Methods Of Mold Removal....

No one would want mold to hang around in their home or surrounding area. Molds easily develop in areas with wet or contaminated water. Your house can be full of molds if there are caving and cracks in the basement walls, windows and floors. Mold removal is very dangerous if the mold spores are inhaled especially when affected objects are scrubbed and brushed off. It is advisable to hire the experts to salvage your property from the effects of molds. These pathogens can spread all over the entire house so long as there is moisture and water.

Mold removal in our homes helps in removing all possible microscopic organisms like the viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Mold is a fungus and its presence in our homes is a threat to our health. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye and are commonly found in the flooded basements, kitchens, attics and laundry rooms. In order to avoid contracting diseases caused by these microscopic organisms, it is advisable to put on protective masks. These keeps you safe from falling sick due to allergies, sinus problems, asthma among other respiratory infections. Mold removal by reputable companies is therefore essential since they have all the required tools and equipment to fight the existence of molds.

A lot of caution needs to be maintained during fungal removal. This is because the fungus may invade and settle in the air ducts in our rooms. They can spread very fast whenever air conditioner and the heaters are turned on. This is evident when you start smelling a musty odor all over the room. An expert in mold removal should be hired to survey the house and provide effective methods of clearing the molds. It is therefore imperative to conduct mold removal as fast as possible before huge damage is caused. However all infected and potentials persons should seek medical attention for any mold infection.

The process of mold removal may be hazardous to the homeowners and for those who do the cleaning on their own need to consider certain important facts. Basically, all the leaks in the basement must be repaired. This involves new roofing, plumbing and purchase of new items such as the mattresses and clothes. Begin mold removal only if everybody is safe and no one needs medical care due to fungal poisoning. Upholding the safety of everybody’s life, appropriate and powerful detergents and disinfectants with protective tools must be applied during the remediation process. It is further advisable to dispose of infected items made from absorbent or porous materials like clothing and mattresses. Respirators are also important in preventing the spread of mold spores.

Fungal removal can be difficult especially if they breed in accumulated water in the basement. Although this can be avoided, just employ a professional mold inspector to investigate the spread and proliferation of fungi. The inspector will easily identify the infected areas for clean up and carry the sample for check up. Molds breed in areas that have leaks and are susceptible to the accumulation of moisture. All of these areas must be checked properly to avoid moisture build up.

For best results, contact your local water restoration company.

Severe Weather In The South...

This week has seen some of the deadliest storms to hit the south in years, with 215 confirmed dead, mostly across Alabama and Georgia, and millions of dollars in damage.  The fallout from these events will be long lasting, no doubt taking years from which to fully recover.

The importance of proper planning for severe weather cannot be underestimated and the time to do it is now, while there isn’t a cloud in the sky and everything is relatively calm.  You should make plans for how you are going to react when the emergency broadcast sounds. 

In a worst case scenario, you should have an evacuation route planned, and be prepared to use it.   If the call comes down to evacuate, don’t wait.  Go.  When it comes to severe weather on the order of what we saw this week, you may only have a matter of minutes to save your life.

If you must take shelter in your home, know where you are going to go.  If you have a basement, that’s the place.  Take cover and make sure you have blankets, bottled water,  a portable radio or TV to keep track of changing  weather conditions, as well as a first aid kit and coloring books or toys to keep small children occupied (not to mention distracted).

If you don’t have a basement in which to cower, then choose the innermost room in your home, preferably an area without windows.  If all else fails, go to the bathroom and get in the tub, covering your head with a shower curtain.  I realize there is little dignity to be found in this but it beats the alternative. 

You can also prepare for severe weather ahead of time by installing hurricane straps on your roof to protect against damage caused by high winds, as well as storm shutters to prevent your windows from being broken by flying debris. 

You would also do well to shut off utilities to your home for the duration of the storm.  Water and electricity do not mix, and even a spark may ignite any leaking gas.

And finally (and obviously) know who you are going to call after the storm has passed.  Remember that water damage can cause as much or more damage to a home than fire, and will continue doing so until it is treated.  Look for a qualified, professional, IICRC certified water damage restoration company.  They should be available 24/7, and offer a full range of restoration services, from water extraction, to drying, to carpet cleaning, to mold removal.  Even structural repair, reconstruction and restoration. 

Call them today for peace of mind tomorrow.

Por Que?.....What Did You Call Me?

In my newly revamped position as Content Manager for Leadsbyfone, I find myself in the unusual position of breaking one of my own rules, namely, having to search for writers to hire within an extremely limited budget. 

