Residents of New Jersey, Right now we are in Forked River working a local contractor, Brandsema Construction, offering FREE Moisture Checks on homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Normally we would charge $150 for this service but we are waving that due to the amount residents that need help. Please call us (919)669-0591 to schedule your free appointment. We will come in and check the drywall, wood and floors to make sure they are not holding in water that can cause mold growth.

- Moisture levels in the wood studs and other material should be 16% or lower

- Moisture levels higher than 16% can grow mold and create adverse health effects inside the home

- Moisture readings should be taken by a Professional, IICRC Certified Firm that has been trained in Water Damage Cleanup Procedures

- Moisture readings must be taken with a moisture meter that penetrates into the wood in order to get an accurate analysis

- Wet Materials Must Be Dried Using Fans And Dehumidiers To schedule your appointment please call (919)669-0591

The 14 Steps To Restore A Flood Damaged Home

The 14 Steps To Restore A Flood Damaged Home

The following recommendation assume a flooding situation with horizontally traveling Category 3 (unsanitary) water containing silt and other contaminants that infiltrate into homes and businesses to a depth of a few inches or feet for several days. When structures are completely submerged or remain substantially flooded for several weeks, more elaborate procedures may be required.
1. Foremost, consider safety:
a. Evacuate potentially respiratory or immune-compromised, or unprotected persons (e.g., children, the elderly, pregnant women; those recovering from extended illness or surgery, or those on regimens of prescription drugs or chemotherapy). When medical questions arise, consult with public health professionals.
b. Before entering a heavily flood-damaged structure, open windows and doors and air it out thoroughly. Ventilation must be maintained during and following the restoration effort. This reduces, but does not eliminate the potential for inhaling pathogenic (disease causing) microorganisms. Also, allow as much sunlight into the structure as practical, since fresh air and ultraviolet light help inhibit microorganism growth.
c. Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated. Consult a licensed and qualified electrician when questions arise.
d. Consider the structural integrity of a damaged building before entering. Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Have the building checked by a qualified builder or structural engineer when in doubt.
e. Protect yourself from pathogenic microorganisms. Wear protective gloves before handling contaminated materials. Splash goggles are recommended to protect eyes and to prevent microorganism entry through the eyes. A vapor respirator (paint respirator) is recommended to prevent inhalation of most microorganisms or spores.
2. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects) with shovels, rakes or any safe means practical. Clean and sanitize all tools when complete.
3. Remove and dispose of drywall (Sheetrock®), paneling or other wall materials up to a point 15-24" inches above the visible water line. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as practical, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4’x8’ or 4’x12’ panels.
4. Remove and dispose of insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials. Leave only materials that are durable, dry and minimally porous, and which can be cleaned and decontaminated with relative ease.
5. Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt and sheet vinyl, or laminate flooring materials. Porous materials may absorb considerable quantities of water and contaminant, and non-porous materials may trap moisture to prolong drying. The inevitable result will be rapid microbial growth, along with associated odor and potential health hazards. Solid wood flooring should be removed since contaminants and moisture collect underneath in hollow areas between the wood and subfloor.
The following procedures may require the assistance of a professional water-damage restorer, who has specialized biocides, and application and extraction equipment, if available.

6. While maintaining ventilation and respiratory protection, liberally spray durable salvageable materials (e.g., studs, decking, joists) with appropriate biocides. Household chlorine bleach (e.g., Clorox®) mixed 1 part bleach to 10 parts water (½%) may be used on durable, colorfast surfaces. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or strong acids!
7. Following application of properly diluted biocides, brush agitate all areas to remove visible soils and to encourage biocide penetration into cracks and crevices. Professional restorers use pressure spraying to accomplish this step.
8. When fresh water is restored within the structure, flush contaminants from salvageable surfaces with a water hose or pressure washer. Work from top to bottom and from walls to flooring.
9. Wet vacuum or mop up excess rinse water from flooring materials immediately. Be sure to thoroughly flush all contamination from wall plate areas. Pressure washing, if available, is specifically recommended to flush contaminants from hard-to-access areas, following contaminated water removal with industrial wet vacuuming equipment.
10. Repeat steps 6-9 as necessary, until all surfaces are clean and contamination is physically removed.
11. Lightly spray a final application of an approved disinfectant to all salvageable surfaces.
12. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting). If practical, take advantage of low outside humidity (check local weather reports). Use oscillating or box fans, moving them around the structure every few hours. Avoid temperature extremes that might slow drying or promote microorganism growth (68-75oF/20-24oC is ideal). Rent high-volume professional drying equipment (airmovers and dehumidifiers) if available, especially in areas where ventilation is not possible (sealed buildings, security problems). All electrical components that were below the water line should be checked for operational safety by a qualified contractor.
13. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed for several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (generally the normal moisture content of structural wood is around 10%). Otherwise, subsequent structural damage and health hazards may result after wall and flooring materials have been replaced or painted.
14. Durable, colorfast contents (e.g., washable clothing, dishes, glassware, furniture) might be salvageable if washed in hot detergent solutions. Common sense and caution should be used in determining contents salvageability.

