Anytime you have water or flooding in a basement there are always a few immediate concerns. The first is obviously contents (if the basement is furnished) and the second should be microbial growth. When you have water in the basement the best course of action is to always remove as much standing water as possible, as quickly as possible. The next thing we always tend to focus on is the relative humidity and temperature while tracking the migration of the water in wet building materials. The idea is to increase the rate of evaporation while pulling moisture out of structural materials and then capturing the evaporated moisture via dehumidification and re-condensing it so that the water can be pumped out. Sounds like a mouth full huh?It is important to hire a professional who understands how to manipulate the indoor environment so that way the above mentioned process can be carried out quickly and efficiently. The faster the area is stabilized and controlled, the less of a risk for microbial growth. There are a lot of methods to achieve a dry basement after a flood or water damage. We sometimes introduce heat to speed up the process of evaporation and mix it with airflow from a specialized air mover (fan). We can also dry things in place to reduce the cost of reconstruction however that relies heavily on the Category of water. Once everything is professionally dried though, there are a few things a homeowner can do to keep it that way. We typically recommend purchasing a dehumidifier that is rated for the entire space and can handle continued operation. Something with a humidistat is preferable to limit the amount of time you need to maintain the unit. The nicer dehumidifiers all have auto-pump out to further reduce the time spent maintaining or dealing with it once it is installed. Another tip is to ensure the walls are waterproofed and the drains are free and clear from debris. Any water that seeps in from hydrostatic pressure, you want to make sure you can get rid of it without dealing with clogged drains or pumps. Lastly, we always recommend installing a sensor to alert you of increased relative humidity and/or temperature. If you monitor the space on a regular basis you greatly reduce the chances of a major loss. 

For additional information on preventing water intrusions or drying out a wet basement, give us a call! 844-MY-BULLDOG 

I got a call the other day from a homeowner within our service area requesting a quote for microbial remediation. After our initial inspection, I submitted our quote which included air filtration and hepa filtrated vacuuming of the affected area. Our quote also included the replacement filter costs for both the hepa-vacuum and air scrubber in addition to a charge for manually decontaminating the equipment post remediation. I wanted to write about this topic because its so very important and in my opinion, a crucial and commonly overlooked step in the remediation process.

Mold remediation is primarily about trapping and preventing the spread of airborne contaminants namely mold spores, whilst removing visible mold colonies and microbial staining from an affected area. The equipment we use is specially designed to capture these spores by filtering the air down to .3 micron (true hepa). The idea is to be clean, efficient, minimize exposure to unaffected areas/items and remove the contaminants.

Achieving the above goal is not made easier with dirty or used filters and equipment. It is so very important that after a mold remediation job the filters are replaced. Dirty filters prevent the equipment from operating as designed and can lead to issues in containment, effectiveness and overall control of the indoor environment.

Post remediation, Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration Tech(s) remove used filters and discard them. The roto-molded casings of the equipment contain anti-microbial properties allowing them to stay clean during use and easily be cleaned after use. Our Team wipes every nook and cranny down with an anti-microbial to ensure nothing is spread to an unaffected area at a future job. Once clean, all the parts are reassembled and new filters are added to ensure they are ready for use at the next location.

Replacement filters can be expensive and some may argue they can be reused if blown out with compressed air. At Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration though, our motto is to always provide the best equipment and resources to effectively perform our service so that our Client can rest assured they are getting fresh, new, clean equipment & filtration at a reasonable rate.

For additional information on the decontamination process or procedures, give us a call! 
844-MY-BULLDOG

Thanks Again,
Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC
"A Difference You Can See"

Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration offers indoor air quality samples, most commonly to test and for mold. One of the most prevalent mold spore types shown in IAQ test results happens to be a strain called Aspergillus. 

When identifying mold types, its always important to know whether or not that particular spore type produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals that the mold spores will release into the air making anyone who breathes it in experience negative symptoms and health issues.

Aspergillus has a number of subspecies each with there own health associated risks if inhaled in large numbers. The most common is listed below. 

Aspergillus Niger - most common as it is found in nature. It can grow on almost anything. In indoor environments this mold type is usually white or yellow and grows on damp sheetrock or walls. 

Aspergillus Flavus - This produces mycotoxins that are carcinogenic which can contaminate food. Commonly green-yellow in color with a hint of brown.

