Jul 17, 2019 | Building Envelope, Construction, Restoration
Whether you’re tackling a home renovation or repairing damage to your property following a recent disaster, hiring a certified restoration professional is an important consideration to ensure a safe and healthy environment is maintained throughout the restoration process. When working with an IICRC certified technician, you can guarantee quality workmanship and outstanding service and client care.
What does IICRC stand for?
IICRC stands
for the Institute of Inspection,
Cleaning and Restoration Certification and is a non-profit organization
and develops standards for the technicians working in the inspection, cleaning
and restoration industries.
What does it mean to be IICRC certified?
When you are IICRC certified, your company’s
technicians are properly trained and knowledgeable in restoration processes. IICRC Certified Technicians set
themselves apart through training, experience, and comprehensive
examination. They are bound to deliver high levels of customer service and
have all the applicable licensing. Streamside’s technicians are IICRC
certified, which means that our technicians are the most skilled and dedicated
technicians in the cleaning, restoration and inspection industry.
Streamside Property Restoration’s
IICRC certifications
There are
nearly 30 different IICRC Certifications covering everything
from water damage restoration to carpeting cleaning. Streamside Property
Restoration is certified in these IICRC courses:
- Water
Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)
- Applied
Structural Drying Technician (ASD)
- Fire
and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT)
- Applied
Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT)
- Odor
Control Technician (OCT)
- Healthy
and Safety Technician (HST)
- Carpet
Cleaning Technician (CCT)
Why should you hire an IICRC technician?
Hiring IICRC technician’s helps you take the extra step restoring your property back to its pre-loss state following a disaster. We promise to leave your property in better condition than when we found it through hard work, quality workmanship, and open communication. We work hard every day because we understand the importance when it comes to your home to properly restore your property right the first time.
Jun 5, 2019 | Pro Tips, Restoration
There are many challenges that come with being a property
manager. Issues can easily form when having to deal daily with tenants who are
frustrated and sometimes upset. Dealing with a difficult person or a conflict is
unfortunately part of many jobs, but if you follow these 4 tips, we promise you
that your difficult tenants will become easier to work with.
How have we developed this experience?
At Streamside Property Restoration, we have been
helping people “heal their properties” at some of the most stressful times
in their life. Usually when we meet people, they have just suffered a loss in
the form of a flood, fire or other damage. So in addition to being experts in
building restoration, we have also earned our stripes along the way as experts
in working with difficult people. Usually difficult people are not actually
difficult people, they are good people who are unfortunately in a difficult
situation which manifests into stress and frustration.
Tip 1: Respond right away
With
maintenance issues being the most common problem plaguing most tenants, the
first step to handling a complaint quickly and smoothly should be to respond to
all requests promptly, ideally providing a time frame when they can expect the
issue to be fixed. Always let your tenant know when or how they can
contact you and what to do in case of an emergency.
Tip 2: Listen
Really, really listen. Try to listen deeply to what
the problem really is. Why it is bothering them. This will help you appreciate
their situation and will likely also help you to diagnose their problem faster
and more accurately. Write down what you think you heard them say, and repeat
it back to them so they know that you know!
Tip 3: Respect
It’s impossible for them to know that you have a pile
of other “urgent” problems on your desk that you are trying to solve
for other people. Respect that when they are contacting you with a problem,
that to THEM, their problem is the most important thing in their life. We don’t
always know why something is so important to someone else when it may seem like
a small thing to us, but in order to have a positive relationship, respect them
and the issue they are presenting to you.
Tip 4: Communicate
Sometimes you can ease a bad situation just by
offering details to the tenant such as what you think the problem really is,
what the options are to repair or replace it, and how long they can expect to
live with it. Even if the news is not exactly what the person is looking for,
you will have a better relationship if you tell the truth and keep an open
communication with the person throughout the process.
Troublesome and troubled tenants will always be out there. Handling tenants’ complaints in the right manner can go a long way in alleviating their concerns. Using these 4 steps will help you as a property manager to plan, manage and minimize any potential future issues you may have.
Jun 5, 2019 | Pro Tips, Restoration
When it comes to avoiding mold growth, there are two different things to consider. 1) Avoiding water exposure on your property. 2) Knowing what to do if you have experienced water exposure, including how to remediate the water damage to avoid spreading any mold growth.
