Posts Tagged ‘SuperRestoration.com’

Air Purifying in Offices

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Ozone, a gas composed of three oxygen atoms bonded together, has been protecting us from harmful ultraviolet light generated by the sun for the last 600 million years. Indeed, the human-generated holes in the stratospheric ozone layer are a leading concern for the EPA, which has banned substances and adopted the Montreal Protocol to protect what is left of the ozone layer. The goal of this treaty is to, in time, restore the protective layer of ozone in the atmosphere; the holes are even now showing signs of closure, though it will take years to complete the restoration.

Not all Ozone is good, though. Ground level ozone, when combined with volatile organic compounds, such as those found in gasoline and paints, and nitrogen oxides released through the burning of fossil fuels creates smog, a pollutant known to cause serious health problems. As smog levels rise in cities across the world, hospitals are seeing increased complaints of lung irritation, wheezing, coughing, and painful breathing, all symptoms directly related to the inhalation of ozone and smog. The Great Smog of 1952 killed, directly or indirectly, over 11,000 Londoners. This lead to Parliament’s passage of Clean Air Act is to reduce pollution, making London’s famous “pea soupers” a thing of the past.

While great strides have been made to protect the public from ground level ozone and smog, more needs to be done. Indoor exposure to ozone gas can, according to the EPA, reach 100 times outdoor levels. New studies show, too, that chemical compounds on a person’s skin can react with ozone in the atmosphere around it, releasing chemical byproducts that may be harmful to humans. In an office environment this is an especially pressing concern, as a major source of ozone is office equipment running on electrical or chemical processes, such as copiers and laser printers.

There are, though, ways to reduce office ozone levels; some business machines can be equipped with ozone filters to reduce the levels of gas emitted, and services exist to purify the air in businesses currently experiencing problems. Investing in one of these options is a great way to ensure a healthy, productive workforce for the future.

Rene Vargas
www.SuperRestoration.com
1 800 516 8059
rene@superrestoration.com

FIRE DAMAGE – THE IMPORTANCE OF SMOKE AND SOOT REMOVAL

Friday, November 27th, 2009

The devastating affects of a fire can linger on as residual smoke and soot continue to damage a home or business. Even if the physical damage is minor, smoke and soot damage can render the property uninhabitable. Smoke and soot not only cause odor, but they can fill the air with small particles making it difficult and dangerous to breathe. They will also travel and penetrate other rooms affecting paint, drywall, carpet, upholstery, clothing and any other personal belongings. They may even react with metal components of the house such as wiring or steel supports causing damage requiring extensive repair for many years after the fire.

It is critical to have professionally trained technicians at the location of the fire as soon as possible for several reasons. Initially, the technicians will assess the damage. Understanding the type of smoke and how it travels is an important step in the restoration process. Knowing the type of fire also helps determine the best process to restore your home or business. Determining the extent of the damage as well as the best methods for restoration is a careful process. Improper clean up can cause permanent staining and greater damage to the property. Carefully trained technicians will also consider all options for physical repair of the property when choosing the most ideal restoration method.

Two Types of Fire:

Simple – fueled by pure fuels, generally result in complete combustion.
Complex – most common in house fires, fueled by synthetic materials in carpets, furniture, wiring, etc. generally resulting in incomplete combustion and the cause of soot.

How Smoke Travels:

Smoke will move to cooler areas and rises to the upper levels of a structure.
Smoke will flow through plumbing systems, using holes around the pipes to move from one floor to another.

Types of Smoke and Soot:

Dry – burns quickly and at high temperatures.
Wet – smolders and burns at low temperatures, pungent odor, sticky.
Protein – practically invisible, will discolor paint and varnish, has a very pungent odor.
Fuel Oil Soot – caused by furnace puff backs.
Other – tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue.

Super Restoration has served the South Florida area for 25 years using specialized techniques and equipment for smoke and soot mitigation. We pride ourselves in our unique ability to act quickly and thoroughly to restore your home or business to a clean and safe environment. Super Restoration is licensed and bonded and equipped to make necessary repairs, using the best methods available for emergency smoke and soot removal. We provide the best service available in the South Florida area and are available to help you with your emergency restoration needs. Call us today!

Rene Vargas
www.SuperRestoration.com
1 800 516 8059
rene@superrestoration.com

The Importance of Quickly Correcting Water Damage in Your Home or Apartment

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

We have all been there. A leak above the ceiling drips down behind the wall. A toilet overflows due to a plumbing problem. A leaky roof allows water into the home. There are so many problems that can be caused by water damage. Many people will allow these problems to go unchecked.

Fixing water damage is about much more than just drying. Water damage can destroy electronics. It can weaken or damage structural components on a building. It can cause deadly black mold, which is known for making people sick. Black mold is also particularly devastating to small children and the elderly. Water is great when you are taking a shower or staying hydrated, but when it is on the loose in your home, it is a veritable crisis.

Floods and torrential storms can cause serious problems. They are the undeniable kings of water damage disasters. You may feel like there is no hope, but that is not true. There are many procedures that a professional could employ in order to restore many of your possessions to good and safe use. Even wet electronics can be saved. If mold is building, there are procedures to stop and remove the contamination. This can save the lives of family members.

A leak from a shower can critically damage the structure nearby. A structural failing in a home can be seriously devastating. If you own your own home, you don’t want a minor leak to do significant damage to the resale value of your building. This is why you want to take care of a problem like this immediately. As the water sits, damage to the materials advances. Mold will form. Even minor leaks like this require expert help that specializes in the removal of water from the damaged area. Microbial remediation is a process that takes care to remove any contaminant which is taking advantage of this moist atmosphere to set up an attack position in your home.

If your electronics have been damaged by water, it is critical to get water extraction help as soon as you can from a company like Super Restoration. Do not turn the device on until this type of expertise has been applied. Electronics which are not receiving electrical power can often be dried and saved. This can save serious money that would otherwise have gone to replacing these valuable items.

Mitigating the damage caused by water leaks, spills, and floods is a vital part of ensuring a safe place to live. Homeowners need to protect the value of their investment by making certain that water damage does not spread to a variety of points in their home. The structure of the home must be protected. Those who live in apartments need to protect each other from the dangerous effects of mold and mildew. Growth of such things can cause serious health problems. However you look at it, water damage is a serious issue that must be professionally handled by a company like Super Restoration. There is no time to waste. If there might be water damage in the home, experts must be employed to remove the moisture and its effects quickly.

Thank you, stay safe!

Rene Vargas
www.SuperRestoration.com
1 800 516 8059
rene@superrestoration.com