Aspergillus Fumigatus - Most toxic strain of the Aspergillus family. If exposed, this can cause people to become allergic and hypersensitive to mold. Commonly grows on decomposing organic materials. Unlike other molds, Aspergillus Fumigatus can grow in temperatures as low as 68°F.

Aspergillus molds can affect your immune system and symptoms often include coughing up mucus or blood, wheezing, sepsis, fevers and a loss of appetite. Due to the severity of this common mold spore found in  air quality sampling, Bulldog takes special care during remediation to set up proper containment, hepa filtrate the affected rooms and place the entire work area under negative pressure. We use special hepa-filtrated equipment for clean-up and remediation and always work with our Clients health in mind. 

Aspergillus lives in oxygen-rich environments and feed off of carbon. This mold type is commonly seen growing on old bread in your kitchen. It can also be found in humidifiers and air conditioning units. If suffering from a water damage, you will likely see this mold type growing on the back of baseboards and walls. 

HVAC Duct Cleaning post remediation is particularly important. Mold spores are transferred through disruption of the colony, sending spores airborne to drift and spread throughout the property. These spores can end up inside your HVAC Ducts which act as a highway throughout your home and otherwise "unaffected" areas. 

For more information, HVAC Duct Cleaning, Mold Remediation or Water / Flood Clean-up & Restoration, give us a call! 844-MY-BULLDOG

Thank You,
Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC
"A Difference You Can See"
​844-MY-BULLDOG
​

Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration can do more than just clean up the mess left over from a sewage line break (Cat 3 Water Damage). Bulldog also offers carpet & upholstery cleaning, structural drying and environmental services such filtering airborne pathogens out of indoor air. If you are suffering from a sewage damage, Bulldog can help from preventing secondary damages to restoring the property to pre-loss condition.

Bulldog uses a variety of specialized equipment based on the measurements of the affected area, temperature and relative humidity in the room. Our trained technicians can even salvage affected carpeting by disinfecting and cleaning it with the hot water extraction method.

Bulldog can quickly and efficiently restore your property to pre-loss condition, preventing further contamination and allowing you to return to your daily schedules. We work with all insurance carriers and most times will bill, and be paid, from your carrier directly; streamlining the billing process and relieving you from making a payment out of pocket.

Bulldog has certified and trained staff who are experienced in handling the potential health risks involved with cleaning up sewage waste and water. Response time is important because the longer the sewage sits, the higher the chances of it spreading harmful bacteria, viruses and pathogens to the rest of the property. Bulldog completely sanitizes the affected area in order to decontaminate the damaged surfaces and protect your family from getting sick.

Thank you,

Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC
"A Difference You Can See"
844-MY-BULLDOG

You wake up to a broken pipe in your living room ceiling. Water pouring down onto your floor and contents. You're big on DYI and after a quick Google search for water damage you decide to remove the affected material and fix the problem yourself. Maybe you call in a contractor after the demo to hang rock and paint...

Below is our explanation on why it's important to call a professional who is certified in water mitigation and structural drying.


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What is a Water Restoration Company?
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration is an IICRC Certified Firm who focuses on hiring and training disaster restoration professionals to assist in emergency type scenarios such as the one listed above. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration ("Bulldog") has the experience, knowledge and access to the right materials and drying equipment to properly prevent secondary damages and microbial growth after a loss. It's important to hire an IICRC Certified Firm so that your water damage is taken care of efficiently while at the same time, taking into account the potential health risks and safety hazards along the way. 

Health and Safety
Bulldog Service Technicians assess any potential health or safety risks prior to starting mitigation. The type of water is determined (Category 1, 2 or 3) so we can anticipate possible levels of contamination. This is particularly important when dealing with sewage lines or "black water". Controls are put in place to ensure our Bulldog Team and our Client remain safe around water damaged electrical outlets, water damaged flooring and walls as well as any unseen airborne risks that may spread during the mitigation. Our IICRC Certified Bulldog Technicians are trained to properly address microbial growth and harmful pathogens that may have otherwise spread if dried incorrectly. This could include setting up containment, filtering the air, creating negative pressure and even cutting air flow in the affected space completely. 

