If you’ve ever experienced a flood, water or sewage damage at your home or business, you know that it can be a traumatic, confusing time. Here are some things to remember - a “bill of rights” if you like - to get the best cleanup and restoration job possible.

1 -YOU control who works for you. Insurance companies will often try to “steer” you toward this or that company, (often a national chain), but this is usually because they have an agreement to get a “rebate” or lower price from that company in exchange for the referral. It’s almost never because they have extra confidence in a given provider’s superior work. Remember that the final decision on who to hire for your water damage cleanup is yours.

2 - You have the Right to check Certifications and References. Personnel performing the work should be CleanTrust Certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT), and supervisory personnel with Applied Structural Drying and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (ASD/AMRT) certifications are preferred. Also, a company should be willing to provide you with references from satisfied clients.

3 - You have the Right to be Informed and consider what chemicals they’ll use in your home. Most companies still apply Phenols and Glutaraldehydes as anti-microbials, because they’re cheap, and use petrochemical cleaning products for the same reason. And although the EPA requires respirators to be used by personnel applying these products, they’re left to dry in your home afterward. But there are new, plant-derived anti-microbials and cleaning products that actually do a better job, without the harmful VOCs and need for respiratory protection. What would you rather have used in your home?

4 - You have the Right to Be Comfortable with the personnel that are going to perform your cleanup and drying. After all, you’ll be seeing a lot of them for a few days, and you’re trusting them with your home! Look for clean, courteous, uniformed technicians who respect you and your home and explain what they’ll do and why it’s necessary, not just barge in and “take over”. Some companies even have the ability to help you find temporary housing if the loss is a large one or if the water is Category 3 (sewage) and you need to vacate the premises during cleanup procedures, and provide referrals to qualified reconstruction, carpet and plumbing professionals should you need their services.

Click the link for more information about 24/7 Water/Sewage Damage Cleanup, Structural Drying and Restoration in Durango, or call us at 385-8444 if you have an emergency (press 4 to be connected to an immediate response team)

Blood - it is literally the fluid of our life. But when large quantities of blood are spilled, as may happen at a crime or trauma scene, expert cleanup is required - and that is where Certified Bio-Remediators come in, restoring crime or trauma scenes to a healthy environmental state.

Small blood spots (for instance, if you cut your foot) can often be self-cleaned using a good neutral spotter and hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain. UltraSteam provides an excellent “Green” spot remover to our clients - stop by our shop if you have run out, and we’ll be happy to refill your bottle.

However, if you are dealing with a trauma scene involving arterial spray, or blood and body fluids resulting from a gunshot wound or other injury, call us immediately for 24/7 emergency blood cleaning service. Richard and Shelly are both Certified Bio-Remediators with years of experience and the technical skill to properly assess and remediate any crime or trauma scene back to a clean, healthy state. We offer you care and discretion in your time of need, and respect for all involved.

This work requires proper Personal Protective Equipment for the personnel performing the cleaning, as well as disposal of any contaminated material as medical waste (not thrown in a dumpster, as unethical or untrained companies do.) It may involve the removal of contaminated soft material like carpet and pad, as well as the meticulous cleaning of  hard surfaces with botanical disinfectants to kill bloodborne pathogens. Affected subfloor may be sanded and sealed, depending on the volume of blood and the material at hand. After the scene has been properly cleaned and all bio-matter removed, sealing and repainting of walls or ceiling can begin, and we can provide referrals to reputable contractors who can take care of this for you as well.

Often, crime and trauma scene cleanup is covered by your homeowners or business insurance, and UltraSteam can assist you in the steps to take to determine coverage, and invoice your insurance company directly for the work performed.

If you or someone you know needs our services, call 970-759-2395 or 970-385-8444 (press 4 for our immediate response team) and our caring, discreet experts will be there as quickly as possible (usually within an hour) to respectfully start putting your home or business back to normal!

