Feed: Maine Cleaning Services Articles - AggScore: 50.1

Have clean carpets & air duct systems before the holidays and a long Maine winter.

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We are more busy than ever with carpet cleaning & air duct cleanings. Call us to schedule a cleaning before Winter forces all of us inside. Indoor air quality can drastically suffer with pollutants trapped in our carpets and air ducts. We are Maine's first choice for specialized cleaning & remediation projects.  Mention this posting and receive 10% off your service.

Air Duct Cleaning Services

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Do you or a family member have allergies?  How is your indoor air quality?  As the season for furnaces appraoches it is a great time to have your air duct system inspected and cleaned.  Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!

5% Off All Carpet Cleaning , Mold Removal & Duct Cleaning Services September & October!

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During the months of September & October we will be offering 5% off all services to new customers. If you need your carpets cleaned, air duct systems cleaned or if you require mold remediation services call today to take advantage of these savings.

What is the best tile cleaning method for my tile floors in Maine?

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 Tile cleaners are a dime a dozen and different tile care methods are almost as common. How do you know which method is best for healthy homes & clean floors? This is a topic of great debate. Read below to gain a better understanding of the different methods & principles.

When talking about cleaning tile floors in Maine it is important to understand that removing soil & grime is the objective. We all want clean healthy floors that offer an inviting appearance to the room. There are many ways to get the desired result. You can do it yourself using a rented machine, you can hire a professional floor cleaning firm or you can try a home tile cleaning machine. Each method has it‘s place. Let’s explore each option below in a little more detail.

The do it yourself tile cleaning option.
Whether talking about a rental machine or a home floor cleaner, doing it yourself is a cost effective option for cleaner floors. If tile & grout is lightly soiled and you have some experience you can most likely achieve good results doing it alone. Be very careful with any system to use the correct PH cleaning chemistry for your floors. You can easily damage your tile & grout if the wrong approach is used. Be extra careful when cleaning travertine, marble, limestone or granite. Done properly you can save a lot of money doing tile cleaning yourself. Done wrong it can be very costly!

The option of hiring a professional tile cleaner.
When hiring a professional tile cleaning firm in Maine always check their references, check the Better Business Bureau & check to be sure they are IICRC certified.

“Steam cleaning” or hot water extraction.
The use of a truck mounted extraction system is best in most cases. We utilize a dome shaped unit that blast and rinses the tile and removes all soils and water when done. This method uses high pressure and green cleaning agents to achieve fast results and clean floors.

Cleaning chemistry
This is a very important topic for several reasons. First your tile warranty may not allow a cleaning agent with the wrong ph to be used or it may void the warranty. Granite should be cleaned with slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline cleaning agents and marble, travertine, & limestone should only be cleaned with neutral or slightly alkaline cleaning agents. SEVERE damage can occur with the wrong approach. Many companies do not realize this fact. Second the last thing you want is unsafe chemicals to be used in your home. Ask your cleaning company or rental company for a copy of the MSDS sheet and ask for green products to be used whenever possible.

Summary
Whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional you need to do your home work. Learn the various products and methods required for the job. Find out your floorings warranty requirements. Compare cost of doing it yourself vs. hiring a cleaning firm. And be sure to take steps to keep your floors cleaner in the future. Regular cleaning can extend your floors life for many more years. The IICRC can provide you with a qualified firm in your area. I hope this article has been a help in getting and keeping clean tile floors.

Things You Need To Know About Carpet Cleaning In Commercial Buildings In Maine?

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Commercial carpets require special care when cleaned. When looking for the right company to service your flooring you need the best price, quality & service. The wrong cleaning company can void your warranty, cause indoor air quality problems & damage contents. Read below to get better informed on what to look for in a firm.

What to look for in a firm
When selecting a carpet cleaning company for your commercial or municipal building in Maine. There a several things to look for in a company. The first thing is experience. Some of the problems that we frequently see when proper steps are not taken are strong odors from over soaked carpet, bubbling of the carpet that does not recede within 48 hours, rapid re-soiling of olefin carpet, damaged furniture from lack of protection and inconsistent cleaning results. Many manufacturers are now requiring companies to be IICRC certified firms for warranty to stay in place.

