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Here is a blog on my other blog site.

san diego carpet cleaning: LEAVE YOUR UPHOLSTERY TO THE RIGHT HANDS

san diego carpet cleaning: LEAVE YOUR UPHOLSTERY TO THE RIGHT HANDS: Well, lots of people do not give much thought when they intend have some  upholstery cleaning . It is for this reason that many people do n...

san diego carpet cleaning: LEAVE YOUR UPHOLSTERY TO THE RIGHT HANDS

san diego carpet cleaning: LEAVE YOUR UPHOLSTERY TO THE RIGHT HANDS: Well, lots of people do not give much thought when they intend have some  upholstery cleaning . It is for this reason that many people do n...

Wikipedia definition of water loss

Water damage describes a large number of possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, and many others.

The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property.

An insurance policy may or may not cover the costs associated with water damage and the process of water damage restoration. While a common cause of residential water damage is often the failure of a sump pump, many homeowner's insurance policies do not cover the associated costs without an addendum which adds to the monthly premium of the policy. Often the verbiage of this addendum is similar to "Sewer and Drain Coverage".

Those individuals who are affected by wide scale flooding may have the ability to apply for government and FEMA grants through the Individual Assistance program.^[1] On a larger level, businesses, cities, and communities can apply to the FEMA Public Assistance program for funds to assist after a large flood. For example, the city of Fond du Lac Wisconsin received $1.2 million FEMA grant after flooding in June 2008. The program allows the city to purchase the water damaged properties, demolish the structures, and turn the properties into public green space.^[2]

CausesEdit

Water damage can originate by different sources such as a broken dishwasher hose, a washing machine overflow, a dishwasher leakage, broken/leaking pipes, and clogged toilets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 13.7% of all water used in the home today can be attributed to plumbing leaks.^[3] On average that is approximately 10,000 gallons of water per year wasted by leaks for each US home. A tiny, 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day.^[4] With broken water pipes ranking second only to hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of claims (on average $50,000 per insurance claim^[5]) costs in the US,^[6]it behooves homeowners to be judicious in protecting their homes against leaks. Experts suggest that homeowners inspect and replace worn pipe fittings and hose connections to all household appliances that use water at least once a year. This includes washing machines, dishwashers, kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories, refrigerator icemakers, water softeners and humidifiers.^[7]A few US companies offer whole-house leak protection systems utilizing flow-based technologies (e.g. FloLogic and Leak Defense Systems) and moisture sensor-based technologies (e.g. WaterCop and leakSMART). A number of insurance companies offer policy holders reduced rates for installing a whole-house leak protection system.

As far as insurance coverage is concerned, most damage caused by bad weather is considered flood damage and normally is not covered under homeowners insurance. Coverage for bad weather would usually require flood insurance.^[8]

CategoriesEdit

Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "Clean Water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows or appliance malfunctions that involves water supply lines.

Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Known as "Grey Water". This type carries micro organisms and nutrients of micro organisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due tohydrostatic failure and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Category 3 Water - Known as "Black Water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affects the indoor environment. This category includes water sources fromsewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water. Toilet back flows that originates from beyond the toilet trap is considered black water contamination regardless of visible content or color.^[9]

ClassesEdit

Class of water damage is determined by the probable rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected, or wet, in the room or space that was flooded. Determining the class of water damage is an important first step, and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to dry-down the structure.^[10]

Class 1 - Slow Rate of Evaporation. Affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials.

Class 2 - Fast Rate of Evaporation. Water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches.

Class 3 - Fastest Rate of Evaporation. Water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations. Involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

RestorationEdit

Different removal methods and measures are used depending on the category of water. Due to the destructive nature of water, restoration methods also rely heavily on the amount of water, and on the amount of time the water has remained stagnant. For example, as long as carpet has not been wet for longer than 48 hours, and the water involved was not sewage based, a carpet can usually be saved; however, if the water has soaked for longer, then the carpet is probably irreparable and will have to be replaced.^[11] Water damage restorationcan be performed by property management teams, building maintenancepersonnel, or by the homeowners themselves; however, contacting a certified professional water damage restoration specialist is often regarded as the safest way to restore water damaged property due to their training and extensive experience. Most are usually listed under "Fire and Water Restoration" and they can help speed repairs, whether for individual homeowners or for the largest of institutions.^[12] Fire and Water Restoration companies are regulated by the appropriate state's Department of Consumer Affairs - usually the state contractors license board. In California, all Fire and Water Restoration companies must register with the California Contractors State License Board.^[13] Presently, the California Contractors State License Board has no specific classification for "water and fire damage restoration."

