Clean Air Dust Reducing Carpet?

Recently, a company out of the Netherlands called Desso released a new type of carpeting called the “AirMaster”. Desso says that the AirMaster is designed to trap a higher amount of dust than regular carpets and thus, will reduce airborne particles. Essentially, the AirMaster carpet is said to clean the air.

Ok. So the air is cleaner, but what about the carpet that you walk on? According to independent tests by the German Test Institute, the AirMaster carpet releases 80% of its trapped dust during vacuuming. This result scores higher than regular carpeting which releases 16% less dust when vacuumed.

According to Desso, the AirMaster offers significant indoor air quality improvement and reduces the risk of dust-related health problems such as Asthma.

There is a great debate as to whether or not allergy sufferers & Asthmatics should have carpet in their house. In our opinion, it is really a matter of keeping the carpet clean. Although carpets can act as a filter and essentially trap airborne particles and dust, vacuuming 80% of the particles in your carpet just isn’t good enough. Carpets must be kept clean, vacuumed regularly and professionally cleaned at least every 6 months to optimally impact indoor air quality. If well maintained, they can actual impact indoor air quality better than hard flooring as the trapped particles are less likely to be disturbed.

Professional carpet cleaning is necessary because professional carpet cleaners have the tools to ensure that your carpet will be residue free upon completion. Even though homeowners can clean a carpet themselves, home cleaning presents risks of leaving residue and excess water (water that does not dry after 24 hours becomes a risk for mold growth). Some professionals even use new green techniques that involve little water and low environmental impact.

A final word would be that to maintain good indoor air quality, homeowners must also consider utilizing particle minimizing filters as well as maintaining an environment of low humidity. Indoor spaces that have high humidity will lead to mold growth which will not only impact the air quality in a negative way but will lead to mold-related health problems for you and your pets as well.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage Clearwater, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Advanced Restoration is a BBB accredited business!

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is pleased to report that it is a BBB accredited business!

Learn more at Advanced Restoration BBB

The Real Cost of the New EPA Lead Safe Rule

As of April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed a rule called the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule which requires all contractors, property managers or other firms and their workers to be trained in and utilize lead-safe work practices. The new Lead-Safe Certification is a federally regulated program that will help reduce hazardous lead dust commonly caused by renovation and demolition projects. However, this new rule is creating quite a stir in the contracting world as many workers are worried about the financial burdens associated with the increased costs associated with lead-safe practices.

The new Lead-Safe Certification is just one part of the EPA’s campaign for preventing lead poisoning. According to the EPA, lead poisoning amongst children within the United States is a huge problem; damage to the brain and nervous system, hearing problems and headaches are just a few of the problems that can affect children who have been exposed to lead. Although children’s bodies more readily absorb lead, adults are also at risk for lead poisoning and may experience toxicity in the form of nerve disorders, muscle pain and reproductive problems. The EPA had decided to make serious strides in the area of preventing lead exposure and the new Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP) will definitely help steer their agenda.

The RRP directly applies to contractors or firms that are renovating, repairing or painting homes, child care facilities or schools built before 1978. From demolishing a building to electrical work to simply replacing a window, the EPA requires workers to use lead-safe practices so as to not disturb lead paint. The EPA estimates about 38million homes and apartment units contain lead paint. The rule does not cover buildings built in 1978 or later and includes other exemptions such as housing for elderly persons. As well, the rule does not apply to homeowners; though the EPA strongly encourages homeowners to use lead-safe practices when renovating their homes. Currently, the training involves 8 hours to be paid-out-of-pocket. In addition to the training, there is a $300 certification fee per person to be renewed every five years.

Read the rest of the The Real Cost of the New EPA Lead Safe Rule article here

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is now EPA RRP Lead Certified!

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is now EPA RRP Lead Certified!

We are now knowledgeable in lead laws associated with the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule and are certified in lead-safe work practices. In addition to our water damage restoration, mold remediation and sewer repair services, Advanced Restoration can now service customers by helping to prevent lead exposure and lead hazards.

Our certification ensures that we have met the requirements to use lead-safe methods and conduct lead-safe work practices. Furthermore, we have learned new work practice standards that ensure safety.

Lead is a serious toxin and may cause a range of health effects including learning disabilities, hearing loss and seizures are some of the effects that lead can have on people. Although children six years old and under are most at risk, it is important to have your property inspected if it might be at risk for lead. Properties built before 1978 are at a high risk for having lead-based paint.

If you have any questions about lead safety, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc. today 1-800-DRY-ME-OUTwww.drymeout.com

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency DisasterRecovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial&Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, ManateeCounty, FL and Okaloosa county, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us

Advanced Restoration Reveals Newly Re-Designed Website

Great news! We have revamped our website and it is live!

We have made our site more user friendly and added some great new features including:

• Before and After photos section
• Green Matters section
• New Testimonials Page
• Advanced Restoration Gives Back

and much more.

Please check it out when you have a chance!

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa county, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Thinking about the poor people in Tennessee’s flood rampage

Just wanted to take a moment to put out some positive energy for the residents of Tennessee. Their battle with severe storms and flash floods over the last few days has been horrible. At Advanced Restoration, Inc., we deal with disasters caused from storms and water damage all the time but seeing footage of the Nashville Titans football stadium in Nashville under water blew me away.

I am happy to report that the water damage to the stadium had been reported to be minor. Equally, I am unhappy to hear about the billions of losses, including loved ones.

To our associates in the restoration industry in Tennessee, our hats are off to you as we know what jobs lie ahead for you as you help restore Tennessee to it’s former beauty.

View footage of the Nashville Titans stadium flooding

Your neighbor's home is foreclosed: is your health at risk?

Last Friday, Peter Linton-Smith from Fox News 13 Pasco reported on a story that is getting more and more common. Foreclosures that become infested with mold.

With unnerving statistics reported such as “In 2009, Florida posted almost 517,000 foreclosure filings, a 34-percent jump from filings in 2008 and a 213-percent rise from postings in 2007. Its foreclosure rate of nearly six percent was the third highest rate among the states and its filings total was the second biggest” and “foreclosures will continue to rise in number this year (2010) because of the double-digit jobless rate, the refusal of banks to provide refinancing, the decline in property values and the high percentage of adjustable-rate mortgage loans”, it’s no wonder that mold is taking over with so many empty properties just waiting for a pipe to burst or a sewage leak to occur. The worst part about it is, as reported in Linton-Smith’s story, there is no one to pay for the remediation and consequently, the health of neighbors is at a huge risk.

If you need any advice on mold or water damage, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc. today 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT