Repost of Star Ledger Article- Mold Warning Post Sandy

Officials warn Hurricane Sandy victims of mold, asbestos, lead paint

MaryAnn Spoto/The Star-Ledger
Published: Dec 18, 2012, 6:30 AM

TRENTON — As residents and business owners start to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy, state and federal officials are trying to get one message out loud and clear: Beware of hidden health hazards.

At a forum Monday to discuss the health impacts the storm can have on New Jerseyans, the representatives said mold, asbestos and lead paint are of particular concern because of all the do-it-yourselfers who don’t know what they’re doing.

"These are issues that can affect workers, residents that are living in homes and tenants, and also volunteers who are graciously donating their time and their energy to clean up their communities," said Judith Enck, regional administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency. "We want to make sure that as the clean up is occurring that there are not problems with exposure to mold, exposure to lead, exposure to asbestos."

Exposure to mold can cause respiratory problems, particularly among those who do not wear the appropriate attire when removing moldy wall board.

Enck was one of six panelists who addressed a crowd of about 100 at the Wall Township headquarters of the Local Union 400 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is starting to fine contractors whose failure to adhere to safety regulations puts workers at risk of health dangers, said Robert Kulick, regional administrator for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration..

Kulick said OSHA is enforcing regulations aimed at preventing the four leading causes of fatalities after hurricanes: falling from high elevations, being electrocuted, being struck by objects and being caught between objects, such as heavy equipment.

"Right now we are looking for those four hazards throughout the impacted areas of New Jersey, New York and Long Island," Kulick said. "We are intervening and we’re removing employees from risk, and when appropriate, we’re issuing citations and penalties to employers who are not responsible and not doing what needs to be done to protect their workers.

He said there have been 12 worker deaths — three in New Jersey — in the New York/New Jersey area. All of the New Jersey cases were workers who were crushed while taking down the remnants of fallen trees, he said.


Cecelia Leto, project director for the New Jersey Work Environment Council, said the forum was a chance to get a more coordinated effort from federal and state agencies to get the health and safety information directly to workers.

"We have a good reach but we’re limited. We can’t get to the front lines as good as we should," she said after the forum.

Rita Dentino, director of Casa Freehold, a Freehold-based advocacy group for immigrants, told the panelists she’s seen many poor residents living in their mold-infested homes.

From the flyers found at these homes explaining the health risks associated with storm cleanup, there’s evidence word is trickling down, but there still needs to be direct training, Dentino said.

"We want workers to be trained," she said.

They also caution that airborne mold can cause respiratory problems and that many people are unknowingly using improper safety attire.

SERVPRO and Mold

SERVPRO and Mold

SERVPRO Mold Cleanup & Restoration
Excessive amounts of mold and certain types of mold may present health concerns. It is essential for the health of you and your family, as well as the protection of your property, to address the issue and arrange for professionals to conduct mold removal and mold remediation as soon as the presence of mold is identified.

Water damages can cause mold growth in your home or business, therefore it is important to have your water damage cleaned promptly and professionally.

Signs of the presence of excessive mold include:

The presence of visible mold.

Strong, musty odors.

Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.

Excessive humidity.

Mold Damage Removal
If you think you might have a mold problem, call SERVPRO at 1-866-361-3400 to schedule an inspection or mold removal.

In most water damage situations, mold growth is not a problem, and SERVPRO can safely restore your home or business to preloss condition. The need to address the mold removal can only be determined by an on-site, indoor environmental inspection.

Mold Remediation
In some situations an indoor air quality professional will be required to create a restoration plan for your home. SERVPRO is experienced at carrying out the assigned mold remediation plan and working to make it "Like it Never Even Happened."

Water Damage Can Be Deceptive

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. But 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.

Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent relative humidity. Between 30 and 50 percent is ideal.

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. Foul odors will begin to permeate the air, and then damage spreads to materials that become delaminated, shrunken, split and further deteriorated until required repairs become quite costly. Dealing with the moisture and odor first will prevent such extensive damage.

Mold After Sandy

Water damages can cause mold growth in your home or business, therefore it is important to have your water damage cleaned promptly and professionally.

Signs of the presence of excessive mold include:

The presence of visible mold.
Strong, musty odors.
Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
Excessive humidity.

