Big Trees Establishes Privacy for Mill Creek, Washington Property

SEATTLE, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, was recently involved in a project to enhance the privacy of a property in Mill Creek, Washington (in Puget Sound) with Emerald Green Arborvitaes trees.

When Big Trees was asked to help establish privacy to the property in Mill Creek, luckily Big Trees had just the right larger privacy trees for their needs.

After the client visited Big Trees’ nursery and became familiar with their inventory, they selected the Emerald Green Arborvitae for their situation. While these privacy trees are regularly used in screens through the western Washington area, it is unusual to find them in the larger sizes Big Trees offers. Once measurements of the screening effort were taken, it was determined that 13 of these trees were needed. The client felt that 12’-13’ tall Emeralds would be their choice for this project.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated “The access to the property was limited and wouldn’t allow for a tractor to carry the 400 pound Emerald Green Arborvitaes to their location. But our crews are very capable and we came up with alternative methods to manage getting the trees to the proper location. This process involved plywood planking to mitigate the wet, squishy terrain, and a sturdy ball cart that can handle the significant weight of some of our privacy trees when conditions allow. The trees were planted into the row, and the client was thrilled with the results. The undesirable view was changed to the green. These clients were pretty surprised to have this option available to them. They were ready to settle for smaller trees and having to wait years and years for the result they got with our inventory in a day! It’s always fun to see the changes we can provide for people.”

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), one of the largest Seattle tree nurseries, (see Big Trees planting services page at http://bigtreesupply.com/planting-service/), specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. For more tips on tree installation or care go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

BigTreeSupply.com: Preventing Tree Damage During a Storm

By Nancy Penrose

Trees can become damaged by wind, ice and snow. A severe storm can break branches, rip a tree apart or even topple it. When big trees come down during harsh weather, they can cause significant property damage and even serious injury.

There are many preventative actions you can take to prevent or minimize storm damage. To start with, give your trees adequate room to grow. This includes sufficient space for the trunk and branches, as well as the roots. Trees that have strong trunks and branches, and a healthy, robust root system, are less likely to break or fall over during a storm.

If you are planting a young tree, protect its roots with mulching and by keeping foot traffic away from the area. Remove tree stakes as soon as possible so the young tree can build up strength by flexing in the wind.

Planting several trees or moving trees to the same location can also make them more resistant to storm damage. As the roots of the tree grow, they will start to interlock, which will increase the tree’s strength and stability.

Also make sure you regularly inspect your tree for any signs of decay or tree disease. Although decay is a natural process of degradation, decaying tree tissue is relatively weak. Keep an eye out for any leaning trees or trees with low hanging branches or cracks, which can increase the chances of damage or uprooting during a storm.

Issues like these can often be corrected with cables, braces and better or more frequent pruning. Regular pruning will prevent the tree’s canopy from becoming too heavy, and reduce wind resistance. Removing dead wood and weak limbs will stop branches from being torn from the tree during severe weather condition.

Still have questions about tree protection? Ask our big tree arborist or tree specialist for tips and advice. We’ll show you to keep your trees healthy, strong and storm-resistant.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Brite Smiles Shares 3 Important Reasons Why Regular Dental Checkups Are a Must

APPLE VALLEY, MN – Brite Smiles Dental Care (http://www.britesmilesdentalcare.com), in Apple Valley is urging the public to get regular dental care, and is listing out numerous articles showing the various benefits of regular dental care.

We can all recall a time when we felt apprehension with our next dentist appointment right around the corner. Whether it was because of our extremely busy schedules, the thought of the dentist and their assistant sticking all sorts of implements in our mouth, or the potential discomfort that comes naturally with sliding into that chair. However, the folks at Brite Smiles Dental Care point out that there are 3 extremely important reasons to keep your six month dental appointment.

1. Gum Disease
   Buildup of tarter and plaque can cause your tooth decay as well as erode your gum tissues. The buildup creates infections where the gum is touching the tooth, which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. The proper name for this disease is gingivitis. It is imperative to have an oral checkup in order to catch this disease to stop it from causing any more damage to your gums.
2. Detection of Oral Cancer
   There are several serious diseases like oral cancer that can manifest themselves in different ways. Without early detection this disease can progress quickly and become life threatening. It is easy to treat with the right dentist care and knowledge. Having a highly trained professional give you an oral checkup for early warning signs is the safest and most hygienic way to protect your teeth.
3. Cavities
   While we are aware that daily brushing and flossing are good for us and we can absolutely do this ourselves, there are some parts of our mouth that are more difficult to reach. This is where visiting the dentist for an oral checkup comes in handy. In order to prevent the dreaded cavities, which will result in having a filling permanently in your mouth for the rest of your life, it is easier, smarter, and less expensive to keep up your six month dental visit.

