Mold, ten things to know

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)

Janitorial services Salt Lake City

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake for Fire, water (flood) damage and  Janitorial services

Many people know ServiceMaster of Salt Lake as their preferred service provider for carpet and upholstery cleaning.  Many of our customers have been with us since we opened our doors in 1982. We believe that part of he reason our valued customers stay with us is  because of shared values, part of the ServiceMaster  objectives 1. Honor God in all we do   2. Excel with customers    This is shown in the work we do and  in the way we perform our jobs.
Over the years ServiceMaster of Salt Lake has become involved with  Disaster Restoration  services provided by ServiceMaster Clean. This involves anything to do with Fire, Smoke, Water (flood) damage .  Our technicians are well trained and certified by the IICRC  now- The Clean Trust.
It's a difficult time with allot of emotions when anyone suffers a loss, large or small.  ServiceMaster of Salt Lake is ready to respond with all services from initial clean up, water extraction, demolition work to pack out and content cleaning.
Do you have a office that needs to be cleaned once, twice or 5 days a week? Our Janitorial division has dedicated hardworking people. We can customize any cleaning services to meet your needs.
So, if you have stayed with me this far you have probably thought, another sales pitch. I admit, yes, but it also is to let people know the many services we provide.
Give us a call, let us know what we can do for you.  Just Ask....................in Salt Lake  801-506-0027 

Determine which Dehumidifier to Use

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.

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Cigarettes are dumb

Cigarettes are dumb Exhibit #10

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  is ready to clean up and restore  your home after a fire.  801-506-0027

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

Class 4 water loss

Class 4 Water Loss

Specialty drying situations.

These consist of wet materials with a very low permeance/porosity (e.g., hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light weight concrete and stone).  Typically. there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity to remove.

This class of water includes situations where moisture is trapped deep in dense materials like hardwood floors, sub-flooring, and plaster walls.  This "bound water" is difficult to remove and will require the use of special drying tools and techniques. Additional drying time may be required to maintain a balanced environment so as not to cause damage to other materials in the loss through moisture removal

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Class 3 water loss

Class 3 water loss

Greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation.

Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor in virtually the entire area are saturated.

This class includes the largest amount of water remaining after extraction and demolition is completed. This will involve entire room(s) and their materials. Porous and non-porous materials may be included. large volumes of moisture have been adsorbed and need to be evacuated quickly to prevent secondary or long term damages. This evacuation may require the use of heat, large volume dehumidification, air movers and specialty tools and technique.   ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Class 2 water loss

Class 2 water loss

Large amount of water, absorption, and evaporation.

Water losses that affect the majority of a room of carpet and cushion (pad).  Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture in structural materials.

This class includes more water remaining after extraction than class 1 and includes some moisture wicking up the walls. Since porous materials are affected and absorption happens rapidly, the volume of moisture that will be dealt with must be considered.  These items will also release their moisture rapidly, therefore more dehumidification is required to prevent secondary damages.

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Class 1 water loss

Class 1 water loss

Classification of Water. Class 1

The Classification of water- related to the relative degree of saturation. This class is used to calculate the initial amount of equipment needed in the drying process.

Least amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. Water losses that affect only part of a room or area , or larger  areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present. These may also include small losses where the carpet and cushion has been removed and only the sub-floor is being dried.

This class may include more than one room or drying chamber, but is typically a small amount of water left after extraction and removal of wet materials. A number of rooms with each room having only a slight involvement in the loss may also be labeled as a class 1 loss.   ServiceMaster of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Dew point temperature

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.

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake   801-506-0027

Category three 3 water loss

Category 3 water loss

Category 3 water loss is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Examples of category 3 water sources can include, but are not limited to: sewage; toilet back flows that originate from beyond the toilet trap regardless of visible content or color; and other contaminated water entering or affecting the indoor environment, such as wind-driven rain from hurricanes, tropical storms, or other weather-related events. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances.


This is the highest level of contamination. Precautions to protect workers and building occupants must be taken.  These may include the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and/or Air filtration devices (AFD) with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake   801-506-0027  call now, have us take care of that flood.

Category 2 water loss

Category 2 water loss

Category 2 water contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. Category 2 water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter ( chemical or biological)

The standard indicate that the water has some contamination, but not to the level of a category 3 loss.  Odors might be indicative that water has been contaminated.  Some factors that influence the water's cleanliness are the current use of the structure ) such as nursing home, hospital, day care, veterinary clinic, etc.), the general condition of the structure, previous water loss and the age and history of the structure. Time and elevated temperature will quickly degrade this to a category 3 loss.

ServiceMaster of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Category One water loss

Category 1 water loss

Category 1 water originates from a sanitary source and does not pose substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposures. However  once clean water leaves the exit point, it might not remain clean once it contacts other surfaces or materials.

