Executive Report
Wish You Were Here
If you did not attend the RIA Convention in
Orlando last week (March 14 - 16), then I urge you to make plans to
attend in 2008. It will be worth your while. For a testimonial, we
invite you to ask anyone who attended RIA/2007 last week where
attendees said that RIA/2007 was one of the best conventions they
had ever attended anywhere in this industry.
What makes a convention special? A great exhibit
hall with a cross section of vendors who serve the restoration
industry’s service providers. Extraordinary networking where the
most influential executives in restoration and cleaning can be
found. Networking events facilitated through food and libation in
the Welcome Reception, the exhibit hall, and impromptu get-togethers
between sessions. Dynamic general sessions with information that
educates and inspires. A comprehensive selection of educational
sessions and optional add-on events that make the convention a
customizable event for every attendee.
One of the significant highlights of RIA/2007 was
the presentation of the Martin L. King Award to Joe Arrigo, CR, WLS,
of Arrigo Restoration in Pueblo, Colorado. Joe is the RIA member who
first persuaded a state representative to introduce legislation
designed to preserve the consumer’s right to select a damage repair
contractor. In presenting the award, Mr. King described Joe as a
hero for the personal investment he made to bring the bill to the
legislature in 2006 where it passed both houses by overwhelming
majorities only to be vetoed by the outgoing governor. The 2007
version of the bill, HB 1104, has passed the Colorado House and on
March 13 was referred on a unanimous vote by the Senate Finance
Committee to the Appropriations Committee, the final step before
consideration by the full Senate.
Thank you for attending RIA/2007 and for being
such a great audience! We look forward to seeing you again, and many
more members, at RIA/2008 in Dallas, Texas, March 12-14.
Don Manger
Executive Director
Restoration
Industry Association
RIA NEWS
Breaking
News
RIA Briefs
Toolbox
Tips
Marketing Savvy
Product
Spotlight
On Press
Now
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Hazards
of Cleaning"
"Oxnard Hospital
Seeks a Second Mold Abatement"
"Rita Cost
Insurers $5.8 Billion"
"Tunnel
Supervisor Tells Senate Panel Asbestos Levels Are Still Too
High"
"How Toxic Is
'Toxic'?"
"Many in
Mississippi Are Living in FEMA Trailers Under a Toxic
Cloud"
"Guy Carpenter
Reports on Severe Weather in the Southeast"
"Cost of Fixing
Civic Center Goes Up"
"Bill Would Help
Fund Cleanup at Crime Scenes"
"After Hurricane
Damage and a Demolition Date, Owners Are Restoring a 90-Year-Old
South Dade Architectural Keepsake"
"When Cleaning
Agents Go Wild"
"Cleaning
Schools the Green Way"
"Your IAQ's
Worst Enemy Could Be Your Cleaning Staff"
"Tornado Gives
Victims a Case of Destruction Déjà Vu"
"Pepperell
High's Heating and Air Unit Recognized for Keeping Air
Clean"
"Easy Entry
Syndrome"
"Coastal Area
Flood Maps Ready by Fall"
RIA NEWS
Breaking News
Tennant Acquires United Kingdom Company
Tennant Company completed the acquisition of Floorep Limited, a
privately owned cleaning equipment company located in the United
Kingdom that reported annual sales of $5.6 million last year. With
this addition, Tennant is now the largest cleaning equipment service
provider in the U.K. and Tennant’s customer base in that region has
increased by about 25%. Tennant will be consolidating its U.K.
operations in Northampton, its central England location.
Illinois Schools Move Towards Green Cleaning
Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and State Rep. Karen May have
introduced legislation – HB 895 – that would require elementary and
secondary schools in the state to use environmentally sensitive
cleaning supplies to avoid exposing students to harmful chemicals.
One reason cited for the change was the 14 million days of school
that U.S. students have missed as a result of asthma, which can be
exacerbated by fumes from some cleaning products. In one district
where a switch to green cleaning has already been made, there has
been a 3% increase in daily attendance since the change.
Mississippi Attorney General Continues Battling with the
Insurance Industry
Mississippi’s Attorney General Jim Hood has proposed
legislation that may force State Farm to continue writing new
policies within the state. State Farm, the largest home insurer in
the U.S., has decided to only offer auto insurance within
Mississippi, declining to write new policies for homeowners and
small businesses in the state because of a legal battle following
Hurricane Katrina claims. Hood’s legislation would require companies
who sell both home and auto insurance in other states to offer both
types in Mississippi as well.