Efficiency
With your health and indoor air quality in mind, Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration creates a custom drying plan in response to the layout of your property affected areas. By establishing a dry plan early on, our Bulldog Team can work quickly and efficiently to prevent secondary damages to the contents or structure. 

Knowledge of Restoration Techniques
Unlike a contractor who performs demolition or remodeling services, water and flood removal specialists are trained to dry structural items and contents through various methods. This does not always include "flood cuts" or removing wet walls or floors. Our Bulldog Team focuses on what we can save and provides options for drying in place through various methods and specialty equipment.  In addition, our inspection tools are cutting edge. With the use of specialized moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras, we are able to find areas that have gotten wet or damaged that could have been missed by a contractor who doesn't have access to these same tools. This allows us to understand the full scope of damage and even potential damages to watch out for in the future.

Access to Supplies
Most people understand the use of dehumidifiers and air movers when drying out a property. With that said, not everyone understands the difference in size/type of these dehumidifiers or how many air movers are actually needed to dry out a room. By following the standard and formulas as it pertains to each loss or equipment type, Bulldog is able to manipulate the indoor environment to quickly dry the property. Furhermore, Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration has access to everything from indirect fired heaters to trailer mounted generators and various other types of drying equipment to offer you the fastest and most practical solution to your loss.

Proper Disposal of Damaged Materials
Affected building materials could include drywall, framing, baseboards and carpeting. These materials are typically discarded and could contain mold spores or colonies. Bulldog Tech(s) will be able to dispose of these materials safely, so you don't have to. For larger losses, Bulldog can even have a dumpster delivered on site and removed upon completion of our services.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's always better to use IICRC Certified Firms and Technicians like Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration who have the experience, knowledge, techniques and tools to ensure your property is mitigated and restored as quickly and safely as possible. 

If you are in need of our Emergency Response Team or have questions on water removal and structural drying, please give us a call at 844-MY-BULLDOG. 

Thank You,
​
Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC
"A Difference You Can See"

Sewage pipes are essential to our every day lives. They carry waste and waste water out of our homes and business so we don't have to! So what do you do when a sewage pipe bursts and that filthy water damages your property and contents?

Their are three main categories for water damages. Sewage pipe breaks fall into Category 3 and may carry life threatening pathogens and microbes. Clean-up of this type of water loss consists of heavy extraction, source removal, contents and affected building material disposal. The important part of a Cat 3 water loss is making sure that it is mitigated properly so as to not affect or damage previously unaffected surfaces or contents.

Setting up containment, air filtration, application of anti-microbial disinfectants as well as enzyme based disinfectants and cleaners are all important parts of a successful mitigation. Another problem when dealing with a Cat 3 loss is odor. When dealing with a sewage loss, odor needs to be controlled, especially in residential homes where the client is remaining in the property. A few ways we control the odor is with the use of specially designed chemicals while cleaning as well as being vigilant during the source removal phase.

​If you have a Cat 3 water loss or are suffering from a sewage damage, give us a call for more information!

844-MY-BULLDOG

When you have a flood whether from broken pipe, sump pump failure, HVAC leak or other source, the most important step is to fix the source of the leak and prevent additional damages. This can be done by removing wet or affecting contents from the area and getting up as much water as possible from the damage location. Documentation is important for the claims process so photographing the loss site and taking moisture readings from structural items must be done as quickly as possible. Upon arrival, Bulldog Service Techs will qualify the loss site by doing the initial readings as well as start the drying process. This can include removing or extracting water from carpet, tile or hardwood, setting up drying equipment, removing affected material and drying in place if possible. Along the way our team will document all readings and findings as well as remain in contact with your insurance company to ensure your claims process goes as smoothly as possible. If a flood goes untreated in a home, you may start to smell an odor from the affected area. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 72 hours from the loss date if left untreated. Its important that during the drying process the restorer applies an anti-microbial to the affected area to prevent future mold growth. If you are noticing an odor or can see visible signs of mold growth, restrict all air flow from the affected area. Air flow can cause mold spores to become airborne and spread throughout your property.

