Month: March 2017

How to Clean Drains and Clogs

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How to Clean Drains and ClogsWhether you’re on a septic system or the city’s main sewer system, drain clogs, broken garbage disposals, and sewer backups all have the same effect: pooling water.  Unlike a burst high-pressure water line (the pipes flowing to a faucet or fixture), low pressure black- and grey-water lines don’t typically burst from overpressure.  Additional debris or garbage that is flushed or drained can cause backups that force water to flow back out of the drain, sometimes even filling their basins and causing overflow.

Dangers from Backed-Up Drains

Damaged pipes and water leaks can lead to mold growth or damaged walls, ceiling, and insulation.  A backed-up drain can cause all of these things by raising relative humidity and it adds in the dangers of dirty water.

While most water lines carry grey-water (used water that is no longer potable) from washing machines and sinks, other water lines carry hazardous human waste.  Still worse, common chemical drain cleaners are caustic and, when they fail to clean out a deep clog they aren’t designed for, flow back up the pipe along with all the other hazards, slowly eating away at pipes and leaving a caustic danger for you to deal with.

While these problems are lessened by a simple drain clog, sewer line stoppages are more dangerous since they backup slower and contain water feeds from multiple sources (if your sinks and bathtub backup or gurgle whenever a washing machine drains, then you likely have issues with a sewer pipe).  Common household-drain cleaners are not designed to clean out sewer lines and can be hazardous to septic tanks in the first place.  If a sink, toilet, or sewer line is ever backed-up enough to overfill and spill out, take care to avoid getting any water on your skin.  Use rubber gloves, a mask, and goggles during cleanup.

How to Clear a Clogged Drain

Bent wire hangars and chemical cleaners are not the best way to clean out a clogged drain (and definitely not going to help you with a blocked or broken sewer main).  Natural cleaning with vinegar or knowing how to unstop a drain using a plunger are the best ways to clean out a drain, and will work better on deep clogs which chemical cleaners won’t alleviate.

Natural Drain Cleaner:

  • Remove all water from the tub or sink, either by allowing it to drain slowly or by using a wet-dry vac.
  • Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain (make sure it goes into the drain).
  • Pour boiling water (not just warm, but boiling water) down the drain. Don’t overfill the drain, roughly 2-3 cups of boiling water should do.
  • Wait a few minutes to let the baking soda clear out the drain.
  • Add another cup of baking soda and follow with a cup of white vinegar, then plug the drain.
  • Wait until the bubbling and fizzing has died down, then run boiling water down the drain.
  • Repeat until the sink drain is clear.

If the drain remains clogged after repeated cleanings, try clearing the drain with a plunger.

Clearing a sink drain using a plunger and warm water.
Proper Plunger Technique

How to Plunge a Drain:

  • Remove the stopper from the sink.
  • Place a wet rage in the sink overflow to prevent air from escaping.
  • Place the plunger over the drain.
  • Add enough water to the sink to cover the rubber cup of the plunger.
  • Move the plunger up and down rapidly, do not break the plunger’s seal with the sink.

Your goal is to use pressure to break up the gunk that has been loosened by the baking soda/vinegar mixture from before.  Rapid up and down motions with the plunger will force the clog free and allow the water to drain out.  Rinse with warm water then sterilize the sink before use.

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What Goes into a Crime Scence Cleanup

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TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Spotless have brought to light an often-forgotten process that is involved in traumatic situations. Arguably, one of the most important parts of an investigation is the cleanup itself. No one should be left to clean up a crime scene alone – especially if they are not skilled in that area. Crime scene cleaners are trusted to take the necessary measures to make sure your home or workplace is sanitized and clear of any biohazards due to bodily fluids. Our job is to give you a chance to get your life back in order and alleviate the stress that comes with a traumatic experience. No one should have to deal with the traumatic events that would necessitate a crime scene cleanup, but if you do, we are here to help you and make things as easy as possible.

Cleaning up a crime scene goes beyond sweeping up broken glass or washing a few garments. There is a lot to prepare for when going into a crime scene and a lot of precautions that must take place before going into potentially unsafe environments. Never cleanup a biohazard or crime scene site yourself. The dangers of getting contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials is not worth the risk. Personal protective equipment, specialized sanitization and proper training is needed to ensure the best possible cleanup. We provide our employees with onsite training and ensure that each trauma scene can meet or go beyond hospital-grade disinfection standards.  To guarantee that you return to your home that is safe and livable, we go through a process that includes the following:

Control the Affected Area(s): Plastic sheeting separates the affected area from other parts of the building and prevents cross-contamination between clean and affected rooms. All crime scenes are treated as if they hold hazardous infections because of the dangerous viruses and bacteria that can be found in blood and other biological materials.

Clean the Affected Area(s): We remove all traces of chemicals, blood, dirt and other biological materials. We sanitize as much personal property as possible; however, if we cannot remediate personal property, it must be stripped and disposed of as medical waste.

Sanitize the Affected Area(s): After cleaning, we treat the affected area with disinfectants and purify the air from the possibility of lingering odors.