Click the link for more information on Blood Cleanup, and Crime/Trauma Scene Cleaning

Well, it depends! If the rug is only a year or so old, or was cleaned that recently, and isn’t in a high-traffic area like an entry or kitchen, you can probably wait another year…unless of course
someone spills wine, or the dog has an accident.
But if you have an oriental or persian area rug (or three) that haven’t been cleaned for a
few years, the photo below shows the damaging dry sand and soil that we remove
before even beginning the wash process.

This fine, sharp particulate dirt gets deep into your rugs, beyond the reach
of your vacuum. As you walk on the rug, it slowly grinds them away from within, wearing them
out long before their time. (A well-cared for rug can be
passed down to your kids or grandkids, lasting generations.) But as you can see, oriental and persian rugs can
hide POUNDS of soil deep in their pile…and still look clean!

My friend Lisa Wagner at Blatchford’s Rug Cleaning in San Diego likes to say, “Rugs are like people…they need a good bath from time to time!”

Removing this dry soil from your rug is the first (and one of the most
important) steps in cleaning a fine persian or oriental rug properly. We dust the rug with a special machine that creates harmonic vibrations to dislodge this soil, then deep-vacuum it.
After the dry soil is out, we gently hand-wash it in our rug bath and
on our wash floor, paying special attention to spots and fringes. Next
we rinse it, and extract the rinsewater with our centrifuge, leaving it
nearly dry - then finish the drying process flat - not hung on tacks or poles, which can put stress on the rug. Your rugs return to you cloud-soft and fluffy!

Click here Durango Rug Cleaning to see a virtual tour of our cleaning facility in the video on our Buzztown page. If you have any rug cleaning questions, or to schedule pickup or dropoff of your rugs for cleaning give us a call at 970-385-5777 or 505-592-0777. To learn more about rug cleaning, click Oriental and Persian Rug Cleaning Durango for useful information and spot removal tips!

I recently heard just this question from a client - so I’m providing the answer to the rest of my clients - hopefully before you need it. It’s sort of boring, but important!

The answer is a little-known difference in insurance policies - “Actual Cash Value” or ACV vs RCV “Replacement Cost Value”. I never gave this any thought, since my agent (Steve at Farm Bureau) advised me years ago to buy Replacement Cost Value, and I did. However, some policies cover only the depreciated value of your carpet and other affected contents, should they need to be replaced after a fire, flood or mold emergency.

In this case, the carpet had sat in a flooded basement for a week and was damaged beyond repair - but it was five years old, so the insurance company deducted for depreciation before writing a check for the remainder of the value of the carpeting…leaving the client with an additional amount on top of the deductible that she needed to come up with to get new carpet and pad put back in.

In my experience, there’s not typically a huge difference in premium cost between the different types - but it can make all the difference in the world to you if you should ever experience a loss. (Same principle applies to car insurance, by the way!) So before the winter freezing season starts, check with your insurance agent and make sure you have the correct coverage for your situation.

Speaking of freezing weather, click 4 Tips to Prevent Water Damage to learn how to avoid the most common types of water damage this year. Or check out 24/7 Water Damage Mitigation by UltraSteam to learn the best way to deal with water damage in case you come home to wet carpet or dripping ceilings!

When does mold become an issue to worry about? In our Durango area, the answer is, usually after some kind of water damage. Although attics or crawlspaces can become affected by mold growth due to insufficient venting, it generally takes a larger amount of water to provide the moisture necessary for mold amplification to occur, and for colonies to get started. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment has published guidelines recommending self-cleaning for small areas (under 10 square feet).You can find this document at the following link: Colorado Mold Information

You’ll notice that the Colorado Department of Health and Environment recommends professional remediation for any area over 100 square feet…but says nothing about areas between 10 and 100 sf! This is the “gray area” that seems to be left to your judgement as to whether you wish to try and clean it up on your own. Personally, I wouldn’t attempt areas much larger than 10 sf on a self-clean basis, knowing what I do as a professional mold remediator, and here’s why:

