Easy Spring Cleaning...The Green Way!

   Spring has sprung once again, and although the weather hasn't officially warmed up long enough for us to notice, the spring cleaning bug has certainly bitten. As a business owner with an eye for eco-friendly solutions and cleaning methods, I thought it only fair to share my yearly tips for cleaning your own home with greener products that produce commercial results. If you've read any of my previous blogs, than you should be well aware of my fixation with a few simple household products that when combined in different combinations and quantities can clean the problem areas in your home. This time, I'll concentrate on the kitchen and bathroom, the two most frustrating places to keep clean. With a few commonly kept pantry staples, those two rooms can be cleaned the green way. Grab your white vinegar, baking soda and a little dish soap and lets get started with the first refresher course for 2013.

   Cleaning The Microwave - I use my microwave on a daily basis and the stains and smells can really build up quickly. But putting bleach or some commercial chemical cleaner in there really makes me nervous. I don't like bleach flavored re-heated ravioli. Simply take one cup of warm tap water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar, combine and place in a microwave safe bowl. Nuke it for two or three minutes on high power or until it actually boils but don't open the door yet. After the microwave has stopped, leave the door shut for five minutes so that the solution has some time to work, plus the hot vinegar odor can really make you choke a bit if its inhaled. But all is safe when the solution has a few minutes to cool. Open the door and wipe down the sides, door, base and plate with a clean rag dampened with warm water. The spills and stains should wipe right up and the past odors will be gone. Vinegar is great at odor neutralizing. 

   Kitchen Appliance Cleaning - Between your stove, oven, sink, coffee maker and stand mixer, cleaning your kitchen can seem like a never ending job. But you don't want to put chemicals anywhere that food might be next. You can simply clean items like your stand mixer with a sponge, a bit of dish soap ad some white vinegar. For tougher areas like the stove top or the grout between your kitchen tiles, you can make an all purpose scrubbing/scouring paste. Take 1/4 cup of baking soda and add 1 tbsp of dish soap and just a very small splash of white vinegar (enough to make the mix moist). Get out your scrub brush, a few clean rags and a sponge and start cleaning. This awesome paste does a great job of cleaning burnt on food and tough stains. Apply, scrub and/or let stand for tougher jobs. Then all you have to do is rinse the area well. I recommend using very warm water and a terry cloth towel so that you're sure there is no residue of the paste left over.

   Bathroom Cleaning - Using the cleaning paste I mentioned above, you can take care of your bathroom grout and any other tough looking stain in sight. Enough said.

   Toilet Cleaning - I hate this particular job the most so i was happy to find a very easy solution. Squirt a ring of dish soap under the rim of the toilet and then spray with that good old white vinegar. Grab your toilet brush and give the bowl a good scrubbing and there you have it. Just flush and you're done. But don't forget to leave the toilet seat down. That's a felony in my house!

   Shower And Tub Cleaning - You can use just a little dish soap and vinegar for the every day cleaning, or for tougher jobs, once again, use the scouring/scrubbing paste that I previously mentioned and your trusty scrub brush. Just remember to rinse well. As for the shower head, lime scale and hard water can really clog it up. Simply take a zip-top baggie and fill with vinegar. Place the bag of vinegar over the shower head and use a rubber band to secure. Leave it for an hour or two and that's it. C'mon, how simple is that?! You don't even have to remove the shower head to clean it!