For additional information on properly removing water from your property and preventing the growth of mold after a loss, give us a call 844-MY-BULLDOG

Thanks,

Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC

During the cold winter months property owners can experience a plethora of problems and issues around the home or office. One of the more serious issues that can arise is the possibility of broken or damaged pipes resulting in an unwelcomed flood of water into the building. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration responds within 45min or less 24 hours a day 7 days a weeks. Our certified and trained Service Technicians are available to help protect your property and contents from any amount of unwanted water - big or small. Our mitigation procedures follow IICRC guidelines that will help prevent the growth of mold and successfully mitigate the loss. Our staff is courteous and knowledgeable and we work hand in hand with your insurance company to help make you whole again.  We believe in the science of structural drying and will do our best to dry in place rather than "slash and dash". This will allow you to focus on getting the structure back to pre-loss as quickly and efficiently as possible and can help save you money on rebuilding after the structure is dry. When cold winter months knock you down, Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration extends a hand to get you back up and running.  Give us a call - 844-MY-BULLDOG

​Thanks Again,
​
Zachary Konell
Owner
​Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration
​844-MY-BULLDOG

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is important to our everyday health. Poor conditions like constantly damp environments or areas where airborne contaminants are elevated can lead to the inhabitants experiencing increased headaches, fatigue, soreness, irritated respiratory systems, and other illnesses. Their are many things you can do to better the IAQ in your home or office. Even the smallest of changes can make a world of difference.

Our top 5 recommendations to help improve your indoor air quality are below:
​
​1. Change Your HVAC Filter - The ductwork in your home is like a superhighway for airborne particulates. When your AC unit or heat is turned on, the fan can blow smoke, dust, pollen and allergens throughout your home. Your filter helps prevent these particulates from entering the duct work and spreading throughout the property. If you are unsure, it's a good idea to change your filter annually to ensure you are getting the proper filtration. Otherwise, check the manufacturers instructions for cleaning or replacement.
​2. Clean Your Carpets - Believe it or not, carpeting acts as a giant filter in your home. Black or brown lines that form in the corners and around the edges of the carpet are an indication that they are long overdue for cleaning. The fibers in the carpet and the pad act as a sieve, straining out pollutants, dander and allergens which eventually build up over time.
​4. Dust - As obvious as this is, not many people truly dust their homes. When was the last time you cleaned your ceiling fan blades? Dust can build up over time and settle on pretty much anything. Clean it up and increase your IAQ!
​5. Duct Cleaning - As mentioned above, dust, pollen, dander, allergens, smoke, all travel throughout the ductwork. Overtime heavier particulates settle on the inside of the system and should be removed.

​Indoor Air Quality Testing
​Testing is done by collecting a sample of the air in different parts of the property. Usually three (3) samples are taken. The first is taken in areas you spend most of your time in - bedroom, living room etc. . The second is taken in another part of the property and is used as comparison to the first. Maybe you have elevated levels or spores in the bedroom than you do in the kitchen. If this is the case their are things that can be done to help alleviate those situations. The third is usually taken outside and is the control. The control tells us what the levels should be in your area and is also compared to the indoor samples. All air samples are sent to a third party lab for analysis.

​For additional questions or to improve your indoor air quality,  give us a call 844-MY-BULLDOG.

Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration
​"A Difference You Can See"
​844-MY-BULLDOG

Whether it's a broken down door due to vandalism or a busted out window from a fire loss, Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration Technicians can be onsite within 45 minutes or less to board up the property. Boarding up a property after a loss is arguably the most important step in preventing secondary damage. By securing the property, we are preventing an array of vermin from setting up shop within the property and causing additional damage. Also, the most obvious reason to board up the structure is to prevent looters or unauthorized persons from entering the property and stealing your belongings or creating additional damage.  Our Bulldog Service Technicians use a variety of methods to board up your home or office. Unless an unusual circumstance, we board up windows from the inside using a system based on tension. This system requires no screws or nails and is nearly impossible for someone to gain access from the outside. This insures we are not creating more damage to the window treatment while trying to prevent damage from outside forces.

High winds during a storm can cause shingles to blow off or create other damage to your roof. Damages to the roof of your property during high winds can lead to additional problems with water from rain in the future. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration provide temporary solutions to all of these related problems. For the roof, our Bulldog Service Technicians will access the problem areas and safely seal or cover these areas in order to prevent future rain, water, snow, sleet and vermin from affecting the interior.

​Thank You,
Zachary Konell
Owner
​Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration
​844-MY-BULLDOG