Seriously? Flooding Again?!?!

Considering the extensive flooding occurring right now, it would be easy to curse the day your basement was born.

It’s a dank pit below your feet, in some cases constantly flooding, growing mold and smelling foul.  Condensation forms on pipes and walls, sump pumps get overwhelmed or fail and your precious belongings stored below get ruined….arrgh!

You may swear that you’ll never own a basement again.   BUT… consider the alternatives.  The grass is not necessarily greener without a basement.

Alternative #1 - Crawlspace: 

A crawlspace has all the same characteristics of a basement with 3-5 feet less ceiling height and possibly dirt floors.  Many a cold winter’s day have I spent on my belly crawling around dealing with moisture problems within these places, typically only suitable for raccoons and hobbits.  Utilities are irksome to access (like a broken pipe, electrical or HVAC system) and good luck replacing your furnace filter!  I don’t even want to get started about the all-around nastiness of sewage in a dirt-floor crawlspace.  

Alternative #2 – Concrete Slab: 

This should work, right?  No pit under your feet…what could go wrong? Many slab homes utilize concrete to install ductwork, water supply lines, drain lines and other utilities, but, much like utilities in any other home, these will fail or require maintenance.  Instead of walking into a basement or scooting into a crawlspace, you are bringing in a jack hammer, the whole time hoping you know exactly where the problem is and that the problem area isn’t under a wall or a cabinet. Not to mention, if a pipe above the slab were to break it just continues to spread horizontally into the living space, tainting kitchens and bathrooms.  Flood waters are often not covered under property insurance and falls under Category 3/black water due to all the fun pollutants it picks up along the way requiring all of the drywall and textiles to be removed that have been touched by the filth.  Hopefully the homeowner has thousands of dollars squirrelled away for such an occasion.

Alternative #3 – Learn to LOVE (or at least take care of) your basement:
Although I am not a fan of disaster proofing your home and taking every step of the building process to think “ok, what if I flood?,” there are materials such as fiber mat drywall, vinyl composite trim, nature stone floors that will help minimize damage.  A battery backup with check valve on your sump pump system is a great idea too. Simply put, build to code and mitigate damage quickly using certified professionals.

Mike’s Advice

Obviously my advice is to keep your basement.  Responsible ownership is the key. Think about what you keep and where you keep it. Plastic totes, pallets, or wood blocks minimize damage and make for easy cleanup. Finished areas need to consistently have a relative humidity below 60% with strong foundation walls and floors.  A drop ceiling is always a good idea vs. drywall; drop ceilings make for slick access to utilities and it is simple and inexpensive to replace damaged tiles.  If you are going to frame up and install drywall and insulation, build away from walls to allow the foundation to breathe. Keep in mind, though, with all due respect to the Transamerica pyramid, there are no disaster proof buildings, especially when it comes to water damage.

Don’t give up! Basements are still the best, as frustrating as they may be.  If managed carefully, (a big ‘if’) crawlspaces can be effective spaces for storage and access to the utilities. However, the addition of a basement is typically a better investment during new construction.

Mike Bowman is a Production Manager for PuroClean Professional Services in Brunswick, OH and is a Master Fire & Smoke Restorer, Water Restorer and Textile Cleaner having served North East Ohio for 12 years. He has been asked to speak about restoration for the Red Cross and has been an instructor for the TMC Group in both the United States and Canada. He can be reached at: mbowman@puroclean.com

Hilarious Solution to Flooding...Shove stuff in your sewers!!!

Look at this guy, trying to end flooding single handedly. While this is surely not the recommended action when heavy rains start hitting your neighborhood, I can definitely understand why this guy would go to such lengths to stop water from entering his home. Either way, it is an interesting tidbit.

PARMA, Ohio - A Parma man was arrested after police say he stuffed carpet into a sewer during Thursday night’s rain storm.

The incident happened in the 2700 block of Fortune Avenue in Parma when a neighbor confronted 56-year-old John Kish for blocking the sewer with pieces of carpet, police said.

The Parma Police Department said the neighbor told Kish he was going to take the carpet out of the sewer, but Kish said “Don’t, I’m locked and loaded.” The neighbor told police he believed Kish would shoot him.

We are hiring a production manager!

The Production Manager supervises disaster response and crisis management services to our customers and/or clients for property damage following water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold, biohazard, vandalism, and other disaster events. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Mitigation, Drying, Remediation, Demolition, Debris removal, Cleaning, Job Management, Documentation, Training and other duties and responsibilities as assigned. The Production Manager is a management position supervising Production Team Leaders and Field Technicians.

