ECOS Archives

May 22, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Mold mold • mold remediation 0 Comments

Renovating: Dealing With Hidden Mold

Most folks know that mold needs moisture to grow indoors. You commonly find mold growth occurring after a flood, in a damp basement or as a result of your roof leaking. However, mold is sneaky, and many people end up dealing with hidden mold while renovating.

Experts suggest that hidden mold can be present in up to 60% of homes. When you see a bit of mold, you spritz, wipe and move on. However, the problem can be deeper than you assume. That cracked and leaking ceiling or broken pipe often leads to mold spreading. Out of sight, out of mind.

You Must Take Mold Seriously

Mold is different than concerns you may have with a house with old lead-based paint or asbestos. These are single contaminants that have definable and determinable health risks, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Researchers are still getting to know mold, but current findings reveal serious, long-term concerns for those with hidden mold.

Toxic mold exposure may pose issues with memory loss, trouble concentrating, insomnia and confusion. Mold exposure can contribute to symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also cause upper respiratory tract symptoms in adults and children. Black mold is toxigenic, and symptoms of mold poisoning often occur as flu-like symptoms.

It is important to test for hidden mold through a certified inspector before you begin the renovation process. You should hire an expert renovator who is experienced in dealing with mold.

Dealing With Hidden Mold

Uneducated renovators and home and business owners who remain unaware of the mold effects and continue with renovation risk the health of others. You must understand what mold removal entails so that you don’t further contaminate or damage the structure and cause harm to those you care about.

Microbial air sampling is conducted if experts suspect mold. It’s not visible after the initial inspection. This type of sampling helps to locate hidden mold behind walls and other structures. A combination of moisture readings and surface or bulk sampling can help determine how far colonization may spread.

Mold remediation costs soar when you attempt to remove the visible areas of mold only to find more hidden. Some insurance companies now cap off what they will and won’t cover when it comes to mold. However, a certified expert gets the job done the first time and can afford more flexible payment terms. They also offer documentation assistance for insurance purposes.
cross contamination. Containing the area experiencing mold growth is important. Always practice safety measures, such as wearing goggles, a dust mask and rubber gloves.

Porous and Non-Porous Materials

Don’t treat contaminated porous materials with bleach. Bleach kills a large degree of germs, but it doesn’t have the same effect on mold. Adding bleach adds moisture which encourages mold growth. The toxic nature of bleach may prove dangerous when not used with care.

Has mold infected porous materials, such as drywall, carpet and ceiling tiles? The best practice is to double bag and dispose of it. Containment helps prevent cross-contamination.

It’s safer to brush or scrub mold contamination off non-porous materials. Then, you will need to utilize a HEPA vacuum to stop mold particulates from taking to the air. Airborne particulates are a common way that mold spreads. You can spray anti-microbial solutions on non-porous surfaces to prevent mold growth.

Mold may be present in up to 60% of homes, and it’s difficult to determine how deeply mold may penetrate a structure. Hidden mold is more frequent in homes and businesses than you may suspect.

Avoid cross-contamination by focusing on mold containment. Contact ECOS Environmental today for thorough mold testing and removal assistance.

May 7, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Water Damage flood cleanup • flooding 0 Comments

Cleaning Up After Flooding 5 Steps You Need To Take

The floodwaters begin to recede. Understandably, you want to get back into your home or business to clean up and rebuild. However, rebuilding too quickly can mean you skip over significant damage and endanger those in the building.

Otherwise, persistent and hazardous issues such as infestations, mold growth and structural deterioration will present safety and health problems that can cost you more money in the long run. Don’t trust that flood water or materials damaged by flooding are safe. Here are the five steps you need to take after flooding to clean up.

1.Contact Professionals to Report and Assess

After flood water recedes, contact the professionals to report and assess the conditions following the flood. Do contact your insurance company as soon as possible, but also don’t neglect to contact disaster restoration professionals to assist with the documentation and restoration process.

ECOS Environmental is experienced with working with insurance companies and their standards. We will stay with you from start to finish. We know how to safely and effectively clean up all kinds of disasters and will restore your home or business with care.

People say that fire is both destructive and creative, but water seeps. It seeps through everything, including your ceiling, drywall, floors and walls.

2. Protect Yourself When Entering

There are some aspects of cleanup that you can safely DIY but never charge into a structure without it being cleared as safe by the experts and authorities.

