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| ALL-CLEAN USA CEO BRETT OVERMAN and actor JAMES CAAN participated in The Pat Henry Golf Tournament, Ireland vs. USA in Florida. Some of Caan's credits include The Godfather and the television show "Las Vegas". |
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ALL-CLEAN USA employees participate in the annual Jonesboro Christmas Parade. Float construction and design was overseen by employees Lola Beavers, Beth Sullivan and Melissa Walker. |
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOLD
Ways to prevent it, detect it and remove it
Information provided by
Kyle Johnson, CMR
Operations Manager,
ALL-CLEAN USA, Northwest Arkansas |
You’ve got IT and you DO NOT want IT! Well, what do you do? Most importantly, how do you get rid of something like this? How do you know if you have it? What are the symptoms of having it? Who is at risk when you have IT? WELL, what is IT?
IT IS MOLD.
Just so you will know, everyone reacts differently to mold. I am allergic to mold, and I am a CMR. If you think you have mold, call an inspector, hygienist, or an environmental engineer. Third parties are great when it comes to liability.
There are over 100,000 types of mold fungus that are not a plant or animal. The fungus will look different under different temperatures, food sources and moisture conditions. The fungus has to be tested to be correctly identified. Fungus plays an important role in life. What would the Earth look like if we did not have fungi to destroy leaves? What about cheese, pepper, beer, wine and antibiotics?
Mold is here and is going to stay. One study showed we spend 2% of our time outside, 5% in transit and 92-93% in our homes. So, what does this mean? Well, we want the mold count to be less inside than outside our homes. Mold loves darkness, moisture, little or no air movement, a good food source (cellulose - sheet rock or wood) and can take 24-48 hours to germinate.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE IT? Well, if you smell it, chances are you have it. Mold is like everything else, it digests its food. It also produces Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MCOV); gases produced as a secondary product of metabolism.
WHAT CAN I DO? There are several avenues you can take if you have found mold.
1) Check out the New York Guide Lines for mold remediation. Look up the IICRC, EPA and BuildIQ.
2) Call in the hygienists and/or an environmental engineer, or look online.
3) If it is a large mold claim, you will definitely want a protocol done by a third party. The protocol should include and address: 1) the types of mold found 2) the way to remove it 3) the source(s) such as water intrusion and 4) the type(s) of testing and qualifications of the third party.
Remember, removal is costly. The majority of the time mold remediators working on site will have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), use air scrubbers/negative air machines with HEPA filtration, HEPA vacs, lots of plastic and antimicrobial or other cleaners, just to name a few. With that said, experts recommend using soap and water to clean mold. The equivalent to washing your hands.
WHO IS "AT RISK" FOR HEALTH RELATED ISSUES DUE TO MOLD EXPOSURE? 1) Anyone who has recently undergone surgery or has a suppressed or compromised immune system. 2) Children under the age of two years. 3) Anyone with asthma, and/or major illnesses.
Symptoms can and will range from person to person. Most common are sore throats, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, hair loss, and cold and flu symptoms. This is why it is so difficult for doctors to diagnosis their patients with “mold exposure".
IN SUMMARY, all homes and buildings are going to have it. It has been here long before humans and will continue well past us. Everyone reacts differently to it. Do some research on it. Take preventive measures to reduce the possibility of it growing. Remember, mold is good and bad. If you do get it, take care of it as soon as possible. It is not only important to remove and kill active mold growth, but get rid of the spores (seeds) as well. The spores can cause just as much of a reaction as the mold itself.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, REGARDING MOLD CALL TOLL FREE ALL-CLEAN USA, 1-866-360-3473.
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MOLD PREVENTION TIPS
1) If the surface/building is wet, dry it out as soon as possible!
2) Run your air conditioning unit. Even it is set at 80 degrees it will help by reducing the moisture in the air and circulating air in your house. If you have a crawl space, it will help create positive pressure inside as long as your ducts are connected.
3) Check for water leaks. Roof, attic, AC condensation lines, open or failed windows, water lines to sinks, tubs, toilets, faucets, washers...check the shower and tub.