Now I firmly believe that writers are worth something, so the idea of offering somebody pennies for their talent is a fairly noxious one.  To add insult to injury, the only place to go to find talent that is willing to work for that and not be insulted is the Philippines or India or some other exotic location where $20 a day is still considered righteous bucks.

Of course the problem inherent in this arrangement is obvious.  If you’re born and raised Filipino, or Indian, or Malaysian, or Baptist, or Buddhist, or flutist, or nudist, it’s a pretty good bet that English isn’t going to be your first language.  Well, actually I don’t know about the nudist part, but moving right along…..the fact is that many of these people who are well qualified writers in their neck of the woods wouldn’t cut it in a sixth grade literary contest here in the states, proving beyond all doubt the notion that when you say something, or write something down, it depends on what part of the world you’re standing in that determines just how stupid you are.

Which of course means that my job won’t be changing that much, because even the best writers hired will require a significant amount of editing, if not outright rewriting before the material can be allowed to see the light of day. 

But it’s okay, if seven hundred monkeys can type for seven hundred years and one of them turn out the works of Shakespeare, then I’m guessing my meager little Filipino staff and I can churn out some content about water damage. 

I’m starting to think I shoulda paid attention in Spanish class, or whatever it is they speak over there…

Water Damage In VA Blamed On Weekend Severe Weather

Residents of Pulaski County, Virginia are finding themselves working overtime to recover from damage caused by last week’s severe weather.  Subsequent storms over the weekend made many already bad situations even worse.

To add insult to injury, repeated issues with the weather made it all but impossible to clean up and rebuild. 

Such a scenario perfectly illustrates the power of Mother nature to cause considerable damage to homes, businesses, life and property.  Water is one of the most destructive forces that can be brought to bear on a home, even more so than fire.  Water continues to cause damage and wreak havoc for as long as it is allowed to remain standing. 

As a result, it is of utmost importance to remove all of the water as quickly as possible and dry out all affected 

surfaces.  Failure to do so may result in long term damage and other subsequent issues such as mold.

Mold is the most common byproduct of water damage, often appearing in as little as 48 hours following a water damage event, or sooner if the flood water is sewage based.  Mold spreads rapidly, can be almost impossible to successfully remediate, and brings with it all manner of health hazards.  Health threats posed by mold may be as slight as mild allergic reactions or more serious neurological disorders, lung disease, and in rare cases, death.  It is important to not only remove mold, but treat the area affected in order to prevent its return.

In cases of severe water damage, it is always highly advised to contact a local water damage restoration company, one who can take care of all aspects of your water damage problem.  Be advised however, that not all water damage companies are created equal.  Hiring the wrong one will not only not solve your water damage problems, but they may actually make them worse, doubling or even tripling repair costs before everything is said and done.

So how do you find a company that is reputable, will do quality work, and better yet, guarantee that work for up to one year?

Fortunately the water damage restoration company has done an admirable job of policing itself, with the formation in 1972 of the institute For Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.  The IICRC has become the unofficial governing body for the industry, establishing practices, standards, and procedures, as well as certification for those seeking to work in this arena with some measure of credibility. 

Choosing an IICRC certified water removal company does not automatically guarantee competence, but it does go a long way towards eliminating the less qualified candidates.  IICRC companies offer 24/7/365 service, with a full staff of trained professionals, the most up to date water damage restoration equipment, as well as a complete range of service from water removal and drying, carpet cleaning and mold removal, to structural repair and reconstruction.  And they guarantee all for one year from the date of completion.

Call today for a free estimate or phone consultation, and be ready when the weather turns malevolent.

Astro Blaster: The Lost Video Game

In the video game craze of the early 80’s, there were numerous classics in the making, from Pong, the now beyond primitive progenitor of the technology, to SPACE INVADERS and Pac Man, early 80’s video arcades were a gold mine of cyber warfare and competition on a galactic level.

My own personal favorite game of the era was Sega/Gremlin’s ASTRO BLASTER, a unique variation on the SPACE INVADERS theme.   ASTRO BLASTER featured one ship that was pitted against wave after wave of alien invaders, meteor showers, asteroid fields, as well as the ever present threat of overheated lasers (leaving the player defenseless), or running out of fuel, which would end the game even if you had extra ships remaining.