Cracked foundations and broken floors obviously present hazards. Always turn the electricity off before going into a room with standing water. Also, don’t turn on electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpeting. Never disturb mold, which can form within 48 hours of flooding.

Wear protective gear when you enter the building. Wear masks, waterproof boots and long sleeve clothing.

3. Start Cleaning ASAP

Begin the cleanup process once the building is cleared for you to enter safely. The degree to which you can contribute personally to the cleanup process depends on the degree of damage and concerns for potential health hazards. You don’t and shouldn’t do all the cleanup on your own.

Contact with floodwater and damaged materials endangers your life. It takes a long time, and you can’t work to support yourself and loved ones while cleaning up. If you DIY the cleanup, always wear protective gear. Only what is reasonable and safe for you and your health, such as wiping down surfaces and opening windows.

One of the first and easiest steps that you can DIY is to dry out the contents of the property completely. Focus on items that won’t retain harmful bacteria and mold. You will throw those items away. Many non-porous materials can be salvaged, so take the items outside to dry in the sunlight. Dehumidifiers and fans will help air out the property to prepare for restoration efforts.

4. Exercise Caution with Mold Damage

Where there is moisture, you will most likely find mold. After flooding, mold can quickly develop as soon as 24 hours after water comes in contact with a surface. Please wear a mask when you re-enter a building.

Soap and bleach can help address some mold issues, on the surface, but the problem area can “grow” deeper. Experts can offer you a free estimate and plan for addressing the damage.

5. Address Necessary Repairs Before Restoration

Part of the cleanup process means addressing the necessary repairs before you leap into the restoration process. The early stages of your cleanup efforts must focus on getting everything clean and dry while working with your insurance company and flood cleanup and restoration experts.

Following that, you should address the necessary repairs before restoration. Seal up all leaks and prevent further issues with moisture, especially for future prevention. If you are in a high-risk flood zone, you can investigate the possibility of elevating your home or installing a flood barrier after you take care of those must-do repairs.

Contact ECOS Environmental to guide you through the flood cleanup and restoration process from start to finish.

April 4, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Water Damage flood damage • flood water • sewage • water damage 0 Comments

Is There Sewage In Your Flood Water?

“It’s just water,” you think. What could go wrong if you just decided to dip a toe into the flood water and work your way to the other side? The water doesn’t look too deep or radioactive from afar.

That standing water looks passive enough, but flood waters pose various risks and may threaten you with injury, chemical hazards and infectious diseases. Don’t try to downplay the risks. Even if the current won’t carry you away, you still need to worry about the possibility of sewage in your flood water.

Sewage Can Leak Into Water During a Flood

According to the Scientific American, sewage floods are more likely to happen in the coming years as heavy rains increase. Between 1895 and 2011, rainfall has increased by two inches each year, and it’s only going to continue rising. In 2016, Baton Rouge, Louisiana faced a deluge of 20 inches of rain within 72 hours, necessitating 30,000 rescues.

Many families end up waiting until the flood hits their front door to evacuate, and then they have to do it by boat. What do they end up seeing and treading through? Raw sewage.

That’s what happened to folks in Baton Rouge. The city’s piping, booster systems and life stations were built around a century ago, and the system couldn’t handle the torrential downpour leading to what is known as a “sanitary sewer overflow” — or unsanitary, rather. Do you know how old the pipes are in your neighborhood? It’s worth looking into.

Cities are responsible for adhering to the Clean Water Act. Older systems are designed with fixed degrees of water and rainfall in mind, but more flexible systems need developing.

Outfall points release the sewage into larger bodies of water, but sometimes, shallow slopes don’t allow for proper flushing. In New York City alone, three billion gallons are released into just one stream — the Newton Creek. Find out about how your city treats and tests its water by visiting your government website and asking direct questions.

How Can You Get Ill From Sewage in Flood Water?

Fortunately, most modern people are good about washing their hands after using the restroom and cautious of spreading possibly infectious viruses and diseases. However, sewage in the flood water can spread fecal-oral diseases from the organisms that are released into the water.

These diseases spread from touching dirty hands to your mouth. Spreading can occur by direct contact with the flood water, sewage or someone who becomes sick with disease. You can also become sick by indirect contact with the flood water when you touch damaged furniture, toys or other items or consume food exposed to sewage-contaminated water.

If infected, you may experience nausea, cramps, fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. You should contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms for more than 48 hours.

That’s why it’s important to avoid contact with flood water as a rule of thumb in general. Find a sanitary facility to shower or bathe if you do come into indirect or direct contact with flood water. The incubation period for many fecal-oral diseases consists of one to three days.