Competitive Base Salary (exempt) and bonus program available. Paid training, vacation, 401k, health benefits, company vehicle, and other benefits available to the qualified candidate.

Requirements:

3-5 Years experience as a Production Supervisor/Manager in the Insurance Restoration industry.
3-5 Years experience managing front-line field employees.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
High School Diploma and some college education. College Degree preferred.
Exceptional customer service skills.
Legally eligible to work in the United States.
Valid and clean driver’s license.
Must pass entrance and periodic drug screening, background checks, and DMV/driving record checks.

Mail resume to purocleanproservices@puroclean.com

http://www.purocleanproservices.com/

Widespread Flooding in Northeast Ohio

What to Do ... and Not to Do in a Water Emergency

Nation’s Experts Advise Property Owners How to Reduce Damage from Water-Related Emergencies

Cleveland, OH (Grassroots Newswire) March 4 2011 - According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage related incidents resulting from leaks and other “wet” mishaps are the No. 1 reason homeowners file claims with their insurance companies. Property owners can actually minimize damage and significantly reduce safety risks by following expert advice from PuroClean Professional Services, part of a leading national franchise that specializes in mitigation and restoration services for water, mold, fire, trauma events and other types of losses.
As the “Paramedics of Property Damage,” PuroClean Professional Services arrives at the scene of a loss and takes the necessary steps to bring the situation under control, preventing it from becoming worse, and finally providing restoration services to help put the property back to pre-loss condition.
“No one thinks that a water damage crisis could ever happen to them, but the unfortunate truth is that every American is impacted by water damage at some point in their life,” said Emilio Soli, owner of PuroClean Professional Services.  “Most people don’t realize the magnitude of a water-related disaster, and that there are actually some measures they can take themselves before we arrive to protect themselves and their property from further loss.”
To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean Professional Services are en route, Soli suggests property owners follow these guidelines:
-  Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting the saturated area.
-  Wipe furniture to remove excess water
-  Place Aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet.
-  Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying
-  Lift drapes off flooring, loop through a coat hanger and hang on curtain rod
-  Remove wet area rugs
-  Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer
-  Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place
-  Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying
-  Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
-  Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature
-  Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water
-  Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances
Do Not
-  Use your household vacuum to remove the excess water
-  Use electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpets
-  Enter a room where electrical cords are in water
-  Wait to call for professional help. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur
Services provided by PuroClean Professional Services include water damage restoration, odor control, fire and smoke restoration, sewage clean-ups, debris removal, water extraction, sanitization, crawl space drying, trauma restoration, emergency board-ups, structural drying, wind damage, disinfecting, mold removal and basement drying.
PuroClean’s technology allows people to repair their homes and regain their lives after a disaster. Quickly providing the insurance community and property owners with disaster restoration and mitigation services, PuroClean minimizes loss and prevents additional damage from mold, soot, smoke and odors to structure and contents. 

Reduce your losses.

Home owners suffering from water damage are faced with an extremely stressful experience. PuroClean Professional Services, part of the nation’s fastest growing property damage remediation franchise, is prepared to immediately restore property, relieving the stress of  property owners during an extremely vulnerable time.

Water loss and damage is a real threat for property owners. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in the last year, 22 per 1,000 households have entered a claim for water related damage.  "These situations are more common than most people think," said Emilio Soli, owner of PuroClean Professional Services.  "Water damage can often result from weather, such as storms or melting snow, or more often, from common household malfunctions such as pipe leaks, washing machine malfunctions or other plumbing problems."
To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean Professional Services are en route, Soli suggests property owners follow these guidelines:
Insurance
o Call your agent.
o Take photographs of the damage.
o Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.
Plumbing
o Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.
o If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.
Roofing
o If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is, too.
o If only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a garbage bag.
o If you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer immediately.
Electric
o Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.
o Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.
o Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.
o If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.
o Avoid fallen and dangling wires or metal fences.
o If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.
o If a fallen limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility, but you should not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician.
Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)
o Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.
o Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.
o Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.
Miscellaneous
o Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.
o Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.
o Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.
o Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
o Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
o Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.
o Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.

866-944-PURO (7876)

Cleveland Area Restoration Company Teaches You To Avoid Water Damage

Cleveland Area Service Firm Is Hiring NOW

WANTED: Business Development Associates!

Responsible for marketing to local trade professionals. Email resume to PuroCleanProServices@PuroClean.com if interested.