Health hazardsEdit

Slight discolorations on the walls and ceiling may go unnoticed for a long time as they gradually spread and get more severe. Even if they are noticed, they often are ignored because it is thought that some discoloration will occur as a part of normal wear and tear in a home. Molds spread throughout the living space leading to serious health consequences. Symptoms caused by mold allergy are watery, itchy eyes, a chronic cough, headaches or migraines, difficulty breathing, rashes, tiredness, sinus problems, nasal blockage and frequent sneezing.

Secondary DamageEdit

As defined by IICRC, Secondary Damage is the wetting or impairment of the appearance or function of a material from prolonged indirect exposure to water or indirect exposure to contamination carried by or resulting from the current water intrusion, which is reversible or permanent. An example of reversible secondary damage would be swelling or cupping and/or bowing of a wood floor. Such damage can sometimes be reversed by extracting all of the moisture through specialized equipment and proper technique. An example of permanent secondary damage would be wood rot. Such damage ruins the structural integrity of the material causing the need for replacement. Another common example of secondary damage is fungal growth or mold.

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/132254-ashrae-residential-iaq-standard-now-includes-all-multifamily-units

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/132254-ashrae-residential-iaq-standard-now-includes-all-multifamily-units

Why LEED certification is becoming an essential

Why LEED certification is becoming an essential: LEED certification matters to tenants’ employees. As a result, sound environmental stewardship has moved from a nice-to-do to a must-do for many companies.

Building Health Check launches IAQ Screening Kit for E. coli bacteria

Building Health Check launches IAQ Screening Kit for E. coli bacteria: Following a number of recent outbreaks of E. coli, or Escherichia coli, bacteria at grocers and restaurants across the country, Building Health Check, LLC, has released an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Screening Kit for the E. coli bacteria.

Indoor air quality concerns

Are concerns about indoor air quality
making it difficult for you to breathe easy in your own home?

Acknowledging reports that air quality inside homes can be worse than outside, engineers have identified ways to move air in and out of homes to minimize the factors that lead to indoor air quality problems.

The key is to design HVAC and other systems to work together to effectively ventilate homes and minimize sources of indoor pollution. Houses adhering to guidance from ASHRAE for home ventilation will generally result in increased indoor air quality and decreased health problems compared to those that do not. The guidance is contained in ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the only nationally recognized indoor air quality standard developed solely for residences. It is intended for use in building codes.

“The standard is just good, basic common sense,” Max Sherman, former chair of the committee that wrote the standard, said. “People need fresh air. The standard tells how to provide it and how to avoid other common problems.”

In the past, residential ventilation was not a major concern because it was felt people were getting enough outdoor air by opening their windows and by air leaking through the building’s walls.

As homes and duct systems were built tighter to save energy, trapping contaminants indoors, concern rose about indoor air quality, especially since people spend almost 90 percent of their day indoors — 65 percent of that in their homes. Also, residents are now less likely to open windows because of energy costs, security issues, drafts, noise and dirty air from outside.

Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency on human exposure to air pollutants show that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times, sometimes more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. People in buildings frequently report discomfort and building-related health symptoms, and sometimes develop building-related illnesses.

“Publication of this standard does not immediately require changes to building practice, but it does set the minimum level expected of HVAC professionals with respect to residential ventilation, and it should hopefully lead to changes in building codes,” Sherman said.

Some requirements in the standard that represent significant changes from standard practice include use of sound rated fans (because disruptively noisy fans are now commonly used) as well as use of mechanical, whole-house ventilation, which only a small fraction of houses currently use. The purpose of the standard is to provide the necessary building service of providing minimum acceptable indoor air quality, according to Sherman. A standard such as 62.2 benefits HVAC&R professionals and allied industries because it defines a demonstrable set of criteria for acceptability, which can be used to provide known value to the owner.

Although the standard is prepared for engineers who design HVAC systems in homes, there are several recommendations that can be applied by homeowners to their homes.
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Posted on April 12, 2016 by Lee Wasserman

Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit

An indoor air quality testing kit is a tool that can be used to test the air quality where you live, play, go to school, or go to work. The air you breathe both indoors and outdoors has a profound impact on your health. Symptoms of exposure to poor indoor air quality can include headaches, fatigue, respiratory problems and trouble concentrating. If this exposure continues over the long-term it can lead to serious illnesses such as respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.

Studies have shown that indoor air quality is actually far more polluted than the outdoor air in cities, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. What’s most troubling is that this data points out those most susceptible to contaminants in the air, such as young people, the elderly, and chronically ill individuals, who are often the ones spending the most time indoors.