   Vinegar, baking soda and a little dish soap can really go far when your cleaning. These solutions are simple, cheap and effective when you're cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. For more green cleaning solutions, check out www.bowermancarpetcleaning.com and stay tuned for my next cleaning blog. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Why You Should Leave the Fire and Soot Cleanup to the Professionals

   A fire in your home or business can be stressful and traumatic. Your world is turned upside down in a matter of seconds and trying to figure out where to begin is the first in several difficult decisions you will have to make. The best advice I can give is to call a reputable fire restoration company immediately. Many people assume that the aftermath of a small fire or smoke mishap can be handled by themselves but unfortunately, this does not hold up. Fire smoke and soot damage are three of many things I can think of that should be evaluated and remediated by a professional. And if your not totally convinced that these damages can not be handled by an experienced do-it-yourselfer, then please continue reading.
   My client lived in a beautiful home in Scarsdale, NY. He has a love of cooking for his family every night. One of these lovely evenings turned into a small nightmare. The pilot light on the stove/oven malfunctioned and set a dishtowel that was a little too close to the appliance on fire. Luckily, the smoke detectors were in working order and they alerted my client and his family of the fire. My client was able to extinguish the fire and gratefully the family was safe. My client said that he noticed the fire damage had seemed like it was limited to the kitchen and he thought he might get a head start on the impending cleanup. He got out some rags, some cleaners, a mop and a bucket of water. But as he began to "clean-up", he noticed that there was a lot more soot than he thought and it seemed to be getting even worse as he wiped and scrubbed. Thankfully, his gut instinct to stop cleaning was right because he actually made the matter worse. He picked up the phone, contacted me and I was there to evaluate the situation an hour later. 
   The damage did look like it was limited to the kitchen but looks can be deceiving. The smell of the fire was throughout the first and second level of the home. And the soot damage had traveled beyond the kitchen as well. That's why I recommend to home and business owners not to try to cleanup after a fire. Soot especially, can travel through vents and into other rooms. It sticks well to fabric, walls, ceilings, floors and all of the other little items that are in your home. If you happen to sit on a sofa that has a thin layer of soot that isn't really visible, it makes the damage harder to clean. Walls can be particularly tricky. They can look fine but again, soot can be really difficult to see if your not trained to look for it and lighting can play a huge role in that deception. My client was lucky that he stopped what he was doing because he ended up causing more harm than good. Soot cant be cleaned off walls with water or cleaning sprays.
   So if you have had a fire, smoke or soot damage in your home or business, call a professional restoration and remediation company. Keep your family, home and business safe by installing smoke detectors and by changing the batteries on a very regular basis. Make a simple exit plan for you and your family in the event that a fire does occur. Leave the cleanup to the professionals and just worry about being safe.

A Fire Story in Yonkers, NY

   Currently, I am working on a fire job in Yonkers, NY. Unlike the other smoke, soot and fire restoration we usually see, this job is one that I will never forget. A child in the home had been playing with matches and a fire broke out. Thankfully everyone in the home was safe and as far as I knew, this was just another fire restoration job, but when my technicians and I arrived at the home, it was very clear that this was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

   The home had a typical amount of damage related to the size and cause of the fire but what I saw next was so truly shocking that my jaw hit the floor. The home was so cluttered with items, furniture, garbage, boxes, newspapers and the like that I couldn't possibly grasp how an entire family made it out of the home in one piece. The firemen had the hardest time out of everyone involved. Not only were their lives at risk due to the fire, but the condition of the home made their jobs nearly impossible. The clutter and debris covered the steps, blocked several entrances and exits, and the piles of stuff reached the ceiling in many rooms. There were only narrow passageways that broke through the homes contents, but they were dangerous and impassible at times. You can imagine how difficult it would be to close your eyes and maneuver through your home on its messiest day in the dark. Now, try to imagine moving through a house filled with piles of debris while smoke and flames burned your eyes and throat without a shred of light anywhere. This home was doomed even before the fire. It was the kind of house that you may have seen on those hoarding shows. A sad, unspeakably unsafe place to raise a family. Even though the fire had burned through quite a bit of the structure, the smell of the fire couldn't cover up the odor of mold and rotting materials.

