Useful Tips

How horrible and heartbreaking it is to have to think about property loss, or the loss of a home, due to a fire. Restoration, if possible, is an overwhelming idea. Once you are ready to think of it, then what? Where will you start, what happens next? When you are ready to start, fire damage restoration services will be a big help. Of course, you won’t try to resurrect your house on your own. Fire restoration services will be there to help, advise and explain.

Can Fire Damage be Repaired?

Call Fire Damage restoration services as soon as possible to find out the extent of the task ahead. There may be too much damage for the property to be recovered. The structure must be safe, and a decision made on what can be restored and what must be demolished.

The first task must be the cleanup and there is a lot of work that is a part of that. Clean up and restoration has to include damage done by the flames, by the smoke and by the water that put the fire out. Clean up and remove anything that is too greatly damaged. There are many tasks. Restoring from a fire includes demolition, clean up, and odor removal.

How can Fire Damage Restoration Services help?

Fire restoration has to take into account the damage that has been done. There is much more than structural damage. There are a number of things that have to be done, and it is the professional fire damage restoration services that will do the work. Yes, it seems to be a lot to do, but this is what fire restoration services do. These are the people who work hard to help bring the home back to the condition it was in before the fire.

How is fire damage restored?

Once the property is confirmed to be safe to enter, the fire damage restoration services can assess the damage from water, fire and smoke. From here, clean up begins and a lot of property and debris is taken away. Areas that are undamaged should be protected, and anything that is too damaged will be taken away by the crews, before the big work of clean up and smoke removal can begin.

Clean up is so much more

Fire damage restoration services will manage much of the cleanup. This is not something to be left to the homeowners. There is likely to be hazards and risks, such as smoke inhalation, exposed asbestos and lead paint that need to be handled professionally under environmental law.

Cleanup also involves the need for professional environmental cleaning services, as there is a mold, or chemicals that may need removal. Duct cleaning can get rid of soot, smoke or debris that can get into the air ducts.

Resurrection to restore the property is the final step and cannot be done until the property is safe and clean. Fire damage restoration services are still the help you need to get you to that step.

What does fire damage restoration services do?

There are steps in the resurrection process and those steps take some time. Different companies may be needed to help ensure that those steps are done properly and according to health and safety regulations. All of these processes are required before any rebuilding can be done. Restoration and remediation services can help with asbestos abatement, lead paint removal and to be sure that the property is safe for entry, and that all steps in the restoration and cleanup process are followed correctly.

Call the Professionals

Fire Damage can be restored. There are many steps, from assessment of damage, security and removal of debris. Alliance can help with demolition, dry out and water removal, and smoke and odor removal. These professional services know what they are doing and they know the proper way to get the job done.

When you need fire damage restoration services to help you with a tough time in life, call professionals who are there to help explain things, and to keep you posted on the things that are going on.

Whether a building is brand new and just setting up its HVAC system for the first time, or it’s in a building that has had HVAC for many years, Air Handler Units (AHU) require the right touch to get them working efficiently and effectively. For buildings that have had their HVAC system for many years, they may not realize that they are probably due for an air handler refurbishment service, as AHU’s need their maintenance kept up with in order to remain effective at their job. Of course, when an AHU starts to fail, the first thing building management needs to do is call an air handler repair service, but what kind of qualities should they be looking for in an AHU refurbishment service if they are in need of one for the first time, or looking to change providers?

Proper Experience

Experience is key when it comes to hiring any service, especially one that is going to be repairing or refurbishing heavy equipment or machinery that is key to a building’s proper, healthy function. Air handler repair services that a building manager hires must have the proper experience in working with AHU’s, ideally they would want someone that has worked with the model that the building has, although most AHU’s function similarly enough that this isn’t an absolute must. With proper experience service technicians will be able to diagnose problems quickly and come up with solutions promptly to get your AHU back up and running in no time. With experience also comes the ability to spot other issues with the AHU that aren’t necessarily a problem yet, but will soon become one, allowing preventive maintenance to be done at a fraction of the cost of repair or replacement.

