Daniel 's Blog

Protecting Against Disaster part i

2008-07-30T13:57:47Z

There are many things a Brevard home owner can do to protect their home from most types of property disasters. Everyone of these steps you take can help ensure that if something does happen to your home the affects will not be as drastic.

Use a safety deposit box. Homes flood, catch fire and get robbed. Despite what the movies may say it is unlikely any of these situations will ever effect a safety deposit box. Keep originals or copies of all your important papers in the box. IMPORTANT - make sure people in your family and at least one close friend know about the box and where to find the key.
Use plastic storage containers in your house whenever anything is on the floor or boxed. Tupperware type storage containers will help keep out water and can even protect from soot damage in the event of a small fire. Cardboard boxes are favorite hiding places of insects and mold and if they get wet they ruin what is inside of them.
Keep a box of baking soda next to your stove at all times. If you are ever so unfortunate to have a kitchen fire you will be thankful it has been sitting there all those months.

PuroClean hopes these simple ideas can make a difficult situation that much easier. We serve Melbourne and the rest of Brevard and Indian River Counties.

Buying REO? Check the AC System!

2008-07-30T08:58:28Z

Now is truly a great time to buy a bank owned home. One area that is often neglected in a REO is the AC system. Many REO's have been unoccupied for an extended period of time. Because of this the AC system is generally neglected; filters aren't changed, the system is set to high or turned off altogether, condensation lines fill up with gunk. It is a wise decision to the have the AC system inspected before or just after the house is purchased. They should check for proper Freon pressure, leaks, cleanliness of the coil, etc... Did you know that low levels of Freon can cause the AC system to ice up; this can lead to water damage and very warm houses. If the inspection finds a dirty coil definitely have it cleaned. A dirty coil reduces efficiency of the AC system and reduces the air quality of the home. A clogged condensation line can pour gallons of water every day into your home without you noticing.

While you have an AC tech at your home make sure you have an overflow valve installed to shut the system down when the condensation pan overfills. It is also a good idea to have a bleach port added so you can flush the condensation line every month when you change your filters.

If a malfunctioning AC system causes water damage to the home make sure to call a professional like PuroClean to assess the damage and quickly take care of the problem. For all of your water damage problems in Palm Bay, FL and the of Brevard and Indian River counties contact PuroClean.

My Friends Beautiful Home For Sale - Palm Bay,FL

2008-05-31T12:43:06Z

RES Flyer

For Public Distribution

R510037A	175 NE NAYLOR ST , PALM BAY, FL 32907			$165,000

Area:	341 NE Palm Bay	County:	Brevard
Res Type:	Single Family	Bedrooms:	3
Waterfront:	No	Baths:	2
Waterfrnt Type:		Half Baths:	0
Lot Dim:	X	Split Bed:	Yes
Acreage:	.34	Year Built:	1981
Furnishings:	None	Home Warranty:	No
Living SqFt:	1600	Fireplace:	No
Total SqFt:	2061	Pool:	No

Remarks:

Great Value on this Beautiful Lockmar home! 3 bedroom 2 bath with 1600 square feet. Remodeled Kitchen with quality cabinets, glass top range, built-in microwave. Master Bath has been redone with new tiled shower. Gorgeous Laminate flooring everywhere but bathrooms. Natural light from Solar Tube skylights throughout home. Huge screened porch overlooks fenced yard that's great for the kids play and family barbecues. Newer roof, sprinkler system, termite bond, ceiling fans, 10x10 shed all included.

Addendum:

Approx Dimensions
Measurements:	Agt Measure	Pool Size:
Living Rm:	12 X 14	Family Rm:	13 X 23	Dining Rm:	9 X 10	Kitchen:	8 X 10
Master Bedrm:	13 X 15	Bedroom 2:	11 X 11	Bedroom 3:	11 X 12	Bedroom 4:	X
Other Rm:	X	Other Rm Desc:		Porch Size:	12x24	Patio Size:

Assessment:		Unit/Add'n:		Front Door Faces:	S	Deed Rest:
Equitable Interest:		Bank/Corp Owned:		Assumable:		P.U.D:
55+ Community:	No	Gated Community:	No	Home Ownrs Assc:	No	HOA$/Term:	/ Vltry