Excessive amounts of mold and certain types of mold may present health concerns. It is essential for the health of you and your family, as well as the protection of your property, to address the issue and arrange for professionals to conduct mold removal and mold remediation as soon as the presence of mold is identified.

If You See Signs of Mold, Contact SERVPRO
973-546-4977
973-383-2024
866-361-3400

Preventing Mold Growth

As many New Jerseyans are being allowed back into their water-logged homes, they’re dealing with a new problem they many not have anticipated: mold.

But, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to prevent thousands of dollars in structural damage.

“In order to grow, mold has to have moisture,” said Doug Hoffman, executive director of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors. “It can get its moisture from an on-going water event, from material that has been soaked or from relative humidity in the air. Whatever steps can be taken to first stop the source of moisture, that has to be a major step in the right direction.”

“You never know what kind of mold you’re dealing with so you want to protect yourself by using a good mask and gloves,” said Hoffman. “Once you are protected, you need to remove standing water, wet carpets, rugs and personal belongings and start up some fans and heaters. If you can use heat along with the movement of air and dehumidification, it will dry out the area much, much quicker.”

When starting the cleaning process, you should never use bleach. “Bleach doesn’t actually kill the mold. It simply makes it go clear. When it comes back, it may be worse than it was before. We recommend highly that people use good enzyme cleaners that don’t have volatile organic compounds,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman offers the following tips:

1. Remove standing water-remove wet carpets, rugs, draperies, personal belongings (if possible) and exterior mulch against the foundation walls, etc., to allow the subflooring and foundation to dry.

2. Dry the structure out as quickly as possible-this is the most important thing you can do as structural mold will begin to form in the first 24-48 hours. Remove water-saturated sheetrock 18 inches above the highest watermark to increase structural drying.

3. Turn up the heat and use a dehumidifier-when drying out a structure and/or its contents, reduce the indoor humidity to less than 60% and use heat to speed the drying process. Hot, dry air dries things faster than cold moist air.

4. Circulate the air-turn on fans and dehumidifiers or open windows if there is no electricity to get air moving around to increase drying.

5. Don’t seal it up until its dry-siding, sheetrock, and flooring repairs should be done only after the substrates are completely dry. Only use plastic to prevent further water damage.

6. Don’t use bleach. It is an effective sanitizer but will not remove mold at its root. The mold will look like its gone but it won’t be.

7. Check your attic. Undetected roof leaks can become big structural mold problems later

8. Inspect windows on the outside of the structure-check for possible water seepage through the caulking/seals.

9. Remove all mold growth on building materials by mechanical means-such as sanding or complete removal.

10. Use sanitizers on any portion of the structure contaminated by sewage or flood waters.

Federal and State Resources Info

Below is a round-up of information for people looking to rebuild following Hurricane Sandy. Is there information you think should be added? E-mail jconnic@nj.com.

Federal aid

FEMA - For residents and business owners who have suffered damage, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance through the website or by calling 1-800-621-3362. FEMA also has a page dedicated to Hurricane Sandy recovery.
State resources

State of New Jersey - The state website has a Hurricane Sandy resource center with emergency hotlines, updates from the power companies and how you can volunteer.
NJ211 - NJ211 has set up a page dedicated to Hurricane Sandy information.
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management - NJOEM has a page dedicated to Hurricane Sandy recovery assistance. It also is Hurricane Sandy-related alerts regularly.
Unemployment benefits - Those who lost their jobs because of Hurricane Sandy can file for disaster unemployment benefits by visiting the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.

Housing options

American Red Cross - The American Red Cross has temporary shelters set up across New Jersey for people without a place to live. You can find a shelter by visiting the Red Cross website.
FEMA - The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers housing options for those who lost their primary residence during Hurricane Sandy. You can apply for assistance via the agency's website.
SparkRelief.org - The organization provides a crowd-sourced map of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Visit SparkRelief.org for more information.

Inform! Business Insurance Alert

Insurance Coverage for Businesses Affected by Hurricane Sandy
by Perkins Coie on 11/1/2012

Many businesses throughout the United States—and possibly worldwide—may experience the effects of the devastating hurricane that hit the Eastern United States on October 29 and 30, 2012. Early estimation indicates that the storm caused upwards of $20 billion in property damage and another $10 billion to $30 billion in lost business. Numerous national and local businesses, ranging from telecommunications to financial industries, reported an interruption in their business operations due to Hurricane Sandy.

