you priority.  The vendors in our network are pre-qualified and to be a part of the group, certain standards of workmanship and insurance must be met to be a part of this elite group.

Due to the high demand for qualified contractors, sometimes it is not easy to get estimates, since contractors are performing services for existing clients.  Using a network such as ServiceMaster in Wichita, KS  ensures prices that are generally market standard by 3^rd party pricing companies such as Xactware or Symbility.

IICRC Board Votes to Return to Original name
Keeps cleantrust as the consumer-facing service mark

VANCOUVER, WA (February 17, 2012) - The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced today that the Board of Directors has voted to return the formal name of the organization to the IICRC, keeping cleantrust as the service mark of the organization. The full details surrounding the transition will be announced at the Certification Council on April 22, 2012.

“We’ve heard the feedback from registrants over the past few months and considered many options,” said IICRC Chairman Darrell Paulson. “Ultimately, the board has decided to use the IICRC as the main brand and use the cleantrust as a service mark. This allows us to honor the 40-year history of our organization, while also working to gain more awareness with end-users. We are still working through all of the details and we thank the inspection, cleaning and restoration community for their patience during this process.”

The IICRC will retain the use of the updated logo, which represents the strength and breadth of the organization. The shape reflects a globe, symbolizing the IICRC’s international status. And like the organization, the logo is made up of many different parts that are working together in a unified pattern, depicting an organization that is deep in knowledge.

“Together, this powerful brand combination of IICRC and the cleantrust, will enable us to constantly work towards our mission of identifying and promoting an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment,” said Paulson.

Updated materials with the new IICRC logo and an updated design will gradually rollout in the coming months, including ID cards, brochures, introductory video and a new website.
Read More

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About ServiceMaster by Best

ServiceMaster by Best is a cleaning and restoration firm based in Wichita, KS.  ServiceMaster by Best has trained and certified staff by the cleantrust (formerly IICRC) to meet your regular cleaning to specialty cleaning needs.  Since 2003 Best Corporation has acquired various ServiceMaster licenses to bring innovative products and services to the south Central Kansas and surrounding markets.  ServiceMaster by Best is the only entity in the region as a GS-42 GreenSeal Certified green cleaning services.  ServiceMaster by Best provides among other specialty cleaning services, Air-Duct, Carpet, Rug & Upholstery; Fire, Water, Flood, Smoke & MoldCleanup along with commercial and janitorial services.

ServiceMaster by Best is a licensed franchisee of ServiceMaster Clean division of the ServiceMaster Family of Brands.  ServiceMaster currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of over 4,500 company-owned locations and franchised licenses.  The Company’s brands include TruGreen^®, TruGreen LandCare^®, Terminix^®, American Home Shield^®, ServiceMaster Clean^®, Merry Maids^®, Furniture Medic^®, and AmeriSpec^®. The core services of the Company include lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, disaster response and reconstruction, cleaning and disaster restoration, house cleaning, furniture repair, and home inspection.

Fire at the 2012 Daytona 500

Benefits of Repeat Business by a Carpet Cleaning Firm

What are the benefits of repeat business? (Question from eLocal blog)

What are the advantages of consistently working with the same professional? Do you offer discounts for repeat customers or faster service? How do you, as professionals, try to ensure that you establish long-term relationships with clients? Are there times when you won’t work with a customer again? What can customers do to keep good relationships with their favorite professional?

Answer: (as a eLocal expert vendor)

From the perspective of a service professional:

I like repeat clients! I like the ones that appreciate the service I provide and the ones that pay timely.

·         It saves me the acquisition cost of the new client.

·         My crew is familiar with them from having serviced them previously.  They obviously had a good experience from the previous time, or they would not have called again to be serviced.

·         Since we are a cleaning and restoration firm, competition is fierce and people often go for the cheapest cleaner.  We happen not to be the cheapest and thus it validates the value proposition that we put before our clients.

·         With repeat clients one builds a valuable relationship which extends to referrals and more business.

·         I approach my clients not a cleaner, but a solutions provider.  I want them to call me not just for their carpet cleaning needs, but advise on anything that pertains to their home or business and the maintenance of their properties.  This gives me the opportunity to serve them in more areas.

·         If I bring value to them, when there is a need for a vendor when they have a water damage or fire/smoke damage (where the scope of the work) is much more than Air-Duct cleaning, we both benefit from the repeat business.

·         When I have serviced a client before, I emotionally want to make sure they are a valued more.  I appreciate their business more.  It comes naturally to me.

·         I would gladly offer a better price to someone with I continually do business and have a relationship.

To establish a better relationship with our clients, we follow-up after each job how they were served.  We send them a Thank-you card after the follow-up call.  If we have their e-Mail address, we will also send them a brief questionnaire to see how our service was with the simple question, if they would use us again or not.

When clients do not pay for one reason or another, we will mark them not to be served again in our systems.  Very few have called back over the years.

From the perspective as a customer:

I have a HVAC contractor who served me well last year.  A few years back a plumber served me well.  I have a “handy-man” who served me well.  I pay these folks timely and they give me a great price.  I use them in my business to serve my clients.  Since I have established a good relationship with a few of these folks, they give a little extra attention to my clients.  This is a win-win for my clients, the vendors I personally use and an opportunity for me to be profitable.

How much does it cost to repair a leaky toilet

Answers to questions I was asked by a reporter:


On average (as I realize each situation is unique) how much might it cost to have a leaky toilet repaired? Let’s say there’s a crack in the tank or the plumbing is dripping somehow and although it’s not a major leak at this stage, still should be repaired.