Hood also recently appeared before the House Financial Services
Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. He accused
insurers of intimidation and of failing to pay legitimate claims
after Hurricane Katrina. Rep. Gene Taylor, also of Mississippi,
claimed that insurers were defrauding policyholders and has
co-sponsored a bipartisan measure that seeks to repeal the insurance
industry’s limited federal antitrust exemption (the
McCarran-Ferguson Act).
Senate Committee Holds Hearing Regarding McCarran-Ferguson
Act and Antitrust Immunity
Following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the
resulting insurance issues, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a
hearing at the beginning of the month to determine whether the
McCarran-Ferguson Act and Antitrust Immunity is good for consumers.
In addition to Senators Trent Lott (R-MS) and Mary L. Landrieu
(D-LA), the senate committee heard from Michael Homan, a New Orleans
homeowner; J. Robert Hunter, insurance director of Consumer
Federation of America; Marc Racicot, president of American Insurance
Association; and Susan E. Voss, Iowa Insurance Commissioner.
In his prepared remarks, Senator Trent Lott reported that “for
more than six decades, the insurance industry has operated largely
beyond the reach of federal competition laws. I truly believe that
the McCarran-Ferguson Act’s antitrust exemption has allowed insurers
to engage in anticompetitive conduct and I can find no justification
to exempt the insurance industry from federal government
oversight…Insurers may object to being subject to the same antitrust
laws as everyone else, but if they are operating in an honest and
appropriate way, they should have nothing to fear.”
CIRI Symposium Addresses Cleaning Science
The Cleaning Industry Research Institute has scheduled a
symposium and conference addressing cleaning science to raise
awareness of the importance of cleaning through scientific research.
The event will be held in Las Vegas, NV from April 30-May 2, and
will include presentations by CIRI’s Science Advisory Council which
will identify the latest information on cleaning science. For
complete information on the Symposium, visit www.ciri-research.org/symposium.
Allstate Ordered to Reinstate La. Policies
Louisiana’s insurance regulator has informed the Allstate
insurance company that it must reinstate coverage for over 4,700
homeowners who suffered hurricane damage. Louisiana Commissioner of
Insurance Jim Donelon ordered Allstate to end the inspection process
that was used to determine if homeowners’ policies should be
cancelled.
Allstate, the second largest insurer in the U.S., has inspected
over 40,500 properties in the New Orleans area in an effort to
determine if owners were still in residence. In over 4,000 cases,
either the owners were not present or did not respond at the time of
the inspection, which then resulted in the insurer sending out
policy cancellation notices to those owners.
Donelon has received 486 complaints from Allstate policyholders
who claimed to still be in residence and were improperly canceled by
the company. The commissioner has ordered that in addition to
reinstating the policies, Allstate must also develop a new
inspection process that includes dated and signed documentation of
the findings if houses are considered abandoned.
From staff and wire reports.
RIA Briefs
Consigli Joins RIA as Special Advisor
RIA has announced the appointment of G. Pete Consigli, CR, WLS,
as Development Advisor and Facilitator. He has been a member of RIA
since 1977 and recently served as the vice chairman of the
Restoration Advisory Council. In his new role, Consigli will serve
as development advisor for RIA’s Industry Defense Fund, a special
advisor on industry affairs, as facilitator of the association’s
signature Water Loss Specialist program, and other RIA educational
initiatives.
As the development advisor for the Industry Defense Fund (IDF),
Consigli will set funding goals, develop financial strategies,
foster mutually-beneficial alliances, and create fundraising
opportunities. More than $14,000 was spent in 2006 on lobbying
against anti-competitive practices in the P&C insurance
industry. Supporting legislation that protects the restoration
industry and consumers will be a core focus of RIA going
forward.
“Pete has always been a tremendous asset to RIA, making him a
natural choice for this critical new role,” said Don Manger,
executive director. “We wanted someone educated about the
industry and tenacious enough to take our mission to the members and
allies in other associations as we build our presence among
lawmakers – and he’s just the person to do it.”
As part of its mission to provide industry leadership, support
science and promote best practices for cleaning and restoration,
RIA’s board views taking a strong position on consumer freedom of
choice legislation as a leadership responsibility. “RIA members need
to support this effort not just verbally, but also financially by
contributing to the Industry Defense Fund,” said Consigli.
The Industry Defense Fund is not a political action committee,
so contributions will not be used to support candidates running for
office. “The IDF will be used to support legislation, regulation, or
legal initiatives that can have a material impact on preserving the
integrity of the cleaning, restoration, and remediation markets in
the U.S. and abroad,” said Manger.