Why wont any carpet cleaner be good enough?
Commercial buildings & carpet construction vary drastically from residential homes in Maine. If a building or floor is completely carpeted after the carpet cleaning is performed there is a tremendous amount of water vapor added to the air. This water & vapor needs to be controlled and minimized to prevent odors, damage, slip hazards, & mold. The first and most important factor is the training of the technician. A properly trained and qualified technician can use almost any equipment and achieve great results. An improperly trained technician can use the best equipment and get very poor results.

What must a carpet cleaner know about commercial carpet?
The next issue is chemistry and fiber identification. They need to understand the requirements of the textile (PH, drying requirements, properties & temperature limits) and limitations of the carpet cleaning agent. We have seen thousands of dollars of commercial carpet ruined by well intentioned companies. Most commercial carpeting is olefin & or nylon, often a low pile (indoor outdoor style) berber construction. These are pretty forgiving fibers to clean when cleaned properly. However there are many challenges for the cleaning technician. A higher PH cleaning agent is often needed to clean commercial carpets due to the type of soiling and its ability to stick to oily soils. Also green cleaning products should always be considered for the benefit of the employees, customers & the environment.

What criteria should they meet?
A commercial carpet cleaning company in Maine should have at least 1 million in general liability insurance, should be an IICRC certified firm and should offer free spot removal if spots return. The Better Business Bureau & Angie’s list are a good resource to find a good contractor. You should ask the contractor for their IICRC card and find out how they plan on handling your unique cleaning needs. Our company Octagon Cleaning & Restoration can provide a free estimate if you are in Southern or Central Maine.

In Summary
Prices, procedures, professionalism, guaranteed & reputations vary drastically. Do your home work and pick an experienced company that can meet your standards of care. There are a lot of great companies out there and I hope this article has been useful in your quest to find the right contractor. Good Luck.

What is the best carpet cleaning method for my carpets in Maine?

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Carpet cleaners are a dime a dozen and different cleaning methods are almost as common. How do you know which method is best for healthy homes & clean carpets? This is a topic of great debate. Read below to gain a better understanding of the different methods & principles.

When talking about cleaning carpets in Maine it is important to understand that removing soil & pollutants is the objective. We all want clean healthy carpets that offer an inviting appearance to the room. There are many ways to get the desired result. You can do it yourself using a rented machine, you can hire a professional carpet cleaning firm or you can try a home carpet cleaning machine. Each method has it‘s place. Let’s explore each option below in a littlemore detail.

The do it yourself carpet cleaning option.

Whether talking about a rental machine or a home carpet cleaner, doing it yourself is a cost effective option for cleaner carpets. If carpets are lightly soiled and you have some experience you can most likely achieve good results doing it alone. I would recommend picking up a steam extractor from an industrial rental supply store for the best results. Be very careful with any system not to over wet the carpets and to use the correct PH cleaning chemistry for your carpets. You can easily damage your carpet if the wrong approach is used and if carpets are not dried quickly. As a rule you should pre-spray the carpets with a good pre-conditioner and have a rinse solution in the water supply to remove residue when extracting. A neutral PH or slightly alkaline is best followed by an acidic rinse There are a growing number of encapsulating products out there that are great for cleaning up carpet and removing spots effectively. Done properly you can save a lot of money doing carpet cleaning yourself. Done wrong it can be very costly!

The option of hiring a professional carpet cleaner.

When hiring a professional carpet cleaning firm in Maine always check their references, check the Better Business Bureau & check to be sure they are IICRC certified. There are several recognized methods of carpet care. They can include steam cleaning (hot water extraction), absorbent pad, dry foam cleaning & dry compound cleaning. Our company has used all of these methods over the years and they all have a place. Most customers, professionals and carpet manufacturers however view hot water extraction to be the best method for restorative cleaning. Let’s explore the reasons why.

 

“Steam cleaning” or hot water extraction.

Hot water extraction is the correct technical term, not steam cleaning. Actual steam is not used at all. A hot water solution (around 200-230 degrees) is produced and immediately recovered, creating a "flushing" action on the carpet. There are many variations of hot water extraction. From the powerful truck-mounted machine down to the portable machine rented from the grocery store. However, the biggest and most important difference is in the person cleaning the carpet. A trained technician will know what pressure to use, what cleaning agents to use, and how to get maximum soil removal and maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. The horror stories of carpet being wet for days is due to technician error, not due to "steam" or "hot water extraction". Hot Water Extraction done properly will remove more soil than any other method.