Features
Int Features:	Breakfast Bar , Ceiling Fans , Closet- Walk Ins , Formal Dining Room , Formal Living Room , Ground Flr Mst BR , Open Floor Plan , Skylights , Family Room
Ext Features:	Porch , Screened , Sprinkler-Well , Storage/Shed , Fence-Chainlink
Utilities:	Cooling-Central , Cooling-Electric , Fuel-Electric , Heating-Central , Heating-Electric , Hot Water-Electric , Utilities-Cable Avail , Utilities-City Water , Utilities-Septic Sys , Utilities-Telephone
Equip/Appl:	Dishwasher , Disposal , Garage Door Opener , Ice Maker Hookup , Laundry Hook Up , Microwave-Built in , Range-Electric

Construction:	Concrete Block	Ext Finish:	Stucco , Wood
Floor:	Laminate , Vinyl	Roof:	Shingle-Asphalt
Parking:	2 Car Garage	Location:	Lot-City
Master Bath:	Shower , Walk-in Closet	Add'n Rooms:
Pool:		Water Desc:
Pets:		Comm Amen:
Dwell Style:	1 Story	Assoc Fee Inc:
Dwell View:	View - North
Restrictions:		Mgmnt:
Docs on File:
Owner Consider:	Cash , Conventional , Creative , FHA-VA	Possess:	Closing

Taxes:	$1249.14	Tax Year:	2007
Plat Book #:	0022	Plat Book Pg:	0003	Homestead:	Yes	Zoning:

Legal:	LOT 10 BLK 2398

Office:	Tropical Realty Of Suntree	Off. Ph# :	(321)259-9115	Agent:	Steve Johnson

- - - - Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Saving Money on FL Home Insurance

2008-04-02T14:55:47Z

Would you like to save money on your annual insurance premium? Saving $50 a year would be nice, $100 would be great: well with www.mysafehomeinspection.com you can save upwards of $1000 per year on your home insurance by scheduling a FREE wind inspection. It costs you nothing! This was implemented by the FL govenor as a way to combat rising insurance premiums in FL. Did I mention it was free.

This is a brief break down of how it works. Your insurance provider has most likely never taken a close look at your house. They just assume that it was built as poorly as possible with the cheapest materials available and they charge your accordingly. So if you have half inch plywood on your roof, that is an upgrade. If you have hurricane straps connecting your roof trusses to your walls, that is an upgrade. If you have old sheets of plywood in the garage you throw over the windows when a hurricane approaches, that is an upgrade. Get the picture? So basic things that many homeowners already have will upgrade your construction status, qualifing you for a discount on your annual insurance premium.

"Good things come to those who wait," "You get what your pay for," and "Nothing in life is free" may all be true for most of your life, they do not apply now. This program will go away, it will save you money, and it really, really, really is free. An inspector just left my house an hour ago. He was courteous, professional, and only here about half an hour.

Hope this will save you money,

Daniel with PuroClean

Fire Destorys More Than Homes

2008-03-19T22:39:43Z

PuroClean Professional Restorers

Serving Brevard and Indian River Counties, FL

PuroClean regularly helps home owners with the aftermath of a kitchen fire. It has been our experience that homeowners often make the fire worse and place themselves in danger by not responding properly. Please take a minute to watch this informative safety video, it could save more than your house.

PuroClean Professional Restorers is available for all of your property damage mitigation needs. We serve Indian River and Brevard counties in FL. 24/7 PurocleanPR will respond and do whatever it takes save your property. (866) 935-6639

PuroClean Comforts and Restores

2008-03-19T22:07:57Z

PuroClean Professional Restorers

Serving Brevard and Indian River Counties, FL

We would love it if you would take the time to learn a little more about PuroClean and what we do. Our brand video to the left is a great way to get to know us better. PuroClean does not just offer emergency property damage services for water, fire and mold, we offer comfort and guidance when homeowners are at their most fragile.

A 'Brand' New Day

2007-09-18T12:16:13Z

Introducing the new Puroclean brand. Are you wondering why Puroclean has chosen to enhance their look? It is simple: we have chosen to modify our image to better reflect how our company interacts and cares for its clients.

Look for the new brand to integrate itself into all aspects of the Puroclean image: printed materials, work vehicles, web pages, and many more areas.

Puroclean is still "The Paramedics of Property Damage" and still here to rescue its clients from water, mold and fire damage!

PurocleanPR is ready to take care of all your needs, please give us a call 24/7 at (866) 9FLOOD9 . There is never a charge to talk to us or for us to make the original site visit, so there is no financial risk to you.

Continuing To Better Oursevles

2007-09-18T10:37:08Z

Puroclean Professional Restorers is proud to announce it has added one more certification to the company files. In August the owner of PurocleanPR, Daniel Gates, was able to attend an IICRC Water Damage Restoration course and now has another 'shingle' to hang above the door.

Constantly pursuing additional training has several benefits:

Stay up-to-date with changing technologies and procedures
Maintain current knowledge on legal precedents
Network and share ideas with professionals from around the world

If you are in need of a property restoration company consider PurocleanPR, where we set a high priority on current training, but more importantly we know our highest priority is our client.

Puroclean Professional Restorersis available for all of your property damage mitigation needs. We serve Indian River and Brevard counties in FL. 24/7 PurocleanPR will respond and do whatever it takes save your property. (866) 9FLOOD9

Industry Secrets: Seeing the unseen

2007-06-14T12:17:48Z

Have you not been able to find your keys? Did you wish there was some special tool to find them no matter where they were hiding? Well there is a special tool that will actually acomplish just that! What would you do though if your were trying to find more than just your keys, how about finding wet walls after a flood or mold behind your drywall?

Professional water restoration companies keep a large array of specilty tools that allow them to discover hidden water, look behind walls, determine moisture content in wood flooring and many other things. Here are some of those very tools:

BORESCOPE: Borescopes are basically a flexible fiberoptic lens. They have powerful halogen lights that allow you to see in the complete black of wall cavities. They are great at finding plumbing leaks, wall cavity mold and anything else you can think of.

MOISTURE METER: Moisture meters allow you to determine the relative or absolute moisture content in just about anything that is flat. You can determine the relative moisture levels in drywall, concrete, plaster and many other things. You can determine the actual moisture percentage in wood. With this tool you can find where water has migrated in your wood floors, your drywall and even your concrete slab. There is no damage done to the surface it measures as it only uses radio waves; it won't even mess up your stereo reception.

THERMO-HYGROMETER: A hygrometer is one of the best tools to have on a water loss. They can tell you temperature, relative humidity, actual humidity and dew point. The ability to track the actual humidity allows a restoration company to accurately document that the drying process is effective, as the absolute moisture content can be seen to drop over time. The dew point measurement is great at explaining to property owners why their AC vents are sweating so much that they are dripping water on them.

There are many tools of the trade; each one has its own special use and when all of them are combined, property owners can have their water loss restored more quickly and with less damage.

PurocleanPR is ready to take care of all your property needs; please give us a call 24/7 at (866) 9FLOOD9. There is never a charge to talk to us or for us to make the original site visit.

Is The Treasure Coast Ready

2007-06-13T18:32:31Z

We are now two weeks into the '07 hurricane season and have already experienced one tropical storm. Tropical storm Barry made its way across Indian River County the first weekend of this season and despite being no stronger than a large thunderstorm actually managed to damage over 100 homes in the state. Take this as a reminder to reflect how prepared for a potential hurricane you are.

Have you stocked up on batteries, food, and water
Do you have a protected copy of your insurance policy (and other documents) ready to bring if you evacuate
Take the time now to investigate companies that will be needed in case of damage: roofer, tree removal, & water restoration, to name a few

If a small tropical storm can cause damage to homes that made it through the '04 hurricane season, how much more so an actual hurricane or tornado?

Puroclean Professional Restorers is available for all of your property damage mitigation needs. We serve Indian River and Brevard counties in FL. 24/7 PurocleanPR will respond and save your property. (866) 9FLOOD9

Is Brevard Prepared?

2007-06-13T16:06:39Z

We are now two weeks into the '07 hurricane season and have already experienced one tropical storm. Tropical storm Barry made its way across Brevard County the first weekend of this season and despite being no stronger than a large thunderstorm actually managed to damage over 100 homes in the state. Take this as a reminder to reflect how prepared for a potential hurricane you are.

Have you stocked up on batteries and food
Do you have a protected copy of your insurance policy (and other documents) ready to bring if you evacuate
Take the time now to investigate companies that will be needed in case of damage: roofer, tree removal, & water restoration, to name a few

If a small tropical storm can cause damage to homes that made it through the '04 hurricane season, how much more so an actual hurricane or tornado?

Puroclean Professional Restorers is available for all of your property damage mitigation needs. We serve Brevard and Indian River counties in FL. 24/7 PurocleanPR will respond and save your property. (866) 9FLOOD9

Industry Secrets: Water Extraction

2007-06-08T16:10:06Z

No matter what the source of the water, extracting it property is one of the first steps of properly handling every water loss. Believe it or not, there are several different options when it comes to how to remove unwanted water.

TEAR OUT: The title gives it away, remove everything not structural that is wet. According to industry standards this is mandatory during category three water losses. A category three loss can be due to several circumstances, but flood waters and severe septic back ups are the most common. This technique is often used as a standard business model for companies that offer water extraction services. Tear Out requires no special equipment, tools, or training so it is also the 'easiest' method. Though sometimes appropriate, it is always the most expensive overall method. Home owners and businesses are almost always displaced from the property until everything that was removed (carpet, pad, baseboards, drywall) is professionally replaced and repaired.

BOTTOM UP: Until the late 1990's Bottom Up drying was the industry standard, and is still standard during category two water losses (gray water - malfunctioning washing machine). This method still remains popular with businesses that have invested heavily in truck mounted carpet cleaners, as the business can extract much of the surface water off the carpet with this machine. The practice consists of removing all the contents of the effected room, removal of the surface water, then pulling back the carpet and removing the carpet pad. The advantage of this technique is that the carpet pad will hold the majority of the remaining water in a room and its removal allows for a quicker dry time. The limitation of the Bottom Up method is that every effected room loses its use for the property owner. For example, if the master bedroom is soaked due to a bathtub that overflowed, all of the furniture is removed for the duration of the dry time. In addition all of the furniture must be relocated to an available area, often a garage or living room. When the drying is over the carpet pad is replaced and the carpet is restricted. People with sensitivities to high levels of dust and other related health problems should avoid this technique due to the fact that fans are often placed under the carpet during the drying process, forcing settled dust from the carpet back into the air.

TOP DOWN: Introduced in the late 1990's, Top Down drying is made possible by the development of specialized, industry specific, tools and equipment. This method can only be used during category one water losses (clean water), and even then there can other limiting factors. This technique leaves the carpet and carpet pad in place. A weighted water extractor is used to squeeze the water not just from the carpet, but also from the carpet pad. When used properly, Top Down water extraction removes all standing water and 80 - 90% of the water from the carpet and carpet pad. This number continues to rise as the technology improves. Despite leaving the carpet and carpet pad in place Top Down water extraction yields similar drying times as the Bottom Up method. The main advantage of Top Down water extraction is that the never has to lose the use of the room. Furniture can be left in the room, normally elevated off the ground with Styrofoam pads. The only limitation placed on the room is due to personal preference, since the actual drying period is often noisy and can elevate room temperatures. Top Down water extraction is also the least expensive technique as it requires less labor (furniture stays in the room) and professional installation of new carpet pad is avoided.

Each of the above water extraction techniques is appropriate to use in different circumstances. It is important to determine what method a restoration company will be using for each specific loss, as each technique is not always appropriate. If you have a category one water loss the most appropriate method is Top Down, if you have a category three loss the Tear Out method is almost guaranteed.

Mozy - you got to back thing up

2007-06-07T16:12:38Z

My office manager's computer recently crashed, we came out OK, but she had to re-enter the last 30 days of billing. From this experience I have come away a wiser man, you have to back your computers up!

I never did in the past because I always imagined it would be difficult and expensive, ok, and I was lazy. But now I have found Mozy, my new best friend! Mozy offers a free, or very inexpensive, way to back up your computer with absolutely no effort on your part. Once you set up your account Mozy will automatically back up your system.

You need to take the time to look at this awesome free service.

I now can sleep at night without the worry that a computer theft, massive electrical surge, hard drive failure or freak asteroid strike will sever me forever from my precious data again. The automatic backups work great. I log onto my computer in the morning and there is a little screen that says Mozy just backed up my system and all is well in the world.

There are programs available that make backing up your computer on site easier, but you still have to store the disks and go through the physical effort. Face it, most of us are a bit lazy. Take the easy road and check out Mozy, I know you will not regret it. Mozy is available for your home and office computer use, so you can double your peace of mind.

Palm Bay, A Great City To Grow Your Business

2007-06-01T08:55:20Z

I am Daniel Gates and I have lived in Palm Bay for well over twenty years now. I started at Port Malabar Elementary School and graduated from Palm Bay High School. In 2006 it was time to start my own business and I looked all over Brevard for the best place to locate my office. It was an easy decision - Palm Bay, FL. I live in Palm Bay, my church is in Palm Bay and most of my friends are in Palm Bay.

I serve all of Brevard and Indian River counties, but I call Palm Bay home when it comes to my business. Palm Bay has a population of over 100,000 people, about 20% of the whole county. That population represents so much great business potential!

So if you need some help with water, fire, or mold damage to your home, consider me. If you need a place to grow your business, consider the great city of Palm Bay, FL.

Reacting To Hurricane Damage part iiii of iii

2007-05-31T18:01:20Z

part i part ii part iii

AUTOMOBILES

Notify your insurance agent of any damage.

If the interior has been flooded, don't try to start the car. It could cause more damage.

Cover broken windows if the car appears salvageable.

List valuables in your car that have been washed out or damaged. Some insurance covers these losses.

FLOODING

Your best plan is to call a professional mitigation/restoration company. If you decide to do-it-yourself:

Floodwaters may contain contaminants such as sewage, oil and pesticides. Wear gloves, goggles and a mask.

If the room is soaked, check whether you're insured for water extraction. If a restoration company can't come quickly, you need to mitigate (minimize) the damage. Pump or squeegee out the standing water. Use a vacuum only if it's a true wet-dry vacuum. Remove carpeting, carpet padding, furniture and draperies. Then use air movers (or fans) and dehumidifiers to dry out the space.

Throw away all foods, even canned goods, if they have been submerged in floodwaters. This also applies to medicines and cosmetics.

Look for hidden moisture, such as in drywall, and take out damaged portions to avoid mold.

Disinfect floors and cabinets by washing them with detergent, then a solution of 1-part bleach to 10 parts water.

Keep a photographic (or video) inventory of anything you must throw out.

Don't take pets into a storm area until you're sure it's safe for them to walk there. Don't let them drink standing water.

FIRING UP THE CHAIN SAW

Felling a dead or broken tree or clearing away a large downed tree can be dangerous. Consider calling a professional.

Be careful of young trees that other trees have fallen on. They act like spring poles and may propel the chain saw back into your leg.

Walk only with the chainsaw engine "off."

Do not use a chain saw when you are on a ladder or in a tree.

When felling a tree, keep everyone at least two tree lengths away. For yourself, plan a clear escape route at a 45-degree angle from the direction the tree is expected to fall.

Please read the rest of the series at: part i part ii part iii

PurocleanPR is ready to take care of all your needs in Brevard and Indian River - FL, please give us a call 24/7 at (866) 9FLOOD9 . There is never a charge to talk to us or for us to make the original site visit, so there is no financial risk to you.

Reacting To Hurricane Damage part ii of iii

2007-05-31T18:00:37Z

part i part ii part iii

Roofing

If the neighbor's roof is missing shingles, yours probably is, too.