If your business suffered physical damage to tangible property, your property policies should indemnify you for that loss. Even greater than any such property loss, however, may be the loss of income that your business may experience. If your business does, in fact, experience a loss of income due to the hurricane, the business interruption, contingent business interruption or extra expense provisions of your property policy may reimburse you for such losses.

You should also keep in mind that your business may be entitled to additional coverage if it is named as an “additional insured” of a company affected by the recent events.

This Update outlines key issues for businesses considering submitting an insurance claim for property damage or loss of income due to the recent devastating storm and offers practical advice.

Real and Personal Property Damage
This Update focuses on coverage for loss of profits stemming from an interruption of business, but it is very likely that your company’s property policy covers damage to any real and/or personal property that Hurricane Sandy caused. Most property policies provide coverage for “all risks,” unless certain risks are expressly excluded. In that regard, a property policy may exclude coverage for certain aspects of a hurricane, such as flooding. It is crucial, therefore, to thoroughly review your property policies to ascertain the extent to which your company is covered for property damage that Hurricane Sandy caused.

Business Interruption Insurance Coverage
If Hurricane Sandy physically damaged your business’ facilities or equipment, any revenue that was lost due to an interruption of your business may be covered under the business interruption provision of your property policy. Business Interruption Coverage, also known as Business Income Insurance, reimburses the insured for the amount of revenue it would have received during the period of interruption had the covered event and the ensuing physical damage never occurred. This type of coverage is not sold as a separate policy, but rather typically is added as an additional grant of coverage in a property policy.

To recover a business interruption loss, the insured must prove that:

it sustained damage due to a covered loss;
there was an interruption of business (suspension of operations) caused by the property damage;
there was an actual loss of business income during the period of interruption; and

the loss of income was caused by the interruption of business and not some other factor(s).
One of the key areas of potential conflict with an insurer concerns what is known as the “period of interruption” or the “period of restoration.” Under most policies, these periods are defined as “the time of the direct physical damage to the time when, with due diligence and dispatch, the damage could be repaired or replaced and made ready for operations under the same or equivalent operating conditions that existed prior to such damage.” Simply put, the “period of interruption” or “period of restoration” is the amount of time it takes to get a business’ operations back to normal following physical damage to property or equipment. The period of time differs for each insured, but usually depends on the severity of the damage and the nature of the business’ operations. It is important to keep in mind that most policies cover only the time needed to resume production of goods and services, not necessarily the amount of time needed to achieve the level of success the business experienced prior to the covered event.

Contingent Business Interruption Insurance Coverage
If your business did not suffer any property damage because of Hurricane Sandy, but still experienced a slowdown or correction of operations because a supplier’s facilities or equipment were damaged by the hurricane, you may be entitled to reimbursement of lost profits under the policy’s contingent business interruption provision. Contingent business interruption coverage compensates the insured for lost revenue resulting from an interruption of business, stemming not from damage to its own property, but from damage to a customer’s or supplier’s property. For example, if your business depends upon goods produced by a manufacturer that had its operations interrupted by damage to its factory, any loss of income that you experience due to the failure of that manufacturer to supply you with the necessary goods may be covered under your business’ contingent business interruption provision.

However, in order for contingent business interruption to be covered, the type of peril and type of physical damage that the supplier suffered must be the same type of peril and damage covered under your company’s policy. In other words, your business’ insurance policy must provide coverage for hurricanes as well as for damage to property, such as buildings or production facilities.

Extra Expense and Contingent Extra Expense Insurance Coverage
A policy’s business interruption provision may also provide coverage for extra expenses. Extra expense insurance indemnifies the insured for costs in excess of normal operating expenses that the business incurs in order to continue operations while its damaged property is repaired or replaced. Such expenses typically include the cost to rent substitute facilities, move equipment and personal property, as well as overtime wages. Similarly, contingent extra expense insurance reimburses the insured for expenses that result from a contingent loss, such as a contingent business interruption loss.

