Mold Inspection Vital For Maintaining Building Health Standards

Building Cleaning Company Calls For Regular Building Mold Inspection

LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services, (http://buildingcleaningservices.net/) a general building cleaning and Los Angeles mold removal company, is informing the public of the importance of regular mold inspection to keep a building clean and safe for all occupants. The company urges the public to take fast action if water damage has occurred or any slightest suspicion exists of a mold infestation.

Mold inspection allows for a professional assessment of a building site to be done to find harmful molds which may exist. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states: “You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation). Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.”

Buildings Cleaning Services has been in the Los Angeles mold remediation business for over 10 years. The company works tirelessly to ensure any mold damage detected by mold inspection is cleaned to complete standard of independent, air sampling and clearance-testing release. Keeping a building free of dangerous mold infestation is imperative to the health of all of a building’s occupants. The longer signs of mold infestation are ignored, the more the public is put at risk. Call for an inspection and handle any mold infestation indicated to be dangerous to public health.

One client of Building Cleaning Services receiving help in a Los Angeles mold remediation project said: “I hired BCS a few years ago, and they were great. From the crew to the back office, everyone was professional, on time, fair and friendly. They took care of our water intrusion issue and made a bad situation so much easier to handle. They actually care about their work and doing a good job. A rare find.”

Building Cleaning Services' other reviews on Yelp can be seen at www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale

BCS provides water damage handling and mold removal services for the Greater Los Angeles area, and other areas of Southern California. Established in 1997, they have over a decade of experience as a company with fast service, high professionalism and work ethic. BCS is certified by the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning and Restoration and Environmental Testing & Technology. To learn more, visit http://www.BuildingCleaningServices.net, or call 818-953-7100 or e-mail bcs@buildingcleaningservices.net.


Link in article to EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html

SAVING WATER TO SAVE MONEY AND PEACE OF MIND

IMPROPER WATERING CREATES MOLD

MOLD IN WET CRAWLSPACE


California water conservation is in crisis. Governor Brown has declared a Drought Emergency and on April 1st ordered the State Water Resources Control Board to impose restrictions to achieve a 25 percent reduction in drinkable urban water usage through February 28, 2016. Water conservation rules are being enforced.

Water conservation is nothing new for Southern California, and those conservation projects have made a big difference. According to The New York Times, Los Angeles used less water in 2014 than it did in 1970, despite having a population that has grown by more than a third. But despite all the conservation efforts Southern California continues to use water far faster than water supplies. Water conservation regulations include some things that are obvious: i.e., do not water your lawn when it is raining or within 48 hours of it having rained; do not water in such a way that it results in excessive run off. What does this have to do with mold remediation? More than one might think. One of the problems that we often have to remedy is mold growing inside crawlspaces beneath a building because runoff from watering (and rain when we get it) goes into the crawlspace keeping it wet. A mysterious musty odor in a home has often been traced to mold growing on the bottom of a sub-floor because of a wet crawlspace.

WATERING YOUR WALLS CAN CREATE MOLD

Sprinkler that waters wall

MOLD FROM SPRINKLER
A common cause of mold inside walls is that lawn sprinklers water the side of the exterior walls, never letting them fully dry out. This results in structural damage, water seeping into the walls and hidden (and in some cases not so hidden) mold growth. Drip irrigation systems cure this problem by putting the water only where it belongs, thus saving not only water but eliminating a source of mold as well.

STEPS TO TAKE

1. If you have sprinklers, check them the next time that you run them. Do they spray on walls or into crawlspace air vents? If so then readjust them or change them out to a drip type of system.
2. Is there runoff from the sprinklers? If so, where does it go? If it goes into the crawlspace or dams against building walls you have are facing potential mold and structural damage. Reduce the amount of watering to eliminate or minimize run off. After all, water that runs off and does not soak into the ground does your plants no good.
3. Turn off the water everywhere in your home and check your water meter reading. Wait 30 minutes and check it again. Did the reading change? How much? Double the change and you will have the number of gallons per hour that is going somewhere it should not. This will not tell you if there is a leak, but it will tell you if there is one and how bad it is (of course, there could be multiple slow leaks). Slow leaks often go undetected for weeks or months and can create a great deal of damage. If you do not know where your water meter is then find out. There is a main water shut off valve at the meter. There is nothing more fun than having a water pipe break at 3:00am and running around looking for the water shut off while the place is flooding. Also make sure that you have a tool handy to turn the valve off, if needed.
4. If you do have water damage or mold or a musty odor contact Building Cleaning Services. We have more than 15 years of experience in water damage restoration and mold remediation and we are dedicated to handling problems as quickly and efficiently as is possible.

BigTreeSupply.com: Providing Trees With Structural Support

By Nancy Penrose

Occasionally, a tree can grow to the point where it can no longer support its own weight. This problem typically occurs in big trees with multiple trunks, large canopies or trees whose branches attach with a “V” shape. The situation can worsen during periods of snow or rain, when wet leaves increase the weight of the foliage. Strong winds can also exacerbate the problem.

Multi-trunk trees are more at risk than single trunk trees because the limbs extend away from the center of the trunk. The foliage on the limbs will increase the weight on each side of the trunk.

When a big tree’s branches are attached in a “V” shape, it increases the likelihood of vertical splitting. The main reason for splitting is insufficient connective tissue between the stem and the tree trunk, and the bark between the stems. The larger the angle of the “V”, the more chances a split will occur.