If only a few are gone, try covering the area with a garbage bag. Slide one edge of the bag under the shingles about two rows above the affected portion and secure the other edge two rows below. Or, caulk the exposed nail heads: Water gets in by running down the nails.

If you have a large area of ripped tarpaper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer quickly.

Seek roofer recommendations from the municipal building department or major roofing supplies stores.

Electric

Most damage to electrical systems comes from water. Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used.

Check for sparks or frayed wires. If you have structural damage or wires have been exposed, call an electrician. Don't turn the power on: You could electrocute yourself.

Breaker boxes are supposedly rain-tight but may not withstand a major storm. If you suspect water has infiltrated the box, call an electrician before turning on the breaker.

Avoid fallen or dangling utility wires and metal fences, which may carry a charge. If a limb or tree has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.

If the limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility. Call an electrician. Do not attempt to cut or clear fallen trees. They may be tangled in power lines.

SCAM ALERT

Don't pay for work until it is finished and you are satisfied. If a reasonable down payment is required, get a written contract detailing all the work to be performed, costs, completion date, quality of materials, warranties, start and finish dates, and who will be responsible for cleanup and trash removal.

Avoid paying with cash. Use a check or a credit card.

Beware of a contractor who tries to rush you or comes to your home offering assistance. If an offer is only good "now or never," find someone else.

Obtain three written estimates for the work and compare bids.

Beware of charity scams that might use a storm to make pleas for donations more plausible.

Please read the rest of the series at: part i part ii part iii

Reacting To Hurricane Damage part i of iii

2007-05-31T17:59:50Z

part i part ii part iii

A tree limb through the roof, water creeping in the front door, raccoons on the back porch - these may not be as bad as a direct hit from a hurricane, but they are still enough to cause big headaches. Bookmark this advice on how to address home repairs and other storm-related problems. The storm season is coming! If you do experience damage, this series may help you cope better!.

INSURANCE

Call your agent.

Take photographs of the damage.

Keep receipts if you must stay in a hotel or buy boards, tarpaulins or other home repair materials. These expenses may be covered by your insurance.

GETTING HELP FOR YOUR HOME

When checking your home or business for damages, watch out for fallen power lines; standing water that may be electrically charged; and wild animals that have sought cover from the storm.

Plumbing

Exposed polyvinyl pipe can be damaged in high winds where flying debris can break it. Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.

If you need to turn off your water, locate the meter -- usually in the ground near the street -- and remove the lid. You will see a valve you can turn with a wrench or water key. Shut-off valves for specific areas or fixtures are also (usually) located near toilets and under sinks.

If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, it means your whole system is backed up. Don't make the problem worse by using other sinks or toilets. Call a professional.

Please read the rest of this series at: part i part ii part iii

Insurance CE Course on Toxic Mold Mitigation

2007-05-31T12:50:54Z

PurocleanPR, offering property damage mitigation to all of Indian River and Brevard counties, will be hosting a complimentary Continuing Education course for licensed insurance agents and adjusters. The three hour course is titled 'Toxic Mold Mitigation' and will be held July 24, 2007 in Indian Harbor Beach. Please visit our web page, www.PurocleanPR.com/ce.html to learn more and print an invitation.

Water Damage Tips

2007-05-22T13:23:52Z

Have you recently experienced a water loss in your home? If the water came from a broken pipe or failed hot water heater you need to turn the water off to your entire home and call a plumber! As soon as you get off the phone with the plumber you will need to call a local emergency property damage company, like PurocleanPR.

Did you know that your insurance policy has a clause that says you must take reasonable action to prevent further damage to your home. This means that if you try and start a claim with your insurance and you wait until Monday morning when you hear back from them to take any action, you may be denied due to neglect. PurocleanPR works directly with your insurance company and knows what is generally covered, so we can help walk you through the process.

What Makes a House a Home - Palm Bay, FL

2007-05-22T09:20:33Z

For the remainder of my life nothing will seem more like home to me than my grandmother's (Yaya) kitchen. To be more accurate, my Yaya's pantry. To walk by her pantry made you feel comforted, but to open it up and release a lifetime of secret spices would overwhelm me with a deep sense that all in the world was well.

I now have a pantry of my own and Lord willing when I have grandkids my pantry will have a life of its own also; to inspire the next generation. I keep some spices in there, cereals, and lots of other edibles to season the wood well.

There so many other smells that turn a house into a home. My wife makes a wonderful banana spice bread, I can smell it before I open the door when I come home. Cookies have to be a universally accepted smell, I have never heard anyone ever complain about the odor of chocolate chip morsels wafting through the air. It is not even necessary to turn the oven on to delight those in your house; simply ask your local florist for the flowers that catch the noses of people in other rooms.

There is actually a bit of science to the art of transforming a house into a home by a persons olfactory sense. Reece Mack wrote a great blog on appealing to all of the senses, including the nose. Tina DeVore also penned a great piece on how the 'nose' of a house can influence visitors (and perspective buyers) without them even realizing it.

So if you want to delight your guests or subtlety win over those looking to buy your house, consider keeping some cookie dough in the freezer and bake a couple right before they arrive. The warm aroma of delicious cookies filling your house surely can't be a bad thing.

Turn you house into a home!

Read more blogs in this genre: What Makes a House a Home

Insurance CE Course on Mold Mitigation

2007-05-22T00:26:40Z

PurocleanPR, offering property damage mitigation to all of Brevard and Indian River counties, will be hosting a complimentary Continuing Education course for licensed insurance agents and adjusters. The course is titled 'Toxic Mold Mitigation' and will be held July 24, 2007 in Indian Harbor Beach. Please visit our web page, www.PurocleanPR.com/ce.html to learn more and print an invitation.

Property Damage: Penny Wise and Dollar Foolish part II of II

2007-05-21T21:46:38Z

Restoration professionals are not carpet cleaners who are idle during their off season. Nor are they a handyman service, which find they can't compete in the regular market and are attempting insurance work for a while. Although they appear to save a few dollars through a lower bid, these improperly trained unqualified individuals can cause more problems than they can solve. In many situations, if an item has been treated improperly, it may be impossible to then restore that piece. The insured will often call back the insurance company and complain about the quality of the work or an erratic work schedule complicated by numerous subcontractors.

The insurance industry is seeking timely, quality work performed at a reasonable price by professionals who specialize in the areas of water, smoke, fire, and vandalism and storm damage; professionals who can empathize with the insured and service the claim from the initial call, through any emergency-type service required (i.e. water extraction, smoke odor removal, board-up services, pack out, etc.) through to the completion of the claim. This total service attitude demands a twenty-four hour a day commitment, a ready and trained certified staff and the proper equipment and supplies to service any and all emergencies.

Professional restoration firms are better prepared for handling multiple claim disasters and providing computerized, line item estimates, processing claims more efficiently than hand written estimates. These firms are aware of the most current technology available to reduce property claims costs.

Professional restoration firms will subscribe to educational restoration magazines, are members of regional and national organizations, and attend conventions, seminars and trade shows to further their knowledge. These efforts illustrate the desire to be better prepared when a loss occurs and to serve the insurance industry as a professional business person. The knowledge that they possess and continue to learn will keep them on the cutting edge of the disaster restoration business.

Please read the begining of this article at Penny Wise part I of II .

Contact PurocleanPR or your local Puroclean office to take advantage of offices that have the training, certification, and experience to understand the disaster situation and use the best techniques, procedures and processes to achieve the best possible results. This article is used with permission from Purosystems Inc.

Mold Remediation part III of III

2007-05-21T21:23:48Z

Some information claims or indicates there are ways to "control" the mold in the indoor environment that entail the use of very high heat drying. The building is subjected to hours of high heat in the range of 140- 160 + degrees. The claim is that this will kill not only the mold, but also their associated spores. The mold is then left in place and encapsulated. Even if this were to be true, the secondary damage as a result of the high heat could be astronomical. Wood furniture could be over dried causing checking and cracking. Plastics could melt as a result. Indoor houseplants may not be able to survive the high heat. The potential downfalls are endless not to mention that the mold is still in the environment: it takes temperatures in excess of 212 degrees F to destroy mold spores; and even if the mold growth is stopped, any toxins are still present in the cellular structure of the mold material, even though it is dead!