Punctual Servicing and Great Availability

If an AHU has failed in a building, it needs to be repaired immediately, otherwise air quality in the building will start to suffer, especially if the AHU was part of the heating or cooling system in the HVAC. Air handler repair and refurbishment services should have punctual servicing times, and ideally even 24/7/365 service for emergencies. With a high level of availability and fast servicing, an AHU can get back up and running in a more reasonable time, reducing the impact on the general population of the building.

Tidy and Courteous Service Persons

Nothing is worse than calling in a service person and having junk and garbage left lying around all over the work area, or other areas in the building from their repair tasks. A top quality that any service company can have, especially for air handler repair, is that their service people know how to leave the repair site clean after they are done. Leaving behind piles of dirt, broken components, or other pieces of debris can be dangerous, especially in higher traffic areas, and could leave a hazardous location if other repair or maintenance people need to use the area in the future. Don’t put up with cleaning up after a repair person, find a prvider that will respect your building.

Friendly Service

Dealing with any service company can be a real hassle if their customer service skills are atrocious. A good quality air handler repair service will have friendly and helpful customer service staff, as well as courteous and professional repair persons that come to the site. Working with a friendly service company will make the entire situation much more bearable, less stressful and easier to manage.

Proper Documentation

Building management should always be keeping documentation when it comes to any service company coming out to install, repair, or refurbish components or equipment in the building. With a high-quality air handler repair service, they will have trained and experienced technicians that will leave detailed documentation when it comes to the AHU repair or refurbishment that they performed. This includes everything from time stamps, base readings, final readings, components replaced or repaired, and recommendations for future maintenance checkups.

Having an AHU fail in a building can cause a huge impact on air quality, so calling in an air handler repair service is a must; only the best service providers should be called in. With all of the qualities above, an air handler refurbishment service should be able to complete any tasks on time and get an AHU back up to peak efficiency.

DIY is at the heart of many peoples lives, whether it is working on a new home, renovating an old home, making up solutions on the fly on a commercial property to solve a critical issue, etc. However, when it comes to HVAC cleaning, DIY is often not the best solution. HVAC systems, while they look fairly simple at the surface, are still fairly complex systems that are sensitive, and when it comes to cleaning them, hiring professionals may be your best option, because many will make one of many common mistakes that could result in a system running at a lower efficiency, or eventually getting damaged and failing.

Having bad HVAC cleaning habits can be very costly, the following are the most common mistakes that people should avoid when it comes time for their HVAC system maintenance.

Mistake #1: Not Getting Professional Help for Your HVAC Cleaning

The biggest mistake a homeowner or business owner can make when it comes to HVAC cleaning is not relying on the training and experience of professionals. Cleaning your HVAC yourself can be fine for some things, such as filter changes, or obvious debris removal, but there are many moving parts to HVAC systems that should be checked up on by a professional to ensure they are in good condition, and that they are working at full efficiency. Ditching the professional in order to save money can end up biting you in the backside more often than not, especially with HVAC system failures being a huge expense if a full replacement needs to be done, or leaks have caused property or structural damage.

Mistake #2: Failing to Check for Mold and Debris in HVAC system

HVAC cleaning is more than just switching filters every month or few months. Visual inspections should be made of an HVAC system anytime you have a scheduled cleaning, and you need to be aware of every spot you need to be visually checking for issues. Mold and debris can build up in a lot of sections of an entire HVAC system, especially with AC units, as water and humidity can build up, settle, and start to grow mold.

Mold is very dangerous, depending on the type and the sensitivity of the building’s occupants, and if you aren’t looking for it throughout the HVAC system, you can end up with mold building up. Debris can also build up in HVAC systems, especially with duct working, mostly in the form of dust and other light particulates that can be blown around. Every scheduled HVAC cleaning should include full mold and debris checks, and professionals will always ensure the full system is checked.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Debris Covering the Outside of Units

During HVAC cleaning, debris within the HVAC system can be dangerous; it can cause damage to the units, or within the ductwork can result in particulates spreading in the air throughout the building and harming the air quality. However, the outside of HVAC units needs to be properly cared for as well.

Especially with outdoor units, having debris build up on the outside of an HVAC unit can eventually result in them making it within the unit in a storm, which then can puncture or damage key components leading to a failure, or leak that causes further damage. Always keep the outside of your HVAC systems clean from any debris that you can; it’ll help make other visual checks easy, but also help prolong the life of the protective casing of the unit, and overall unit.

