Top 10 Reasons to Hire Certified Mold Contractors

 By:  Michael Lilly
http://www.servproflaglercounty.com/
MICHAELJLILLY.US
Dec. 19th, 2014

How to chose a contractor to clean mold damage

You have mold damage. Now what? While you might be tempted to hire the first contractor you come across, you can save yourself future headaches and cash by investing in a little preliminary research. 
  

Bonding Matters

Normal contractor’s insurance differs from bonding for mold remediation. A contractor with a bond is protected, as are you, for certain jobs. If your mold contractor abandons your job, you can file a claim. You can also do so for general compensation, theft or structural damage, if necessary.

Worker’s Comp and Liability Insurance are Important

Make sure your contractor is insured to do work. Worker’s comp and liability insurance cover you and the contractor if something goes awry, either to the worker or to your property. However, these policies will be null and void during mold damage remediation unless the contractor has a Contractor’s Pollution Liability Insurance rider.

Contractor’s Pollution Liability Insurance is Key

This rider is critical for a mold damage project. It covers any work related to mold, asbestos or other hazardous materials. It is a necessary rider for coverage to be in effect on worker’s comp and liability policies.

Certification is Critical

It may be cheaper to go with a general contractor over a mold contractor, but it will cost you more in the end. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) governs workers and their practices. This entity’s’ guidelines set the standard for mold mitigation. A contractor who is not certified may pose risks and future problems, far beyond the cost of the mold damage.

Personal Protective Equipment is a Must

A certified mold contractor will be serious about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which ensures safety during the project. This equipment will protect against eye and skin irritation, congestion, fevers and lung problems associated with exposure to toxic mold. Equipment should include coveralls, gloves and boots, goggles and a respirator mask (at least N95).

They’ll Use Independent Inspectors

A reputable mold remediation contractor will hire an independent tester to add validity to the process. Why is this important? If the person doing the testing also does the work, there’s a chance he or she may skew the results so more work is necessary, resulting in more fees. This is why it’s important to hire a contractor who relies on a third party to do testing before and after the mold damage removal.

They’ll Contain Moldy Damage

It’s imperative that mold contractors use containment barriers so seeds and spores don’t travel and aggressively infect other areas. A barrier is necessary for every mold damage project. Containment also includes using a HEPA filter that’s rated for commercial use. This will ensure that all spores are completely gone from the area.

They’ll Follow Disposal Guidelines

A professional mold contractor will take care to properly dispose of mold. He or she will follow guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These guidelines set standards to make sure professionals and their clients remain safe and healthy in contaminated environments.

The Better Business Bureau Will Back Them

Mold contractors should come with at least an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization. This will give you peace of mind in knowing that contract has a solid reputation. Check for details at bbb.org.

Clients Will Recommend Them

A good mold contractor will happily provide references or client testimonials. This is one more way to check up on the level of satisfaction you might expect. Testimonials often live online, but a contractor may also provide phone numbers for a reference check.

SERVPRO of Flagler County Professionals provide fire and water damage restoration services. SERVPRO of Flagler County proudly serves Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Hammock Dunes, Beverly Beach, Bunnell, Marineland, Hammock, Hammock Beach, and surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore damage to your home or commercial structure.

Mold Remediation

Mold can present serious health concerns and can spread quickly through your home or business if left unchecked. SERVPRO of Flagler County Professionals utilize proven mold remediation techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to protect you and your property. SERVPRO Professionals can assist you with:

• Mold remediation
• Concerns about black mold
• Mold inspection and prevention

Carpet Cleaning Tips That Everyone Should Know About

By:  Michael Lilly
http://www.servproflaglercounty.com/
MICHAELJLILLY.US
Dec. 19th, 2014
 

Follow these tips to keep your carpet clean

Following the instructions for carpet cleaning tips is a good way to increase the lifespan of carpeting.  Like anything else that is regularly used in the home, some maintenance is required to help them look their best.  Carpet cleaning tips can be easily found in multiple places online, but here are a few basics that are relevant to anyone with this type of flooring. 



Keeping floor coverings fresh is an important part of maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Their fibers catch and hold particles that could contaminate the air quality inside the home. Just like any other filter they become less effective at their job when full, so routine sanitation is a must. 

Carpet cleaning by vacuuming is important when preventing the buildup of soil and grime, but it is only the first line of defense when caring for this particular type of floor coverings. Foot traffic, accidents, pets, children, and normal wear are among the many reasons that a carpet or rug may need care beyond regular vacuuming. 



Be aware that one pass with a cleaning machine, such as a vacuum or at-home shampooing device is usually not sufficient to do a thorough job of carpet cleaning. Going over it one time may be enough to remove the dirt that is on the very surface layer, but debris can work its way down into the fibers and may need to be approached multiple times, from different angles in order to be most effective.



When using a sanitizing solution it is wise to perform a spot test on an out of the way portion of the carpet to make sure that no discoloration occurs before applying it liberally. If planning on using a machine to shampoo the floor, pre-treating the problem areas can provide more satisfying results. 

More carpet cleaning tips that everyone should know include blotting instead of rubbing, and working from the edges of a stain to the center. Both techniques have been known to prevent spreading. Another of the most important instructions for removing stains and spots is to tend to them immediately, as handling the problem before it has the chance to set could prevent unsightly discolorations and odors. 

One of the most often overlooked carpet cleaning tips involves drying. Drying thoroughly before continuing regular use can prevent new stains from quickly setting in or indentations from settling into the pile. 

To help with carpet cleaning, rearranging furniture every few months and combing the dents to fluff them are ways to get rid of indentations that are caused by the weight of couches, chairs or tables.  

Rotating rugs so that they do not get worn in the same places over a long period of time is another quick way to lengthen the vibrancy of smaller floor coverings. 

 



Some types are harder to clean than others, and the material of the fabric, dyes used and length of the pile all factor into this.  Since the construction and sturdiness of the fibers are also variables that affect how maintenance is performed, consider hiring a professional when the correct approach is unclear.  

Although there are a variety of carpet cleaning tips, for the most persistent stains and invasive odors the assistance of a professional may be the only complete removal method.  Someone trained in how to care for, preserve and restore floor coverings has the experience that might make all the difference in the outcome.

SERVPRO ofFlagler County - Palm Coast Florida is locally owned and operated and serves Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, the Hammocks, Hammock Dunes, Bunnell, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and the surrounding North East Florida communities.

SERVPRO of Flagler – Palm Coast Fl.’s   fully certified water removal staff can perform a complete damage assessment to your home of office, and then recommend and follow the industries standards to get your water removal restoration repaired properly available 24 hours a day.

SERVPRO of Flagler County- Palm Coast is a 24/7 emergency water removal & flood clean up repair service company, Our technicians are highly trained and experienced with every water damage situation from sewage damage clean up, mold removal, smoke damage repair, fire damage repair, flooded basement, wet carpet, wet walls, carpet water damage, basement water damage, flooded crawl space, sewer backup, sewage removal, mud removal, commercial water damage, restoration, house water damage, building water damage, hotel water damage, flooded building, crawl space water damage, crawl space sewage damage, pump out, dry out, flood water removal, commercial building water removal, building flood damage, hardwood floor water damage, wet hardwood floors, wet carpet drying, sewage restoration, flood cleanup, busted pipe water damage, broken pipe water damage, busted sprinkler water damage, frozen pipe water damage, flood pump out, basement pump out, restoration equipment rental, dehumidifier rental, fan rental, demolition, painting & construction.