Dr. Dennis Simmons, founder of Brite Smiles Dental Care, stated “Gum disease is the single biggest reason why patients lose their teeth and its painless! Periodontal disease is the loss of bone associated with gum disease. Dentists are not solely concerned with fixing your teeth but also maintaining your oral health at your six month dental visit. We wish to ensure that your teeth do not end up requiring severe procedures like implants or dentures, by regular upkeep during your usual oral checkup. My purpose for getting into the profession, was to improve people’s lives by ensuring the healthiness of everyone’s teeth that sit in my chair. While it seems easy to skip a dental appointment for your oral checkup without thinking much of it, the severity of the diseases that can occur if you dismiss it are not worth your health and happiness. The discomfort and rearranging your schedule now could save you quite a bit of pain, money, and your future health in the long run.”

David A., a recent patient stated “Dr. Simmons is kind and compassionate and takes the time to answer all of my concerns.”

And from Ann R.: “Rachel and Dr. Edstrom are the best. Totally comfortable, trust them with any dental procedure or emergency.”

Dr. Dennis Simmons graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1976, receiving the Class Honor in prosthetics – dentures partial and full. Since then he has participated in over 3,000 hours of continuing education courses, focusing primarily on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dental implants and implant-supported restorations, orthodontics, extractions, crown/bridge, root canals, bite and TMJ disorders and sleep apnea. For his studies, he has been honored with the status of “Diplomate” from the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the International Osseous (bone) Integration Society. For more information on orthodontics services and options from Brite Smiles Dental Care, visit http://britesmilesdentalcare.com, or call 952-891-8484.

Building Cleaning Services Helps Homeowners with Kitchen Mold

LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services, (http://buildingcleaningservices.net/), a Los Angeles mold remediation company, is helping homeowners with kitchen mold, which it says is one of the most prevalent locations for mold in a home.

A recent client, in a review on Yelp, stated: “It was a pleasure working with” the staff and crew with BCS. “Mold was discovered in our kitchen and bathroom by a mold inspection company and they referred us to BCS. We are happy they did.
The kitchen was a more serious situation. Kathy put me at ease about the process, was always available on the phone or e-mail, if she did not answer, called back within minutes,” the homeowner wrote. Further, BCS was “both supportive and provided a road map through the process. The crew was diligent, polite, neat, and a pleasure to work with.”

Kathy Liverance, co-owner of Building Cleaning Services, stated: “From our experience in hundreds of mold removal jobs, we have seen that kitchens are one of the most at-risk rooms in a home, for mold. If you see signs of mold, it is best to get an inspection from an independent mold inspector right away, and hire a mold removal company to handle the problem. That way you can minimize any potential health problems that could arise related to mold in your home.”

More reviews of the company’s work can be found on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale?nb=1

BCS provides water damage dry out, mold removal services, environmental deep cleaning, post construction cleaning, and commercial janitorial 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 excellent 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.

BCS Informs Public the “Ten Things You Should Know About Mold” from the Environmental Protection Agency

LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services (BCS) (http://buildingcleaningservices.net), is informing the public about the new list of “Ten Things You Should Know About Mold” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released in September, 2016.

The list contains ten items the EPA thinks the public should know, including:

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
o Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
o Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
o Increasing ventilation
o Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Click here: https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold

Kathy Liverance, co-owner of Building Cleaning Services, stated: “As we frequently deal with mold removal, we know the importance of home and business owners and government and school building maintenance workers to be aware of and informed about mold risks. We support the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment and as such, want the public to be educated on the facts about mold. Our company prides itself in working with clients to take any worry out about handling mold where it requires professional removal.”

Building Cleaning Services has an excellent record of success in remedying Los Angeles mold infestations when they occur. One recent client stated BCS “went out of their way to help me when mold struck my apartment. They talked me through all the details, came onsite to give me a free inspection and advice, and kept information on file for later reference. They were very thorough, resourceful and extremely helpful.”

More reviews of the company’s work can be found on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale?nb=1

BCS provides water damage dry out, mold removal services, environmental deep cleaning, post construction cleaning, and commercial janitorial 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 excellent 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.

Julian Construction Starts Soft-Story Retrofit Job in Los Angeles

Building peace of mind, one building at a time.

Thanks to Julian Construction, there will be another earthquake retrofitted building in the city. Julian De La Torre’s company has started a soft-story earthquake retrofit on the 1800 block of South Victoria Ave. in Los Angeles.

Structures, like the one pictured below, are more vulnerable to damage and collapse during an earthquake if the property has not been properly retrofitted.