Mistake #4: Using the Incorrect Filters in HVAC Units

Every HVAC unit, whether it is for heating, or cooling, is going to have some form of filter when it is moving air. These filters, some being rated as HEPA filters, are necessary in order to prevent debris from getting into HVAC units, as well as cleaning the air that gets passed through into the building. Different manufacturers will often have different sizes of filters, whether it is height and width, or thickness. Using the wrong filter on an HVAC unit can range from just making air quality slightly lower to actually causing real damage to HVAC units, so you should always use the recommended filter in your HVAC unit as per the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Proper HVAC cleaning isn’t always hard, but in order to ensure your HVAC system is thoroughly checked, maintained, and cleaned you should always leave the work to the professionals.

While we’re grateful for summer’s heat, sometimes we just plain need relief, which brings to mind the trusty HVAC system. Because the HVAC system, in the home or the workplace, is an investment, it’s worthwhile to maintain it in order to keep it working in tip top shape year-round. Not only do these systems keep us comfortably warm, cool, and breathing safely and cleanly when they are running in tip-top shape, but they also up our energy and cost efficiencies as well. How do we choose the best HVAC contractor to be sure we’re getting the service we need? How can we keep our HVAC system running effectively and get the best bang for our buck when it comes to servicing? Afterall, the reason we hire an expert is that we’re essentially clueless about the HVAC system’s operation. While we soak up that fresh indoor air, here are our top considerations for reaching out to the best of HVAC contractors.

Experience is essential

When picking up the phone or clicking online to seek the ideal HVAC contractor, it’s important to find out how much experience the contractor or their supervisor has. Not only should they be skilled and knowledgeable, but they also should be able to prove that they are working up to, or above, industry standards through continued professional development and certification. Also, it’s important to ensure your HVAC contractor is knowledgeable about your specific brand and HVAC system to alleviate any time or money issues. You should never be afraid to ask any questions.

Proof of profession

Speaking of proper certification, when reaching out to the best HVAC contractor, it’s in your best interest to confirm that they are, in fact, a licensed professional. This will ensure that you’re getting expert service, but it will also ensure that you can provide the proper documentation for insurance and other business-related purposes. In the case that something doesn’t feel right, it’s an easy online check through your state contractor licensing board to confirm that your HVAC contractor is, in fact, a licensed professional. Also, remember to confirm that the service provider is insured. Should anything go wrong while they’re working in your home or business, compensation and liability insurance can make all the difference in a pinch.

Get the service you deserve

When your HVAC contractor visits, you should expect nothing but the best in service. Because you’re hiring an expert professional, their visit will entail a complete procedure and process that ensures your HVAC system is working optimally. First is an overall system check. Your HVAC contractor will check the entire system, including your furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and more. During this check, they can determine if anything needs repairing or replacing prior to a more expensive situation occurring. Remember, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. This includes a safety check around anything that could be harmful to those in your home or business. Checking for cracks, pits, rust, and any potential carbon monoxide leaks is a must.

The next step is a thorough cleaning by the HVAC contractor, as well as educating the home or business owner on any regular cleaning and maintenance they can stay on top of. The contractor will also take care of any needed HVAC repairs. When regular maintenance is a priority, repairs will typically be minor parts, replacements, or the tightening and aligning of the system’s belts.

Get the answers you deserve, and the documentation to back them up

The best HVAC contractors will not only be happy to keep your system up and running optimally, but they’ll also be pleased to answer any question you may have, and to educate you on anything you are curious about. They should be able to translate even the most technological of information into common language you’ll understand and put to use. This includes expert tips on preventative measures that keep the system working in good order – and that save you time and money – such as filter replacements. Finally, your HVAC contractor should leave you with a written report that entails all the relevant information around their visit. This information and documentation can serve you well for future maintenance, insurance purposes, or even in the event that you sell your home or business. When it comes to taking care of your HVAC system, remember that knowledge is power, and prevention is the best savings solution.

When our parents used to tuck us in saying, “don’t let the bed bugs bite,” they weren’t kidding. Is there anything that can make our skin crawl and incite night terrors like the thought of bed bugs? We think not. Thankfully, bed bug removal companies are coming to our rescue, stepping up as the superheroes of our nights. While they can take care of the problem and eliminate these invasive intruders, there are a few key mistakes people make time and again that can be avoided to preserve the health of our sleeping environments.