Structural issues can also appear when a tree has long and heavy limbs, especially if the limbs grow horizontally or downward.

Poorly anchored trees can lead to support problems as well. Inadequate anchoring usually happens when the tree has been planted in shallow or compacted soils, has root damage or an improper rootball.

A branch or trunk with insufficient support can fail, causing a decline in the health of the tree, property damage or even personal injury.

Many times, cables and braces can be used to provide the structural support the tree needs. They can extend the life of a damaged tree and minimize potential hazards due to branch failure.
Cables, which have better leverage than rods, are generally placed high in a tree. They minimize branch movement and breakage. The cable will usually be installed 2/3 of distance from the weak area to the branch ends.

Bracing involves the use of rods, which are installed either above or below the branch that needs support. Braces help prevent the leaders from moving sideways or spreading apart. They are usually installed with cables.

Cables and braces come in many different types of materials and strength. There are also various techniques used during installation depending on the tree and problem being addressed. Some trees for example, will do fine with a single cable, while others will need the cable set up in a triangle or box shape. Single or multiple rods can also be used depending on the situation

Once the cable or brace has been installed, it should be inspected on a regular basis for damage from wind, rain and other elements.

Another way to provide big tree support is with guying. This method involves the use of a cable that is attached to the tree on one end and an external anchor on the other. Guying is often a support solution for trees with root issues.

Pruning can help reduce tree weight and potential support problems as well.

A big tree specialist is the best person to consult when identifying trees that need support, deciding where to place cabling and braces, and the type and size of support to use. A tree supplier specializing in big trees can also tell you if your tree can be saved with additional support, or if your money will be better spent purchasing a new tree.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), tree nursery Snohomish, WA, one of the largest Seattle tree nurseries (see inventory at http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/), specializing in tree transplanting. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpactBDUPmQ

Big Trees Inc to Landscape Estate in Snoqualmie Pass

Property Outside of Downtown Seattle to Get Tree Additions by Tree Transplant Company

SEATTLE, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/) a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, recently undertook a project of landscaping a property in the Hyak area of Snoqualmie Pass. The project will involve moving multiple trees onto the property to enhance two areas of the estate.

Big Trees Inc was contacted by the client and asked to transport the trees in, specifically 15 large Cedar trees for the property. The client requested to have 5 large Thuja Cedars, at 24 feet tall, be brought in as a privacy screen between the property and the road, as well as 10 more Cedar trees at 12 feet tall to be added amongst them. Almost the entire Big Trees installation team will work on the one project to oversee a one day installation. Consideration had been asked on the part of the client for the surrounding community and neighbors to be impacted as minimally as possible, so the Big Trees tree transplanting team will work in close co-ordination and with such a large project team will optimize the time frame for a 24 hour installation period.

“We are hoping for some fun ‘before and after ‘ photos with this project!” said Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, “It is going to be a long day and lots of efforts put forth, but the landscaper and our team are all highly capable, and the outcome will surely be something to see. We’re looking forward to some very happy new clients.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/

JulianConstruction.com: Different Types of Foundation Cracks

by Shawn Kyles

When cracks appear in walls, it is often a sign of foundation problems or damage. Many times the problem is caused by foundation shrinkage, soil expansion or settlement. Earthquakes can cause cracking as well. Where the crack is occurring, its size and shape can tell you a lot about the problem. Knowing how to “read” them can help you determine the seriousness of the situation and what action to take.

It is not uncommon to find minor cracking in concrete foundations, possibly indicating a need for concrete foundation repair. This is because concrete shrinks as it cures. Curing is not just the result of water loss, it is also a chemical reaction. The amount of shrinkage that will occur depends on many factors, such as the type of concrete that was used, the temperature at the time of the pour and how much water was used.

These are usually thin, vertical cracks that appear randomly throughout the foundation. They can range in length from a couple of inches to the entire height of the wall. If the concrete was incorrectly or poorly mixed, the cracks will tend to be larger. The degree and characteristics of the cracking can also be influenced by the use (or lack) of steel reinforcements. Shrinkage cracking will typically stop once the concrete has been cured.

Foundation cracks occurring in an older building should be of more concern. In particular, be on the lookout for vertical wall cracks that become noticeably larger in a short period of time. Although the cracking may be the result of settlement, it can also be an indicator of more serious foundation problems. Cracks that are wider at the top than bottom can be dangerous as well, especially if you find them near the ends of a brick wall.

Generally, wall cracks that have a wider bottom than top are caused by settlement. If there is too much settlement, there may be underlying foundation issues that need to be addressed. Contact a seasoned foundation contractor if you have concerns about this kind of cracking, especially if they are appearing in a brick wall, to see if home foundation repair is needed.

Take note of any cracks that have a step-like pattern. These types of cracks can be caused by foundation settlement, as well as expanding and contracting soil or landscaping too close to the building.

Other causes of this kind of cracking can include:

Omitted footings
Frost heave
Shallow footings
Water problems
An inadequate backfill

Step cracks can often be seen outside as well as inside your home. You will want to have any cracks with this pattern inspected by a foundation repair (Los Angeles) expert.

Horizontal cracks in walls are often the most serious type of cracking. In most cases they can only be seen in crawl areas or a basement. Sometimes the cause of this type of cracking is expansive soil or improper backfilling. Either way, if you find horizontal cracks in either of those areas, immediately contact a foundation contractor, especially if the cracks are increasing in size over time.

Shawn Kyles, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting at Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures for building & safety (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4