The game play is simple.  You control a ship at the bottom of your screen, much like the more well know CALIGULA, fighting off several waves of alien attackers, navigating an asteroid field, and finally docking with a mother ship for refueling.  The laser can overheat if fired too rapidly, and will not function again until it has time to cool down.  You also have a “warp” button that reduces the speed of the alien attackers for a brief time.  You are also operating against a fuel countdown that continues throughout the various encounters.

Ironically, the biggest adversary in the game was the fuel consumption.  I routinely lost the game by running out of fuel far more often than destruction by an alien attacker.   

I found ASTRO BLASTER to be a cut above the other invaders-from-space games on the market at the time, along with GORF (another seldom seen gem from the golden age of video games), with incredible graphics, unique sound effects, and levels of play that were truly difficult to master.  

Unfortunately, the only place I came across this game was at the Outer Limits video arcade in my hometown of Thomasville, NC.  I’ve never seen the game again since my last time playing it sometime back in 1984.  There appears to be quite a bit of interest online when it comes to this vintage game, proving the adage “what’s old is new again”. 

ASTRO BLASTER remains one of the forgotten gems of the early 80’s video game revolution, but remains one of this author’s fondest arcade memories.

Flooded Basement

Massachusetts Homes Still Suffering From 2010 Flooding...

In Brockton MA, thousands of people are still struggling to recover from the floods that ravaged the area last year.  The Southeastern Massachusetts Long Term Recover Group, a local coalition specializing in recovery efforts such as this, has already handled more than 300 flood related cases since the federally declared disaster last year, with hundreds more expected before it is all over.

One of the largest post flood problems for many of the houses damaged has been the growth of mold.  Many homes have had mold problems for several months following the flooding.  The coalition is planning a “Day Of Caring” in which volunteers will help 15 local families replace water damaged drywall, primarily in their basements, where much of the mold infestation may be located.

The Southeastern Massachusetts Long-Term Recovery Group is a coalition dedicated to flood relief, including Self Help Inc., faith-based groups, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.  Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and students from Bridgewater State University and Massasoit Community College are also involved in the effort.

Such a widespread problem vividly illustrates the dangers of mold following water damage.  Mold is the single most dangerous long term consequence of water damage.  It can appear in as little as 48 hours following water damage (sooner if the water damage is sewage based), spread rapidly, and cause all kinds of health problems ranging from mild allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, to more severe neurological disorders such as lung disease and even death.  Deaths related to mold are rare but certainly possible if the exposure to high concentrations of mold is severe enough.

Mold can also cause damage to your home or business as it tends to eat away at the surface it is growing on.  Homes, businesses, and even entire city blocks have been condemned and torn down as a direct result of untreated mold.  Smaller growths may be effectively remediated by homeowners, but larger growths should be avoided and treatment provided by a trained, licensed, mold remediation professional.

Mold remediation is more than just getting rid of the mold infestation.  It involved treating the affected area to make sure there is not an environment that would allow the mold opportunity to return.  This involves the removal of the growth, disinfection of the area, as well as increasing and improving the lighting and ventilation in order to prevent conditions that make mold growth possible.  Remember that all that is required for mold growth is adequate moisture, but darkness may also play a role.

Many people test for mold in their homes when in most cases it isn’t necessary.  Mold has a distinct appearance as a fuzzy, greenish-black growth on walls or pipes, accompanied by a noxious smell.  If a home or business owner suspects that they have mold, in all likelihood, they do.

You want quality water damage and mold removal service.  Unfortunately, all mold removal companies are not created equal, and choosing the wrong one will not only fail to solve the problem, but may actually make it worse.  This could have the adverse effect of doubling or even tripling your repair bills before it is all over. 

You need to choose a company that has been certified by an industry leader, such as the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, And Restoration Certification (IICRC) or the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).  Doing so will provide a sense of security for harried homeowners that they are getting quality, efficient service for all of their water damage and mold remediation needs.

Your local, IICRC certified water damage restoration company can handle all of your water damage or mold remediation needs.  They are available 24/7, with a full staff of trained professionals, as well as a complete range of services from water extraction to carpet drying to mold removal to structural repair.  They can also work alongside your insurance company to ensure that everything runs smoothly and is properly compensated for.

For all of your water restoration and mold problems, call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.

How To best Utilize Article Directories

Writing for and submitting your articles to various online article directories accomplishes several things.  One, it gives you a venue to publish your work.  Two, it provides content that may well get picked up and redistributed on other sites, increasing your exposure.  And three, it can be a source of valuable backlink juice for your website. 

There’s the old internet adage that “content is king”, and by publishing new, fresh, original content that links back to your site, you guarantee a steady stream of good, positive link juice to help increase your visibility and page rank in the eyes of the various search engines.