One: bedbugs are on the move

When we suspect bed bugs have infested and invaded our beds, it’s really easy to think, “well, I’ll move to the couch until I have time to handle this situation.” Changing location is simply not a solution. Bed bugs move fast. In fact, some professionals say they travel 30 feet in under 10 minutes. Furthermore, because bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, they’re coming for us no matter where we sleep. Moving locations is only going to spread the bed bug infestation, making it tougher for bed bug removal companies to clean up the mess when they finally do come in to save us.

Two: mattress covers are our shield

When bed bugs strike, they typically infest our mattresses and box springs. Keeping in mind that we may need to wait a few days for pest control to rescue us – unless we have the ultimate bed bug removal service provider with 24/7 protection – covering both our mattresses and box springs can be a powerful defence. While it doesn’t eliminate the bed bug infestation, it does prevent the bed bugs from emerging and attacking us. It also blocks them from getting into these sleeping components that we’ve invested into bigtime to support our restful times. By reducing exposure to bed bugs and sealing the mattress and box spring, mattress covers are a cost-effective option that help us deal with the devastation of bed bug infestations. They’re actually one of the top defences bed bug removal companies promote to improve our safety.

Three: depend on the professionals

Dealing with bed bugs properly should begin with a thorough inspection prior to the expert service provider outlining their treatment options and providing a cost estimation. Should their services not include such honest transparency, buyers should beware; this is a red flag. Professional and effective treatment doesn’t come cheap. Smart investment can run the average client one to three dollars per square foot. However, it’s the best way to guarantee peace of mind around bed bug eradication and to allow us to get the rest we deserve these days. Buyer beware: DIY treatments can actually spread bed bug infestations or inundate your space with harmful chemicals. Even worse, should the issue spread to neighbours, how embarrassing would that be? There are trusted extermination services out there who eliminate bed bugs, as well as guarantee their services, even up to 60 days after their initial treatment and service. Don’t let the bed bugs bite into another minute of your beauty rest. When people have questions or need advice, the best bed bug removal companies are happy to hear from them, answer any questions, and ultimately, come in and clean up the mess.

Owning property means that you unfortunately need to accept the costs of maintaining it. It’s the least pleasant part of owning things. And maintenance includes things below the surface in places you can’t see, like in your dryer vents. How often should you hire someone for commercial dryer vent cleaning? The short answer is: “it depends”. Mostly on the size and volume of your operations.

If you’re running a business that regularly uses its dryers to clean uniforms and rugs, your volume might be fairly steady, and that means you can consult a service contractor to handle this on a schedule. Dryer vent cleaning is usually fairly quick and shouldn’t interrupt your service schedule much. If your property is a hotel with a much higher turnover service demand for bedding and towels, you might have to consider your volume carefully and schedule an extra cleaning around peak tourist travel times. Regular commercial dryer vent cleaning is crucial in any of those situations, but where it might be most important is in apartment buildings. If you own an apartment building, here are a few maintenance tips to help you determine your best commercial dryer vent cleaning schedule.

Restrict Smoking in Your Building

Smoking’s only flaw isn’t the lingering smell. When a dryer vent gets clogged, it gets clogged with thick, concentrated lint, hair, and other debris, all of which are very flammable. Smoking in your building increases the risk that a random live cinder makes its way near your interior vents, or even your exterior vents if your tenants smoke near those vents. Interior ignition fires are much more difficult to extinguish, and the repairs from damages can be very costly as a result. Regular commercial dryer vent cleaning can reduce these risks as well by ensuring that the clogs do not happen in the first place. Consult a local technician for their recommendations based on your building’s occupancy.

Laundry Room Cleanliness

If you manage a building where laundry rooms are shared by tenants, this is easy. Inspect each laundry room regularly to be sure it is free of any unattended household chemicals and that your washer and dryer machines are both clean. Check your filters and lint traps on your machines to ensure that your tenants are properly cleaning them after use. If you are not on site often, or if you are in a high-volume building, hire an HVAC crew to perform commercial dryer vent cleaning and regular inspections of your equipment. This might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it is much less costly than repairing and rebuilding your space when something goes wrong.