Notice, Proof of Loss and Filing a Claim
Virtually all property insurance policies require the insured to perform certain duties within a specific period of time following a loss. For example, most policies require the insured to:

give a notice of claim as soon as practicable;
submit a proof of loss within 60-90 days of the loss; and
if necessary, file suit against the insurance company within 12-24 months of the loss.
Failure to comply with these technicalities and timelines may operate as a complete bar to coverage. If your business intends to submit a claim for business interruption and/or damage to real or personal property but is unable to meet the deadlines specified in the policy, you should contact the insurance carrier immediately and ask for an extension.

Potential Coverage as an Additional Insured
Finally, your business may be able to seek a separate avenue of coverage if it is named as an “additional insured” of a company affected by Hurricane Sandy. An additional insured is an entity that is added to another company’s policy by means of an endorsement. An additional insured may either enjoy the same benefits as the underlying policyholder or experience a restrictive form of coverage.

The endorsement section of an affected company’s policy will either specifically name your business as an additional insured or provide a general blanket description that pertains to your company.

Conclusion
The devastating hurricane that struck the Eastern United States on October 29 and 30, 2012 may continue to challenge all residents impacted by it for years to come.

Businesses with operations in the path of the storm may have suffered significant property damage and an interruption of business. Businesses nationwide—and even worldwide—also may have suffered contingent business interruption losses due to the inability to obtain supplies, among other things, from business in the Eastern United States that suffered direct physical property damage. If your company experiences a loss in revenue, it may be entitled to indemnification under the business interruption, contingent business interruption or extra expense provisions of its property insurance policy. In order to secure coverage, it is important that your company submit a timely notice of claim and proof of loss and, if necessary, initiate any legal action against your insurance carrier within the specified period of time.

Your business should also explore whether it is an “additional insured” of an affected company impacted by Hurricane Sandy. If so, it may be entitled to further indemnification.

Please see the checklist that outlines the steps an insured should take to ensure maximum coverage under its policy’s business interruption, contingent business interruption and extra expense provisions.

Additional Information
This Update provides only a general summary of issues related to insurance coverage for property damage or loss of income due to Hurricane Sandy. You can find additional discussions of recent developments, cases, laws, regulations and rule proposals of interest to businesses on our website.

Filing a Claim after Sandy

As New Jersey attempts to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in American history, insurers will be put to the test. The better weather over the past couple of days has allowed homeowners some time to notice and examine the damage to their property caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“This is the time for insurers to fulfill their promise to policyholders,” said Jim Whittle, American Insurance Association’s assistant general counsel.

Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company established a 24-hour phone line for policyholders looking to make a claim (1-800-54-STORM). Damage can also be reported online, which may only be an option for those who have not lost power.

“The best bet is to call as soon as you see that you have damage, and get into the system as soon as possible,” explained Allstate Spokesman Danny Jovic.

He also advised New Jersey residents to take note of their policy numbers and create an updated home inventory by walking through their house with a video recorder or camera.

State Farm Spokesman Dave Phillips added, “If you need to make temporary repairs to help further prevent damage to your home, save receipts.”

In many cases, those repairs are reimbursable.

State Farm policyholders can file their claims by calling 1-800-SF-CLAIM.

Jovic and Phillips agreed it is too soon to estimate how long the entire process may take from claim to repair. The most severe cases will likely be addressed first.

Phillips noted, “In a lot of instances, some of the areas are inaccessible. Even if you do have minor damage, getting to you may be an issue.”

AIA offers the following tips for homeowners following a hurricane:

Contact your insurer immediately after the storm to report all loses and damages.
Keep all recovery-related receipts including meals and lodging, which might be covered under the “additional living expenses” portion of your insurance policy.
Prepare a list of all damaged property, and if possible, photograph or video the damaged items.
Return claim forms as soon as possible to your insurer.
Work closely and stay in regular touch with your insurer to get the best and quickest results.
Build stronger next time and ask your contractor about adding features that would increase the building’s disaster-resistance.
Ask questions if you are unclear about your policy.

Message from Servpro Principals

As we watched the development of Hurricane Sandra over the weekend, our
deepest fears appear to be a reality. Based on all forecast models and
latest information, this hurricane will reach landfall some time today and
deliver powerful winds and rain over the next 24-48 hours.

