The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has served as the Industry Guardian for the cleaning, inspection and restoration service industries for more than 30 years. As a non-profit certification organization, the IICRC helps ensure that you have access to trusted and trained cleaning professionals by establishing and monitoring certification programs and standards for these industries.

To qualify for IICRC-Certified Firm status businesses must demonstrate proof of insurance, maintain a written customer complaint policy with documented follow-up and provide ongoing education and training leading to certification for all technicians. IICRC Certified Firms are also required to abide by the IICRC Code of Ethics. Services provided by IICRC–Certified professionals range from flooring inspection and cleaning to mold remediation to water and fire damage restoration.

EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.

Nothing says “clean” quite like fresh carpets, spotless upholstery, and gleaming floors. Spring is the perfect time to clean your carpets. ServiceMaster South Shore works to your specifications and guarantees the job is done right or we do it over.

Click here for more Eastern MA carpet cleaning information or click here to schedule carpet cleaning services.

Cleaning your carpet deeply is a must from point to point. Most of the best carpet cleaning techniques are the pervue of professional carpet cleaning services. There are some really good home carpet cleaning machines that work well on smaller carpet areas or on rugs, but the professionals still have the ability to work on entire rooms efficiently and quickly.

Home carpet cleaners have two methods of use: using hot tap water combined with soap to get fibers clean or they use steam that is generated from the machine. In the carpet cleaning industry, there are a number of different types of methods used. These include dry foam extraction, dry absorbent compounds, extraction via hot water, as well as rotary bonnet and shampoo. They have different criteria to determine which method they use and the type of carpeting you have.

There are numerous ways to clean some carpets while with other carpeting there are only a few specific methods that are suitable. Wool rugs are a prime example of a carpet that can be cleaned in different ways because it is very resilient and can be cleaned effectively using either dry or wet techniques. Silk or Oriental rugs, on the other hand, have fewer options and aren’t as easily cleaned. The only options for these types of carpets is dry methods and these carpets should only be cleaned by a professional service.

Getting rid of stains, unwanted debris and dirt that’s ground in is the overall point to having a carpet cleaned. Picking the method by which that is accomplished is based on specific criteria based on rug type. Stains can really detract from your overall look in the house, and this is one area that can be handled by you if you know what to use. Carpet spots can be tricky, and you must take into account the age of your carpet as well as the color fast properties that it came with.

Determining what the stain is made of is the first step towards cleaning it. While you’ll want to hire a professional to give your carpet a thorough cleaning, getting out spots like permanent marker can be handled with over-the-counter spot removers and a bit of elbow grease. Keeping your home fresh and clean is the goal to having carpets cleaned. You want to remove stains which can be done on your own, and have your carpets cleaned professionally on as needed. In between you can vacuum and run a small cleaning unit so that your home has the look and feel of being cozy and luxurious simultaneously.

In order to know if there is anything salvageable you need to know what to look for where fire damage is concerned. Check the area for wetness before you turn on any electrical items. Many people neglect to look at the ceiling before they turn on their ceiling fixtures. Look for articles covered in soot. You should take extra care when touching such items as the soot can transfer to other objects and permeate your upholstery, leading to more damage.

It is very important that you do not eat any foods that were exposed to the smoke or fire as they can be very hazardous. Never use any electrical appliances if they have not been properly checked after they were exposed to water and/or fire. You do not want the items to short out when you turn them on and start another fire. It is also best to not attempt to clean the carpets and upholstery on your own unless you really know what you’re doing.

The best way to start the job is to use a brush vacuum to pick up any loose soot or fire debris from your furniture, curtains and carpets. Be sure to cover any of the heavy traffic areas so that you do not grind in the grime from the fire. Be sure to clean out your food from the refrigerator if you are without power so that you do not have spoiled food sitting in there growing bacteria and mold. Wipe down any surfaces that are not carpeted or upholstered to remove any soot or chemicals that were used to put the fire out. The residue can get etched in if left to sit for a lengthy amount of time.