Safety Practices Regarding Sewer Contaminated Flood Water

Reduce your risk of contamination and illness by avoiding flood water altogether. If you come in contact with a flooded area, wash yourself with clean soap and water as soon as possible.

Always wash your hands after you use the toilet or eat. Keep your hands under the clean water for at least twenty seconds as you scrub.

For decontamination of objects, in many cases, you can use about eight tablespoons of laundry bleach per gallon of water to preserve some toys and other household objects. Always discard cloth objects, such as clothes, plush toys or pillows.

Use gloves, masks and proper clothing to avoid contact with the water as you clean and throw away the trash. Open up the windows for ventilation.

These tips will help you get through light flooding, but even when the water doesn’t look too deep, you never know what sewage might linger in your flood water — chances are, it’s there.

Don’t risk your health. Contact ECOS Environmental to help clean up, sanitize and restore the area, documenting every step of the process for insurance purposes for you.

February 28, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Carpet Cleaning 0 Comments

How Often Should Carpets Be Professionally Cleaned?

Carpets add texture, color and comfort to your space. However, carpet fibers retain grime, dirt and pet hair over time, hiding them from view. Professional carpet cleaning can restore the appearance of your carpets and protect your health.

One study found that the typical indoor carpet is 4,000 more times grimier than a toilet seat. That adds up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch. It almost makes you almost want to sleep with your socks on forever. Yikes!

Frequent cleaning and vacuuming can help mitigate the bacteria, but a professional carpet cleaning gets deep into carpet fibers to eliminate bacteria from the “root.” So, how often should carpets be professionally cleaned?

From DIY to Professional Carpet Cleaning

At what degree of dirtiness do you call in a professional to clean the carpets? Is it when you can’t get the red wine stain out, or when there’s a perceptible, lingering odor? Let’s break it down by cleaning stages.

1. How often should you vacuum?

For light to medium soiling, vacuum your carpets one to two times a week. For the typical household, it’s best to vacuum two times a week, especially if you have kids, pets, smokers or messy employees in a similarly high traffic area.

2. How often should you spot clean?

Spot cleaning prevents the buildup of grime and bacteria and is not cutting corners when practiced regularly.

Spot clean light, medium and heavy soiling as soon as you noticed spots and keep up treatments daily. Stubborn or toxic spots require professional cleaning, especially in the case of a flood whether caused by bursting pipes or a hurricane.

Does anyone have specific allergies? Then, you may require more frequent cleaning passes with green cleaning products. For heavily traffic areas, depending on the degree of soiling, you should clean your carpets at least three times a week. You may need to vacuum or spot treat areas daily.

3. So, how often should your carpets be professionally cleaned?

We generally recommend that you professionally clean your carpets at least once a year. It mitigates long-term damage to your carpets and health as a result of letting problem areas go. Those spots add up — especially when a natural disaster strikes.

When water soaks into a carpet, it can spur on the growth of mold and bacteria — not to mention inviting bed bugs and other pests to come to live with you.

What Are the Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning?

Regularly vacuuming and spot cleaning can help combat dust, dirt, food particles, pet dander and other particles that transfer to the carpet. These particles need to be removed regularly, or they can cause odors, stains and permanent damage — to the carpet and potentially your health.

“Seasonal” allergies may not be seasonal. If you let these particles build up in your carpet fibers, the spread of bacteria can adversely affect your health.

A professional carpet cleaning also extends the longevity of your carpets and improves their appearance. Life gets too busy and rushing to get things done can put such chores at the bottom of your to-do list. So, when you let those chores go, it’s easier and cost-effective to bring in a professional for restorative servicing.

You put money into your carpets, and their appearance adds to the impression of your residence or company. A grimy carpet makes guests cringe and can quickly send them running for the front door. The buildup of bacteria-causing particles can wear away at the carpet’s structure and deteriorate the carpet. After a while, you may need new carpet installed rather than a professional cleaning.

Vacuuming, spot cleaning and some over-the-counter treatments can maintain your carpets for general cleaning. However, the long-term health and appearance of your carpets are a concern that needs to make your yearly to-do list.

Over time, grime and bacteria build up to destroy the structure of your carpets and spread. That’s when you definitely need to call in the professionals. ECOS Environmental uses safe and green cleaning products and techniques to deep clean your carpets and restore them to their original beauty. Contact ECOS today 24/7 at 888-491-4652 to speak with us about your professional carpet cleaning needs.