“I am very excited to move into a formal role with RIA and to
work with so many dedicated leaders and staff,” said Consigli. “The
fact that the Board of Directors had the vision to create the
Industry Defense Fund shows the kind of strong leadership that
converts the Association’s mission statement from words into
action.”
Hundreds Attend Solutions Convention in Orlando
Orlando, Florida played host to RIA’s 62nd Annual Convention
and Exhibition, where more than 500 cleaning and restoration
specialists met at the Buena Vista Hotel and Spa. The exhibition
hall was sold out, and three new, one-day, pre-convention sessions
attracted a large number of attendees before the official convention
opened
A business track, two “donnybrooks” debating the various
heating methods and pricing options, two keynote speakers, plus
sessions on specialty rugs, environmental issues and latest trends
in restoration provided attendees with the information they need to
keep them on the cutting edge of the industry. More than 30
individuals were honored at the induction ceremony and several
industry leaders were recognized for their contributions.
Fall Conference Update
Plans are well underway for RIA’s expanded fall conference,
which will incorporate all industry segments: disaster restoration,
environmental remediation, as well as sessions for those in the
carpet, rug and textile industry. Scheduled for October 23-27, 2007,
at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, Calif., the new
format provides attendees with an in-depth education usually
reserved for much smaller courses.
Plant tours, a hallmark of RIA’s educational offerings, will be
offered for each of the association’s divisions, as well as
practical, hands-on information and critical information related to
business operations.
Watch your snail mail and e-mail for more
details. Return to
Headlines
Toolbox Tips
Effective Cleaning and Vacuuming
By Steven M. Spivak, Ph.D.
Have you read the recent series of articles on effective
cleaning and health in the January, February and March issues of
Cleaning & Restoration? Authored by Dr. Mike Berry and
continued by myself, RIA’s technical advisor, these focus on how
proper, effective, high performance cleaning can promote the health
of clients, occupants, and consumers. And integral to that is a
companion Technical Topics article I’ve written on “Vacuuming
Rediscovered,” which emphasizes its importance in the removal of
detritus and dry soil.
Ongoing research by the Carpet and Rug Institute, Shaw
Industries and others continues to show that dry particulate soil,
embedded in carpet, rugs or upholstery, is best and first removed by
vacuuming. Employing a pre- or post-vacuuming step along with any
other cleaning method adds markedly to overall soil removal and
cleaning effectiveness. If you’ve eliminated vacuuming as part of
your overall cleaning methods, it’s time to rethink that decision
and consider bringing it back. Only then might you be reaching the
goal of truly high performance cleaning.
In addition, consumers and customers often ask: “Where do I
find the proper vacuum?” or “What’s a good performing vacuum to
buy?” Answers and performance rating for both upright and canister
vacuums, as well as for wet + dry vacuums, can be found in the
recent March 2007 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, pp.
36-42, “Vacuums: the Good, the Bad, and the Best for Pet Hair.” It’s
on the newsstand or in your library; CR’s full reports online are
available only to special paid subscribers.
Dr. Steven Spivak, Ph.D., is a technical advisor on textiles,
flooring and cleaning issues.
Marketing Savvy
The Single Most Underutilized Money-Making Marketing
Strategy …
By Lisa Wagner, CRS
One strategy that maximizes results for any marketing campaign
– using any media – is the use of testimonials.
Everyone says they are the “best” in their own marketing
messages. Prospects and clients both expect to see this. But when
they see these same comments coming from actual clients, it enhances
both the credibility and believability of your marketing
message.
People are Looking for Someone to Trust
Whether it’s finding a specialist to repair an antique Persian
rug, or one to put a flooded home back in order, the big question on
every consumer’s mind is – who can I trust? This is where comments
from happy clients on everything from punctuality to personality to
performance work as “sales tools” for your company.
Some of the best copy ever written about your company will come
not from a high-price copywriter, but from your very own clients.
Through testimonials, they become your company’s unpaid sales
force.
Testimonial Tips:
- Make them easy to complete. Most happy clients will take the
time to complete a short testimonial form about their experience
with you. If you provide a pre-addressed stamped envelope the
number of forms you collect will go up dramatically. You can also
provide those who don’t like to write with a phone number to call
and share their comments on your testimonial voicemail line.
- Use open ended questions. You don’t want to generate a bunch
of “yep, they’re great” testimonials – you want specifics that set
you apart from your competition. “What one thing impressed you
most about our performance?” “What would you tell someone who asks
you if we are a company to trust with their home?” These questions
generate specifics that hit on the common unspoken fears and
questions prospects have – and they lead to great “selling” words.