REQUIREMENTS:
- 3-5 years experience marketing to licensed trade professionals (plumbers, general contractors, real-estate agents, etc).
- Established relationships with local trade professionals.
BENEFITS:
- Paid vacation, health benefits, 401k 

 

Wanted: Field Technicians

Overview: The Production Team Leader provides disaster cleanup services following water, fire/smoke, mold, biohazard, and other property damages. Responsibilities include: Cleaning, drying, remediation, demolition, job management, etc.

Requirements: Background and driving record checks. Strong communication skills.
Benefits: Paid training, paid vacation, health benefits, 401k. 

Contact us at PuroCleanProServices@puroclean.com

Death by Paint

Cleveland, Ohio (Grassroots Newswire) January 20th, 2011 -- Local residents who have homes that were built in 1978 or before should know that all professionals working on renovation, repair, and painting in their homes are now required, by law, to test for the presence of lead-based paint in the areas in which they are going to work.  If it is present, then the businesses must abide by lead safety measures outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
Under the rule, which went into effect on April 22, 2010, businesses performing such work are required to:

• Receive the necessary training and certification from an EPA-accredited training provider for Lead Safe Work Practices, and then be approved by the EPA as a Certified Renovation Firm.
• Provide consumers or tenants with the EPA pamphlet "Renovate Right" prior to the start of any project.
• Maintain records documenting that the required information has been provided at each project subject to the rule and assign a Certified Renovator to oversee each project.
• Ensure that lead-safe work practices are used throughout the project.
• Ensure that the required standard of cleanliness is met at the conclusion of the project.

By adhering to the EPA standards, specialists, such as those at PuroClean Professional Services, decrease the possibility of exposing both homeowners and their own technicians to lead and lead dust.
"Lead poisoning is a serious medical issue and can affect children and adults. This new rule significantly changes the way in which many companies will approach restoration and remediation projects in the future. Fortunately, PuroClean always focuses on health and safety issues for their employees and occupants and typically exceeds the basic safety requirements of the new RRP rule," said Mark Widener, Production Manager of PuroClean Professional Services
All restoration contractors, painters, plumbers, property managers and anyone receiving compensation for renovating, repairing and painting work in residences built before 1978 that disturbs painted surfaces are subject to the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.
Also affected by the RRP are those performing similar work on facilities, such as schools and day-care centers built prior to 1978, that are occupied by children less than six years of age, according to Widener.
"This rule supports the EPA's goal to protect children and adults from the hazards of lead-based paint," Widener added. "Residents in the Cleveland area who live in homes built in 1978 or before should remember that if they have work done, whether it's emergency restoration or routine maintenance, they should ask for proof of certification from their contractors before work begins. They should also ask for the required educational pamphlet, 'The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right'."
PuroClean Professional Services specializes in property emergency services. PuroClean-certified technicians help families and businesses overcome the devastating aftermath of property damage caused by water, fire, mold and other conditions, according to Widener.
For more information about PuroClean Professional Services, please contact Mark Widener at 866-944-7876. For more information about the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, please visit http://www.epa.gov/leadwww.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).

Be Careful - Be Thoughtful

As winter weather sets in, and cold temperatures cause water to freeze and expand, homeowners are at a risk of damage from frozen pipes. Whether a pipe is plastic or metal, it cannot withstand the pressure caused by the expansion of freezing water.

According to the American Red Cross, pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to the severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Pipe freezing is a particular problem in warmer regions where pipes often run through uninsulated or underinsulated attics or crawl spaces.
PuroClean, known as “The Paramedics of Property Damage,” is a professional mitigation company specializing in property restoration and responding to water damage emergencies that can be caused by frozen pipes.  Emilio Soli, owner of PuroClean Pro Service serving Northeast Ohio, says, “This time of year, we experience an increased number of property emergencies due to frozen pipes.”
To help property owners reduce the risk of frozen pipes, Soli provides property owners with the following tips:
-  Make sure all pipes in unheated areas are insulated
-  When it is extremely cold outside, let cold water drip from the faucet because running a small amount of water helps prevent pipes from freezing
-  Keep the heat on if you are going away during cold weather
-  Keep the thermostat set at the same temperature both during day and night
-  Add insulation to basements, attics and garages to maintain higher temperatures
About PuroClean
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of more than 300 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean certified technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. Last year, PuroClean trained more than 10,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits.  For more information on PuroClean, please contact Emilio Soli at 866-944-PURO (7876) or visit purocleanproservices.com.

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