 

Cleaning chemistry

This is a very important topic for several reasons. First your carpet warranty may not allow a cleaning agent over 9.5 ph to be used or it may void the warranty. Many companies do not realize this fact. Second the last thing you want is unsafe chemicals to be used in your home. Ask your cleaning company or rental company for a copy of the MSDS sheet and ask for green products to be used whenever possible.

 

Summary

Whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional you need to do your home work. Learn the various products and methods required for the job. Find out your floorings warranty requirements. Compare cost of doing it yourself vs. hiring a carpet cleaning firm. And be sure to take steps to keep your carpet clean in the future. Regular vacuuming can extend your carpets life for many more years. The IICRC can provide you with a qualified firm in your area. I hope this article has been a help in getting and keeping clean carpets.

 

　

　

 

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Things You Need To Know About Mold In Foreclosed Homes In Maine.

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There are no shortage of foreclosed homes in Maine. These homes can provide great opportunity for savvy investors. They can also provide great ammunition for lawyers if problems like mold and water damage are not properly addressed and disclosed. Read below for an overview of how many investors have addressed this serious issue in Maine.

Understanding The Problem.
Many foreclosures in Maine are vacated without winterization leading to burst pipes, many are left without power and the sump pump cannot remove ground water & many just have excessive condensation. All of these can lead to serious mold problems and can be a major liability if not properly handled.

Why Should I Hire A Professional Instead Of Handling It Myself.
This is a great question and in Maine mold remediation is loosely regulated allowing anyone to throw a mold remediation hat on. First the cost to properly remove & treat for mold is high no matter who handles it. High capacity dehumidifiers and negative air machines must be used either way and can cost as much as dollarsignr100.00 per day per unit, special HEPA vacuums are costly to buy and maintain and the biggest cost is labor which is very easy to under estimate unless you have completed hundreds of projects. I cannot express how many jobs we have seen where a house was gutted and refinished by an investor only to have a new buyer come in and test for mold, find mold and require re-gutting of the entire house to clean framing and sheathing properly. It is usually less costly to have a competent firm remove mold and pass an air quality test than trying to do it yourself because of equipment rental fees, specialized cleaning needs & training.

Testing The Property For Mold
Third party testing is always a good idea. This releases liability from the investor or bank, proves by an unbiased party that the job was completed properly, and documents conditions through scientific means. This greatly reduces liability and makes the property much more saleable! Beware there are several mold removal companies in Maine that do their own testing or own a separate company that does their testing. You can easily get in trouble this way because it will not hold up in court. Also often the recommendations are way over the top and they could easily soft ball their own results. This is a very dangerous approach and you should run away from these firms as fast as you can.

Who Should I Choose
A mold remediation firm in Maine should be IICRC certified, a licensed Master applicator for biocide & fungicide applications, warranty their work at least 3-5 years, have contractors liability & pollution coverage and should a member of the Better Business Bureau or at least have good references and ratings. Franchises are often like comparing a McDonalds to a fine restaurant in terms of quality and workmanship. There are some good ones and some bad ones. Independent companies can usually be your best bet IF they are qualified and experienced in their trade. In Maine our company Octagon Cleaning & Restoration specializes in Mold removal in vacant or foreclosed homes and we are happy to serve you if needed. Angie’s list can also be a good resource.

Summary
In summary, foreclosures in Maine are a growing opportunity and can be very lucrative. When mold or water damage is a concern you may be able to handle the project yourself but you most likely will benefit by hiring a professional to handle the job from a liability perspective. Most good companies should offer free estimates & inspections. I hope this article has been a benefit to you and good luck with your next project.

What is the big deal about mold removal and mold clean up in Maine?

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Is mold really dangerous in the indoor environment? Can mold affect my families health? What laws govern mold removal or clean up in Maine? Why is mold removal so expensive? Why can’t I just kill mold with chemicals? Read below for a more detailed look at some of these issues.

Mold in the outdoor environment is perfectly normal is part of a healthy eco system. Mold such as basidiospore’s help degrade leaves, plants and other dead organic matter. Indoor mold such as penicillium or aspergillus are typically not found outdoors in Maine. These are water damage indicating fungi that can pose a major health problem in high quantities indoors. The best remedy for mold control is moisture control! NO MOISTURE = NO MOLD! When you see mold present indoors it means there is either an old or ongoing moisture issue. Either way the mold needs to be addressed. Small areas are relatively easy to handle and often just need a simple cleaning or removal of affected materials. Large areas of contamination usually require special controls and procedures to properly remove mold.