- Get permission for their use. Be sure whether in print or by
phone recording, that clients are aware that their words may be
used in promotional materials, and that they give you permission
to use them.
- Recycle them in multiple venues. Testimonials collected by
phone can be transcribed and used in on-line and off-line venues –
your brochures, inserts into mailing campaigns, comments on your
website. Audio can also be utilized on your website, or placed on
a Client Eavesdrop 800 number for those who want to “call and hear
what your neighbors have to say about us.”
Testimonials utilized in your marketing campaigns not only help
convert prospects into buyers, but also reinforce to those who do
buy from you that they’ve obviously made the right decision.
Lisa Wagner, CRS, is a RIA Certified Rug Specialist, an
owner of San Diego Rug Cleaning Company, and the strategic marketing
consultant for Piranha Marketing. Return to
Headlines
RIA Leather Guide
The newest addition to our library of reference guides provides
leather samples and information on its cleaning and care in the
familiar flipchart style members have come to expect from RIA. A
must-have for any cleaning and restoration company the deals with a
variety of new leather and “pleather” upholstered
furniture.
RIA MEMBER Price: $245 each.
Nonmember: $345 each
RIA Additional Guide pricing:
2 or more Guides:
Purchase your first Leather Guide at $245 and deduct $25 off each
additional Leather Guide you purchase.
Nonmember Additional Guide pricing:
2 or more
Guides: Purchase your first Leather Guide at $345 and deduct $25 off
each additional Leather Guide you purchase.
Ready Reference Upholstery Cleaning Guide
A
convenient, portable tool for professional cleaners. The flipchart
format contains over 35 fabric swatches with specific information on
identifying and cleaning a wide variety of upholstery fabrics. Bound
in a sturdy, vinyl binder, it serves as a practical tool for
everyone involved in the cleaning operation of your
business.
Members: $125 each
Nonmembers:
$155 each
Ready Reference Drapery Cleaning
Guide
A convenient guide for professionals, this portable
flipchart provides over 30 fabric swatches, along with information
on identifying and cleaning a wide range of drapery and lining
fabrics. This guide will further expand your knowledge of drapery
cleaning and enhance your cleaning skills.
Members:
$125 each
Nonmembers: $155 each
Ready
Reference Carpet Care Guide
Detailed illustrations, some
sample swatches and concise text explain many facets of the fibers
and constructions found in modern floor coverings. This handy
flipchart allows you to better select the most efficient methods for
carpet and rug maintenance and cleaning. Bound in a vinyl binder, it
is convenient for on-the-job reference and a useful training
aid.
Members: $125 each
Nonmembers: $155
each
Carpet Swatch Set
This reference set
contains a wealth of information as well as visual elements, which
help you identify various carpet constructions. The Carpet Swatch
Set has 20 samples exhibiting major elements of carpet construction,
texture, style, face and backing fiber, and surface
coloration.
Members: $100 each — Carpet Swatch Set
& Ready Reference Carpet Care Guide: $190
Nonmembers:
$150 each — Carpet Swatch Set & Ready Reference Carpet
CareGuide: $280
Return to
Headlines
Here’s a look at what’s coming in the April 2007 issue of RIA’s
award-winning publication, Cleaning & Restoration.
Water Damage to Electronics – Evaluation &
Mitigation
By Lawrie Hollingsworth
From plasma screen TVs to office phone systems, damage from
water exposure and the necessary mitigation can be both challenging
and complex. It is critical that the restoration professional be
able to identify how moisture and water issues affect electronic
equipment for both homeowners and businesses.
Methods for Removal of Mold Growth on Attic
Sheathing
By Kathleen A. Feldman, Ph.D., CIH
Mold growth on the underside of attic sheathing is one of the
most difficult areas to clean. Fortunately, there are a variety of
techniques available to address mold remediation in the attic area.
But how do you know which ones might be best for your specific
situation?
Selecting the Right Hoist for Your Application
Every contractor has two main goals at the start of a new
project: to do the job right in a timely manner and to minimize
accidents on the jobsite by providing workers with superior safety.
If the project warrants the use of a hoist, there are a number of
questions to consider before making a final decision. And despite
some beliefs, bigger is not always better when it comes to
hoists.
Columns
Technical Topics
Effective Cleaning & Health – Part 4: More Practical
Tips
Water Works
Drying to a Standard
Legal Briefs
E-mail Systems to Communicate About Unions
Marketing Notes
Make Today Count
Business Briefs
System Technology – A Start of an Idea for You!
NIRC News
It’s Not Just a Job…It’s a Passion!