The standard does NOT say that the water must be drinkable to be a category 1 loss. It must come from a sanitary source and not have gathered any significant contamination after leaving the pipe or hose.  Some factors that influence the water's cleanliness are the current use of the structure (such as a Private home), the general condition of the structure, previous water losses, and the age and history.   ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Disaster cleanup. Clutter and more

Disaster cleanup. Clutter and more

Disaster Clean Up.  What is that you ask.

Fire- Grease fire in the Kitchen. Embers from the fire place. Smoking in bed. Spontaneous combustion.
Water (flooding) Frozen water line to swamp cooler, water line to ice maker, cracked water line to other appliances. bathtub over flow. Toilet broken.
Smoke damage.  from fire place, neighbors fire. Burned toast
Anything unexpected that you need the experts to clean up. Water extraction and drying. Demo for water or Fire.  Pack out services. Content cleaning.

Clutter cleanup done the professionally... the right way. 
Tell your insurance provider you prefer  the best  ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake..801-506-0027   24/7  

Water extraction with the Claw

Water extraction with  the Claw

The Claw shown by ServiceMaster of Salt Lake   801-506-0027

One tool for water extraction from carpet  and padding.  High pressure suction pulls water out of floor surfaces.  

Clean and remove bad odor in your home.

Ozone treatment for bad odor

An ozone generator will not only remove pet odors but other troublesome odors caused by mold and mildew, fire, water damage and others. Ozone is considered "natures deodorant" and can get rid of many types of nasty smells

What does Ozone smell like..... think of after a rain & lightning storm..like pictured below.  That clean smelling fresh air that lingers.

When the odor problem is severe a professional will do what is known as a "shock treatment". A shock treatment will introduce a highly concentrated burst of ozone into a larger area. When a shock treatment is done people, pets, and even plants can not remain as the ozone in such high quantities can be a health hazard.  ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027                

In disaster restoration  services we will will use ozone treatment to remove odor for everything from clothes to furniture.  We even did our business neighbors truck..they had an employee who smoked in the truck, so you know it smelled like crap and you would not be able to breathe.  The new drivers could not use it because they could not breathe . They brought the truck over...we hooked up an ozone machine for a 6 hour cycle and  WOW, you could not detect any odor. 

ServiceMaster Salt Lake Fun facts about us...

ServiceMaster Salt Lake  Fun facts about us...

 ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Serving the Wasatch front

• The longest standing ServiceMASTER in the state with over 30 years of restoration experience
• 1 of 2 Master water Restorers in the state
• IICRC Certified Technicians that will save time and money
• 96 % Customer service rating is among the best in state

home floods and Air movers.

ServiceMaster of Salt Lake  801-506-0027

Air movers- what type to use.

What type of air movers should be used in a water loss?

Depending on your drying situations the requirements change. You need different amounts of airflow and pressure.  Because of the variety of situations encountered in restorative dying a range of air-mover types have been developed to suit each individual need.

Carpet Dryers (high velocity air movers) are the most common type

High Pressure (HP) carpet dryers are specialized carpet dryers, fitted with a higher horsepower motor. They are best used for powering for vent/manifold systems
Low pressure axial air-movers are specialized air movers used to move large volumes of air with low amp draw. They are used most often during in-place drying.

High pressure axial air-movers, commonly called ventilation fans, are used to move large volumes of air through duct work.

Inter-air drying systems are used to dry cavities such

Five Star Disaster cleanup

Five Star Disaster cleanup

Five Star Service

At ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake we are proud to provide  5 star service.   Call us in Salt Lake City  801-506-0027  serving the Wasatch front (and back)  for over 30 years

Fire

Smoke

Water

Carpet Wand make clean carpet

Carpet Wand make clean carpet

Carpet Wand

ServiceMASTER  of Salt Lake  uses the Carpet Wand

What makes our job easier makes your carpet cleaner.   The carpet wand, watch it in action in your home.

Clean, fresh carpets every time.

To set up a time to watch this tool in action... call- Salt Lake (Wasatch Front ) 801-506-0027 

Dehumidifiers, Air Scrubbers, Air Movers

Dehumidifiers, Air Scrubbers, Air Movers

Equipment used to safely and efficiently dry you home after a water loss or flood.  Equipment shown, ready to be placed at a flood we handled a few years back.

ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake   801-506-0027

Serving the Wasatch Front. We additionally and frequently service communities on the Wasatch back. 

Tools of the trade

Flood and mold in basement.

Flood in basement.

How deep was the water?  ServiceMaster of Salt Lake ; Ready to respond. Extract nay remaining  water, remove damaged content, remove mold ..... Don't wait to call and allow the mold to get as bad as in photo.. We can help prevent mold from spreading when responding right after the disaster.   801-506-0027 

What's in your Driveway? Water, Fire & smoke cleanup

What's in your Driveway?

Whats in your driveway?

After a flood or fire your daily routine can be upset and stressful. Let us help put you at ease, all our technicians are certified by  the IICRC in Disaster restoration.

Remember you always want to see the Yellow Van in your driveway for any Disaster Restoration   ServiceMASTER of Salt Lake 801-506-0027