January 24, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Fire Damage 0 Comments

Erasing The Smell Left After Smoke Damage

When fire blazes, the items burnt on its destructive journey leave a distinctive odor. The smell left after smoke damage is a mix of damaged paint, plastic, wood and other materials. Needless to say, it’s less than inviting and affects the livability and breathability of your home.

The smell can also affect you physically, leaving you feeling nauseated and suffering headaches. Microscopic particles stubbornly stick to walls, floors, ceilings, clothing, fabrics, cabinets, and furniture, and it makes the smoke smell just as difficult to eradicate. So, how do you erase the smell left after smoke damage?

Let In Fresh Air

Open the windows to let the fresh air. Fans will help circulate the air, moving in the fresh air and pushing out the smoke smell.

Indoor air quality issues can persist, and that’s where restoration professionals must step in with professional grade fans and environmentally friendly tools to erase the smoke damage and smell.

Wipe Down Surfaces

Smoke rises and soot settles — on walls, windows and other surfaces. For lighter cases of smoke damage, you can use vinegar to cut through the soot and smoke smell.

Dilute a cup of vinegar with a gallon of water, or use less water if you need a stronger solution. Add a few drops of dish soap to the liquid mixture. Once combined, you can use this cleaner to naturally clean up the soot and reduce the lingering smoke smell.

Dry cleaning sponges also lift soot, and alkaline cleaners help to neutralize acids inside soot and erase the smell left after smoke damage. ECOS Environmental uses environmentally friendly cleaners to tackle persistent smoke damage and lingering odors. The damage can also linger in nooks and crannies like window screens.

Launder Clothing and Fabrics

Wash all fabrics. It will take some time, but it’s necessary to banish the smoke smell permanently.

Take down the curtains. Gather up the clothes. Launder all washable fabrics. Add some vinegar to the wash to help erase the smoke smell. Run the fabrics and clothes through as many cycles as necessary until the smell is gone.

Avoid using odor-masking sprays on non-washable fabrics as these will only hide the odor. Deodorizers will help reduce the smell, but you may need to try several passes. You can also hang up larger fabrics and rugs outside on a nice day to let the wind blow the smoke smell out.

Getting the Smoke Smell Out of Furniture and Carpets

What about furniture? Depending on the degree of smoke and damage, you may worry that you can save your furniture. What about your carpets?

Baking soda absorbs odors. Sprinkle it over upholstery and carpet. Wait for three hours. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to contain the smoke smell and baking soda.

More specialized cleaners are available, but misusing them may cause damage to your personal belongings. You may also worry about which cleaners are safe for your pets.

Professionally Clean AC/Heat Units

What if the smoke smell persists after all that effort? After letting in fresh air, wiping down surfaces and deodorizing your furniture and carpets?

Contact professionals to clean your air conditioning, heating and ventilating units. Once all ducts are clean, your home or business won’t circulate hidden smoke smell. Regularly change all filters.

Don’t spend unnecessary money trying to erase the smell left after smoke damage. Contact ECOS Environmental to sort your belongings in a climate controlled area, and we will bring in the right tools and expertise to banish the smell left after smoke damage for good.

ECOS Environmental is available 24/7 for Colorado residents, and we work around the clock to restore your home and business. We use green technology and cleaning products to clean up smoke smell and damage that won’t harm you or your pets. Contact ECOS today 24/7 at 888-375-3267 to speak with a senior manager about your project.

Image: Pexels

January 10, 2019 By ECOS Environmental Blog • ECOS • Water Damage 0 Comments

When Can Flood Cleanup Begin After A Major Flood

Severe flooding causes structural damage and creates health and fire hazards. Heavy rain, tornadoes and hurricanes can cause major flooding that leads to contamination through sewage or mold.

Mold exposure poses series health risks, so it’s important to begin flood cleanup as soon as its safe to return to your home or business.

Severe Weather Must Calm Down

Wait for severe weather to pass before returning to the structure and arranging for cleanup. It still may not be safe, even if a storm has passed. 77 percent of deaths in a hurricane are caused by drowning. Officials need to also check for downed power lines that may risk electrocution.

When officials declare the area safe, you can initiate the cleanup process by contacting FEMA, insurance claims adjusters and a professional crew to provide disaster relief cleanup. ECOS Environmental can help you file your claim, document the damage for the insurance adjuster’s visit and clean up after the flood.

