Dehumidifier

Determine which Dehumidifier to Use

Dehumidifiers ate tool that simply remove water from the air. Much like any other tool, there are situations where a dehumidifier will work well, and other times when a certain technology would be inefficient. General Guidelines.

LGR:  Low Grain Refrigerant.

Use in most residential / small commercial situations.
Good for warm/high humidity conditions
Adequate for drier conditions down to 34 gpp

Portable Desiccant:

use for difficult to dry situations, such as difficult class-4 losses.
Use if a structure cannot be warmed to a temperature where LGR's would be effective.

Conventional:

Use for simple/small losses.

IICRC   RSA

Swamp cooler freeze

swamp cooler, time to turn off

We are at that time of year when you need to start thinking about turning off your swamp cooler. Turn the water line off and bleed the line.   Water left on,  this could happen to your home.

Tenant had left the home a few weeks earlier. A cold spell came and froze the line, water first found its way into the basement, then under the roofing and within a few days-a frozen water fall.

Summer is over

Summer is Over

Last day of  Summer was over the weekend, where did the time go? Another Summer gone by and this blogger did not make it to Zion-Angles Landing or to Las Vegas to see BlueMan group. This Fall may be a good time to go with room rates slashed, the only big cost would be gas. The airlines have cut their flights and doubled ticket prices.

So What have I learned this short summer?

1. Unexpected disasters can happen to anyone. A broken water line to a dishwasher, over flowed toilet ( Ok that may not sound correct) a backed up toilet, kid's filling the window well with water for a pool.
2. Fire!!!! overheated oil, gas leak- whatever the cause is not an easy time.
3. cleaning up a messing with a shop vac to only make the situation worse when the Vac blows everything around the entire house.

We at ServiceMaster of Salt Lake are here to help, with fast  response time (usually within 1 to 2 hours)
 our trained certified technicians  will be there to help with water extraction, mold remediation, water damage mitigation.  Fire clean up and pack out.

We also have the best carpet & upholstery cleaning teams in Salt Lake & Utah counties.

Give us a call 24/7   even on holidays --  801-506-0027

DEW point

Dew point temperature

Dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture vapor, and can hold no more water vapor. When air is cooled, its capacity for water vapor is reduced. Eventually, if temperature is cooled enough, the relative humidity will reach 100%, or saturation. When this occurs, the air has reached its dew point temperature.

Calculating the dew point temperature is especially important when monitoring humid air masses. Typically, the most humid air mass in a structure affected by water intrusion will be the indoor air. Restorers then compare the Dew point to surface temperatures throughout the structure. If surfaces are cooler than the dew point of the surrounding air, water will condense on those surfaces and possibly cause secondary damage.

Note: Secondary damage can occur even if condensation does not. High humidity alone can result in secondary damage.

What's wrong with this picture?

What is wrong with this picture?

Water leaks happen, toilet overflows, floors get wet  and this is what happens.

We can dry this.   ServiceMaster of Salt Lake  801-506-0027  in Utah County 801-356-7105

Mold

Mold ten things to know

When Mold Is found, call the experienced service provider- ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake      801-506-0027

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dish washing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods

(EPA)

Hoarder House

Gross to Nasty

Hoarder house...Gross to start, then to nasty with first sweep.

Before

After first clean up

Our crews are prepared to handle any disaster. 

IICRC certified

ServiceMaster technicians certification

At ServiceMaster of Salt Lake our technicians are certified in their jobs.

At ServiceMaster of Salt Lake and ServiceMaster Cleaning (Orem)   we are proud of our certified technicians.  Certification by Institute of Inspection and Cleaning Restoration.

• Qualified by service and examination with a satisfactory score to ascertain their competency
• Demonstrated a thorough and working knowledge of cleaning and restoration techniques to the satisfaction of an approved IICRC Instructor.
• Pledged themselves to strive constantly to promote the goodwill of those they serve and to use their best talents to preserve by proper care the properties of their customers.
• Agreed to subscribe and continue an effective training program approved by IICRC to upgrade themselves as a true professional.
• Pledged to hold above all else honesty and thorough 
  workmanship in all their customer relations. ®

Protect your carpet

Plastic runner protect carpet

While working in your home, we will always place protective plastic runners to keep unaffected areas clean.

Carpet Care

How We care for your Carpet's

From  ServiceMaster Clean®   home site.    

No other item in your home absorbs more and can affect the appearance of your home like your carpets.

To maintain your carpets appearance, your carpets should be professionally cleaned every six to twelve months. Unlike professional cleaning, most rented carpet cleaning equipment leaves carpet wet with detergent residue. At ServiceMaster Clean® we have the equipment and expertise to remove dirt, detergent, and moisture.

