Quick Serve Carpet Care Newsletter September 2005
Suds and Floods
New Orleans – Water Damage/Mold Issues
The latest news from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes the importance for all hurricane victims to protect their health and their families’ health. The EPA urges the use of appropriate protections during cleanup of flooded or contaminated areas. They stress that the key to mold control is moisture control. After the flood, remove standing water, dry indoor areas, and remove wet materials within 24-28 hours. Other concerns that the EPA has for all affected areas is the high levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the remaining flood water. The level of E. coli found in six different samples was substantially higher than the EPA’s recommended levels for contact.
If you would like to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, may we suggest?
Hurricane Katrina Donations –
The American Red Cross - www.redcross.org/donate
Habitat for Humanity - www.habitat.org/donation
Molds in the Environment
What are molds?
Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant or animal matter. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but the estimate ranges from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Most are filamentous organisms and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. These spores can be air-, water-, or insect-borne.
How do molds affect people?
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
Where are molds found?
Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers.
If you find mold in your home, how do you test the mold?
Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk: therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for it to be professionally removed.
Choosing a Carpet Care – Restoration Company
When choosing a carpet cleaning company or water damage/mold remediation service, here are some questions to consider:
Do they have good references?
Ask for more than just one or two.
What kind of experience do they have?
Look for a company that has been in business for a number of years. Ask if they are familiar with a variety of carpet and upholstery types.
Are the technicians certified in their field?
Make sure technicians are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). This organization is the world’s most recognized certification organization for carpet and upholstery cleaners and restoration technicians.
Is their work guaranteed?
Make sure the company you choose will do the work to your satisfaction. Ask if they will come back to your home if you are not satisfied.
One More Option – Thermal Imaging
Before you tear out your walls or cabinets looking for moisture or a leak, consider using a thermal imaging camera first.
What is infrared thermography?
Sir William Herschel, an astronomer, discovered infrared in 1800. Through experimentation with prisms, he found that the temperatures of different colors increased as he went from violet to red. He found that the hottest temperature was actually beyond red light. The radiation causing this heating was not visible. We now call this invisible radiation infrared. Thermography is the use of and infrared imaging and measurement camera to “see” and “measure” thermal energy emitted from an object. An infrared camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into an electric signal, which is then processed to produce a thermal image on a video monitor and perform temperature calculations.
Why you should consider using infrared thermography.
A picture is worth a thousand words; infrared thermography is the only diagnostic technology that lets you instantly visualize and verify thermal performance. The quick, accurate and quantifiable results you get from using an infrared camera are obtained with a completely noninvasive procedure. This can be a huge cost savings because no drywall, cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures or roofing tiles need to be removed in order to find the cause of damage.
We at Quick Serve now offer Infrared Thermograpy services though our ITC certified inspector. If you are interested in using this service or just have additional questions, please feel free to call our office at (951) 737-5558.
Better Vacuums Clean More Than Just Your Carpet
Is it time to replace your old vacuum? You might want to consider one of the newer high performance vacuum cleaners that have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality. Experts recommend that you vacuum your carpet twice a week to extend the life and look of your carpet. So using a better performing vacuum provides a greater return on your investment and ensures a healthier indoor environment. The Carpet and Rug Institute conducted its Green Label Testing Program on the latest vacuums. To qualify for the Green Label, vacuums were measured on three key performance factors:
- Soil Removal – The vacuum must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes.
- Dust Containment – The vacuum must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air.
- Carpet Appearance Retention – The vacuum should not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use.
Some of the best performers were:
Dirt Devil Platinum Force M091200
Hoover Breathe Easy U5256-900
Hoover Wind Tunnel Bagless U5720-900
Kirby G7D Diamond Edition w/Kirby Micron Magic HEPA filter
For a detailed list of CRI’s Green Label vacuum’s go to:
www.carpet-rug.org
The History of Tufted Carpet
Where and when did modern day carpet originate?
Although there is evidence of goat hair and sheep wool being spun and woven into rugs back in 6000BC, the modern day type of carpet called tufted carpet was introduced much later. The tufted carpet industry was born in Dalton, Georgia in the late 1800’s. The industry started in a simple way when a young woman, Catherine Evans Whitener, recreated a hand-made bedspread she had seen as a wedding present. The technique and overall appearance she used was very similar to those found in our modern day chenille bedspreads. The sewing process used was called “turfin” and the crafters were called “tufters”, this is how the name, Tufted Carpet, came about. In the early 1900’s the demand for her spreads increased to the point that nearly 10,000 area tufters, including many families, were employed to meet the demands. This income helped many area families survive the depression. By 1941, mats and rugs were created with the same process used in the mechanized tufting industry. From 1970 – 1995 the woven carpet production declined by 70% while tufted production increased by 300%. To this day, the Dalton area produces more than 70% of the total output of the world-wide industry of over $9 billion. Dalton is now known as the “Carpet Capital of the World”.
Money Saving Idea
Check your insurance policy.
If you have had your insurance rates raised recently, you might want to call your agent to see why. It is possible you have accidents or tickets charged against you that are not yours, especially if other family members have the same insurance agent that you do. Check your record at least once a year. The savings could be hundreds of dollars!
Quotable Quotes
“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.” – Anonymous
“If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” – Anonymous
“I am in shape…round is a shape.” – Anonymous
Health Tips
The juicy sweet orange is chock-full of skin-healthy, cold-fighting vitamin C, soluble and insoluble fiber, bioflavonoids, folate, and potassium. Consume one or more per day.
|