To repair a toilet (ceramic tank and bowl) may not be a good idea.  In my opinion, it would be better to replace.  Depending on where you live in the country and type of bowl and tank you purchase from the hardware/appliance store, the cost of the toilet could be as low as $99.00 and up from there.  Installation may cost about $150.00 +, often larger stores may offer a discounted installation cost as well.  If it is my house, a crack in the tank would mean replace the tank (if possible), otherwise the whole unit.  Some toilets and tanks are 1 piece.  I try not to do these type of repairs myself, I hire a plumber for such repairs.  (I consider myself quite handy, however some things I prefer to have a pro do.)

More often than not, I have observed that the “supply line” to the water tank develops a hole.  If it is a slow leak, I would get that replaced or replace it myself.  These are easy to do and readily available.  I would replace with a metal braided supply line.  They tend to hold up better in the long run.

How much might it cost to do a major toilet repair? The tank cracks, the plumbing that was leaking just a little is not a faucet, etc.?

Cost of toilet as little as $99, cost of install depends on the market, here upwards of $150.00.

   

How much might it cost to replace a blown (and spewing water) washing machine hose?

To replace the hot or cold water supply line to the washing machine is cheap.  The hose will cost as little as $7 at a hardware store.  I would not recommend them to anyone.  I would encourage the use of the metal braided ones.  Now there are metal braided with auto pressure shut off in case of a  rupture.  I have these at my home, each cost about $20.00 each.  If a person can install a garden hose, they can install these.  Only difference is they need to use plumbers tape. (Readily available at the hardware store for about a $1.00) Just wrap a few times (2 to 3) over the threads where the hose connects on each end, and you are good to go. 

Now let’s talk about the damage the ruptured hose may cost. (which is what we often assist clients with)

Scenario 1.: House built on a slab foundation (with no basement).  Depending on where the laundry room is located and what kind of drains are in the room.  If there is a floor drain, the room may get a little wet.  Some drywall may get wet and will need to be dried out.  This may cost about a thousand or so or less, depending on the situation for water damage restoration.

Scenario 2a.: House has a basement and the washer unit sits in the basement in a well drained utility room.  Similar to above, because the water would drain out fairly easily. Cost could vary.

Scenario 2b.: House has a basement and the washer unit sits in the basement in a not so well drained area.  This could propose quite a problem, since the carpet in the basement would be wet and water would wick up the drywall.  Drywall would need to be dried out, base trim and all materials would need to dried to prevent fungal growth.  Depending on the severity, cost could range upwards of $1,000.00 to dry out + cost to rebuild if necessary.

Scenario 2c.: House has a basement and the washer unit sits on the main floor with a finished basement.  When a flood happens in this situation, generally this is quite extensive and expensive.  Cost could easily go upwards of $2500 depending on what is damaged + rebuild costs if necessary.

Scenario 3.: House has a finished basement, main level and floor above the main level and the washer unit sits on the top floor.  These turn out to be quite expensive since the water will run down through the floors and the walls causing extensive damage to walls, flooring such as carpet etc.  Cost could easily be about $2500+ per floor to dry out and then the cost to replace and repair damaged structure and the contents.

Similar costs structure if it were a toilet and its location.

How much might it cost to replace rubber washing machine hoses with steel braided ones?

Note the beginning of the point above. If you do it yourself, $20.00 + for the cost of the hose; if you hire a plumber, I assume they would charge a minimum rate of about $150.00 and that is dependent on what area of the country.

How much might it cost to install an auto shut off calve with an audible alarm on a washing machine or dishwasher hose line?

I really have no idea.  However pressure sensitive auto shutoff metal braided supply lines cost about $20 a piece and higher, dependant on the length etc.

If a hot water heater starts leaking, is it (in general) able to be repaired or is a new one usually the only option?

These are not generally repairable, it is time to get a new one and replace the old, especially if it is leaking on the hot water side with hot water/steam.  This is potentially a dangerous situation because hot water evaporates quite rapidly and can cause fungal growth quite rapidly.  We are currently remediating an unfinished basement that had the hot water heater rupture when the tenant was out of town.  2 days later he returns to a incredibly contaminated basement.  The basement looked like a Petri dish full of fungal growth.  It will be restored, but will cost the client in the vicinity of $10,000.  If my hot water heater leaked, I would replace without a question.

On average, how long do hot water heaters last?

Hot water heaters come with various “warranties”.  I am not an expert on their life, but I do know that the better the warranty, the better the product.  Warranties generally are 6-10 yrs. A hot water heater’s life can be elongated by a handful of things.  If you live in a hard-water area, install a water softer or related appliance.  This reduces buildup of sediment in hot water heater and pipe oxidation/buildup.  The second thing one can do is to drain the hot-water heater periodically based on manufacturer directions to drain it of the buildup in the bottom of the hot-water heater.  This reduces corroded buildup on the bottom of the hot water heater.  Doing this procedure will also improve the amount of hot water you get from your tank and its efficiency.

A few other thoughts that may be helpful:

Slow leaks and the damage they cause are generally not covered.  Slow leaks are often the cause of fungal/mold growth around the leak causing wood rot etc.  Better to take care of it when it is a small problem, rather than wait for a burst pipe causing far greater damage.

If possible as in some of the new homes and newer plumbing systems, the pressure can be regulated and or reduced by simply slowing down from the breakaways from the main line, especially where water pressure is not critical.  I have done this and advise other of it as a simple precautionary thing to do.