Return to
Headlines
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Hazards of Cleaning"
Professional
Safety (03/07) Vol. 52, No. 3, P. 20; Goggins, Rick
Carrying, lifting, and the repetitive push and pull motions done
by cleaning workers daily put them at risk of musculoskeletal
disorders, but the cleaning industry has turned its attention to
ergonomics and new tools and techniques that aim to make the job
safer. Scrubbers are now available with light handles in assorted
lengths. As for vacuums, cleaners can choose from self-propelled
models that lower grip, push, and pull forces; canister vacuums that
feature long hoses; or light-weight backpack models. The
heavy-lifting associated with mopping can be minimized with
bottom-draining buckets that can be filled on the floor with hoses
and do not have to be lifted to be emptied. Light-weight microfiber
mops and vapor steam cleaners with long hoses are other
possibilities. "No-touch" cleaning systems are also available that
use hoses to fill water tanks, sprayers to put down cleaning
solutions, and an indoor power washer to tackle the actual cleaning
so that workers do not have to lift the device or put themselves in
awkward positions to get the job done.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Oxnard Hospital Seeks a Second Mold
Abatement"
Los Angeles Times (03/09/07) Saillant, Catherine
St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif., is making
plans to close while the facility is treated for mold after a
previous unsuccessful attempt to remove the infestation. Hospital
spokeswoman Rita O'Connor said the contamination of Stachybotrys
spores is not a risk to staff or patients, although a toxicologist
who examined the site states that the strain "may lead to or
exacerbate allergic reactions and/or cause toxic effects or
infections." Tentative plans for the second treatment may include
tenting and fumigation of the entire building. The mold has been
present since the hospital was constructed in 1992. A 1996 lawsuit
against general contractor Centex Rodgers alleged that the
construction of windows and joints allowed moisture to seep into the
building's interior, creating an environment in which mold thrived.
That lawsuit eventually resulted in a cleanup effort headed by
Centex; but the repairs created further leaks and damage, according
to hospital owner Catholic Healthcare West. The second remediation
effort will reportedly start in late May, but O'Connor would not
confirm the schedule.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Rita Cost Insurers $5.8 Billion"
Austin
American-Statesman (TX) (03/09/07) Lozano, Juan A.
According to the Insurance Council of Texas, Hurricane Rita cost
insurance carriers $5.8 billion in claims for Texas and Louisiana
properties. The storm's damages are only second to Tropical Storm
Allison--which stalled over Texas in 2001--though most of the
damages from Rita were wind-related rather than flood-related. About
$2.8 billion of Rita's insured damages were recorded in Texas, while
$2.6 billion was felt by property owners in Louisiana. The U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency said Rita resulted in $428
million in flood claims for both states.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Tunnel Supervisor Tells Senate Panel Asbestos
Levels Are Still Too High"
Roll Call (03/01/07) Brotherto,
Elizabeth
A Senate subcommittee requested testimony from Architect of the
Capitol's (AOC's) tunnel worker supervisor John Thayer regarding the
current conditions under the Capitol building. Thayer indicated that
former AOC architect Alan Hartman, who ran the agency until this
year, repeatedly ignored workers' complaints about high levels of
asbestos in the tunnels and attempted to sweep the problem out the
door. Thayer also noted that as recently as a couple days before the
hearing, workers' exposure monitors showed that they had been
exposed to six times the limit for safe human exposure. Committee
members are now requesting testimony from Hartman regarding the
procedural failures that led to the workers' over-exposure.
Contractors have been hired to remove the asbestos from the tunnels,
but Thayer concludes that often those workers fail to follow safety
procedures and allow asbestos to blow out onto sidewalks around
Capitol Hill.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"How Toxic Is 'Toxic'?"