Start Cleanup Before Mold Strikes

Mold poses a serious health risk and can form within 24 hours of flooding. It can cause concerns in the healthiest of individuals, irritating your eyes, nose, throat, lungs and skin. Mold also leads to more severe reactions and long-term effects in those with allergies, mold infection, compromised immune system or a chronic lung illness.

If you have existing allergies, mold exposure can make you feel like you have the flu. You may experience fever, difficulty breathing, coughing exhaustion and brain fog.

Besides toxic black mold, green-black mold is also harmful. After a flood, you can find it on dust, lint, paper. fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. If you’ve been away for days due to evacuation, contact flood damage cleanup professionals immediately when you suspect mold.

Take the Proper Precautions

Take safety precautions and wear gloves, masks and rubber boots when removing flood-damaged valuables. Never wade in water since contaminants, nails, downed wires and other hazards may linger.

Make sure you’ve had your tetanus shot since you risk serious infection without one, especially if contaminated water touches an open wound or rusty nails gouge you. Floodwater can contain the following contaminants: E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Hepatitis A Virus, and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus.

Consider public water sources unsafe until officials deem otherwise. Wash fabrics in hot water at the laundromat and dry-clean them. You can clean some surfaces with soap and water, but put safety first. Use duct tape to secure refrigerator and freezer doors after food disposal.

Always consult with local authorities before removing debris. It’s better to let the cleanup crew handle this process due to potential hazards. Floods can bury and move chemical containers and hazardous waste far from their original locations. Let officials handle chemical and electrical hazards.

Apply for Relief Urgently

Always contact your insurance company, FEMA and local government relief agencies for assistance. However, response time may take hours or days, depending on need and demand.

Many national restoration companies promise a four-hour response time frame, and smaller businesses can provide faster service with the same aptitude and expertise. Don’t hesitate to contact a licensed flood damage expert. ECOS Environmental is equipped to respond and address these hazards in record time. Our experts arrive at your location no later than two hours from dispatch and typically within an hour for most locations.

The longer water sits in your home or business, the more hazards you risk. Insurance companies and government officials stress that cleanup should begin as soon as possible after a major flood. Mold, downed lines and other hazards threaten your safety without a fast response.

Contact ECOS Environmental to help you save on out-of-pocket expenses in record time, restore your home and business and document the whole process for the insurance company. Always put safety first.

December 27, 2018 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Mold 0 Comments

The Long-Term Side Effects Of Mold Exposure

Mold gives humanity some pleasant things, such as blue cheese and penicillin. However, exposure to mold can have negative long-term side effects on your health, causing serious infection and allergies.

Active mold growth needs moisture to thrive. Mold can develop within 24 hours when disasters strike and lead to water damage. That orange film on your kitchen drain is mold, and so is that fuzzy white stuff on your basement floor. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Mold can still irritate your eyes, nose, throat, lungs and skin and affect your health in the long-term.

From Mild to Long-Term Side Effects

Sensitivity to molds can cause throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, nasal stuffiness, eye irritation and skin irritation. Those with a mold allergy and who experience prolonged exposure to mold can have more severe reactions. If you have a chronic lung illness or a compromised immune system, infection due to mold exposure may affect you more seriously.

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) linked indoor mold exposure with upper respiratory tract symptoms and illness in both adults and children. Otherwise healthy individuals coughed and wheezed. Those with asthma experienced excessive asthma symptoms. Susceptible individuals exposed to damp indoor environments had an increased risk of developing asthma.

Those with compromised immune systems were more likely to become susceptible to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Some findings suggest that early interventions in improving housing conditions mitigate the morbidity from respiratory allergies and asthma.

Those with allergies can have more serious symptoms that make you feel like you have the flu or pneumonia with chest colds, headaches, persistent exhaustion, frequent coughing, fever and difficulty breathing. Toxic mold exposure is also connected to more serious, long-term effects like insomnia, memory loss, trouble concentrating and confusion. Mold exposure contributes to depression and anxiety. It can even lead to muscle cramps, numbness in extremities, weight gain, light sensitivity and hair loss.

Black Mold Is Toxigenic

Certain molds prove toxigenic, which means that they produce mycotoxins that cause ill health effects. A little mold is everywhere, but not all mold is “poisonous.” That doesn’t mean you should ignore mold.

Most are familiar with black mold, which is toxigenic and produces mold spores. These form colonies and grow with other spores. High concentrations of these mycotoxins can cause mold poisoning in healthy people, too.