Most people with small or short term exposures to mold do not have anything more than sniffles or irritation of their sinuses like any other allergy. Some of the health risks associated with more serious exposures can include chronic respiratory symptoms, headaches, asthmatic symptoms and even skin rashes. Children, the elderly & immune compromised people are at greater risk. When dealing with these more high risk individuals or serious mold problems you should consider seeking professional help.

If you do seek professional help be cautious in Maine and many other states. Little or no regulations protect Maine citizens from unqualified contractors. You should seek firms that are certified through IICRC in Applied Microbial Remediation, that are licensed Maine master applicators and that carry appropriate liability and pollution insurance. The better business bureau & Angie’s list are also a good bet .

The reason mold clean up is so expensive in many cases is due to the nature of the organism. Mold is a microscopic organism. Millions of spores can be present on a surface and not be visible to the naked eye. Mold cannot simply be fogged or killed with chemicals. It must be removed! Mold can be just as dangerous as an allergen dead as it is alive. Mold can be removed through filtration machines for airborne mold, with HEPA vacuums for mold spores on a surface and damp wiping repeatedly after HEPA vacuuming on surfaces. When mold is present on structural framing it must be aggressively removed with wire brushes, dry ice or soda blasting followed by thorough cleaning. The workspace should always be contained and placed under negative pressure to prevent mold spores from spreading to other areas. Mold spores can sit airborne for 6-8 hours after disturbance so controlling airflow is critical while completing work.

I hope this article has been a help in understanding some of the issues surrounding remediation of mold in Maine. If you live in Southern , Central or Western Maine feel free to contact us for a free inspection. We are glad to help. Otherwise the resources listed above are a good bet for finding a contractor.

Do You Need Expert Carpet Cleaning Services In Maine

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Carpets can be a beautiful addition to your homes flooring. However they can also be an eye sore, a source of contaminants and a major indoor air quality hazard when not maintained by a professional. So how do you choose the right carpet care company for your home or business?

The first thing to consider is the methods the carpet cleaner will be using. Most experts agree that a truck or van powered extraction unit is the best tool for thorough extraction and soil removal. But equally important is the experience and training of the technician performing the cleaning. The technician should be IICRC certified in carpet cleaning and the company should be an IICRC certified firm. This is imperitive if your carpet has a warranty through Shaw or Mohawk. They require firms and technician to be certified for their warranty. Also check your local Better Business Bureau, Angies list and ask for references.

Next lets discuss the process. One of the first things carpet cleaners should do once on site is to identify the carpet fibers. They will most likely be nylon, polyester or polypropelene (olefin). These are durable fibers that clean up very nicely in most cases with the proper system of chemistry and equipment. The carpet could also be wool. Although wool makes up only a small percent of carpet out there it is very expensive and requires very special care. I have seen untrained carpet cleaners burn holes in wool using the same chemistry that would work great on nylon.

The carpet should then be thoroughly vacuumed before any moisture is applied (this is crucial). If this is not done the preconditioner will emulsify or dissolve the otherwise easily removable soils. Once the vacuuming is performed the next step is to apply the preconditioner to the entire carpet (not just traffic lanes) and let it sit for usually at least 15 minutes. The preconditioner is one of the most important steps taken. I would compare it to the soap in a load of laundry, it breaks down all of the grease and grime. This is an area where technicians cannot cut corners the product should be certified by the Carpet & Rug Institute for the carpet fiber to be cleaned.

The next step is to begin extraction using a high powered hot water (200+ degrees) extraction system. This literally flushes the carpet pile and removes the dirt and grime to the waste tank which sits in the van. The carpet should be rinsed with an acid rinse solution at around 5-6ph. This is usually mixed with the heated water in the van. This step is also critical to completely remove detergent residues and to leave the carpet fibers "slightly" acidic. Carpet will stay clean longer and resist wear if left at this ph after cleaning.

Furniture should be moved, carpet should be cleaned underneath and furniture should be reset with foam blocks or plastic tabs to protect the carpet and furniture after cleaning. The technician must make dry passes to expedite the drying of the carpet. If carpet is not dried properly many issues can arise such as rapid resoiling, delamination, bacteria development, mold and odors. Carpet should be dry normally in 2-6 hours and never longer than 12-24 hours. The dry time will depend on the level of soiling (more requires more moisture), outside conditions, equipment used, and technician care. In Maine where we are based weather has a major influence on dry times. High speed air movers can greatly expidite drying.

