Responding to a fire damage is always a little bit difficult. It's a stressful time for the Customer when their attention is being pulled in opposite directions.  Arguably the most difficult part of every fire loss for a contractor is navigating the fine line between being helpful and being a nuisance. At Bulldog® we do our best to give a quick explanation of our Scope, timeline and cost so that once our Customers make that initial decision, they're not bogged down with minute details. Our personalized Client Portal allows our Customers to be as involved as they want to be from the comfort of their home, business or temporary living quarters all the while staying up to date on progress with daily uploads. From the time we respond to the initial board up or tarp up, to the time we leave the freshly reconstructed property, Bulldog® pays attention to the little details that make a world of difference. Fires can be devastating so having the capability and forethought to restore contents and structural items that may have sentimental value can really make a difference. 

Residential property fires are typically extinguished via water from our much appreciated first responders. Due to the amount of water, weight of the water, reduced structural integrity of burned wood and other factors, most fire losses are restored on multiple fronts. Everything from removing char, extracting water, performing indoor air quality testing and HVAC duct cleaning to odor neutralization, encapsulation and more. We do what it takes and have IICRC Master Fire & Smoke Restorers on every loss so that when you get home, you return to an odor free, clean and safe environment. 

Timing is never perfect either. Residential fires always seem to happen around the holidays, before vacations, birthdays, weddings or in the middle of the night. For this reason our Bulldog® Team offers 24/7 immediate response to ensure we are there when you need us the most. As a licensed, bonded, certified, and professional company, we care about your experience, our reputation and providing quality trustworthy service to all of our valued Customers. As a family run business we know what kind of difference being treated as such makes especially during stressful times. 

If you or a loved one is suffering from Fire, Soot, Smoke related damages; give us a call. Bulldog® always loves to prove our reputation for quality is well deserved while creating "A Difference You Can See"

- Zachary Konell
Owner
Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, LLC
IICRC MASTER FIRE & SMOKE RESTORER
IICRC MASTER TEXTILE CLEANER
IICRC MASTER WATER RESTORER

After even the smallest introduction to water, your basement or ceiling or bathroom or kitchen (doesn't matter where) may still have unseen damages or even "bonded" water.  A professional water removal technician is going to locate that hidden water and make sure it is removed, evaporated and/or most importantly, that it does not create additional damages during the process. Building materials retain moisture and can absorb quite a bit of it. The more moisture in a building material, the longer it can take to dry out naturally.  Most of the time you want to speed up or expedite the process because the longer it takes to dry, the higher the possibility that mold can form.  Highly porous materials such as insulation can retain an elevated moisture content for up to a month or longer, after absorbing the water! Trapped inside the wall cavity of a basement, this can lead to all kinds of negative effects like a musty odor, visible discoloration, and even mold!

Our Bulldog water removal specialists are geared toward making life easier during a hectic and stressful time. Whether a sump pump backed up in a finished basement or a pipe broke leaving water spewing onto the carpet, our technicians are with you every step of the way to make sure we put you back to pre-damaged conditions. Our company is able to work with you to best explain the claims process (if it turns into a water damage insurance claim) and able to submit all required documentation and readings needed for reimbursement.  Our technicians utilize the latest in job management and monitoring equipment such as laser particle counters, thermal imaging cameras, manometers to measure negative pressure containments, moisture meters, psychrometers and more! We are even able to create a 3D model of your affected space complete with measurements, photos and floorplans to use in conjunction with insurance billing or generating a Scope of Work.

Indoor environments and the materials used for construction change from place to place. The type of water and the potential for cross contamination changes based on conditions of the loss. This means that no two losses are the same. Even with a "clean" water source, if the water travels through different objects or materials it can slowly go from "clean" water to having an elevated chance of containing biological contaminants or harmful pathogens. For this reason, all of our technicians are certified and trained and carry one or more IICRC certifications applicable to the loss scenario. Our in-house trainings go beyond IICRC approved course materials and include constant updates on how we can surpass "industry standards". For this reason we are well equipped to handle any size water loss whether commercial or residential. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration also takes pride in being able to identify opportunities to dry in place. This means that if conditions are right, we are able to leave specialized drying equipment in the property, set it up and monitor it in such a way where we remove very little building materials. Just because your drywall is wet 3ft from the floor, does not mean we need to make 4ft high flood cuts. This saves you money and headache from not having to deal with another contractor for the reconstruction or worry about losing heat or AC from exposed walls. 

No two companies are the same. Even some of the leading restoration firms in the nation are independently owned and operated. This means that the level of training and experience differs from company to company. At Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, we pay special attention to not only the Production end of things, like removing water from a basement, but also the Administrative. Every customer gets a Client Portal allowing them immediate access to client photos, estimates, sketches and invoices. The office staff are available and capable of answering all questions regarding the service and we take pride in the attention to detail and responsiveness we offer when communicating with our customers. We want you to understand the service we provide, why we are doing things the way that we are and the costs that may, or may not, be associated with it.  We appreciate the opportunity to work with each of our customers and look forward to providing a quality service. 

​When a pipe breaks or you have a significant water damage in your home, you need a local company that can respond immediately to help in the removal and drying process. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration offers 24/7 Emergency Response so we can get to you when you need us the most. Our Huntingdon Valley, PA location allows us to respond to any property address in Bucks County, PA within 45min or less and our emergency service team is always on standby. We can refer you directly to a local plumber to correct the leaky or broken pipe or even work directly with your insurance agent to make sure to maximize your coverage. 

Our team members utilize the latest in equipment and software so you never have to worry about the documentation process. Our system allows you 24/7 access to photos, agreements, proposals and schedules so you can stay up to date with our daily progress. We are proficient at moisture mapping, sketching, 3d modeling, detailed proposals, water removal, structural drying and even drying in place. Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration services both commercial properties affected by water and storm damage as well as residential flooding and pipe breaks. We also offer both commercial and residential environmental sampling, mold remediation and so much more! 

We service and respond to water removal and drying calls from Huntingdon Valley, Warminster, Warwick, Jamison, Doylestown, Chalfont, Feasterville-Trevose, and the rest of Bucks County and Montgomery County too. We are full service, start to finish restoration company capable of water removal, structural drying, mold remediation and testing as well as a litany of other sub-services that are applicable to this industry. 

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