Where financial resources permit, comprehensive restoration should be accomplished by trained, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technicians. They may be located by calling the IICRC referral line at 800 835-4624 (www.iicrc.org). Consider hiring a professional restorer to evaluate moisture levels in structural materials before reconstruction.

[This manual was prepared by the staff of Clean Care Seminar, Inc., Dothan, Alabama. Neither L.J. Bishop or Clean Care Seminars, Inc., nor any other person acting on behalf of them: makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any information, method or process related to this publication; assumes liability with respect to the use of, or for direct or consequential damages resulting from the use of any information, method or process related in this publication; or has any liability for damages that result from any negligent act or omission involved in the preparation of the material contained in this publication. Any implied warranty of merchantability of fitness for a particular use is specifically excluded.]

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14 recommendations for flood damage on uninsured water losses

Flood Damage Restoration Recommendations for Uninsured Losses

The following recommendation assume a flooding situation with horizontally traveling Category 3 (unsanitary) water containing silt and other contaminants that infiltrate into homes and businesses to a depth of a few inches or feet for several days. When structures are completely submerged or remain substantially flooded for several weeks, more elaborate procedures may be required.
1. Foremost, consider safety:

a. Evacuate potentially respiratory or immune-compromised, or unprotected persons (e.g., children, the elderly, pregnant women; those recovering from extended illness or surgery, or those on regimens of prescription drugs or chemotherapy). When medical questions arise, consult with public health professionals.
b. Before entering a heavily flood-damaged structure, open windows and doors and air it out thoroughly. Ventilation must be maintained during and following the restoration effort. This reduces, but does not eliminate the potential for inhaling pathogenic (disease causing) microorganisms. Also, allow as much sunlight into the structure as practical, since fresh air and ultraviolet light help inhibit microorganism growth.
c. Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated. Consult a licensed and qualified electrician when questions arise.
d. Consider the structural integrity of a damaged building before entering. Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Have the building checked by a qualified builder or structural engineer when in doubt.
e. Protect yourself from pathogenic microorganisms. Wear protective gloves before handling contaminated materials. Splash goggles are recommended to protect eyes and to prevent microorganism entry through the eyes. A vapor respirator (paint respirator) is recommended to prevent inhalation of most microorganisms or spores.
2. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects) with shovels, rakes or any safe means practical. Clean and sanitize all tools when complete.
3. Remove and dispose of drywall (Sheetrock®), paneling or other wall materials up to a point 15-24" inches above the visible water line. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as practical, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4’x8’ or 4’x12’ panels.
4. Remove and dispose of insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials. Leave only materials that are durable, dry and minimally porous, and which can be cleaned and decontaminated with relative ease.
5. Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt and sheet vinyl, or laminate flooring materials. Porous materials may absorb considerable quantities of water and contaminant, and non-porous materials may trap moisture to prolong drying. The inevitable result will be rapid microbial growth, along with associated odor and potential health hazards. Solid wood flooring should be removed since contaminants and moisture collect underneath in hollow areas between the wood and subfloor.

The following procedures may require the assistance of a professional water-damage restorer, who has specialized biocides, and application and extraction equipment, if available.

6. While maintaining ventilation and respiratory protection, liberally spray durable salvageable materials (e.g., studs, decking, joists) with appropriate biocides. Household chlorine bleach (e.g., Clorox®) mixed 1 part bleach to 10 parts water (½%) may be used on durable, colorfast surfaces. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or strong acids!
7. Following application of properly diluted biocides, brush agitate all areas to remove visible soils and to encourage biocide penetration into cracks and crevices. Professional restorers use pressure spraying to accomplish this step.
8. When fresh water is restored within the structure, flush contaminants from salvageable surfaces with a water hose or pressure washer. Work from top to bottom and from walls to flooring.
9. Wet vacuum or mop up excess rinse water from flooring materials immediately. Be sure to thoroughly flush all contamination from wall plate areas. Pressure washing, if available, is specifically recommended to flush contaminants from hard-to-access areas, following contaminated water removal with industrial wet vacuuming equipment.
10. Repeat steps 6-9 as necessary, until all surfaces are clean and contamination is physically removed.
11. Lightly spray a final application of an approved disinfectant to all salvageable surfaces.
12. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting). If practical, take advantage of low outside humidity (check local weather reports). Use oscillating or box fans, moving them around the structure every few hours. Avoid temperature extremes that might slow drying or promote microorganism growth (68-75oF/20-24oC is ideal). Rent high-volume professional drying equipment (airmovers and dehumidifiers) if available, especially in areas where ventilation is not possible (sealed buildings, security problems). All electrical components that were below the water line should be checked for operational safety by a qualified contractor.
13. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed for several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (generally the normal moisture content of structural wood is around 10%). Otherwise, subsequent structural damage and health hazards may result after wall and flooring materials have been replaced or painted.
14. Durable, colorfast contents (e.g., washable clothing, dishes, glassware, furniture) might be salvageable if washed in hot detergent solutions. Common sense and caution should be used in determining contents salvageability.

