Friday, May 13, 2016
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...
Sunday, May 1, 2016
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]
Causes
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]
Categories
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]
Classes
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.
Restoration
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 hazards
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 Damage
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.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
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.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
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.
Www.renaissance-carpet.com
619-248-5407
#iaqsandiego
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.
Www.renaissance-carpet.com
619-248-5407
#iaqsandiego
Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit
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,
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