It is likely that this storm will produce the same, or worse, results as did Hurricane Irene just last year.Since no one can control or change this course of events, all one can do is prepare.

Servpro is bringing equipment and crew in from all parts of the nation. Servpro of Western Essex County and Servpro of Central Union County will do its very best to provide as much service to our customers as we possibly can. We will not be alone in this, but, our industry may once again be stretched, depending on the severity of this storm.

We, here at Servpro of Western Essex County and Servpro of Central Union County,
understand this situation and the impact it has on our lives. Our employees also live in the same areas which will be impacted by this event.

Please trust that we will do everything in our power to provide service or advise you in this situation.

Please be safe. We are all in this together.

Best Regards,
Bob Morrison, Principal/ Vice President of Business Development
Karl Spinner, Principal/ Vice President of Operations

Servpro of Western Essex County
Servpro of Central Union County
1-866-361-3400

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Reminder

A Reminder from Servpro
Homeowners
Move all contents, light furniture, boxes, paper, electronics, etc to upper floors. It will help reduce loss and detour costs should you experience flooding

Nor'Easter Possible in NJ

Preparedness Message From Servpro of Wayne
State officials and weather forecasters are growing concerned that a powerful nor’easter, formed from Tropical Storm Sandy and an approaching cold front, could wreak havoc in the Garden State early next week, potentially causing extensive flooding as well as damage from hurricane-force winds.

Sandy formed in the southern Caribbean Monday, and forecasters say it is expected to track up the east coast in the coming days potentially making landfall in the New Jersey/Long Island area early on Monday or Tuesday.

“This storm has the potential to be very dangerous,” said Gary Szatkowski, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office. “When you bring a tropical system into a situation like this, it’s like adding fuel to a fire. You can get some incredibly powerful storms and this one has the potential to be very strong.”

While Sandy is expected to lose it’s tropical characteristics by the time it arrives, Szatkowski said it has the potential to explode into a massive Nor’Easter, the effects of which New Jersey could start experiencing as early as Sunday

Servpro of Wayne
576 Valley Road Suite 102
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-546-4977

www.servprowayne.com

Puff backs

Think running out of oil is bad? How about having burned, smelly oil soot spread throughout your home? A puffback is an explosion of un-burned oil on the bottom of the combustion chamber in an oil-fired furnace, boiler, or water heater. In its worst form, puffbacks can be dangerous and can lead to oil residue contamination and fire. The problem is most often caused by a poorly-operating heating system that needs professional attention.
The strength of a puffback explosion can vary. It will depend on the amount of oil that is ignited, the heater appliance type, the condition of the equipment and so on. The puffback ignition can damage your heating appliance. If it is strong enough, it can cause your stackpipe to become disconnected, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Puffbacks also blow soot throughout you home.
The soot release from continual puffbacks can the release can be gradual or abrupt. A light explosion may just leave black dust around the heating unit. Stronger explosions can spread soot throughout your house. Forced hot air heat can easily spread soot from a puffback.
Before a catastrophic and potentially explosive puffback occurs, you'll generally have some warning in the form of gas odors and soot. Some signs of problems include:
Black soot and debris on top of your boiler, furnace, or water heater.
Soot stains on the ceiling or wall surfaces around the unit area.
Soft rumbling sounds from your burner after the furnace run cycle ends. Noises when your oil burner begins each run cycle. It may sound like a puff or bang. This is probably the unburned oil igniting.
Oil leaks or air leaks in the oil piping system or at the burner.
These are signs that your oil burning furnace or boiler is not burning properly. If you experience any of these warning signs, your system should be inspected and repaired.
One of the best ways to prevent puff backs and oil soot contamination is to have all of your oil fired heating appliances serviced regularly, normally once a year. During the rest of the year, be alert for odd smells and oil leaks. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, immediately call your heating service company.

What to do/not do in event of a fire

In the event of a fire

       Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.

       Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.

       Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.

       If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.

       Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.

       Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

       Change HVAC filter.

       Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

       Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your SERVPRO Franchise Professional.

       Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.

       Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.

       Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.

       Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Dryer Fires

Clothes Dryer Fires Cost $35 Million a Year

An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated $35 million in property losses, according to a new government report.
The report by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) said that 84 percent of clothes dryer fires took place in residential buildings.
Also, according to the report:

• Clothes dryer fire incidence in residential buildings was higher in the fall and winter months, peaking in January at 11 percent.
• Failure to clean (34 percent) was the leading factor contributing to the ignition of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
• Dust, fiber and lint (28 percent) and clothing not on a person (27 percent) were, by far, the leading items first ignited in clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
• Fifty-four percent of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings were confined to the object of origin.

The report, “Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings,” examines characteristics of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings and was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center, based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
Damaging fires can occur if clothes dryers are not properly installed or maintained.
The report notes that lint, a highly combustible material, can accumulate both in the dryer and in the dryer vent. Accumulated lint leads to reduced airflow and poses a fire hazard.  Reduced airflow can also occur when foam-backed rugs or athletic shoes are placed in dryers.
Small birds or other animals nesting in dryer exhaust vents is another hazard. A compromised vent will not exhaust properly, possibly resulting in overheating and/or fire.
Source: USFA 

Industry Terminology

Sometimes our industry uses a language unique unto itself. Often this can cause confusion with new clients. It’s like going to your doctor and hearing you have the “Norwalk Virus”. Whatever happened to the old fashion stomach flu?

One question our Servpro team gets ask frequently is “What’s the difference between remediation, mitigation, and abatement?” In short:

Remediation- Correcting the error or problem

Abatement- Reducing (or eliminating) the degree or intensity of

Mitigation- Measures taken to reduce potential adverse impacts

Listed below are some other commonly used terms and their meanings.          

Air Scrubber - A device or system for removing contaminants and odors from the air; a high-volume air mover connected to a HEPA or carbon filter so as to remove particulate materials and odors.

Antimicrobial- A substance or condition that inhibits the growth or existence of microorganisms, such as mold

Carpet Pile- The tufts of yarn that stand erect from the base of the carpet, forming the visible surface and wear layer, providing the color, texture and styling of the carpet.

Clean for Clean- Describes finished cleaning of walls and ceilings without the necessity of painting, in contrast to clean for paint.

Containment- The isolation of an area of contamination within a building in order to prevent the spread of contaminated materials, by erecting a barrier of plastic sheeting or similar material.

Content Manipulation- Handling and positioning of furniture and other personal property required during the course of repairs.

HEPA Filter- Abbr. for High Efficiency Particulate Arresting filter, one capable of entrapping at least 99.8% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.

Latent Damage- Damage not yet apparent but which may occur at a subsequent time.

Negative Air Machine- A fan or blower which creates a condition of negative pressure by exhausting air to the outside while drawing air from other parts of the building; often coupled with HEPA or carbon filters to capture particulates or odors.

Subrogation- A standard policy provision giving an insurer who paid a claim the right to act in the name of their insured in recovering the funds from another party.

Wicking- The upward movement of water within a material by absorption and capillary action.

Carpet Stains

The key to cleaning carpet stains is to act immediately. The longer you wait to remove carpet stains, the more time the stain has to set. Take a clean, dry cloth and blot until no more of the stain can be lifted. Next, pour club soda on the cloth and blot until the stain is completely removed. Always blot the stain. Vigorous rubbing can cause the stain to spread and that part of the carpet to become worn.

Chlorine Bleach and Mold

The Effectiveness of Chlorine Bleach in Fighting Mold

When faced with mold, many home and business owners are directed to use chlorine bleach to kill and destroy the unsightly problem.  However, what many people don’t know is that bleach is actually very ineffective against fighting mold growth.  There are many reasons why chlorine bleach is not recommended for the clean up of mold.  Because of these reasons, even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fails to register bleach as a disinfectant to kill mold.  Here are a few of the reasons behind the ineffectiveness of bleach:

• Chlorine bleach is too diluted to kill mold permanently:  Bleach is simply too weak to kill the mold on most surfaces, especially porous surfaces.  The structure of bleach prevents it from penetrating porous materials such as wood and dry wall.  Because mold grows its roots deep into the surface of a material, the bleach can only kill what is on the surface, allowing the roots of the mold to grow back.  If mold is simply sitting on a hard surface, the bleach could help kill it, though it also depends on how much cleaning the surface will need, because bleach cannot penetrate through dirt to kill the mold. 