   This was no ordinary fire restoration job. It became a clean out, mold remediation, water damage, demolition and reconstruction job. Because of the hoarded materials, the home had overdue repair and maintenance work that had never been addressed. There was water damage that was concealed by the clutter which turned to a severe case of mold infestation. After the home was cleared of all the debris, we discovered that the floors and walls were so soft that you could pierce them with the slightest pressure from one finger. As I looked around at the work that was ahead of us, for the first time in my professional career, I truly didn't know where to begin. I was assured that the family would receive the help that they so desperately needed. The home was a rental and I could only empathize with the landlord/homeowner. I assured him that I wouldn't walk away from this job. Thank goodness for insurance.

   The restoration process has only begun but I do have hope that there will be a finish line in the future. You can see that the obvious moral of the story is fire safety. We have to teach our children about the dangers of playing with matches. But just as important is that we recognize that illness can come in many forms. The illness that plagued these particular adults was hoarding. Their hoarding almost cost them their lives and the lives of their children. Keep your family safe by creating an escape plan in case of an emergency or fire. Be sure that your windows and doors are accessible to emergency personnel and of course to your family. Lastly, if you suspect that your family, friends or neighbors are in need of help, reach out to them in any way possible. The family in this situation were lucky but the story could have unfolded in a very different way.

 

Buying a New Area Rug? - Read This First!

For some, buying an area rug is strictly based on the pattern/color, size and price of said rug. But what is really important is often left off that list. When you're in the market for a new area rug, remember that educated buyers are smart buyers. Different types of area rugs can look very similar to an untrained eye and some tricky marketing strategies use descriptive adjectives that can be very misleading. So when you are ready to hit those stores to purchase an area rug, or two, or three, go armed with the information that could prevent an expensive mistake and remember to set a budget for yourself. As "they" say, knowledge is power. When you have finished reading this tutorial, you should be able to distinguish between the different types of area rugs....... and maybe even sound like an expert!

 ***Machine Made -vs- Hand Made... And How To Know What's Right For You!***

- Machine made rugs are, well, made by partial or total help of a machine. These rugs are not knotted. They are ""woven" using machines. Sometimes these rugs will be described as power-loomed. Machine made rugs can be made of wool fibers or man made fibers like Nylon and Olefin. These rugs tend to be less expensive but that doesn't mean their quality is by any means inferior to that of a hand made rug. An added benefit of   rugs that are made by machines is that they tend to be strong and durable. Your budget and needs will determine which rug is right for you.

- There are several terms that you will hear while shopping for a rug, like hand tufted, hand knotted and hand woven. Knowing the definitions of these terms is important. But lets start with the basics. Handmade rugs are knotted or woven by hand, without the use of machinery. Each and every single knot is made by hand. It is a very labor intensive process and can take very long periods of time to create. This is why handmade rugs are considered investment pieces. Typically, handmade rugs are made using wool, cotton and silk fibers. Ask the sales representative that is assisting you to show you the fiber component information, and remember this, if the sales staff cannot answer your questions, head for the door.

- There is another type of rug that uses both handmade elements as well as some assistance from machines, in particular a drill gun that has been modified. The tricky part about these types of rugs are the terms used to describe the differences. When you see the term "Hand-Hooked", the rug is made in the following way. The modified drill, that I mentioned before, is used to insert the pile into a cloth base which creates a loop pile which is then described as...... "Hand-Hooked". Sometimes, the loop pile rug is sheared off at the very top which creates a cut pile. These cut pile rugs are called "Hand-Tufted". These rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the price-tag. Remember that machine made rugs can be created quickly, so the price is typically lower. Rug collectors or those consumers that are looking to purchase a rug as an investment piece will usually bypass these rugs. If you have expensive taste but only a small budget, these rugs could be a beautiful fit. These skillfully made and labeled rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the sometimes hefty price-tag of a handmade rug.

 ***Identify The Type Of Rug With These 3 Factors.......Edges, Fringe & The Back Of The Rug***

- Edges - The way the edge of a rug is finished can be a useful indicator of how the rug was made. The edges of a machine made rug are created through binding or surging. Flip the corner of the rug to reveal the backside of the edge and look for uniform machine stitched "tracks". Handmade rugs or hand knotted rugs are finished on the edges by hand. You will not see those tell-tale machine tracks on the back of the rug and the edges will resemble surging. If you are unsure, ask the salesperson to show you the difference.