Good indoor air quality is not just air that’s free of contaminants; it also has to take into account temperature, humidity, and the amount of fresh outdoor airflow. Inadequate ventilation can decrease indoor air quality even further since there is not enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources. Without proper ventilation, the contaminated air is not being carried out of the home. In addition, high temperature and humidity levels can increase the levels of certain pollutants.

Signs You May Be in Need of an Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit

If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality, your body will be the first to tell you before any kind of testing kit. We recommend looking for the following signs and symptoms:

• You suffer cold-like symptoms that improve when you’re not at home.
• You notice condensation buildup around windows.
• Your home has a musty smell.
• You see water/moisture stains on your home’s walls and/or ceilings.

If you are concerned about the air quality in your home; an easy, affordable and quick way to get certified lab results is to use one of our indoor air quality testing kits. In addition, you can start improving the quality of air in your home right away by taking the following precautions:

• Vent your bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms directly outdoors.
• Avoid putting your air conditioners or furnaces in your garage as they may draw in unwanted contaminants.
• Make sure your fireplace, dryer, and stove all have proper venting to go directly outdoors.
• Keep your cleaning products, paints, and pesticides out of the occupiable space.
• Make sure to properly air out your home after using cleaning products.
• Make sure to regularly change your filters in any air conditioning or heating systems.

After following these best practices you will be on your way to healthier air in the home for you and your family. Most department stores also sell very affordable air purifiers for those rooms that aren’t quite as well ventilated as others. If you would like to inquire about one of our indoor air quality testing kits,

Causes of pet alergies

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Catch the Culprits: Pet Dander

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If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, living in a pet-loving country can be rough. It’s especially tough if you have a pet living at home, spoiling your indoor air quality. By learning more about cat and dog allergies, you can identify exactly what’s making you sneeze and reduce your exposure to pet allergens.

Causes of Pet Allergies

Contrary to popular belief, dog and cat hair isn’t usually what makes you sneeze. Instead, pet dander and saliva are mostly to blame. Dander consists of tiny flakes of skin, which can float on the air and cause allergic reactions in particularly sensitive individuals without even touching the animal.

So why is it that some people can bury their faces in the fur of a fluffy husky while you’re left with itchy, watery eyes just from walking into a room with a cat sleeping in the corner? It comes down to your overactive immune system. Your body mistakes a harmless substance – in this case pet dander – for a dangerous invader. Histamines are released to attack the foreign intruder as if it were a bacteria or virus. Your body’s attempt to flush the dander from your system is what causes your allergies to flair up.

Symptoms of Pet Dander Allergies

Most of the symptoms you experience if you’re allergic to cats and dogs are similar to other nasal allergies. These include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Coughing and wheezing
• Heightened asthma symptoms

You might also develop a rash where a cat or dog licks or scratches you. More severe allergies may cause hives to develop on your face or chest. Allergy symptoms may show up after just a few minutes of exposure to pet dander or they may take hours to appear, not affecting you until the dog or cat is long gone.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pet Dander

Dander is everywhere. Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants help many allergy sufferers, but prevention is the better option. Follow these tips to reduce your exposure to pet dander:

• Resist the urge to pet a cat or dog. If you come into physical contact with an animal, wash that part of your skin with soap and water right away.
• If you’re staying with someone who owns a cat or dog, ask that the animal be kept out of the guestroom for a few weeks leading up to your visit.
• If you can plan ahead, take your allergy medicines a few hours before coming in contact with a cat or dog. This can greatly curb your allergy symptoms.
• Since pet dander sticks to clothing, you should launder your clothes after visiting a pet-owning friend’s house, even if the visit only lasts for a few hours.

If you own a cat or dog and can’t bring yourself to find the animal a new home, follow these tips:

• Restrict the pet to certain areas of the home. Never allow the animal in your bedroom.
• Clean often. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and an electrostatic duster to remove as much dander as possible.
• Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood or tile flooring. Replace the upholstered sofa with leather furniture.
• Invest in a high-efficiency furnace filter to catch pet dander as it circulates through the ductwork.

For more tips to avoid pet dander and improve indoor air quality, 

Indoor air quality

How to improve your air quality without buying an expensive indoor air quality monitor.

When considering whether or not to purchase an indoor air quality monitor, it is very important to know exactly what you’re looking for. Unless you’re prepared to spend thousands of dollars on multiple pieces of equipment, you’re going to come to find that there is no consumer level “all in one” indoor air quality monitor, tester, and purifier. Is it really worth it to spend several hundred dollars on something that simply checks for carbon monoxide, tells you the temperature, and the barometric pressure of your house? Probably not.