4) Run your vent when taking a shower, winter or summer. Remember what is happening on the mirror is happening inside your walls!!! Use the vent above your stove as well.
5) Change the filters on the AC units regularly.
6) Check gutters and make sure water drains away from your home.
7) Potted plants. What is in the “soil”?
8) Clean the seals around the refrigerator and freezer. Do not let left overs sit for long periods of time.
9) Do not let drains dry out. Sink or floor drains can become a smoke stack for growing mold.
10) Dust and vacuum.
11) Proper ventilation in the attic and crawl space.
12) Clean drip pans for the refrigerator and the air conditioner.
14) Do not leave fruits and vegetables sitting out on the counter too long.
15) With regards to a crawl space, do you have a vapor barrier under it? Does it have holes and gaps?
16) Address cracking in bricks, blocks and stucco. | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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ARKANSAS ADJUSTER'S ASSOCIATION
January 14, 2008
11:30 am
Speaker, Insurance Commissioner
Julie Benafield Bowman
Shelter Insurance Claims,
Little Rock |
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RIMS Disaster Planning Conference
January 23-24, 2008
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida |
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PLRB Annual Conference
April 13-16, 2008
Boston, Massachusetts |
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RIMS Annual Convention
April 27-31, 2008
San Diego, California |
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ALL CLEAN 4 KIDS
sponsors the "Polar Express" for Gifted and Talented Children in Northwest Arkansas
After reading the popular children's book "The Polar Express", ALL CLEAN 4 KIDS helped sponsor almost 200 gifted and talented Springdale Elementary second graders on their own "Polar Express," the Arkansas-Missouri train.
If you are ever looking for something special to do in northwest Arkansas, look into this train ride.
The ride was an hour and fifteen minutes in which the children had a chance to visit with the conductor, eat candy canes, drink hot chocolate and visit with Santa.
The "Polar Express" was a planned
lesson for the holiday season. ALL-CLEAN of NWA was also instrumental in getting Santa Claus to and from the train on time for the children.
The children enjoyed the "Polar Express" as did the employees of ALL-CLEAN USA.
ALL CLEAN 4 KIDS is a gift giving program for Arkansas children developed by ALL-CLEAN USA CEO, Brett Overman. | |
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ALL-CLEAN USA
Employee Profile:
Look Who's
Working For You
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Eric Sutterfield
CENTRAL ARKANSAS |
Eric Sutterfield is the project manager for central Arkansas. He has worked for ALL-CLEAN USA for six years.
His career with ALL-CLEAN USA began after he graduated from high school. He worked part time while attending the University of Central Arkansas and then full time after graduation.
Some of Eric's job accomplishments include managing and assisting in the restoration and recovery of several properties in Destin, Florida as a result of Hurricane Dennis. He also played a role in restoring the Arkansas Disability Determination for Social Security Administration building in Little Rock. Last year, Eric was instrumental in overseeing the restoration of a building in downtown Conway as the result of a fire.
"I enjoy the opportunity to meet and interact with homeowners. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to know that I am helping them rebuild their homes and lives after a loss."
Eric is married to Jennifer and the couple resides in Conway.
ERIC SUTTERFIELD,
working for you.
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Where has the time gone? 2007 has flown by - it seems to me. It's hard to believe a new year is upon us. Every year I devise a new list of resolutions. I adhere to some, and I'm a total slacker on others. I've decided to share my new year resolutions with you in hopes that I may stick to all of them this year. Here we go, and HAPPY 2008!
1. As always... exercise! I've been MIA in the gym for a couple weeks now. Come to think of it, they've probably think I've canceled my membership.
 2. Read More. The daily newspaper, US Weekly, People and Star magazines don't count! I need more depth.
 3. YOGA? I'm considering. Everyone says it's great for stress relief. Delivering cookies and donuts isn't always easy! I have friends who do it, and they are trying to get me on board. I don't know if I have it in me to sit still for that long.
4. Slow down!!!! This is only in regards to driving. I have a led foot, I'm feeling due.
5. Time management, money management, life management. I am probably not alone in this department.
6. Red Bull, coffee and latte consumption. I have a problem, I'm addicted.
Here's to all of you.... CHEERS!
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