Avoiding water exposure
On a regular basis, review your building envelope to ensure it is watertight. We have other blogs that talk about many of the ways that water can find a way into your building. It can be as simple as looking for areas on your property to determine where water could get in. Do you have cracks in your foundation? Is there a water stain on your ceiling from a persistent leak? Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as lifting up damp carpet or wiping down the tiles from any excess moisture after showering. In some cases, it could also be a matter of major excavation and waterproofing your property. If you find something that needs repair – get on it! Trust us… it’s more cost-effective in the long run to ensure you have a watertight building envelope than to have to deal with the mess after a flood, leak or mold. Especially when dealing with water exposure, mold can settle in as early as 24 hours after any water damage has occurred, so it’s crucial to take preventative measures when avoiding water exposure.
What to do if you’ve had water exposure
If you experience any water damage such as a persistent leak, flooding, or any water or condensation entering your building, it’s imperative to take immediate action. Your response time is everything when you are trying to alleviate the potential amount of damage water can have on your property. Mold can’t grow without moisture, so unless you deal with it right away, it will start growing mold. This means finding the source of water, and eliminating any mold and repairing the direct cause of water exposure to your property. There are simple steps you can follow when dealing with water damage.
If you suspect your property may
be at risk for water exposure, contact an expert to assess the source. At
Streamside, we have expertly-trained technicians and inspectors to immediately
respond to water damage emergencies on your property. We will develop a
recovery plan, then reconstruct and restore your property back to its pre-loss
condition.
May 14, 2019 | Pro Tips, Restoration, Uncategorized
Learn the sources and solutions for the brown stains on your ceiling.
You may not realize you have an issue beyond your ceiling until you start to notice brown stains beginning to appear on your ceiling. The most common cause of these stains is likely due to an active leak or a build up of condensation coming from your roof. If you spot any stains in your ceiling, it’s important to investigate the issue immediately as moisture can lead to the formation of mold growth, further causing safety and structural issues to your property.
A Different Kind of Roofing Issue: Ceiling or Attic Rain
One cause of stains we occasionally come
across is an issue with high humidity levels inside the attic of a home. This
can be due to disconnected dryer vents or exhaust fan vents, or even something
as simple as not using exhaust fans properly when cooking in the kitchen or
showering in the bathroom. Any of these issues can lead to the formation of
stains on the ceiling near an attic or a bathroom fan.
Ceiling or attic rain happens when moisture gets inside the attic area. Next, if a gap or insufficient insulation in your attic allows cold air to come in contact with the warm, moist air not being properly ventilated in your home, then the moisture condenses into water droplets inside the attic. (Just like rain.) When the condensed water droplets occur, they collect as a puddle in your attic, causing brown stains to appear over time on your ceiling. In this case, it’s a relatively easy fix. You can double check to ensure your vents are airtight and properly connected to their hoses. You also need to ensure that you have proper insulation near any exhaust ducts.
What if it’s not from attic rain? Learn about Leaking Pipes
Sometimes water stains are not associated with a roofing or venting issue. If you suspect a hidden water leak, finding the source is the first step to putting a stop to stains on your ceiling. Often the source of the leak is not located directly above the leak. Assess the area where the leak is occurring. Is your roof located directly above the leak, or is there a bathroom or kitchen above the leak? Leaking pipes in ceilings and walls can slowly release water. Pipes can also be more prone to leaks when they are older or experience extreme changes in temperature, which often occurs in Calgary as we experience chinooks throughout our changing seasons.
Ceiling Stain PRO TIP
If your stain isn’t severe and you feel
confident you’ve put a stop to the source of the leak or cause of the
condensation, you can try this pro tip to help remove the visibility of the
stain.
PRO TIP*: Clean the stained area with a bleach solvent (1 cup of bleach and 3 cups of warm water) to help fade the stain and remove any possible mildew. It may be best to spray the mixture onto the ceiling in a small test patch first. Do not spray too much liquid at one time.
When to call a professional
If you have any hesitations and want the
comfort of a professional to help you investigate the source of the ceiling
stain, you can contact Streamside Property Restoration to assist you. We have
expertly trained technicians and inspectors to immediately respond to water
damage.
*Results may vary due to the severity of the stain. We
do not suggest or guarantee this Pro Tip without seeing and assessing the
situation ourselves. This is intended as an option for your consideration.
Mar 11, 2019 | Emergency, Pro Tips, Restoration
Will
air dehumidifiers and air flow fans help dry out my property after water damage
or flooding has occurred?
If your property has become the recent victim of water damage or flooding due to a bursting pipe, a storm or other unplanned events, you are going to want to take immediate action to put a stop to the water source and take the time to remove excess water from the area.
How
quickly do I have to take action after water damage or flooding?
