In this economy, EVERYONE is trying to tighten their purse strings.

But sometimes a penny saved is not a penny earned.  If you don’t get the job done right the first time, you’ll probably have to do the job again, and you could find yourself in a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

So here’s the skinny on how to save money AND protect yourself.

Let’s start with the basics.  If a property is not dried correctly, you could end up with a microbial situation with the dreaded brown/grey fuzzies called mold.  Although it may seem thorough, removing carpet and pad when there’s been a flood or water damage is usually not enough to prevent mold.  You can’t see any water, the walls looks dry, your carpet cleaning company who extracted the water tells you everything is fine.  We’ve all been there. Read More…

Attention Property Owners, Manager, Contractors and Maintenance Staff!!

EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule will become fully effective and enforceable on April 22, 2010, which is right around the corner.

The Rule applies to all “renovations,” including many typical housing maintenance and remodeling activities, performed for “compensation” in pre-1978 “target housing” and pre-1978 “child-occupied facilities” when the work will disturb paint, stain, shellac and varnish that has not been tested and certified as lead free. Read More…

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Green construction is building or remodeling homes using sustainable materials.  Sustainable or “green” construction is recommended to create a healthier building while using our resources more efficiently.  Studies have shown that there are tremendous cost savings through green building through improved occupants health and productivity, lower building operation costs, and use of resources more efficiently.

We had the pleasure of working with one such contractor in the Jacksonville Metro Area, Solid Built Construction.  Not only does he use “green” principles in his construction, he is active in the local community through programs such as Habitats for Humanity.  Most recently, his company worked with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on their build that aired February 21, 2010. Read More…

When you experience Water damage, your water type is divided into one of three categories. Each of these categories must be dealt with differently. If handled incorrectly, you could set yourself up to have a future mold problem or indoor air quality issue, which leads to health issues of your household.

These categories are determined by the source of the water intrusion, the time elapsed between the flood occurrence and the drying or cleanup and can also be changed if the environment the water has been exposed to contains contaminates. Read More…

We are all familiar with the “spring cleaning” term, but have you prepared for the upcoming spring rains?

With the upcoming wet season, February is the recommended month for inspecting your home for areas where water is mostly likely to slip its way into your property.  So grab your paper and pencil to make a note of areas in your home that need attention.

Below is a suggested list for inspection. You are looking for visible moisture (condensation) or water staining. Read More…