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New Dehumidification Equipment!

November 24th, 2009

In the spirit of thanksigiving Orange Restoration has lots to be thankful for! While other companies are struggling to make ends meet, we are very fortunate to be able to capitalize on this difficult time, re-think and re-double our efforts and emerge as a stronger company.

We got lots of new jobs come in this past week or two, and decided to invest in a new piece of machinery - we bought a brand new desiccant dehumidifier.

img_00731

Here’s some info about this technology.

Dessicant Dehumidification
While refrigerant dehumidification works by passing air through refrigerated coils to condense water, desiccant dehumidifiers work when moist incoming air flows over a wheel filled with a silica gel desiccant. A desiccant is a material that attracts and holds moisture. This material sucks in moisture from the air. When the wheel rotates through heated exhaust air, the moisture evaporates and is carried outside. Then the cycle repeats. This process absorbs moisture without ice build-up and is not limited by low temperatures. A desiccant usually produces air with a relative humidity in the range of 4% - 8% - meaning - EXTREMELY DRY!

Our new dessicant will now provide a blanket of very dry air in our water restoration jobs to remove moisture from the contents and structure allowing both to dry simultaneously in place. Careful monitoring ensures wood floors and the structure are safely dried to prevent secondary damage, shorter drying time and clients getting their homes back sooner. NOW THAT’S GREAT NEWS!

How was your Halloween?

November 4th, 2009

pumpkin
We had a great time! Hope your did too!

As you can see, Yaron Lief (the owner of Orange Restoration) has decided to go all out for Halloween and dress up as the unbeatable flood buster - SUPER ORANGE!

Super Orange

Super Orange

We would love to know what you did for Halloween or how you’re doing - please join our Facebook fan page (just look up Orange Restoration company page)

Don’t be caught scared of spooky spots or stains!
Be sure to let us know if you need our help!

WATER DAMAGE
MOLD REMEDIATION
CARPET CLEANING
CONSTRUCTION

Mold Tests and Air Clearance

November 2nd, 2009

If you have ever received an estimate from us, or probably from any other mold remediation company you know it says in the footnote that the estimated price does not include 3rd party post remediation clearance.

I’ve had several clients ask me about that item recently, what is the meaning of air testing, do they have to do it, how much does it cost, why can’t I just do it for them, and if I can’t who should they go to – to get it done.

What:

These mysterious air clearance tests are actually quite simple; a person with the hard to spell title of Industrial Hygienist comes on site with their equipment and performs one or both of two things:

Air Test – using a specialized air pump and an air test cartridge air is collected into the sample cassette and sent to the lab.

Swab Test – using a specialized Q Tip or testing tape to pick up a piece of the materials that were affected with mold, into an air tight environment to be sent to the lab.

Beyond that, the industrial hygienist will perform a visual inspection of the property and the area where remediation was done, they will evaluate the work that was done visually, note any imperfect containments, or anything that looks like sub standard work, or any problems of structural or environmental nature that may cause the mold problem to recur.

When:

The industrial hygienist should be called out at the end of remediation, only after the approval for that is given by the supervisor of the remediation company. It’s very important to make sure the containments are still up when tests are administered, that the hygienist walks into the containment quickly closing the zipper behind them, and that no one else walks into the containment before him.

In the point of testing the machines (air scrubbers and dehumidifiers) should not be left running.

Why:

There are many reasons why an air clearance at the completion of the mold remediation became standard industry practice for legitimate companies, and is required by any insurance adjuster that would deal with a mold claim. A few of the top reasons are:

Protect the client: what would you do if you just paid $10K for a full blown mold remediation, and 2 months after the fact the stains return and you are having allergies? If you go back to the same company it is likely they already moved to another state or left the country.. Had you done a mold air test you would have found out mold was not really removed but only temporarily hidden somehow (wrong practice performed by some)

Test the Mold Company: Testing the air and confirming there is no more mold spores really tests the company to ensure they did a good job. If it was my property I would have never paid a contractor before an air clearance proving negative for all types of mold on a satisfactory level.

If for any reason containments are removed while mold spores are still hanging out in the air – the entire property could get cross contaminated leading to a much more costly remediation.