When water damage occurs, fast action is
required to keep any property damage minimal. Mold can set in as early as 24
hours after the water damage has occurred, so it’s vital to take fast action
and ventilate the affected area. Using air flow aids, also known as drying fans
and dehumidifiers, can help reduce any water damage your property has
experienced.
About
air flow aids and dehumidifiers
Air flow aids are among one of the most
effective ways to eliminate moisture remnants as quickly as possible from
saturated walls and floors and any soaked articles. The science behind using an
air flow fan is quite simple. The air from the fan blows away the humidity-laden
air, and allows it to be replaced with dry air. The more air that circulates
the better. Dry air has the ability to absorb excess moisture in the process of
being blown away by the drying fan, therefore assisting in the process of
removing moisture from the air. Once the drying fan has extracted all of the
moisture from the floors, ceilings and drywall, the dehumidifier can be put to
use.
The dehumidifier will pick up any excess
moisture in the air and remove it. Dehumidifiers are an important step in
ensuring any excess water has been removed. Even if you can no longer see any
water, it doesn’t mean it isn’t present. The dehumidifier assists in condensing
the water vapor in the air and collecting the condensed water in a basin.
Additionally, the reduction in water vapor will promote the evaporation
process, in order to assist in removing any moisture in the air.
While using air flow aids and dehumidifiers
as a way to ventilate the affected area, it’s important to note that problems
can occur if you have too much or too little air movement and not enough
dehumidification. The same can be said for the reverse situation when you have
too much dehumidification. In order for
water damage to be properly taken care of, it’s important to contact a professional
property restoration team to ensure the main source of water has been properly
looked after, allowing a professional to evaluate and manage your situation.
Our expertly-trained technicians and inspectors will immediately respond to
water damage emergencies on your property. We will develop a recovery plan,
then reconstruct and restore your property back to its pre-flood condition.
Mar 11, 2019 | Emergency, Pro Tips, Restoration
How
long does it take for my carpeted floor to dry out after a flood?
Experiencing water damage can be an overwhelming process from the moment flooding occurs to days after the flood has taken place. Water damage can have serious effects on your property and belongings. When it comes to water damage, there are multiple factors when determining how long it will take to get your property back to its pre-loss condition. If water damage has occurred over a carpeted area, there are several aspects to consider when it comes to determining how fast your carpeted floor will take to dry out after a flood.
Determining
the substrate under the carpeted area
In order to facilitate with the drying
process, you first need to determine what the substrate is under the carpeted
areas of your home. The substrate’s material make-up will vary greatly when
determining how fast it responds to the introduction and removal of moisture.
Plywood
substrate
If
you have a plywood substrate, you may experience swelling and distorting when
exposed to moisture. Once plywood has become wet, it’s important to remove the
moisture as soon as possible with the combination of a dehumidifier and a
drying fan which usually takes a minimum of three full days. Plywood is
extremely porous and has the ability to absorb water very fast, but on the
reverse side, plywood also has the ability to dry out fast. It’s important to
note that plywood subjected to moisture is at risk for mold growth. You can
prevent this risk by taking immediate action at the first sign of any moisture.
Oriented
strand board substrate
Similar to plywood, orientated strand board
(OSB), is vulnerable to moisture and can become damaged very easily by
prolonged water damage. OSB can lose its strength and will warp, however it is
not as sensitive to small amounts of water and will absorb water slowly. If
your OSB substrate has been badly damaged by water exposure, it’s best to have
it replaced.
Concrete
substrate
Concrete can vary greatly in porosity due
to the materials used and whether any finishes or sealants have been applied to
the concrete. In most cases, when concrete gets wet, it can be recovered as
long as you have a restoration company deal with the moisture right away. Unlike plywood or OSB, concrete is not at
risk for mold growth, however it can be at risk for stress cracks which are
difficult to dry out. In order to properly dry out concrete, you will require
normal drying procedures put into place with dehumidification and drying fans.
Is
the carpet padding still in place?
Your carpet padding can be restored if it
has been wet from clean water for less than 48 hours, however if you notice
your substrate such as plywood, OSB, or concrete is wet, your carpet padding
should be removed and thrown out. Additionally, if your carpet padding has been
exposed to dirty water, it should also be removed and discarded.
If you notice only a small area of your carpeted
floor has water damage, you can cut away the wet padding from that area. It’s
important to note that you should not replace your carpet padding until the
subfloor is completely dry.
Take
Action after Flooding
Regardless of the type of substrate beneath
the carpeted area, you should still take immediate action to ensure any water
damage has been properly dealt with. Contact your Property Restoration Experts
to respond to any water damage, and restore your property back to its pre-flood
condition.