Listen to Your Tenants

Your tenants’ concerns are usually your first warnings of a problem. Clogged air vents can affect overall air quality in the building. If clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry properly, you may be losing energy due to a clogged drain. And while the tenant is likely complaining because they have to run two dry cycles and spend the extra few dollars, this might be a sign that your vents need to be cleaned. Commercial dryer vent cleaning is very reasonably priced, especially in comparison to the costs of repairing after the problem makes itself known.

However you keep in contact with your tenants, do so, and take their concerns seriously. Set up an email thread for maintenance, or even something as simple as a clipboard on the wall of the laundry room where someone can report any issues for you to review. A commercial dryer vent cleaning is often the first step to any dryer issue troubleshoot checklist.

Where It Really Matters: Your Bottom Line

As a property owner, you obviously want to keep your costs to a minimum. But in regards to your building’s internal workings, preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your costs down in the long run. Talk to your local commercial dryer vent cleaning or HVAC service, they’ll likely have an appropriate schedule ready for you. You may have to tweak this up or down based on occupancy or the frequency that your tenants use your laundry services, but taking care of your systems is in everyone’s best interests. And who knows? They may even have recommendations for energy efficient upgrades that end up saving you even more!

While there are many perks to owning property, there are drawbacks – especially when it comes to repairs. What happens if a pipe suddenly bursts or there’s a large leak in the roof? Worst yet, what happens in the case of a fire? An environmental disaster like a fire or flood can wreak havoc on a home, not only requiring a costly cleanup but disrupting daily life. When it comes to fire and water damage restoration, it’s essential to act quickly and find a restoration expert to remediate the destruction. But how do you find the right contractor who will do the job correctly and thoroughly? Follow these tips:

Fire and Water Damage Restoration Tips for Homeowners

1.    Contact an Insurance Agent

Following a fire or intense water damage, one of the first calls a homeowner needs to make is to their insurance provider as plans for how to deal with the damage will need to be made. Inform the insurance agent about the incident and include as many details as possible. Review the insurance policies to better understand what inclusions there are – like a living allowance or temporary accommodation. If plans have been made regarding fire and water damage restoration, let the insurance agent know and wait for their word before taking any further action.

2.    Find a Licensed and Bonded Fire and Water Damage Restoration Company

The next phone call a homeowner will need to make is to a fire and water damage restoration company. To ensure the best company is being hired for the job, it’s imperative that they be insured, licensed, and bonded. Not only does this protect homeowners against any accidents that might occur, but it also means they are not responsible in the case that a worker is injured – which is always a possibly on a construction site. Bonding is also important because it ensures the contract completes the job and applies and pays for the all the necessary permits. This will save a lot of time and money down the line should further repairs or restorations need to be made to the home. It also ensures a homeowner doesn’t pay for repairs ahead of time only to be let down. To ensure a fire and water damage restoration company is certified, ask to see all documentation beforehand. It may be best to hire a lawyer to go over all contracts before anything is signed, to ensure everyone meets their end of the bargain.

3.    Find References

Before any contracts are signed or agreed to, homeowners should take some time to read reviews and testimonials for any fire and water damage restoration contractors they plan to hire. While some might consider this a waste of precious time, it adds a layer of security for the homeowner. Either ask the company for references during an initial meeting or look online for reviews. Other ways to find reputable fire and water damage restoration contractors are through other homeowners in the neighborhood or through personal networks who can vouch for a company’s work. Asking for portfolios or records of work can also help determine whether or not a fire and water damage restoration contractor is the right fit for the job. If a business is hesitant to provide a client with any of this information, it may be a sign they have something to hide.

4.    Come up with a detailed plan

The purpose of hiring fire and water damage restoration contractors is to have them restore a property or home to the condition it was in before a disaster struck. Not only does this mean a contractor must have open availability to do the job within a realistic timeframe, but also provide a detailed plan of attack. After all, they are the experts. This plan should include how they intend to remove and rectify the damage – messes will need to be cleared, repairs made, and any additional problems, like exposed electrical or early signs of mold growth, should be dealt with. Only experienced fire and water damage restoration contractors will be able to provide a clear and accurate plan of how damaged will be dealt with, what repairs are needed, and most importantly, and estimate of costs and timeline.