In summary carpet cleaners are a dime a dozen. A good reputable carpet cleaner that stands behind their work takes some research so do your homework. There are many good ones out there and when you find one keep them! I hope this article helps you in your quest.

Water Damage Restoration

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Restoration
Professional restoration occurs in three phases, which conform to the industry's Water Damage Restoration Standard and Reference Guide, S500.

Containment:
First comes all those reasonable and prudent steps required to contain the damage and protect occupants. Containment or "loss mitigation" considerably reduces costs as well, regardless of whether or not insurance coverage exists. Then, the restoration effort stops.

Coordination:
No further work is performed until the job scope is completed, costs are calculated, and coordination with responsible parties is made. Your questions are answered and insurance coverage is confirmed. With proper coordination by conscientious restorers, there should never be surprises about who is responsible for payment. Estimates are produced using Xactimate. Our documentation is very thorough and full documentation including moisture readings and digital photos are available at any time.

Completion:
Now our restoration technicians can take all the steps required to return the structure and contents to a pre-loss condition. Communication and coordination is maintained with you and your insurer throughout the entire process.

Guarantee:
As professional restorers, we guarantee our services to be timely and technically accurate, while conforming to health and safety needs as well. All of our workmanship is guaranteed for a full 5 years. We will NOT perform any services without prior confirmation. We work with all parties involved and strive to make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved.

Water Damage Tips

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Water Damage Tips
Of the many types of disasters, water damage escalates the most rapidly in cost and potential hazards. Rapid response is critical! Not just to avoid increased property damage, but more importantly to avoid safety and health hazards.

Within minutes...
Water spreads quickly to additional areas, rapidly increasing the scope and cost of the loss. Stains from furniture can dye carpet permanently. Paper goods are ruined by moisture absorption, swelling and warping.

Within hours...
Furniture in direct contact with water swells or splits. Drywall swells and disintegrates; paneling warps. Odor becomes apparent.

Within days...
Mold appears, along with the characteristic "musty" odor. Sensitive internal components in pianos and organs swell and malfunction with elevated humidity. Metal surfaces begin to rust. Doors and window casings swell and distort or delaminate. Wood decking, joists and studs begin to swell, warp and split. Electronic components malfunction due to moisture condensation. Allergic reactions escalate.

Within weeks...
Mold discolors and destroys organic materials (jute backings, paper coverings on drywall, paneling, wood). Structural wood warps and splits, while chemicals in wood dissolve and discolor or destroy finishes. Costs escalate dramatically as the requirement for gutting the structure and replacing components becomes necessary. Health hazards abound. Building Occupants may be required to vacate their property due to safety and health hazards. Children & the elderly are at heightened risk due to weaker immune systems.

How to Select a Mold Contractor

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How To Select A Mold Contractor

Mold in the indoor environment can be a major health hazard. If you are the victim of water or mold damage you should consider these factors. First of all determine if you need professional help with your water or mold damage. Clean water if dealt with & dried quickly will not result in mold growth. Left untreated the results can be disastrous. If mold is growing on a shower or counter top a mild detergent is all that is likely required. However if mold is growing on drywall, plaster, wood or carpet you should consult a professional for advise. Read on for a more detailed guide to dealing with mold remediation firms.

Make certain the contractor is qualified and up to date on current protocols. The contractor should be IICRC certified in Applied Microbial Remediation, licensed if required, should have general liability as well as pollution insurance. (regular liability insurance DOES NOT cover mold) and the contractor should warranty their work for at least 3-5 years. Also the Better Business Bureau is a good resource. There is no shortage of misinformation and bad contractors out there so do your homework.

In the mold remediation business 3rd party air quality specialist known as industrial hygienist should always be hired to guide the process in all but the smallest projects to verify through scientific means that the mold levels have been reduced similar to background levels. All too often the contractor leaves without testing only to find out that the mold was not properly removed, leaving the home owner at risk. Up to a million mold spores can be present on a surface as small as a tack and not be visible to the naked eye (testing is critical!). Next lets discuss the process. The first step should be to develop a remediation plan. Often the hygienist can assist with this.

On every remediation project the work space should be isolated by setting up poly barriers, sealing off critical barriers such as duct work, cracks, windows, holes in the flooring where pipes enter, etc. Next, negative pressure (a vacuum effect in the area) should be established and maintained during remediation work to isolate the work space from the other areas. This prevents mold spores from being sent into unaffected areas. Also air scrubbers which are large HEPA filters should be set up to clean or scrub mold spores from the air.