Buildings most at risk are those that were built before January 1st, 1978 when safer building codes were introduced. Generally, these properties will have a lower level parking garage or a similar open floor space (called a soft-story) below the structure.

A soft-story building is characteristically defined as a multi-story structure with a susceptible first floor. The structure is more vulnerable when there are large windows and doors surrounding the perimeter of the space or areas inside.

Unfortunately, soft-story structures are still quite common in Los Angeles -- it's estimated that tens of thousands of soft-story buildings remain throughout the city. Usually, they can be found in apartment buildings or retail spaces that have been built on top of parking garages.

Other soft-story buildings can resemble office buildings with large ground floor lobbies and street level retail stores with large windows and entryways.

“Past earthquakes have demonstrated that soft story buildings are particularly vulnerable to severe damage or collapse in a major earthquake relative to other building types,” the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (http://www.seaonc.org/soft-story-faq#3 ) reports. “Collapse itself poses a safety risk to occupants.”

Besides the damage that’s incurred when a building collapses, these disasters can also ignite fires which pose major safety risks to occupants and neighboring buildings.

As most Angelinos know, L.A. remains at extreme risk for earthquakes due to the San Andreas and the San Jacinto fault lines which run below the city (link http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-quake-risk-20160317-story.html).

Most soft-story structures are not built to withstand the lateral movement of an earthquake. But, thanks to the retrofitting work of Julian Construction, soft-story buildings can be remedied with a retrofit to minimize the damage that a property and it’s occupants could sustain during a major disaster.

If you’re concerned your building could be a soft-story structure, contact Julian Construction for an inspection.

Julian De La Torre is a trusted expert in foundation repair, house leveling and foundation inspection. De La Torre’s company, Julian Construction ( http://www.julianconstruction.com ), has inspected over 15,000 structures in Los Angeles alone, working alongside engineering firms and local departments of building & safety.

Building Cleaning Services Provides List of Signs of Mold

Environmental Friendly Cleaning Company Helps Public to Be Watchful for Early Signs of Mold

LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services, (http://buildingcleaningservices.net/), In light of heavy rains experienced in Los Angeles throughout January, a Los Angeles mold remediation company, has re-issued its list of signs of mold in a home or other type of building. The company urges people to take immediate action if any indications of mold are present, especially after heavy rain.

There can be potential adverse health symptoms experienced by people living or working in mold-affected buildings. This includes:

• Asthma-like symptoms
• Sore eyes
• Itchy skin
• Runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Sore throat

Building Cleaning Services says that people can become very concerned about mold but stresses removal of mold by a trustworthy company that consistently gets clearance tests on its work is important to relieve those worries and stress. Kathy Liverance, co-owner of Building Cleaning Services, stated: “If you see signs of mold in a building, it is vital to get a mold inspection at once, so that the problem does not expand and become unnecessarily costly to remove. BCS is often the company of choice when advising on whether or not mold removal needs to be professionally removed. We pride ourselves in helping the client become informed.”

Signs of mold include:

1. Mold Smell: A primary sign of mold is a moldy smell. When the smell is worse in certain rooms, then mold is probably growing in or near that area.
2. Visual Mold: Sometimes people see mold without realizing it. Small amounts of mold means there is enough moisture for mold to grow, and may indicate more mold behind walls.
3. Humidity: Some types of molds can live off humidity in the air. A humidity level of over 60% can lead to mold growth.
4. Condensation: If you see condensation, it could be a sign of moisture problems, and possibly a mold problem.
5. Water Leaks: If a leak is undetected for a long time, it is very likely to cause mold.
6. Leaking Roof or Attic: Signs of a leaking roof are water damage on the ceiling below the attic. Unhandled water leaks can lead to mold growth.
7. Flooding: Flooding that left materials, such as drywall, wet for more than 24 hours, probably caused mold.
8. Damp Basement: If you notice your basement is often damp, this could be a sign of a mold problem.
9. Water Stains: Another sign of a water problem is water stains on walls, ceilings and other surfaces. If there is mold growing the stain might be darker color.
10. Paint Peeling: When there is a lot of moisture, paint may start to come off surfaces. Mold could be lurking.
11. Rust: Rust in the home can be a sign of a moisture problem.
12. Warping: When moisture gets into wood, drywall and other materials it can cause warping. If you see warped walls or other surfaces, you should check to see if there is a moisture problem or mold.
13. Deterioration: Seeing building materials which have deteriorated from moisture can be another sign of mold.

Reviews of the company’s work can be found on Yelp:http://www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale?nb=1

BCS provides water damage dry out, mold removal services, environmental deep cleaning, post construction cleaning, and commercial janitorial 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 excellent 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.