Our exclusive carpet cleaning process includes:

• Preliminary inspection of your carpets to determine the best cleaning method
• Pre-treatment of spots and stains
• Pre-application of cleaning products to loosen ground-in soil
• Rinsing your carpet with clear hot water
• Post-treatment of any residual stains
• Carpet grooming for efficient drying and a uniform appearance
• Placing pads under furniture legs to protect the carpet while it dries
• Final inspection with you to ensure your complete satisfaction

At ServiceMaster of Salt Lake and ServiceMaster Cleaning (Utah County)  we are committed to the above when coming into your home to clean your carpets.  801-506-0027

Wall Paper

Ugly wall paper & Water Damage.

What better time to change your ugly wall paper than when  unexpected water damage occurs.

what better time to get new wall paper than after a water has flooded  and damaged your walls

Psychrometric Chart

Psychrometric Chart

The Psychrometric Chart.

To properly evaluate temperature, relative humidity and grains per pound (or g/kg), restorers must use a psychrometric chart. Typically, a restorative drying technician will acquire a dry bulb temperature (either in Fahrenheit or Celsius) and a relative humidity using a thermohygrometer. These two readings establish the capacity of the air mass (temperature) to hold moisture and the relative amount of moisture in the air (relative humidity).

After acquiring these two readings, the technician can then employ the psychrometric chart to calculate GPP  (Grains per pound).  Other calculations are also made if necessary. Once these calculation are completed the technician compares them to surrounding conditions or previous conditions to evaluate drying potential.

Antimicrobials & Biocides

Antimicrobials & Biocides

Controlling microbial activity at a restoration site may also require the use of chemical agents.  Before deciding to use an antimicrobial or biocide, it is critical to first understand the terminology, technology and chemistry behind the individual product.  The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has defined three levels of biocidal activity:

° Sanitize:   A cleaning or disinfecting treatment designed to  
                      reduce the number of pathogenic     
                      microorganisms to a safe level.  This is the lowest  
                      level of biocidal activity.

° Disinfectant:   A solution designed to destroy or inhibit the
                           growth of microorganisms, but not 
                           necessarily their spores.

° Sterilizer:   A product designed to destroy all microorganisms  
                       (fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.) and their 
                        spores.


    
  (RSA [RS101] )                        

Evaporation-

Evaporation

What is Evaporation and how does it affect drying when recovering from a water loss?

We always want to remove as much water as possible in flood situation. One way is through Evaporation.all the standing water has been removed but there is moisture in material and air, this is when we want to increase evaporation to speed the drying process.

Evaporation will increase when

• Wet materials are made warmer.
• When drier air is used, and
• When air is moved more rapidly across the wet surface.

This is when you will see us place air movers and dehumidifiers, being that when water is evaporated , the water vapor is removed by de-humidification or ventilation.

What should our blog be?

What should our blog be?

I was recently told that to be effective a blog should have at minimum, 250 words per post. That the content should be of interest and relative to our followers. That it should always contain KEY words that relate to our business. We should be able to link to our Facebook page and Twitter feed.   We should add photos-(see above)

So the key words for today are......we do  Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Leather Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Tile and Grout cleaning, Carpet Protector, Odor control, Spotting kits & refills, Mold Remediation, Water Extraction, Water Damage Mitigation, Disaster Restoration, Wet Checks,  Fire and Water Damage Restoration, ServiceMaster of Salt Lake, ServiceMaster Cleaning.   SLC  801-506-0027; Orem-Provo 801-356-7105     and a link...Facebook page

Vapor Pressure

Vapor Pressure

What is Vapor Pressure?  

Pressure of water on surrounding surfaces and objects, measured in inches of mercury. Directly related to GPP and Dew point.   Vapor pressure is the force that drives higher concentrations of humidity from one space to another- vapor pressure always seeks equilibrium.


(RSA 101)

Drying flood

Drying from water loss

In place drying

When performing in-place drying, more air-movers are needed for fast evaporation.

• In a class 2 or class 3 water loss, air movers are placed every 10'-16'  along the wall.  ( if you use metric  3-4 m) along the wall.
• Air movers are directed toward the wall at a 15° to 45° angle, depending upon the type of air mover.
• The air mover snout will almost touch the wall, which means within 1"  (again,  if you are metric- 2.5 cm ) of the wall but not rubbing it.

All air movers ins each area will face the same direction, whether clockwise or counter-clockwise, to ensure that air movers are not pushing against each other 

Desiccant

Desiccant

Portable Desiccant:

• Use for difficult to dry situations, such as difficult class 4 losses.

• Use if a structure cannot be warmed to a temperature where LGRs would be effective

Cigarettes are stupid Exhibit #10

Cigarettes are dumb

Cigarettes are stupid.

exhibit #10

Fire, Water, Smoke  damage to several apartments ( below and to each side of one unit)