There are many health factors associated with a crime scene cleanup. Airborne bacteria from crime scenes can impact the safety and well-being of the cleanup crew and possible future occupants. It is important to make sure the affected area is as clean and sanitized as possible and only a crime scene cleanup crew can do that.

If you are unfortunate enough to need the services of a professional cleanup crew, RestoPros will deliver you with the care and service you need. The services we offer for crime cleaning in Plano, TX, can provide comfort and help during a tough and difficult incident. We handle crime scene cleanups with compassion, sensitivity, professionalism and discretion. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to get in touch with us and we will be as patient and compassionate as necessary!

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How to Prevent Mold While Travelling

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How to Prevent Mold While TravellingSo maybe it’s not the thing that’s on everyone’s mind while they’re travelling, but mold doesn’t stop growing just because you aren’t there (in fact, it usually grows better without you since you aren’t there to stop it).  So whether you’re just worried about being sensitive to mold and pollen during your travel or concerned over whether or not the next rain is going to leave enough moisture on your window sill to start a mold colony, worry no longer because we’ve got some guidance to help you out while you’re on the road!

Prevent Mold While on the Road

When you’re out travelling, the last thing you want is to end up sick, ill, or caught in an unstoppable sneezing fit.  That means that you don’t to stuck in a room that’s infested with mold or carrying suitcase with even a minor amount of mold growth.

One piece of advice we’ve received from those who travel abroad is to blow your nose every day.  It sounds a little silly, but keeping a clean nose (or using a saline nose wash each day) helps to clear out dust and mold spores that cling to the inside of the nasal cavity, preventing buildup.  Of course, common-sense actions like not staying in a musty-smelling room or a dust-filled hotel will also help you stay healthy.  Carrying your own dust-proof pillow case is a great way to protect yourself if you have allergies or are worried about mold spores.  Just be sure it’s clearly marked and that you take it home with you when you leave.

You should also make sure that you place a desiccant in your suitcase, especially for the travel bag that’s going to be carrying your dirty laundry while you travel.  If you don’t have the opportunity to wash clothes while traveling, the mold spores that land on clothing can build up over time and a desiccant in your suitcase will help to prevent moisture buildup from condensation or even perspiration while you travel.  If you’ll be travelling for more than a week, consider investing the hotel’s laundry services or stop by a laundromat for a couple of hours.

Protecting Your Home

Clearly, taking preventative measures to protect your home while you’re gone will be similar to the steps you take to protect your home while you’re there.  There are a few extra steps you should take since you won’t be able to keep an eye on things while you’re out.

Inspect for Leaks: The first step is to make sure there aren’t any leaks in your home.

Pressure Leaks:  Water heading toward a faucet, shower head, or even a toilet is under pressure.  If there’s a leak here, it’s usually pretty obvious.  Constantly filling toilets, dripping sinks, or puddles of water will become apparent very quickly if the leak is on a pressurized side of your plumbing system.  A quick visual inspection of your home should reveal the leak.

Return Water:  Returns from fixtures, faucets and appliances are usually gravity assisted, rather than being pumped away.  This makes finding a leak from waste-water lines incredibly difficult.  The signs of a return-line leak are usually caused by puddles, warping floorboards, and stained walls.  To find a leak that hasn’t caused any damage yet, you’ll need a professional to examine your home for the leak.

Inspecting for roof leaks is difficult and all of these inspections are even more difficult if you live in an apartment complex.  Still, it’s worth making a visual inspection and looking listening for any drips.

Humidity Control: Turning off your air conditioner or heater may sound like a good idea, but during the winter, a snap freeze can rupture pipes leaving you with a flood or drip that will deliver a lot of water damage.  During warmer months, heavy rains can leave your home excessively humid.  Yes it’s smart to turn off climate controls to save money, but it’s smarter to turn them down (especially if you have a smart thermostat) to help regulate humidity in your home.

Ask a Friend to Check: If you don’t have a smart thermostat and didn’t have time to inspect your home, ask a friend to drop by while you’re out, especially if it’s going to be stormy that week.  If it’s humid they can run a dehumidifier or your air conditioner to dry out the air for a bit.

Turn off the Water: If you’re going to be gone for three weeks or more, turn off the water.  Turn off your hot water tank and drain the water from it and your plumbing lines.  Defrost the refrigerator and make sure that there is no ice left inside and unplug it as well.  Leave not source of moisture undrained.  Just remember that you’ll need to run water through your lines first to clear out any bad water and you’ll need to refill your hot water tank before turning it back on again.

So remember, travel dry, keep your nose clean, and have someone drop by your home from time to time to make sure that no water has started running through the halls and you’ll be fine.  Enjoy your next vacation!

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How Dangerous is Green Mold?

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How Dangerous is Green Mold?This world contains many different kinds of molds and fungi.  They come in a wide range of colors, though mostly what we find in our homes are black, brown, green, and white molds (or a variation of these colors).  While many people are fearful of the effects of black mold (stachbotrys), this mold is actually green and black.  In fact, there are so many green molds that, unless you’re a mycologist, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.  This doesn’t mean it’s ok to have green mold in your home.  Some green molds are hazardous, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory issues.