Mold poisoning is also known as mycotoxicosis. This condition affects the upper respiratory system with harmful cold or flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms due to mycotoxins can prove fatal. That’s especially true for those with severe allergies, asthma or other conditions.

Green-black mold is also harmful. It’s found on paper, dust, lint, fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. It can develop and spread after water leaks, floods and condensation.

Until you know more, treat all molds the same due to the potential long-term side effects and health risks. Take mold growth seriously. You will usually see the mold colony and smell the signature “musty” smell.

Prevent Mold Growth With Routine Maintenance

To prevent mold growth, we suggest using a dehumidifier during the warm months and providing your home or business with the proper ventilation. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Clean surfaces with mold-killing products.

Keep your humidity levels below 50 percent. Humidity levels shift throughout the day. Inspecting your structure for mold growth is an important part of routine building maintenance.

Seek treatment from a doctor soon as you notice any eye irritation, skin irritation or other common symptoms after exposure to mold, especially when symptoms persist. It’s better to be safe than sorry. ECOS Environmental is happy to step in and test your home or business for mold and assist with the cleanup and renovation.

Call us 24/7 at 888-375-3267

Image: Pixabay

December 6, 2018 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Fire Damage 0 Comments

What You Should Know About Dealing With Fire Restoration

When you experience a fire in your home or business, the aftermath is overwhelming to deal with and leaves you feeling vulnerable. Hopefully, you never have to deal with the fear, loss and helpless feeling that comes with experiencing fire damage.

Be prepared by educating yourself early on, and address fire damage restoration as a priority, should it occur, to avoid long-term issues and costly repairs. Here’s what you should know about dealing with fire restoration.

Contacting the Insurance Company and Fire Restoration Services

Safety and damage must be assessed before you enter the building. Your insurance company can help you find temporary lodging until you get the fire report. Also, contact a fire restoration service to conduct a damage assessment to get the restoration process started.

Credible fire restoration professionals are both licensed and insured to perform their services. A fire restoration contractor knows how to employ their services and resources to reduce the risk of further damage and offer cleanup help as they:

• Try to salvage as much of your personal and home belongings as possible, such as clothing, appliances and furniture.

• Document all items removed from your home in writing and by taking photos, noting differences between structural and personal property damage.

• Work with the insurance company before, during and after the assessment and restoration.

• Work carefully and quickly to get you back into your home, and remain in contact with you to make sure you don’t experience other problems.

If Safe to Enter: Tasks You Can Perform

Did officials clear the building for safe entry? Always put safety first. If approved to enter safely, wear respiratory protection, work gloves and long sleeves and pants. Here are a few small tasks you can perform to minimize initial damage before the restoration company steps in for major cleanup:

• Ventilation: Air out the house by opening the windows. Force out contaminated air and dust with fans. Know that the restoration professionals set up industrial-strength fans and other equipment to remove the contaminated air.

• Cleaning: You need to find your valuable documents and replace them. You can scrub surfaces with soap and water if you need to get to certain items, but leave the heavy-duty cleaning for the restoration professionals. Alkaline cleaners help neutralize acids in soot to reduce the smoke smell.

• Laundry: Wash clothing, bedding and other items that you can machine-wash with alkaline cleaners. Use dry cleaners who are experienced with remedying smoke damage. Don’t use washers and dryers subjected to smoke and fire damage.

Fire Restoration Services Step in For Cleanup

Fire restoration services thoroughly cleanup by using industrial-grade equipment and products. For example, they may use specialized filters as they vacuum. Dry-cleaning soot sponges help lift loose soot. Fire restoration professionals remove standing pools of water with the use of submersible pumps. They sanitize rooms to prevent the risk of health problems, such as those due to mold. Mold begins to grow after 24 hours which may result from water damage from putting out the fire.

The restoration company discards items that are too damaged for repair or restoration. Furniture and other items can also absorb contaminated water or mold. New carpets replace damaged ones. New wallpaper and paint go up. Your home gets a complete analysis and work-over, from top to bottom and interior to exterior.

Did you know that a fire restoration company can leave your property looking better than before? The best companies do more than repair. They renovate to optimize the area for your safety but also look at this as an opportunity to redesign your home to your needs and changing tastes.

Calling a Fire Restoration Company STAT Can Save You More Money

You may think fire damage looks minor and that you can put off repairs. More damage results from negligence, which sends the insurance company a red flag. They may deny future claims. Be proactive in making your claim. Let fire restoration professionals help you document the damage. This makes it easier to file accurate claims, saving you more money in the long run.