You see, mold colonies resemble dandelions - the spores are tiny clumps at the end of the hyphae. Like dandelions, they are easily disturbed and liberated, by air currents or physical contact…and it is these spores that can cause ill health effects! That’s why on a large area of mold growth, it can be difficult or impossible to clean up without specialized equipment, since as the amount of mold increases, so does the risk of disturbing and liberating very large numbers of spores during cleanup unless the area is contained under negative air pressure, with airscrubbing equipment capturing and filtering these spores at the point of work.

To keep you and your family safe, here’s how a true professional performs mold remediation:

 1 - Inspection and assessment of the affected area. This may be performed by us, or by an independent Indoor Environmental Professional in cases of interior living space contamination. (Depending on the situation, and whether we need to remove any building materials to establish whether or not there is mold present, we may set up containment first, or use an airscrubber near the inspection point to capture even the few stray spores that might be disturbed)

2 - Containment of the affected area. We will construct sealed barriers to keep the unaffected parts of the structure from becoming contaminated by mold spores as we work. Next we establish negative air pressure within the containment, using HEPA-filtered airscrubbers to remove dust and spores from the air, and keep contaminants inside the work area. And, we wear personal protective gear while we work, to protect our own health!

3 -  Source Removal. We start by removing the spores from the affected materials first, then removing, sealing and disposing of unsalvageable materials such as drywall or particleboard. Structural wood is cleaned with a multi-stage process, then disinfected, and after drying (if necessary) stain removal is effected through sanding, sodablasting or oxidation, depending on the situation.

4 - AntiMicrobial. We apply a “green” antimicrobial solution afterward as well, to ensure that your structural materials are completely sanitized. Once cleanup is complete, the work area is tested, by us or an IEP, and when it clears, the containment is removed and you are ready for reconstruction, if needed! (We can help with recommendations for excellent contractors to take care of the rebuild for you, and work with them to ensure that it all happens seamlessly and quickly.)

For Mold Remediation, Water Damage Mitigation or Biohazard cleanup in the Durango area, call 970-385-8444 or 970-759-2395 for prompt, courteous service by IICRC Certified Professionals with over 60 years combined experience. Or click here for more Mold Information or click here for 24/7 Water Damage Mitigation Services

Do you have a mold problem in your home? If so, you may have been bombarded with conflicting information on how best to proceed - and it’s an important decision, affecting your home’s health and that of your family! As an IICRC Certified AMRT Mold Remediation Technician with years of experience in Water Damage and Mold Remediation, I have a few tips for you - no matter who you choose to do the work:

1 - Have an independent third-party Indoor Environmental Professional perform testing before and after on large interior losses - this assures you that all affected areas were found, the work was completed and that your environment is healthy again.

2 - Be sure the company you choose for Remediation is IICRC AMRT Certified - this assures you that the personnel on your job have received extensive training in state-of-the-art containment and remediation techniques, for your family’s safety.

3 - Ask for references - a reputable company will be happy to provide them.

4 - Ask how they will remediate - all complete remediation involves source removal. The mold must be removed from the structural wood, an approved fungicidal cleaner used to decontaminate the wood, and the staining removed either by abrasive sanding/blasting or chemically. Affected drywall cannot be saved - be very suspicious of anyone that claims they can “encapsulate” (paint over) any moldy materials to “save you money” (and themselves time!) Moldy areas should be contained and put under negative air pressure before source removal to avoid contamination of other areas with spores liberated during remediation. NOTE: spraying mold with bleach (or any other liquid) will simply spread the spores, which are usually hydrophilic and will be displaced into the air by the moisture - spreading them much further than if they were left undisturbed until proper containment and remediation can be started.

For more information on mold remediation in the Durango area, call us at 970-385-8444.  And if you have water damage, act quickly so it doesn’t cause a mold problem to start with! We offer 24/7 Water Damage Mitigation & Restoration Service - call 970-385-8444 or 970-759-2395 for emergency after-hours service.