- Fringe - If the rug has a fringed edge, it can be very easy to determine whether the rug was handmade or machine made. Machine made rugs will have fringe that has been sewn on after the fact or the fringe will have a sewn line right on top in plain view. The fringe on a handmade rug should look like an extension of the fibers that were used to make the rug. It wont look like it was sewn on after.

- The Back Of The Rug - By far, the back of any rug is the easiest way for me to tell how a rug was made. I enjoy showing my clients this method of detecting the origins of their rugs. Handmade rugs have the distinct marks that any handmade item would have. The knotting on the back of a handmade rug will be a bit uneven. Some knots will be slightly smaller or larger than others. Handmade rugs will have slight imperfections or inconsistencies. That's what makes these rugs so special, it's "flaws" are actually a good thing. Machine made rugs are typically very uniform on the back. You wont see the same inconsistencies. Rugs that are called hand hooked or hand tufted will typically have a cloth backing which will immediately convey they their origin.

So there you have it! I know that it might seem like a lot of information but if you create a budget, you can clearly see what your options are going to be. Before you ever step foot in the store, measure the size of the space or the entire room so that you have an idea of the size, shape and price of the rug you need, or can afford. Think about the amount of foot traffic and the type of activities that will take place in and on your rug. Regardless of how the rug was created, when you do see the rug in person, flip over the corner and examine the back. The more intricate, detailed and pronounced the design, the better the quality. he more knots or weaves per square inch, the more durable the rug.

Last but certainly not least, don't forget to have your cleaned!!!!!

I hope this information is helpful and don't forget to have your rugs cleaned!

Michael Bowerman

What's That Smell?!

With all the rain we received a few weeks ago, it's no surprise to get phone calls from customers that have an "odd" odor in their home or basement. It is usally described as a musty or moldy smell. This smell is typically a warning that something is wrong. If you had water damage of any kind, and it was not addressed properly or at all, that smell is an indicator. It means that the area still has too much moisture and could be an indication of a mold problem. I blog about water and mold so much because I have seen the damage that it can cause to not only our homes, but our health. If you know your home was affected by water, and now you can smell a musty odor, it is better to be safe than sorry. Call a professional! Avoiding a water damage problem will not make it go away. It only creates more problems and expenses.

Michael Bowerman - President

Bowerman Restoration LLC - Experts in Disaster Recovery
Storm, Water, Flood, Mold, Sewage, Fire, Smoke & Soot Remediation

17 Jean Lane, Hartsdale, NY 10530

WEB:        http://www.bowermanrestoration.com/
E-MAIL:     michael@bowerman restoration.com
CELL:          (914) 804-5737
OFFICE:        (914) 674-1499
TOLL FREE:    (800) 638-4799

So Much Rain, So little Time

The past few weeks here in Westchester County have been quite, well, wet. Maybe its just me but it seems that April, the month that's supposed to be rainy, wasn't, and May and June were. Regardless, the rain was here and supposedly there is more to come. So I want to remind all of you to protect your property from the potential hazards that come along with heavy rains.

Making sure your gutters are in proper working order is a top priority. They should be cleaned every year to remove debris like leaves and sticks. The only way that a gutter can do its job is when its clear of obstructions. The gutters are supposed to carry water away from your house and foundation. So often I see gutters that have down-spouts that are pointed directly towards the foundation of the home. This will only lead to one conclusion, when heavy rains come, the water will find its way into your basement or first level via the porous concrete. Take my advice and do a proper walk through of your property. Make sure your down spouts are directed away from your home.