Porous materials with contamination such as carpet, drywall & insulation should be bagged sealed and disposed of as normal waste in accordance with local regulations. All salvageable framing should be aggressively wire brushed or media blasted followed by a HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping with a mild detergent (soap and water works well). Harsh chemicals ARE NOT NEEDED to clean, treat or remove mold. In fact I would go so far as to say that if a contractor says they will be using bio-cides or antimicrobials to remove mold in your home I would look elsewhere. These are considered pesticides in most states and pose a major risk to occupants and users.

In states such as Maine, remediation contractors must be a licensed master pesticide applicators to apply any disinfectant or antimicrobial agent. Sadly many firms (even large franchises) do not conform to this law. These chemicals can often pose more of a risk than the mold itself. A detergent with good surfactants works best (dawn dish soap, pine sol, etc). It is critical to understand that killing mold is not the objective, removing mold is the objective through aggressive cleaning and good engineering controls.

Disinfectants and antimicrobials should only be used in sewage or black water situations where harmful pathogens are present. With mold the key is to REMOVE the organism (dead mold can still be a dangerous irritant to the respiratory system) and to keep the indoor environment clean & dry to prevent new growth in the future. I hope this article helps to guide you in the right direction.

How to Clean Up After Water Damage and Do I Need a Pro?

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How To Clean Up After Water Damage And Do I Need A Professional

This is a question no home or business owner wants to have to ask. The first thing to consider is safety and health hazards. Electrical hazards and slip & fall hazards are the most common hazards present. Second, if you can safely do so turn off power to the impacted area and remove excess water. Any valuables should be secured and protected from further damage. Water damage is very progressive so fast action is imperitive.

This is an incredibly technical field of study with constantly evolving technologies that allow professionals to dry buildings completely within 2-3 days with little or no demolition with CLEAN WATER. Typically water damage is far more progressive than what is visible without special tools (thermal cameras, moisture meters and hygrometers are crucial).
Any water other than category 1 "clean" water has completely different protocols and major health hazards will likely be present (and made worse) if the steps needed are not taken. There should be no need to "disinfect" carpet in a clean water loss. You cannot truly sanitize a porous surface such as carpet and you do not need to apply chemicals other than cleaners if the water is from a clean source and dried within 24-48 hours (thorough cleaning is all that is required). In states such as Maine if a company applies disinfectants or antimicrobials they need to be a licensed Master pesticide applicator or risk stiff fines.

To dry carpet, sub floor, hardwood & walls QUICKLY WITHOUT MOLD requires very specialized equipment(often a heat drying application), a sound understanding of temperature/humidity control and moisture meters to measure moisture content to verify that materials have been dried properly. These situations should only be handled by a certified, highly experienced technician.

Time is a huge factor and MANY water damage situations do not require professional help. If there is concrete flooring with glue down carpet, or floor tiles over concrete with little or no wall damage with clean water then a person can certainly handle their own water loss with the right equipment, desire and a little training.

To dry a structure with sub floor, drywall, padded carpet, plaster, hardwood floors, behind cabinets, in a crawlspace or large area it could very well mean permanent loss of property value, refusal of insurance coverage and serious health risk to occupants.

Reputable contractors warranty their work for at least 3-5 years, have liability and pollution insurance, hold IICRC certifications, provide a thorough water damage report when work concludes (we provide a 25 page report documenting everything that takes place including all of the temperature, humidity and moisture readings), have good references and yes will charge for their services like any other professional. The Better Business Bureau and Angies list are good resources as well.

Like any professional, liability is a huge factor, the average company will likely have several hundred thousand dollars in specialized equipment, a team of certified professionals with years of experience and tools to determine (and show you) the extent of damages both visible and hidden.

There is a reason insurance companies suggest calling in a restoration firm. And not because they want to spend thousands of unnecessary dollars. It is because we save them thousands and thousands of unnecessary dollars. These savings come from rapid drying which can prevent the need for demolition, preventing mold growth, preventing bacterial development, preventing law suits and getting the home owners back in the area quickly and safely.

Another major factor is documentation and warranties. When a property is sold you must disclose water losses or risk major law suits. When handled properly by professionals this is no problem. You have the documentation and we are only a phone call away.

In Summary yes, many small water damage situations do not require the cost of professional restoration firms. However when needed we can be an invaluable resource to you in your time of need.