Fire restoration services often step in before insurance companies do to assess the damage. They help walk you through the steps you need to take to get back to your normal routines — and back into your home or business. ECOS Environmental assists with documentation, emergency board-up, soot removal, thermal deodorization (for mitigating smoke damage), demolition, repair and reconstruction.

Image: Pexels

November 23, 2018 By ECOS Environmental Blog • Water Damage water damage • water damage repairs • water damage restoration company 0 Comments

How Quickly Water Damage Escalates

When water damage occurs in your home or business, the problem does not go away with time. Secondary destruction takes place as more time passes, causing greater damage.

Overwhelmed gutters, leaking pipes, backed-up toilets and natural disasters are a few common causes of water damage. Water pools into corners, damaging every material it absorbs into as the clock ticks by. Here’s how quickly water damage escalates.

How Water Damages the Home Within Minutes

Did you know that water can damage your home within minutes? Here’s what to look for:

• Furniture finishes, sensitive to moisture, start to turn white.

• Carpets quickly absorb water, and furniture left standing on these saturated surfaces stain the carpeting.

• Water contamination increasingly spreads, accelerating claim costs.

How Water Damages the Home Within Hours

Minutes turn into hours, and as those hours tick by, water damage becomes more apparent.

• Furniture in contact with the spreading water swells and delaminates.

• Increased humidity amplifies everyday smells. The risk for mold development grows. Leaking toilets and food left out increases health risks, as these hazards interact.

• Non-colorfast fabrics dyes bleed.

How Water Damages the Home Within Days

Where moisture lingers, mold and fungi begin to appear, as wood warps and structures break down.

• Mold spores appear within 24 hours, and fungi grow — signaled by their distinct musty odors.

• Severe wood cupping and warping becomes apparent. After days, water damage to wood floors may mean replacing flooring in entire rooms.

• Wallpaper peels away as the adhesives release. Painted walls form blisters.

• Wood structures swell, split and warp.

At this point, if you act quickly to contact water damage restoration professionals, your home or business may be restored closer to its original condition before the loss occurred.

How Water Damages the Home Within Weeks

As the weeks pass, greater risks due to water damage threaten to your home and health.

• Mold roots itself into organic materials, destroying their integrity.

• Increasing health hazards force occupants to evacuate.

• Exposure to mold can result in allergic sensitivity and chronic respiratory issues.

• Weeks worth of water damage may require the residence or business being completely gutted to its bare bones. Occupants become displaced for long periods and claims shoot up astronomically.

Minimizing Water Damage

Basements are the primary culprits for water damage and mold growth, due to humidity, dampness and poor air circulation. The humidity and water in a bathroom can also generate moist, stagnant air, and this air makes for a perfect breeding ground for mold. Attics, laundry rooms and wall cavities are also prone to water damage.

Where there is moisture or condensation, water damage and mold growth can occur. Getting ventilation into the structure and removing furniture away from saturated surfaces helps reduce water damage. But you can only do so much within minutes and hours on your own. Your life and health are the higher priorities.

Do not take any chances. Be safe and get help cleaning up water damage before it accelerates. Water damage can lead to expensive and extensive repairs, but most of these challenges may be made as successful claims through one’s insurance company.

Microbial and mold growth can occur within 24 hours, compromising health for all inhabitants, even pets. Prevent additional damage to your home to save meaningful and important items as well as the structure itself.

ECOS professionals are certified water damage repair experts. With more than 10 years of experience in the industry, a quick response time reduces the risk of extensive damage and repair costs. ECOS professionals are with you every step of the way, as a reputable restoration company should be, documenting the damage before restoration and walking the claims adjuster through the property before and after services are rendered. Serving Colorado, call ECOS 24/7 at (888) 506-3165 to discuss your water damage concerns.

November 18, 2018 By James Lowry ECOS 0 Comments

Vandalism Graffiti Cleanup

Vandalism Graffiti Cleanup

Hire ECOS for your vandalism graffiti cleanup project. We are open 24/7 & we can respond quickly to your property as a local company. Vandalism & graffiti can be extremely upsetting and frustrating for property owners. It ranges from comparatively minor pranks to severe destruction of property. In Colorado, the official term for this is “Criminal Mischief” and it is one of the most rampant crimes. This typically involves illegally defacing private or public property with graphics and markings without the owner’s permission. At times, it also involves broken window panes or doors that have borne dents and damage.