Common Types of Green Mold

Aspergillus – This mold is fairly common and can be green, yellow, brown, or white.  While most people are usually unaffected by it, this mold can cause sickness especially in those with respiratory illnesses or allergies.  It’s commonly found on and inside of walls.

Cladosporium – Green, brown, or grey, this hardy mold can live in cool environments as well as warm ones.  It still requires damp conditions and is often found on walls, cabinets, or damp carpets.

Penicillium – The family of molds that Penicillin was derived from.  Penicillium is often a bluish-green color, and can be found growing on carpets, insulation, and mattresses when they are wet or damp.

Mold Inspection

After a leak is discovered, or a spot of mold is found, the first step is to search your house to see how big the infestation is.  Mold growth in excess of 3 feet will likely require professional assistance.

You know to check the problem locations: the utility closet, the bathroom, and the basement.  But there are other places where mold is not only surprisingly common, but often grows unchecked.  After storms, humid days, damaged plumbing, or even just once a month you should do a quick inspection of all these special hiding places to make sure you don’t have secret mold hiding away.

  • Chimneys
  • Windowsills and under Sink Cabinets
  • On Dishes
  • Washing Machine (doors, detergent chamber)
  • HVAC Drain Pans
  • Carpets and Carpet Mats
  • Inside Walls

Mold Remediation

For larger infestations, professional assistance should be sought after, but for smaller mold growths it’s possible to take care of the issue yourself.

First, remove the source of water.  Stop the excess condensation, the dripping pipe, or the leaking roof that led to the humidity increase in the first place.  Clearing away the existing mold won’t help at all if the source of moisture isn’t dealt with first.

Always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from mold spores.

Use warm, soapy water to wash away the mold.  Never reuse a sponge used to clean up mold.  Clean any rags and dispose of water away from your home.

Use a spray bottle with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and spray the cleaned area to kill off any surviving mold spores.

Dry the affected area.  Place a fan or dehumidifier in the area to dry off the surface where the mold was present.

While you can never fully remove mold from your home, you can prevent, stop, or impede the growth of mild by keeping humidity levels at roughly 45% and circulating air throughout the home using fans.

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How to Freshen Air After Mold

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How to Freshen Air After MoldAfter damage to your home, needing to replace wallpaper and paint, damage to personal belongings, what is the worst thing about a flooded home or mold infestation?  That musty odor that hangs around in the air.  It’s evenmore difficult to get rid of if the weather is humid or the outside temperature is not right for opening the windows.  Well you don’t have to just sit there and breath in the dank, musty scent of mold spores.  And the good news is that the same methods you use to deodorize your home after a mold infestation can be used to clear the air for anything else.

Modern Methods

Most people immediately reach for air freshening products such as candles, aerosol and non-aerosol sprays, scented oils.  Most of these are simply cover-scents.  They almost mask the old odor with a stronger ‘better’ smell.  But often you’ll find that the mixture doesn’t last long enough and can aggravate allergies or, for some people, make breathing difficult.  In fact, most modern air fresheners include trace (very tiny) amounts of toxic components that can affect breathing after extended or repeated exposure.  Phthalates are the most common since they’re used as an accelerant that helps to carry the scent along with the spray or aerosol.  Even unscented deodorizers contain some of these trace chemicals to help them work.

Traditional Deodorizers

Traditional methods for removing odors from your home are more robust but also a little more expensive.  Most traditional deodorizers are absorbers that pull in the airborne particles carrying the sent.  The best balance of cost and effectiveness is the charcoal deodorizer.  While a little expensive, charcoal, when given access to open air in a room with air circulation will clear a room of odors provided that the source of the smell has been removed.  Yes it takes a little longer, but charcoal won’t add extra smells to the room and isn’t an attempt to mask an odor which can lead to simply aggravating someone else’s sinuses in the first place.

Home-Made Deodorizers

Looking for a more budget-friendly way to remove a foul smell from your home?  When opening a window won’t work, it’s time to turn to a few things you may already have in your pantry.

Lemons: fill a pan with water and lemon peels, allow the water to simmer and it will slowly fill your home with a better, natural smell.  You can do the same thing with other items such as orange peels or cinnamon sticks too.

Baking Soda: while not as effective as charcoal, spreading baking soda over the affected area and cleaning it up after an hour or two will help to remove foul smells from most areas.

Eucalyptus: Both the leaves and the oil are effective here.  The oil can be added to a water-based spray to clean an area or used to simmer on a pan.  A branch of eucalyptus leaves can also be added to a room or closet to help deal with odors.

Vinegar: When you want true cleaning power and the ability to remove strong smells.  Vinegar is a wonder for cleaning.  Leaving a shallow bowl in a room with vinegar in it will help to deodorize a room (though the room will smell strongly of vinegar at first).  You can also dampen a rag with white vinegar and wave it around the room to help clear the air faster.  Of course, any combination of these methods is sure to help and you’ll get a step up if you start by cleaning the area using vinegar.

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