Deseret Morning
News (UT) (02/25/07) Romboy, Dennis; Kinkead, Lucinda Dillon
The methamphetamine epidemic in Utah has created a booming market
for restoration experts capable of cleaning up homes where the drug
was manufactured or used. Meth residue can be harmful, which is why
there is a need for identifying contaminated houses. The
identification process involves testing carpets, walls, and air
ducts for the residue, since the chemical travels on air currents
and various materials absorb it at different rates. Low Cost Cleanup
and Restoration owner Kyle Adams notes, "Unpainted Sheetrock soaks
it right up." Cleaners can obtain certification for meth testing and
cleanup from the state Department of Environmental Quality, which
will last two years if the cleaners are able to pass the test and
pay the $225 fee. Costs of decontaminating an apartment range from
$4,000 to $5,000 and can take several hours to complete, especially
in Utah where meth contamination cannot rise above 0.1 micrograms
per 100 square centimeters. While some call the limit too
restrictive, others claim that until scientific evidence can
pinpoint to an appropriate threshold for exposure, the standard will
remain. Some symptoms of those residing in former meth labs include
persistent headaches, coughs, rashes, and other respiratory
ailments.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Many in Mississippi Are Living in FEMA
Trailers Under a Toxic Cloud"
Biloxi Sun Herald (MS)
(02/22/07) P. B5; Spake, Amanda
Roughly 275,000 Americans now live in more than 102,000 trailers
and mobile homes that were purchased by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and a
number of them are experiencing multiple ailments. These include
coughing, asthma, nosebleeds, sinus and viral infections, burning
eyes, and trouble breathing. Some researchers attribute the problem
to the fact that the trailers were obtained from places like China
and Africa, which produce high-formaldehyde-emitting composite wood
and particle board. The International Agency for Research on Cancer
has identified formaldehyde as a cancer-causing agent; and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says eye, lung, and nasal
inflammation can be caused by airborne formaldehyde at
concentrations as low as 0.1 parts per million. In 2006, the Sierra
Club tested 52 trailers for formaldehyde and found that about 83
percent of them had airborne levels higher than recommended by the
EPA. Last June, a class-action lawsuit was filed against FEMA and
some of the trailer manufacturers on behalf of residents suffering
from illnesses they attribute to formaldehyde.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Guy Carpenter Reports on Severe Weather in the
Southeast"
Claims (03/07)
Guy Carpenter's Instrat unit, which provides updates on major
catastrophes that could lead to significant loss for the insurance
industry, reported on the damage caused by severe weather in the
Southeast on March 1. At least 17 people were killed by the powerful
storms. Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri declared states of emergency,
and tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power during the
storm. The string of storms--which included tornadoes,
thunderstorms, and snowstorms--stretched nearly 1,000 miles from
Minnesota to the Gulf Coast. The severe weather killed nine people
in Georgia, seven in Alabama, and one in Missouri. In Alabama, a
tornado hit a school in Enterprise, killing at least five students.
In Americus, Ga., a tornado hit a hospital, destroying its fleet of
ambulances and shutting it down. The American Red Cross building in
Americus was destroyed as well.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Cost of Fixing Civic Center Goes
Up"
New Orleans Times-Picayune (03/02/07) P. 1; Sparacello,
Mary
In Louisiana, the Pontchartrain Civic Center's hurricane
restoration budget was increased by $1 million through a unanimous
vote by the Kenner City Council. The additional money will be used
for water-damage repair and mold remediation. When Landis
Construction began working last year, much of the water damage was
"hidden behind walls and discovered through repairs," according to
Mike Quigley, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Councilwoman
Maria DeFrancesch contends that Landis should have anticipated the
water damage. DeFrancesch also believes that by failing to address
the mold problem quickly--with the $120,000 allocated by New Orleans
after the storm--the contractor allowed the problem to worsen.
Because the project has been extended, Landis labor costs increased
as well. The recent change order is the 13th alteration to the
Landis contract, which together with new alarms, a $2.1 million
roof, and other work, brings the Center's total repair price tag to
approximately $6.85 million.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Bill Would Help Fund Cleanup at Crime
Scenes"
Journal-World (Lawrence, Kan.) (03/05/07) Vockrodt,
Steve
Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison has been lobbying the
Kansas Legislature to support a bill that will provide victims up to
$1,000 for individual crime-scene cleanup costs if they have no
other way to pay for it, such as property insurance. Cleanup would
be legally defined as the removal of blood, stains, odors, or debris
resulting from a crime or processing of a crime scene. The Crime
Victims Compensation Board--which currently pays for medical and
funeral costs for victims and receives funding from fines paid in
court--would provide the funding for cleanup. The bill passed the
House by a vote of 123-0 in February and is now in the Senate
Judiciary Committee.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"After Hurricane Damage and a Demolition Date,
Owners Are Restoring a 90-Year-Old South Dade Architectural
Keepsake"
Miami Herald (02/18/07) P. H1; Farrell, Jodi
Mailander
In 1992 Hurricane Andrew caused extensive damage to a historic
home in Palmetto Bay, Fla., but months later, work crews hired by
the popular PBS-TV program "This Old House" restored the home at a
total cost of about $220,000. The restoration of the Mediterranean
Revival house--built some 90 years ago and since dubbed "Paradise
Grove"--was so impressive that Dade County declared the home a
historic site in 1993. Hurricane Andrew ripped off the roof of the
house, scoured plaster from its walls, and broke most of its 58
windows. The "This Old House" restoration crew removed water from
the attic insulation; installed the first central air conditioning
and heating system in the house; and added a new roof, windows,
kitchen, plumbing, and plaster. They also rebuilt a pool screen and
restored some historic features--a row of arches above a fireplace
and a transom window--that had been covered up in previous decades.