Identification: While it’s even better if done at the onset of remediation, at the conclusion of a remediation you are given a breakdown of the spores in the air, along with their type and quantity. To protect yourself from the presence of toxic black mold, and other potential health hazards and allergens it’s good to know the types of mold you’re dealing with.

It’s totally up to you if you even want to have an air clearance post remediation at your property. No one can tell you that you have to do it, and the only and most important reason to go about doing an inspection is to protect yourself, your property and family.

How much:

Air clearance tests run approximately $300 - $500 depending on the number of work areas and the pricing of the specific company you choose.

As always, if you have any additional questions – please don’t hesitate calling us 888-666-1421

Removing Mold and Mildew Stains

October 26th, 2009

Any home owner could be accosted with a sudden need to handle a mold or mildew problem. No household is absolutely mold proof and it can be alarming to discover an ever increasing unpleasant odor that often accompanies mold and mildew.

The best way to cope is to know in advance how to tackle such a problem if it does occur.

This means that you will need to learn some good cleaning techniques that will help you remove mold and mildew and permanently keep it out of your home

The most important point to remember is that you should always avoid creating the conditions that make it convenient for mold and mildew to develop.

Here are some tips on how to do this.

If the air is flowing freely there is less chance for mold and mildew to develop.

So, keep all areas of your home well ventilated, especially basements kitchens and any other place that tends to gather heat and moisture.

In order to avoid excess moisture use a humidifier.

Be on the look out for any specks of food that have been left around on the floor or in corners by children or pets. If mold develops on these it is most likely to spread to the surrounding areas.

Even if you do take these measures, it is well worth your while to carefully search about your house for any signs of mold or mildew. Detecting these could be tricky so your key principle is to search mainly where there is a combination of moisture and heat.

Start from the outer walls of your house. See if there is any green mold there.

Indoors, search beneath the flooring and any beams. Mold and mildew are likely to develop under carpets .kitchens cellars and pantries, and although it sounds unlikely (because refrigerators are cold), check that too. Get rid of any moldy foods there. Fruits vegetables meat and cheeses can all develop mold.

For porous surfaces it is preferable to get professional advice.

However, non porous surfaces can be cleaned in the following manner.

Once you have located the affected area, wipe it down thoroughly, brushing off any excess dirt.

Prepare a bleach mixture: 1cup of bleach per gallon of water.

From a spray bottle, spray this solution onto the suspected areas.

Be sure to use gloves to avoid harm to your skin and keep the environment well ventilated to safeguard your respiratory tract from inhalation of the bleach.

Scrub the area clean. It is best to do this with a brush. However if the surface is sensitive, you could use a dusting cloth.

Rinse the area well and dry.

Remind yourself that “prevention is better than cure” therefore, keep all areas uninviting to mold and mildew by keeping them dry and well ventilated.

Launching Orange Carpet Cleaning!

October 13th, 2009

As many of you already know - we have recently launched Orange Carpet Cleaning as part of our many services offered now we have also wet and dry carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, oriental rug cleaning and much more!

Leading me into the big question of the day - which do you think is better - bonnet - “dry” carpet cleaning, or steam extraction “wet” carpet cleaning?
Check out the awesome test video below and let me know what you think :)
We have been offering both depending on the situation and preference of the client - but maybe there’s a clear winner among the two?

I would love to hear pros’ opinions!

The Ultimate Test 

Orange Restoration Receives 2009 San Diego Award

September 30th, 2009

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orange Restoration Receives 2009 San Diego Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 – Orange Restoration has been selected for the 2009 San Diego Award in the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org

Mold Remediation Information

September 14th, 2009

What is mold and where does it grow?

Mold is the tiniest form of fungus which appears in various colors and forms.

It thrives on just about anything that can supply it with the required conditions which is enough space for it to spread and the correct temperature, approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius)

The most usual environments for mold growth are basements, cellars, kitchens, washrooms or any other dark, moist area. Food that has not been properly refrigerated, especially animal matter is prone to the development of mold.

Mold is also likely to develop on furniture and other objects that have been subjected to a flooding or even a leakage.

Mold can appear as a discoloration. Its color can be black, red, green white brown or orange. It is sometimes accompanied by a musty odor.

Is mold a health hazard?