This begs the question, what is it that you really “need”? We all want to make sure that the air that we are breathing in around the clock is safe and clean. There are many harmful pollutants that are common in homes, dorms, and offices. Here is a step by step guide to maintaining proper air quality without having to spend unnecessary money on a costly indoor air quality monitor.

Keeping an eye out for dangerous carbon monoxide.

It is always important and recommended by anyone you ask to keep a carbon monoxide detector. Being exposed to any level of carbon monoxide over time is dangerous and can cause long term health issues. It seems that any new state of the art indoor air quality monitor bases a lot of their draw and marketing off of the fact that you’re going to need a carbon monoxide detector anyway. The good news is that those can go for as little as $10-15. There is no need to associate the need for a carbon monoxide detector with a justification to spend unnecessary money.

Finding out what is actually in your air.

If you are worried about the quality of your air, or are commonly experiencing symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, or shortness of breath; it is important to find out what exactly is in your air that could be causing this. To get started, order one of our legally defensible laboratory certified testing kits today. Once you find out what is causing your air to be polluted, it is much easier to define the best indoor air quality monitor or purifier for your home.

The great thing about this test, is that it is literally thousands of times more effective than some indoor air quality monitors. A lot of them don’t test for things like lead, mold, and other dangerous toxins that can be living in your air. Not only does this DIY kit test for all of these things, it also scans for over 7,000 toxic compounds affecting indoor air quality.

Purifying your air

On our site, you can order one of these great HEPA vacuums which can keep not only unwanted allergens, dust, and chemicals off of your floor, but also pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. This vacuum is small, compact, and is one of many simple and easy indoor air quality solutions. This HEPA filter system captures 99.97% of dust and particles down to, and including, 0.3 microns. 4-horsepower, 13-amp motor providing enough suction for any job.

Once you have determined that there is nothing dangerous in your air, there are also several affordable air purifiers that can keep the air clean. For as little as $40-50, you can purify the air around you, 24/7. These are very easy and sensible indoor air quality solutions that are good to keep in mind. An indoor air quality monitor isn’t always the best solution, as they don’t always monitor what is truly important.

Carpet cleaning traffic lanes

Cleaning is paramount for keeping the carpet in your facility looking fresh and fulfilling its useful life. It can be confusing to know which cleaning needs to be done, and when, in your facility, but the Carpet and Rug Institute is here to help.

Doyle Bloss, marketing manager for the carpet cleaning equipment manufacturerHydraMaster, has some tips for cleaning the severe and heavy traffic areas at your office or facility. Foot traffic wears on carpet and can grind in dirt, therefore higher traffic areas need more attention.

Here are Bloss’ tips with some added info from CRI:

Vacuuming

All areas need to be vacuumed with a commercial grade vacuum cleaner on a daily basis. Consider using a pile lifter monthly.  

Vacuuming is the most important and simplest cleaning technique that needs to be done daily. CRI’s Seal of Approval program certifies vacuums on their ability to affectively remove soil that can damage carpet fibers.

Check out our list of SOA-certified vacuums.

Spot Cleaning

All areas need to be spot cleaned as needed by a trained professional using proper techniques to insure the use of proper chemicals, agitation, and rinsing. Standard procedures do not require pre-spotting, rather the carpet should be cleaned normally, then spots cleaned after, if residue remains. 

Removing spots immediately as they occur is the best way to keep the stain from recurring. Use a Seal of Approval-certified cleaning solution for best results.

Check out our list of SOA-certified cleaning solutions.

Interim Maintenance Cleaning

Carpet needs to be cleaned on a weekly basis using a low-moisture encapsulation cleaning system. 

Interim maintenance is the cleaning in between vacuuming and deep cleaning. Its goal is to refresh the look of carpet by removing surface soil. Interim maintenance is pertinent in any cleaning strategy and will extend the life of carpet in your facility.

Read more about the importance of interim maintenance systems.

Deep Cleaning

This should be performed on a monthly basis for severe traffic areas and quarterly basis for heavy traffic areas to remove any residues, to remove deeply imbedded soil, refresh the texture of the carpet and for overall indoor air quality.

Deep cleaning needs to be regularly performed to remove dirt that is deeply embedded in your facility’s carpet. Deep cleaning will also refresh the look of carpet to make it look new.

Following these tips will keep the carpet in your facility or office looking clean and fresh while also making it fulfill its useful life.
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