The restoration process was broadcast over six episodes of the TV
program. Since 2004, the new owners of the house have continued the
restoration process, including the addition of crown molding to many
rooms and a new coat of paint to the entire house. In addition,
after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita swept through the area, the
homeowners were forced to replace the screened-in pool and fix
damage to the exterior stucco--repairs costing approximately
$30,000.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"When Cleaning Agents Go Wild"
Cleanfax
(02/07) Warrington, Scott
Overspraying of chemical agents can be harmful or at least
bothersome to cleaners, but preventative steps can reduce this risk.
For instance, when preconditioning carpets, fine wood furniture
should be removed from the area, and a spray shield should be
attached to the spraying device. Though it is best to clean area
rugs outside the home, cleaners can avoid excessive moisture on
hardwood, laminate, or carpeted floors by putting a tarp underneath.
Cleaners are urged to have plenty of towels and an extractor on hand
in case overspray occurs, and the method used to remedy the problem
depends on the type of surface involved. Overspray on porous or
semi-porous surfaces should be blotted dry with a towel. If a carpet
prespray comes into contact with wood finishes, isopropyl alcohol,
0000 steel wool, or a wood-restoring cream can help eliminate the
white spots that result when moisture seeps through the finish. When
odorless mineral spirits and other unstable solvents are involved,
cleaners should simply allow them to evaporate to avoid smears.
However, fluorochemical protectors should be quickly wiped up with a
white towel.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Cleaning Schools the Green Way"
Bergen
Record (NJ) (02/24/07) Lu, Adrienne
Across the country, an increasing number of schools are opting to
use cleaning materials that are more environmentally friendly. In
New York, for example, all public and private schools have been
mandated to use green cleaning products this school year. This
includes cleaners for windows, carpets, and bathrooms, as well as
all-purpose cleaners and hand soaps. The guidelines for the new
program were developed by the state's Office of General Services,
and New York is believed to be the first state in the country to
call for green cleaning products in all schools. No such mandate has
yet been implemented in New Jersey, but many school districts within
the state have also launched green-cleaning programs. Tenafly
schools started using green cleaners about two years ago, says
Vincent Benenati, supervisor of buildings and grounds. "It's a
win-win situation. I've found no downside at all going to green
cleaning products," he says, citing benefits for students as well as
custodial employees. Scot Van Demark, supervisor of buildings and
grounds for the Mahwah school district, notes that the
environmentally-friendly cleaners are just as effective--if not more
so--than conventional cleaners.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Your IAQ's Worst Enemy Could Be Your Cleaning
Staff"
Cleaning & Maintenance Management (02/07) Vol. 44,
No. 2, Filoso, Phyllis
Cleaners can ensure that their employees are not compromising a
building's indoor air quality (IAQ) by providing the appropriate
training. Staff should be taught to vacuum high-traffic areas daily,
use HEPA vacuum filters, and replace the vacuum bags on a regular
basis--even when they are not full--to minimize dust and maintain
healthy IAQ. When using chemical cleaners, staff should pay close
attention to ventilation requirements spelled out in Material Safety
Data Sheets. For example, when stripping and finishing floors,
exhaust fans should be on and windows and doors should be opened.