Where financial resources permit, comprehensive restoration should be accomplished by trained, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technicians. They may be located by calling the IICRC referral line at 800 835-4624 (www.iicrc.org). Consider hiring a professional restorer to evaluate moisture levels in structural materials before reconstruction.

[This manual was prepared by the staff of Clean Care Seminar, Inc., Dothan, Alabama. Neither L.J. Bishop or Clean Care Seminars, Inc., nor any other person acting on behalf of them: makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any information, method or process related to this publication; assumes liability with respect to the use of, or for direct or consequential damages resulting from the use of any information, method or process related in this publication; or has any liability for damages that result from any negligent act or omission involved in the preparation of the material contained in this publication. Any implied warranty of merchantability of fitness for a particular use is specifically excluded.]

Check out this article on Household Mold and Depression

The following article was part of technical bulletin written by the SCRT. I thought some of you may find it interesting.

-Ron

Household Mold Linked To Depression

Science Daily - A ground breaking public health study has found a connection between damp, moldy homes and depression. The study, led by Brown University epidemiologist Edmond Shenassa, is the largest investigation of an association between mold and mood and is the first such investigation conducted outside the United Kingdom.
Shenassa said the findings, published in the American Journal of Public Health, came as a complete surprise. In fact, after a few U.K. studies published in the last decade had suggested a link, Shenassa and his skeptical team set out to debunk the notion that any link existed.

“We thought that once we statistically accounted for factors that could clearly contribute to depression – things like employment status and crowding – we would see any link vanish,” said Shenassa, the lead author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Community Health at Brown. “But the opposite was true. We found a solid association between depression and living in a damp, moldy home.”

Shenassa noted the study, an analysis of data from nearly 6,000 European adults, does not prove that moldy homes cause depression. The study wasn’t designed to draw that direct conclusion. However, Shenassa’s team did find a connection, one likely driven by two factors. One factor is a perceived lack of control over the housing environment. The other is mold-related health problems such as wheezing, fatigue and a cold or throat illness.

“Physical health, and perceptions of control, are linked with an elevated risk for depression,” Shenassa said, “and that makes sense. If you are sick from mold, and feel you can’t get rid of it, it may affect your mental health.”

The study was a statistical analysis of data from the Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES), a survey on housing, health and place of residence conducted in 2002 and 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO). To conduct the survey, WHO interviewers visited thousands of homes in eight European cities and asked residents a series of questions, including if they had depressive symptoms such as decreased appetite, low self-esteem, and sleep disturbances. WHO interviewers also made visual checks of each household, looking for spots on walls and ceilings that indicate mold.

Shenassa’s team analyzed LARES data from 5,882 adults in 2,982 households.

“What the study makes clear is the importance of housing as indicator of health, including mental health,” Shenassa said. “Healthy homes can promote healthy lives.”

Shenassa and his team are conducting follow-up research to see if mold does, indeed, directly cause depression. Shenassa said that given the results of the current study, he wouldn’t be surprised if there is a cause-and-effect association. Molds are toxins, and some research has indicated that these toxins can affect the nervous system or the immune system or impede the function of the frontal cortex, the part of the brain that plays a part in impulse control, memory, problem solving, sexual behavior, socialization and spontaneity.

The research team includes Allison Liebhaber, a former Brown undergraduate; Constantine Daskalakis of Thomas Jefferson University; Matthias Braubach of WHO; and Mary Jean Brown of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Brown University

Make sure to get your $50 Gift Card

For a few weeks we have been searching for an idea that is going to allow us to thank all of our wonderful clients for doing business with us. We finally came up with the idea of using gift cards that we could customize and handout to all of you. After searching online for a while a friend of mine recommended that following site:

4colorprint.com

I checked them out and was very happy with the product they offer and the price. Be looking for your gift cards soon. If you need to purchase promotional products like gift cards or stickers make sure you check out 4colorprint.com.

Welcome to my new blog

My name is Ron Henderson and I am the owner of CARE Services, Inc. We are a family owned cleaning and restoration company that has been in business in the Raleigh, NC area for over 23 years. I started this blog to give our clients and others a way to ask questions about any kind of carpet cleaning, water damage restoration or mold remediation. Please feel free to post a response question here and I will get it answered for you. I look forward to getting to know all of you.