When you think of Biohazard cleanup, what comes to mind? Perhaps mold remediation, meth house cleanup, or crime and trauma scene cleaning. How about tear gas cleanup, rodent infestation and unsanitary dwelling (hoarder/hoarding situations) and unattended death scene cleaning? UltraSteam does all of this and more. But why hire an expert? Consider the facts:

- Any of the situations described above poses a high level of danger to any cleaning personnel not properly trained and wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment for the circumstances. UltraSteam’s Biohazard Cleaning personnel have years of experience and many hours of classroom training in the proper personal protection and cleaning methods appropriate for each unique situation we encounter (no two are ever alike.)

- Many of these situations pose a public health hazard if the contaminated material is not disposed of properly. Death and Crime or Trauma Scene waste is not permitted to be thrown away in the public waste stream…but disreputable companies do it every day. UltraSteam disposes of any potentially infectious material as Biohazardous medical waste with an approved waste provider, not by throwing it in the dumpster and covering it up. Contact with bodily fluids is potentially quite hazardous to the health of the person performing the cleaning, and bleach-water is not an appropriate disinfectant! Stories abound of untrained personnel throwing used gloves or towels at each other outside the job, or speaking ill of a deceased; this sort of behavior is completely unacceptable to a reputable, certified firm like UltraSteam.

- A house that has been subjected to methamphetamine contamination, either through use or cooking, is no longer a safe environment for anyone to live in. Although an unscrupulous landlord might try to remediate it on their own to save money, the truth is only a professional remediation company should perform this work. Police officers who breathed the air or touched the surfaces in such houses have become ill or received skin burns from the chemical residues left over. Cleanup requires atmospheric control, excellent protective gear and decontamination knowledge. Much of the interior will need to be removed; structural materials will require detailed cleaning and sealing before remodeling.

- An Unsanitary Dwelling (hoarder/hoarding) may sometimes seem like no more than throwing away some old magazines and papers, until you happen to touch a discarded needle or other sharp buried in the trash. Other times there are very real and apparent dangers such as bodily fluids stored in unsafe containers. No two of these situations are the same, and the remediation protocol will vary according to the precise conditions of the dwelling, but protective gear and proper disposal are key, along with cleaning and deodorizing techniques to match the needs of the structure.

- Rodent Infestation can present special hazards here in Hantavirus country, for instance in crawlspaces or air ducts. Again, protection of the personnel involved in cleanup is a must, as well as complete removal and disposal of the waste using HEPA filtered equipment, and the disinfection and cleaning of the affected structural surfaces. (Spraying some bleach-water around is not a remedy!)

- Bat or Bird Infestation presents similar hazards; Cryptococcus and Histoplasma are two toxic fungi that can live in droppings and cause disease in otherwise healthy people! So if your attic is contaminated with this “guano” it’s best not to attempt cleanup on your own. UltraSteam has the proper Personal Protective and Containment Equipment to clean up these situations without hazards to workers or your family.

Sometimes these situations will be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy (check with your insurance agent if you are unsure.) In other cases, payment will be the responsibility of the homeowner - but the cost to have a professional do it and do it right is far less than the cost of doing it wrong and risking harm to yourself or others!

For Prompt, Professional Biohazard Cleanup in the Durango, Bayfield and Hesperus area, call 385-8444. After hours call 759-2395 or 903-2990 for emergency response service from Certified Bio-Remediation Personnel. You’ll receive courteous, discreet service from caring individuals to help you through whatever situation you may be facing.

Wool - One of the strongest, longest-lasting fibers, wool is the component fiber of most well-made hand-knotted rugs. With proper care and maintenance a wool rug can last generations. Being a natural fiber, it is easier to stain permanently however, since strong oxidizing or reducing stain removers cannot be used on it without damaging the fiber.