There is also a mold resistant drywall available. It is designed and guaranteed by the manufacturer to inhibit the growth of mold if installed according to their instructions. Their instructions include cautions, including: avoid high heat (not fire-rated); avoid exposure to excessive or continuous moisture; it is not for use in high moisture areas and the drywall is non-load bearing. The new mold resistant drywall does replace the paper facings and backings with other material that is not a food source for the mold. The problem is that mold will grow on anything as long as the right conditions exist, so, the mold could easily grow in dust or dirt that is ON the new material. Moisture causes these conditions. Mold resistant is not mold proof.

A restoration professional will know that when mold is active in the indoor environment, a homeowner has three options, all with different risk levels. The first option, having the highest risk level is to do nothing. Ignore it. The second option is to dilute the problem. This may entail a partial remediation or a removal process that does not adequately protect the environment or the individuals in it. The third and safest solution is for the homeowner to hire a qualified restoration professional. The restoration professional will have the training and skill to remediate the structure appropriately, while protecting the un-affected areas of the home and occupants during the remediation process.

Please read the begining of this article at Mold Remediation part I of III on my blog. Contact PurocleanPR or your local Puroclean office to take advantage of offices that have the training, certification, and experience to understand the disaster situation and use the best techniques, procedures and processes to achieve the best possible results. This article is used with permission from Purosystems Inc.

Multilevel Water Loss part III of III

2007-05-20T20:39:05Z

A restoration professional will also know that the entire job needs constant monitoring. The structural materials need to be checked at least daily to insure that drying is taking place properly. Equipment may need to be relocated or repositioned to address specific problem areas. To avoid further damage and to insure proper drying, a restoration professional will visit the job site daily, at a minimum, armed with their moisture detection devices and will check and recheck the progress of the drying, making any necessary adjustments to the drying system in place.

Water damage; as a result of upper level sources poses unique problems. A restoration professional must become a detective. They must find the water; not just the obvious locations, but also the hidden water-damage must be found. Water, if left untreated, will cause further problems. Mold can potentially become an issue. The structure must be properly dried utilizing professional meters and equipment used to achieve a balanced drying system. A restoration professional will be able to find the water, dry it out and return the property to a pre-loss condition rapidly and efficiently.

Please read the begining of this article at Multilevel Water Loss part I of III on my blog. Contact PurocleanPR or your local Puroclean office to take advantage of offices that have the training, certification, and experience to understand the disaster situation and use the best techniques, procedures and processes to achieve the best possible results. This article is used with permission from Purosystems Inc.

Puroclean & Tornado Damage

2007-05-06T22:49:29Z

Early in 2007 East Central Florida residents were jolted out of bed by one of nature's most powerful and destructive forces - a tornado, three of them actually. Left in the wake of these tornados were houses reduced to broken lumber around a cracked concrete slab, but two doors down would be a home with absolutely no damage at all.

The below three pictures demonstrate the selective nature of tornados.

The orange sticker visible in this picture (the left most window) shows that it has been condemed, and for good reason. What was a beautiful oversived eave that adorned the front of this house acted as a sail and lifted every part of the roof and house connected to it right off (new building codes in FL no longer allow extended eaves). Houses with damage this severe might have to be torn down comletely and rebuilt from the ground up.

Now next door we see two houses with very minimal damage, limited to a couple of windows broken. That could have been very different though if this nice red chevy had fallen on one of the houses instead of right between them. How it flew from the street over the power box, plants, and missed the flag pole I will never know. It was the houses that were still intact that needed emergency property services, because with the tornado came a driving rain that quickly flooded houses through broken windows.

Florida has become somewhat accustomed to hurricane damage; we can track it for days and if your house is under water so is your neighbors. But these tornados caught us completely off guard and we now mourn the 21 people that lost their lives. Having witnessed the aftermath of what was a small tornado, I begin to understand why the large ones are referred to as the 'Finger of God'.

Puroclean is honored to have had the opportunity to help these people in their need.