So what are the ins and outs of article directories and publishing?  We’ll go step by step.

Article directories are just what they sound like, online repositories of articles on various subjects from a wide variety of authors and sources.  Articles are usually categorized and sub-categorized to make locating them much easier.  Most article directories do not pay for their content, but many will exercise some level of discernment and qualification to make sure said content is original and not published on any other site.  Ezine and Buzzle are two of the pickiest article directories when it comes to duplicate content.  Duplicate content or plagiarism are two of the biggest reasons that authors are banned from posting on a given directory.

Of course you can include links in your author’s box or resource box that are ideal for website and search engine optimization.   You may also include target keywords so that people can get to your articles from your site and vice versa.

The obvious benefit of writing a lot of articles is that you become identified as an expert in a given field. 

The more articles you publish on a variety of quality directories results in high quality backlinks to your sites.

Remember that the primary purpose of your articles is to help people, not sell your services.  With that in mind, write articles on subjects that will have the widest possible appeal.  Be sure to craft an appealing, eye catching title, utilizing relevant keywords both in the title and near the beginning of the article for search engine purposes.

When choosing an article directory, make sure that their links are “do follow” meaning they will get indexed by search engine ‘bots and provide the all important link juice.   “No follow” links are pretty much worthless, with rare exceptions.  This author routinely posts on Articlesbase, which is no follow, but is a very good source for having articles picked up for redistribution, which does provide a good number of quality backlinks.     Again, go with what works best for you.

You can go online and Google “do follow article directories” for a complete list of all such directories.  Try to choose a number of different sources to post to, basing them not only on “do follow” status but also the page rank of the directory itself.  A higher page rank (1 being the lowest) is always a benefit.

Of course some of this process is trial and error.  Pick the directories that work well for you (I’m particularly fond of Ezine and Articlesbase) and post your articles accordingly. 

Best of luck to you and your work.

Basement flooding

Boston Town Gym Damaged By Water

The steep repair costs associated with the Maynard Parks And Recreation’s decision to spend $17,000 on the rundown Memorial Gym have caused the resignation of the organization’s chairman. 

Geoff Beharrell resigned on March 23 after recently hiring  JJ Hardwood Floors to repair the gym’s water damaged floor.  The repair work did not follow the state’s procurement laws, that require a bidding process on all public-works projects over $5,000.

The gymn was closed following Beharrell’s resignation, on March 24, because there wasn’t enough money to pay for repairs and maintenance. 

Jay Bourgeois, who owns JJ Hardwood, said an insurance adjuster told him to proceed with repairs to the gym. He started in mid-January and was still working on the project when the gym was shuttered, he said. His efforts included placing heaters and industrial fans on the basketball court’s wooden floor to draw out moisture, and repairing areas that had been damaged by dripping water. It would cost another $20,000 to finish the job, he said, but warned that the leaky roof would cause more damage in the future.

“They had snow blowers up on the roof to get rid of the snow, and it tore up the rubber membrane,’’ said Bourgeois. “I got called in to save the gym.’’

Bourgeois repaired the gym’s floor two years ago after residents voting at Town Meeting appropriated $16,000 for the project. On May 16, Town Meeting is slated to decide whether to approve a warrant article that would provide $400,000 for roof and other repairs. The figure still might not be enough to keep the gym open, though. Sullivan said the facility needs an overhaul costing as much as $3 million.

The Memorial Gym is a perfect example of what can occur when water damage is left untreated.  Water causes tremendous damage all on its own, however, left untreated, it can go on causing problems for weeks, months, or in this case years after the initial event.  Water can get into every nook and cranny of your home or business, causing the premature rotting of wood or rusting of metal, both of which can lead to stability problems with the structure, making it unsafe for habitation.

Untreated water damage may also pave the way for additional problems such as mold, which can establish itself within 48 hours of water damage, spread rapidly, and prove almost impossible to remediate.  Mold also brings with it all manner of health hazards from the slight allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, or skin irritations, to the more severe neurological disorders such as lung disease and even death.

It is cases such as this that necessitate the hiring of a certified, professional water damage restoration company.  The proper company in this case should be available 24/7/365, with a full staff of trained professionals, state of the art water damage restoration equipment, and offer a full range of services from water extraction and drying, to carpet cleaning and mold removal, as well as structural repair, reconstruction and restoration, as needed.

Look for a water restoration company that has been certified by an industry leader such as the IICRC or RIA and call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.