Silk  - Another natural fiber, prized for it’s sheen and lustre, silk is better suited to wall hangings or rugs that will be laid in little-used areas. While beautiful, it is not as strong or durable as wool, and is even more susceptible to staining.

Rayon (also known as Viscose) - Rayon is technically man-made, but is actually a natural fiber since it is made from regenerated wood pulp. It has a silky feel, and will often be sold as silk to unsuspecting customers, or used as an accent fiber in newer low-end Tibetan and Nepali rugs. However, it is comparatively weak,  and does not wear well nor retain its lustre as silk does, and when used as an accent it will wear out faster than the rest of the rug.

Nylon - The strongest and longest lasting of the synthetic fiber, its only drawback lies in its susceptibility to acid-dye stains and bleach; look for solution-dyed fibers to lessen these worries. It wears and cleans well, returning to near-new condition if not allowed to become exceptionally soiled between cleanings.

Polyester - Used in many recycled-plastic rugs, looks great when new and is very soft, but lacks good wear characteristics and can become matted and tangled easily. Oily stains can be problematic to remove if left for long periods.

Polypropylene (olefin) - This fiber is used quite often in low-end rugs, and has the advantage of being cheap and nearly impervious to bleach and dye stains. It is quite lustrous when new, but abrades and loses lustre very quickly; also very  susceptible to oily stains or soiling. Since it is made from asphalt by-products, oils will permanently bond to olefin if not cleaned up quickly.

As you can see, wool and nylon are by far the two best choices for any rug that will receive regular wear and use, though silk is fantastic for wallhangings. Curious about rug construction? Click the Rug Construction link to learn the difference between tufted and woven rugs. And visit our website RugMastersOfDurango.com to learn how we clean and care for your fine rugs like the works of art they are!

What size do you need? Buy the largest rugs first. Accent rugs and runners to complement the large rugs are easier to find. You may want to cut a template the size of the rug you are considering out of Kraft paper or an old sheet, to see how it works in the room. Remember, to avoid premature wear, ends corners and sides of the rug should not be pivot points in the room. Also, dining room rugs should be at least 8×10 (unless the table is a small one.) If possible, I like chairs to remain on the rug even when they are pushed out from the table.

How much do you want to spend? This question has some bearing on what type of rug you will buy - machine-woven or hand-woven. (Remember, “hand-tufted” rugs are not the same as “woven”. They are seldom of investment quality and rarely last more than 10 years, although there are occasional custom-made exceptions.)

What style of rug should I buy? Buy what you like! Floral or curvilinear is more formal, while geometric or rectilinear is less formal. Bring fabric swatches from curtains or upholstery, tiles or countertop materials, wood stains etc. to help match colors to your home.

Next post: What fibers last longest, and common scams to avoid!

God forbid anyone should need these services; but even worse would be to have to perform the work yourself without knowing the Bloodborne Pathogen rules, or be taken advantage of by a company that is not certified or cuts corners in cleanup and disposal protocol.

UltraSteam has 2 Certified Bio-Cleaning Technicians on call at all times to serve the community should the need arise. Richard and Shelly are courteous, compassionate experts who have been through an intensive, week-long course of classroom and on-site training with Don McNulty, former owner of BioClean Services of America in Kansas City. They passed the course with flying colors, and have earned their place among the very few experts nationwide to become certified in Bio-Remediation. This certification comes on top of over 30 years of combined experience performing meticulous cleaning and remediation of biohazard, crime and trauma scene cleaning, and similar detailed work such as mold, smoke and water damage.

UltraSteam has invested heavily in the training, equipment, protective gear and medical waste disposal protocols to provide Durango and La Plata county with the utmost in discreet, professional service to remediate any crime or trauma scene, unattended death or unsanitary dwelling (hoarding situation).

Should you have any questions about this service, please call Richard direct at 970-759-2395 for 24/7 Emergency Service.