Vandalism graffiti cleanup can be difficult as well as time-consuming. Moreover, if acts of vandalism and graffiti are not attended to speedily, they can lead to increased wear and tear of the property.

It can be especially challenging to recover from vandalism in the absence of technically trained experts who have the tools and equipment to get the job done properly. But worry not! At ECOS, we’ve got you covered. Our vandalism graffiti cleanup services can effectively take care of your damaged property, restoring it so that your time and money are saved in the long run. Below, we give the top reasons why you should hire ECOS for your vandalism graffiti cleanup project:

Live Owner On Call 24/7 To Dispatch ECOS professionals
ECOS Responds Quickly Saving You Time and Money
ECOS Professionals Have 15 Years Experience in Vandalism Graffiti Cleanup
We Focus Heavily On The Safety Of Your Environment (removing broken glass, hepa vacuuming the property, etc.)
ECOS Is Available To Do Emergency Vandalism Graffiti Cleanup projects (Monday through Sunday)
Our professionals Are Certified
We Can Provide References Upon Request
ECOS uses state of the art green technology to do the Vandalism Graffiti Cleanup
We take photos of the entire process to enable the policy holder and adjuster to understand why the removal of some structural materials was required, what was disposed, and why ECOS employees had to use certain protective equipment.
ECOS professionals Have Been Screened With A Background Check

Vandalism graffiti cleanup professionals can help in the following ways:

Removal of Graffiti

If there is spray paint or painted graffiti on your property, it is best to start the removal process as soon as possible. This is because graffiti tends to become more permanent and ingrain itself onto the surface. Depending on the kind of graffiti, an appropriate solvent has to be used to remove it. Also, the surface damages and paint material need to be evaluated to restore your property accordingly. As vandalism graffiti cleanup experts, we make sure that the proper method is applied to get rid of unwanted writing or drawings scribbled onto your property.

Taking Care of Broken Glass

Often, there is shattered glass that accompanies acts of vandalism and graffiti. The glass can be from that of a broken door or window. There are safety issues to be considered here as jagged edges of glass can easily cut the skin. Even tiny shards can lodge themselves in nooks and corners or get embedded in the carpet. This can cause serious injury to people who walk barefoot, toddlers, and pets. So, if broken glass is not dealt with properly, it can be a severe threat to all. We help thoroughly clean up any scattered glass pieces in and around the premises. Also, if a glass pane is damaged beyond repair, we take necessary measurements and ensure its complete replacement.

Repairs and Board-Up Installation

It is immensely shocking and stressful to return home to find your roof, door, window, or wall damaged in a way that needs immediate protection. If these structures require temporary covering till extensive repair takes place, give us a call. We will send a professional technician right away to board up your property. Plywood boards and screens are generally durable and suitable for both short- and long-term security. The boards can be installed at a whole range of access points and provide a flexible solution. We take care of these board-ups and all related repairs to appropriately protect your property.

Cleaning Driveways and Walkways

The walls along walkways and driveways are often subject to vandalism and graffiti. This can make these public places appear dirty and aesthetically distasteful. We ensure that these locations are completely free of all broken concrete and brick particles as well as stones. The place will look just as it did before the damage. As the particles are sometimes very fine, the use of an ordinary vacuum cleaner often does not do complete justice. This is where we come in, using appropriate machinery especially designed for vandalism graffiti cleanup.

Has your home or office recently been vandalized? Have you found graffiti on parts of your property? Anxious to clean it up speedily?

Call ECOS at 888-375-3267 today!

We are committed to providing vandalism graffiti cleanup services to make your life easier. As experts in the field, we bring to you what is most important – peace of mind.

Why Choose ECOS?

We have a live operator on call 24/7 to schedule your project (Monday through Sunday).
Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
We give topmost priority to the health and safety of our clients.
Our modern equipment is safe for people, animals, and sensitive materials.
Our technicians are friendly and helpful.
ECOS has years of professional vandalism graffiti cleanup experience in the industry and are experts.
We have no hidden charges and offer competitive pricing.
ECOS professionals take “before” and “after” photographs with relation to our cleanup service that record and show the extent of damage to the insurance company (if the affected area is covered by insurance).

For more information on the subject, please refer to the following external links:

Wikipedia Page on Graffiti Removal

Colorado National Park Vandalised with Graffiti

Graffiti Facts & Figures

Category: ECOS