• Chlorine bleach cannot cut through a dirty surface:  Because bleach cannot clean dirt and only masks it by making it transparent, any soiled surfaces that need mold removal will first need to be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed before attempting to disinfect with the bleach.  This adds double the time to kill and remove the mold as compared to a product that could be applied to soiled surfaces.  In addition, organic material quickly deactivates the killing power in bleach.  This means that if a surface is not rinsed well enough, the bleach will becomes ineffective even though there is a clean surface. 

• What killing power chlorine bleach does have rapidly diminishes:  Besides the fact that contact with organic material will quickly deactivate its killing and disinfecting power, chlorine bleach also has a very short shelf life.  As the bleach sits on the grocery store shelf or in the cupboards in a home, the Chlorine ions escape continuously through the plastic.  It is reported that there is a 50% loss in killing power in an unopened container of bleach in just the first three months.  Imagine how much killing power that chlorine bleach will have six months after leaving the warehouse; not much left to kill the powerful mold.

Groups such as the EPA, the Wall Street Journal, Health Departments of various states, and even Clorox, the leading manufacturer of chlorine bleach, have all stated that bleach is very ineffective at cleaning, disinfecting and killing mold.  Given this fact, it is evident chlorine bleach is weak, a poor remover of dirt, and a product that will only mask the problem deep below the surface.  Chlorine bleach should not be the first choice for mold removal, even on hard, non-porous surfaces in homes and businesses.

Servpro Ready Plan App

The Servpro Ready Plan App is a free application for smartphones that allows users to save valuable time in case of a water or fire emergency. The video link below details the app, set up, and practical use of this great app. Invaluable for business owners, property managers, and residential customers alike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXTKZBnUB4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING

If  you went to work on Monday morning, only to find yourself unable to access your office building, how would you respond?

Disasters and resulting business interruption can devastate companies. It is estimated that up to 50% of small and medium sized businesses that close due to a disaster never reopen. The majority of those that did reopen had some type of response plan in place. The more comprehensive the plan, the lower the costs and time to get operations back in operation.

In plain language, BCP is working out how to stay in business in the event of disaster. Typical incidents include local events like building fires or floods. Good business continuity plans will keep your company up and running through interruptions of any kind: power failures, IT system crashes, natural disasters, supply chain problems and more. I have seen first hand how businesses which are not prepared for a disaster can be burdened with unnecessary costs or lost revenue related to extended business interruption during a catastrophic event.

SERVPRO has reviewed, enhanced, or developed Emergency Response Plans for many businesses, small and large, in our area. By doing so, these businesses are now better positioned should the unimaginable happen. Our "Emergency Ready Program" is designed to be the starting point for a comprehensive Disaster Business Continuity Plan.

Water Seepage

Water Seepage

When we talk of seepage, generally we are talking about water penetration into the basement area. Standing water inside and/or seepage into residential crawl spaces and basements can cause frustrating problems for the homeowner.

                                                

-Difficulty gaining access under the house for inspecting, maintaining, and servicing electrical circuits, drains and water lines, heating and air conditioning, and other utilities

-Wet basements and crawl spaces are sources of high humidity, which can produce surface condensation, mold, musty odors, and an unhealthful environment

-Moisture can cause deterioration of floor joists, beams, sub flooring, insulation, and electrical-mechanical systems

-Prolonged water around the foundation wall can soften the soil and weaken its bearing capacity, increasing the possibility of wall settlement and cracking.

-Seepage under the foundation may erode soil away and cause the wall to drop or crack. Excessive moisture can eventually penetrate the sub flooring and buckle the flooring or cause warping, making doors and cabinets difficult to close or open.

Putting drains and sump pumps on the interior will help keep the basement from flooding, but will not prevent water from seeping through the walls. Relatively simple solutions can often yield significant results. First, make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good condition and that the water from the downspouts is directed well away from the foundation. Second, make sure the ground surrounding your foundation slopes away from the house, thus encouraging water to run away from your basement walls

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Welcome

Thank you for visiting our blog. Over the coming months we will be providing our readers with information in the fire, water, and mold remediation industry. Please book mark us and visit us frequently. Thanks for your interest and we look forward to being a resource for you.

Sincerely
Servpro of Western Essex County
Servpro of Central Union County