While we are talking about walk throughs, inspect the rest of your property for other red flags. If you see any broken or dead branches that could potentially damage your roof or home, have the branches removed. All it takes is one strong gust of wind, and that branch could wind up damaging your roof, windows, or worse. Once you have damage on your roof, water is likely to follow. Don't take a chance with the safety of your home.

The next time a heavy rain storm comes, take a walk around the perimeter of you house. Check the ground for any pooling water or heavy puddling around the foundation. Sometimes, if the ground has not been properly leveled or graded, the rain water will pool very close to your home. French drain systems and dry-wells are common solutions to re-directing water away from the foundation of your house.

If you have an underground sprinkler system, be sure to have it professionally checked. Faulty sprinkler heads can directly place water right at your front door. Broken pipes or underground lines can lead to massive flooding. Proper maintenance will keep your grass green and your house dry.

Be sure that if you do have a basement that is prone to water infiltration, you have a sufficient number of sump pumps. If you are concerned about losing power to your sump pumps, you might want to consider having an alternative source of power installed. Generators have become very popular since Hurricane Irene occurred in the summer of 2011. Many of us lost power for long stretches of time, rendering our sump pumps useless. Back up generators can be a lifesaver. They come in a variety of sizes, price-ranges and use several different sources of power.

Lastly, household maintenance is a sure-fire way to prevent water damage in your home. Having items like water heaters, air conditioners, heating systems, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers inspected and maintained by certified professionals is the only way to ensure their properly working. These items are notorious for causing damage to homes. There is no way to prevent complete accidents from occurring, but you can drastically reduce the potential with simple, regularly scheduled maintenance.

Water damage is the number one cause of damage for our customers in particular. It can destroy a lifetime of memories in a matter of hours. Please remember, water damage can lead to even more disastrous situations like mold infestation. Keeping your home and family safe from the elements of Mother Nature is the only way to reduce your risk for expensive remediations.

Flooded Basements and Wet Feet in Elmsford, NY

Yesterday and into today, we were given some much needed rain. But it fell pretty hard and fast, causing some  areas to get flooded. We received a call already from a client in Elmsford, NY who's basement has several inches of water in it. When your home or business is located in in low-lying areas like Elmsford, NY, you are at greater risk for water infiltration, even with a small amount of rain. And if you have a basement, you can assume that the water will be headed for it because when it comes to water, gravity rules.

If you cant afford a total home makeover, I suggest starting with the least expensive option, buy a sump pump, or two. The sump pumps should be placed in the lowest points of your basement and having more than one pump will provide back up in case the something goes wrong with the other. Two is always better than one. If water enters your basement, the sump pumps will turn on and do their job, removing the excess water and expelling it into a slop sink, drain, bucket or outside. But installing your sump pump properly is very important. As I saw too frequently during Hurricane Irene, many home and business owners lost power, thus, making their sump pumps obsolete. The solution is simple, have your sump pumps installed properly and have a backup power source. Even a small generator that runs on any alternative power will do the trick, as long as you do proper maintenance on a regular basis. The very last thing that you would want to happen is to have the power go out and get to your basement only to discover that your generator will not start.

A more advanced solution to flooding basements is to have a french drain system installed below the soil line around the perimeter of your homes foundation. These systems carry excess water away from your home and the ground surrounding it and expel it into the street or to an underground dry well. The perforated pipes can be a material as simple as PVC or more advanced materials depending on your needs. French drain systems can be installed professionally or by a savvy do-it-yourselfer. The choice is yours.

Finally, there are several professional companies that provide basement systems to prevent any water infiltration. These basement sealing systems have proven very effective, and many times are guaranteed for years by the company that installs it. Without getting into every step of the process, they seal out water from entering your basement, from floors to walls, interior to exterior. But each home is different and some companies have a variety of materials and methods.

Educating yourself about the options that are available to you can save you a headache in the long run. Preventing water damage in your home is essential. As my Dad always says, "An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold!"......... I think he just makes this stuff up out of thin air (LOL) ! Stay dry out there!