One thing that many people overlook when they are cleaning up the mess is their house plants. They can be covered with soot and residue just as the rest of the house. Do not forget the filters in your home as well. They will need to be changed several times as the house is cleaned and the soot is stirred up in the air. If you really want the best job done on the fire clean up in your home then you should seek the advice of a professional company that is specifically trained in this type of work. They are equipped for such jobs and can do a thorough job, treating and cleaning the house on a professional level.

So how do you find the right water damage cleanup service in the Boston, South Shore and Cape Cod areas? There are a few things you should really be on the look out for when it comes to one of these services, one of them is that they do a thorough job. That means not only removing things like carpets, padding, furniture and the like, but also making sure to look for signs of mold and mildew. There are of course the obvious signs, a blackened area, a musty damp smell that makes you want to gag, but there are other areas where a homeowner may not think to look. Behind the walls and electrical outlets, in between the seams of walls and floors, and even sometimes, in the ceiling.

Another way they should do a thorough job is to make sure that no mold or mildew can grow or come back. Good water damage services use special sprays that have anti fungicides in them, and spray into all the cracks and crevices, along floors, and up walls, in order to curb the growth of mildew and mold spores. If this isn’t done, then even if they clean up the surfaces, mold will still be present deep withing the material and grow back.

You really need to also ask if the cover removal of water and sewer, and be able to take out any water damaged sheet rock, studs or floor joists, and repair this damage. A good service should be able to do these things properly, or at least be able to refer you to someone who can. You want a company that works in a fast, professional manner, and gets the job done right the first time.

While you want the job done right away, getting to rushed into finding a professional service isn’t always good. You need to check around, ask for their training and qualifications, references, and what all the services they provide. It isn’t enough just to ask for references, you need to actually call these people too. You can find out a lot about a company, just by talking to people who have used their services in the past.

Make sure that you find services that can come out and give you free estimates on the job. You want to find out how long it will take, what the precise charges are, and get this in writing.

Request Immediate Water Damage Cleanup Services From ServiceMaster South Shore Here

DOs

• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
• Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dryseparately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer use an air conditioner if available.

DON’Ts

• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
• Do not wait to call for professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.
• Do not use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not leave books, magazines, or any colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures (if ceiling is wet).
• Do not leave wet fabrics in place.

We have probably all encountered mold at one time or another. It might have been in the shower, or on a stale piece of bread or wet drywall. Mold is a microscopic life form found in all parts of the world. It is part of the natural decay process of organic materials. There are many different species of mold, and while they are diverse, they share some common characteristics:

Molds require an organic food source. The most common food source indoors is cellulose, which is found in building materials such as wood and drywall.

Molds require oxygen, so they do not grow under water.

Molds require moisture. To prevent mold, buildings must be kept dry.

Molds are spread by tiny particles called “spores.”

Why is it a problem?

The colored, fuzzy growth on the surface of a wall, floor, ceiling or other indoor surface is obviously very objectionable.

Active mold colonies usually emit a very unpleasant, musty odor.

Because the job of mold is to digest, decay and recycle dead organic matter, it will eventually destroy whatever surface it grows on.

Exposure to mold spores can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, depending on individual sensitivity.

• Blow off or brush vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
• Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
• If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner who specializes in smoke damage.
• Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
• Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
• Wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove smoke residue.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
• Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.

Important warning signs on smoke and fire damage

• Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again incorrect procedures could increase damage.
• Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
• Do not touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing further damage.
• Do not eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
• Do not wait to call for professional help.

Marlon tells us as a former Regional Manager with ServiceMaster Clean, he had the opportunity to work with independent business owners in developing succession plans, life and career goals, financial analysis reports, marketing plans and was responsible for assisting these businesses with day-to-day operations. He was also responsible for being a liaison between the ServiceMaster Clean franchises and our customers in property and casualty and commercial insurance industry, as well as risk management companies throughout the Northeast region.

Marlon Blanco’s Specialties:

Brand awareness, Contract negotiation, sales and marketing, Six-Sigma Green Belt.