Cleaners would also be wise when undertaking any deep cleaning to
ensure that the building's HVAC system is kept on, helping to
minimize odors. Ventilation is especially important during carpet
cleaning due to the release of volatile organic compounds, which can
cause respiratory problems in some people. Increased air circulation
also speeds up the drying process. Encapsulation and other low- or
no-water methods to clean carpets can be used to safeguard against
mold and shorten drying times.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Tornado Gives Victims a Case of Destruction
Déjà Vu"
Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (02/16/07) P. 1;
Warner, Coleman
Over 200 homes were destroyed or damaged when a tornado swept
through New Orleans in mid-February, and many of those residents
affected had also been displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Homeowners and others surveyed newly-repaired windows and walls to
ensure that the tornado had not done additional damage, and repair
crews were already out restoring homes. Homeowner Susan Brooks
reported that window specialists were scheduled to complete
Hurricane Katrina repairs at her residence in the Carrollton
neighborhood right before the tornado, and they were forced to
replace all of the windows after the latest disaster. Brooks
estimated current damages to the home at about $45,000. Volunteers
continue to help storm victims reclaim their lives and their homes,
and the Red Cross indicated that demand for temporary shelters is on
the decline.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Pepperell High's Heating and Air Unit
Recognized for Keeping Air Clean"
Rome News-Tribune
(03/01/07)
Lindale, Ga.-based Pepperell High's indoor air quality readings
are among the highest for a school, according to an air quality test
performed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Jack Gresham,
executive director of facilities for Floyd County Schools, said the
results were so surprising that Georgia Tech researchers conducted a
second test to ensure accuracy. The test results justify the
decision to include an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient
heating and air conditioning system in plans for the two-story
facility, which opened at the start of the current school year. The
test showed that the school used about 371 kilowatts at peak cooling
demand, versus 898 kilowatts at similar schools.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Easy Entry Syndrome"
Cleanfax (03/07)
Marsh, Steve
For most carpet-cleaning start-ups, getting into the business is
the easiest part. Statistics show that less than 20 percent of
carpet-cleaning businesses manage to keep their doors open after the
fourth year. One reason for the high failure rate is that the
business requires little seed money. The majority of business owners
put most of their money into equipment and training, but
underestimate the importance of building a core base of clients and
having a steady stream of income to cover their overhead until the
business is established. To turn a profit, a one-van operation must
serve at least 500 residential customers a year. To ensure success,
business owners should study what other successful companies did
that allowed them to beat the odds and follow suit. Novices should
also understand the urgency of the business needing to turn a profit
to ensure that they have a personal income. Any mistakes that are
going to be made should happen at the beginning and not months into
the venture. It is also important that owners have a sense of how
many customers they will need and a plan on how to win them.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Coastal Area Flood Maps Ready by
Fall"
Baton Rouge Advocate (LA) (02/22/07) P. B7; Dunne, Mike
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says final flood
elevation maps for Louisiana's coastal parishes will be issued this
fall. These maps pinpoint areas with a 1-percent annual chance of
flooding and are used to calculate flood insurance rates. Gary
Zimmerer, who heads the state's flood mapping project, notes that
some existing maps have not been revised in more than two decades.
Because the new maps are digital, they can be quickly updated to
account for new development. Maps for the southeastern parishes of
Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, Plaquemines,
St. Bernard, Lafourche, and Terrebonne will be issued first,
followed by maps for the western parishes of St. Mary, Iberia,
Vermilion, Cameron, Calcasieu, Tangipahoa, and St. Tammany and the
Lake Pontchartrain area.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION,
INC.
NewsBreak is another valuable service of Restoration
Industry Association.
Masthead photos
courtesy of VanDam & Krusinga and Insurance Restoration
Services. |
March
2007
Mark these dates on
your calendar today!
RIA Course Calendar & Information
MARCH
12-16 Solutions Convention
Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Orlando, FL
APRIL
26-27 Content Restoration Course
Baltimore, MD
MAY
11-12 Rug Repair Course
Emmanuel’s, Inc.
Seattle, WA
7-9 Mold Remediation Technician (MRT) Course
Greensboro, North Carolina
10-11 Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Course
Greensboro, North Carolina
15-18 Certified Restoration Technician (CRT)
Course
Unsmoke
Stowe Township, PA
23-26 Going Green: Green Cleaning & Restoration
International Fabric Care Institute
Laurel, MD
JUNE
21-23 Oriental & Specialty Rug 3-Day
School
Koshgarians
Chicago, IL
JULY
10-11 Residential HVAC
Houston, TX
12-13 Commercial HVAC
Houston, TX
AUGUST
7-9 Mold Remediation Technician (MRT) Course
Sacramento, CA
14-17 Certified Restoration Technician (CRT)
Course
Stowe Township, PA
SEPTEMBER
6-7 Content Restoration Course
Salt Lake City, UT
17-20 Certified Mechanical Hygienist (CMH)
School
Wilmington, DE
24-25 Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Course
Kalamazoo, MI
27-28 Rug Repair Course
Zahipours, Washington, DC
OCTOBER
1-6 Certified Restorers (CR) School
Location: To be announced
16-18 Certified Mold Professional (CMP) School
Kalamazoo, MI
23 RIA Mold Refresher Course
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Garden Grove, CA
23-27 RIA Fall Conference & Exhibition
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Garden Grove, CA
NOVEMBER
12 –17 Water Loss Specialist Course
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station
St. Louis, MO
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RIA NewsBreak is an executive
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restoration industry distributed monthly to the RIA
membership. Our editorial staff monitors nearly 7,000
newspapers, business publications, Web sites, national and
international wire services, and other periodicals and
summarizes significant articles into an easy-to-read
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