Your general health can be affected by mold in various ways. Headaches stomach pain and skin rashes all can be a result of mold. There is a wide range of reactions to mold starting from minor allergic attacks like coughing sneezing and wheezing to serious asthmatic conditions and even liver damage or cancer.

Therefore, exposure to mold is not desirable to say the least because you don’t always know which type you are up against.

There are many types of mold and the good news is that most types of mold are not harmful to health The various types have been categorized as belonging to 3 major groups according to the way human beings respond to them.

Allergenic molds

This type of mold isn’t seriously dangerous to health and usually has an effect on people who are already suffering from asthma or any other allergy. It could emphasize an already existing allergic condition of the skin and also cause sensitivity to the throat, as well as irritation to the nose and eyes.

Pathogenic mold.

This type of mold mostly causes some sort of infection. People whose immune system isn’t strong enough to cope with its effects can react to a minutest amount of exposure and suffer serious consequences mainly to the upper respiratory tract.

Toxigenic mold

Anyone might be vulnerable to the serious health effects cause by mycotoxins. A minor reaction to them could be a slight skin irritation or cough and/or a running nose. However, a more severe response could even include the development of cancerous cells.

How can I determine that there is mold in my home?

You will either see mold or else you may smell that unpleasant musty odor. The first thing to be done is search in the area for water damage that may have resulted from a damaged pipe or leakage

What must be done if mold is detected in the home?

Apart from the desirable molds in food stuff such as the blue coloring in cheese any moldy food should be discarded.

Green discoloration on bread for example, is a sign of mold. Other foods on which mold tends to accumulate rapidly are processed meats, tomato paste and jams. Rid yourself of them. Other items such as furniture should be professionally checked for mold and treated if possible

Unless you are certain that you are able to handle mold removal on your own you should avoid doing so and instead contact professionals to do the job. In any case you should be aware if you do decide to handle the issue alone that safety measures are essential. Wear a mask, and use impenetrable gloves. also remember that mold recurs and therefore the area must be sterilized after mold removal.

Environmentally Sustainabe Water Damage Restoration

September 1st, 2009

Green Orange Restoration

It’s 8:45pm Friday evening in the Orange office, and we are all hard at work -
Monday is the deadline for a big contact we are submitting a proposal to - it included approximately 40 pages of instructions with open ended questions, and essays of several pages on different topics. Of course the fact we only found out about this opportunity to bid on this contract 3 days before the deadline - it didn’t help me prove that we would serve their every need in the best way possible. The contract is for a large non profit, very prominent in the San Diego community, and I found it very interesting that majority of their questions - beyond those that ask to prove that Orange Restoration would be able to respond to their emergency needs in a timely and professional manner as we always do - they asked primarily about what policies our company has in place to promote an environmentally sustainable way of doing business. I gave this question some thought - and would like to share with you our conclusions about the way we promote sustainability within the business of restoration.

Orange Restoration is committed to ensuring a maximally sustainable environmentally conscious operation, encouraging our team members to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible, as well looking for new ways to reverse indoor air pollution. From the in office operation through our field personnel, we constantly strive to improve our procedures and become a more green company.

Our carpet cleaners and emergency crews show up in routinely checked up utility vans, leaving large trucks behind as much as possible, while it may mean more manual labor of loading and unloading, it does save the environment from the larger carbon footprint of our big trucks.

We make sure that the maximum possible of chemicals used are environmentally friendly, VOC free substances that will effectively perform yet be least harmful to the environment. We make a point to use newer chemicals that put less stress on the environment and carry the approval stamp of certifying agencies in the field.

We place stringent standards on energy efficiency and lowered noise, which translates into less inconvenience for our clients, by maximizing effectiveness of machines (by routine service, cleanliness, and careful use), while minimizing the amount of time our machines operate on the job site. Save energy, time and the money of the client, and get the property back to normal as quickly as safely possible.
We strive to reduce the amount of waste we create, by maximizing the lifespan of our supplies and reusing whenever possible.

Our office strives to become completely paperless by performing all reporting and documentation via the Internet. All faxes received in our office arrive digitally, and customers are encouraged to accept emailed estimates and invoices.
Our team is invested in educating for sustainability and teaching the practices we adopted to colleagues in the industry.