WHAT IS THAT SMELL?

              Having dogs can sometimes mean being careful about how your house smells.  After I’ve been gone for a little while and come home, I notice if there’s any unpleasant odor from my two sweet but mischievous dogs.  Unpleasant household smells can be caused by various objects within the home, and when I smell anything but a pleasant odor, I am unhappy and immediately finding the cause.  Why? Because it is normal to want our homes clean and safe.  But what about safety issues we cannot smell or detect easily?  For example, how do asbestos fibers smell?  If I don’t smell anything, does it mean there’s nothing dangerous lurking in my house?  I have always been taught it is better to be safe than sorry.  If you believe there may be asbestos fibers airborne in your house, calling a specialist is important to your health and safety. 

            Just recently I was in a home where one of the bathrooms had chipped tile.  The question came up as to whether the tile might be asbestos.  One of the home’s residents has COPD.  I do not know if the tile is asbestos, but action is being taken to insure the health and safety of the home’s residents.  Asbestos that has been disturbed and has airborne fibers may have no detectible odor but the health issues are still there. 

            If you believe your home, rental property, or commercial building may have an asbestos issue, call the professionals at Crisis Cleaning.  While undisturbed, asbestos may have no harmful effects but when it is disturbed and airborne fibers are present, it’s time to make sure all is well with your home.  You might think of it like a rattlesnake in the mountains, undisturbed and causing no problems, but then when a person disturbs the snake, look out, big problem.  I don’t think Crisis Cleaning handles snake problems but when it comes to asbestos, they are certified professionals.  Remember, better to be safe than sorry.  Give Crisis Cleaning a call today toll free at 1-877-260-4828. 

By Joan Mason

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY

            Many of us dream of a job that would allow us to be financially secure while having fun, right?  One such job might be the president/CEO of one’s own company, with all the amenities, an expensive cherry desk, full featured phone, top-of-the-line computer, fax machine (wait that’s built into the computer), and printer, while leaning back in our tall leather chair with a cup of coffee or a latte and reading the newspaper (with our feet on the desk of course).  Do we really need to read the paper?  After all, we can get all the news on our computer or cell phone.  Wow, what a life – what a job.  But such visualization is not always an accurate depiction of a president/CEO.  I know a President/CEO who is growing her company and does have an office, but she believes in hands-on experience.  Such is the case with Donetta Held, President/CEO of Crisis Cleaning.  She, along with her husband, Rick, and their entire staff, works tirelessly to please customers and contribute to a healthy and safe environment.

Both Rick and Donetta Held indicate their jobs are “never dull.”  It seems typical days are really non-typical, in that there is such a variety of situations with every job. They travel all over the State testing meth contaminated homes, talking with and educating owners and tenants on the decontamination process.  Donetta and Rick enjoy meeting the people during inspections and, since the owner or tenant responsible for cleanup may not be the same person who created the meth contamination, they many times lend an understanding and compassionate ear to personal family stories and lives.

            In the situation of asbestos contamination, asbestos can be a potential problem only when it is disturbed, at which time tiny particles may not be seen with the naked eye.

Donetta also receives calls about mold remediation.  Such remediation can be an expensive process.  A home may be left vacant for an extended period of time without heat and air and mold can form.   Donetta feels it may be more economically/financially beneficial to leave the utilities connected than to have possible expensive mold remediation later.

            Crisis Cleaning is a family-run, service-oriented, cleaning company that began in 2001, focusing on meth lab cleanup, death/crime scene cleanup, mold remediation, lead remediation, and asbestos management.  Crisis is certified and licensed and ensures their jobs are done right.  They bring a personal touch to each difficult situation, and their professional experience gives their customers the confidence they need to feel at ease and know any problems will be resolved.

            Whether it’s asbestos, meth or mold contaminating your home or rental property, you can call the professionals at Crisis Cleaning for help.  Phone toll free at 1-877-260-4828, email at info@crisiscleaning.com or visit their website at www.crisiscleaning.com. 

By Joan Mason

THE INSURANCE DILEMMA

           My dad used to say one can be “insurance poor.”  While that statement may be true, we all have insurance of some type and usually many types, including homeowners, auto, health, life, cancer, and the list goes on.  We try to protect ourselves from as much financial harm as possible while protecting valuable assets.  And have you   read your insurance policies, really!  And if so, do you completely understand those policies?

            It seems when I finally understand a policy, society brings something new and different into the overall picture; for example, mold and meth issues.  Does my homeowners cover mold?  Well, now policies are specifically mentioning inclusion or exclusion of mold.  On to the subject of meth; when residential or rental homes have been used for meth labs, unbeknownst to the buyer, does  homeowner’s policies cover testing and decontamination?   My first thought is “probably not.”  As hard as it is to believe, I just may be wrong.  In many cases, property insurance covers the cost of professional decontamination. 

            Standard policies may include first-party property coverage and also liability coverage.  The policy either has “named perils” or “open perils.”  Named peril policies show exactly what is included in the dwelling coverage while open peril policies show what is excluded.  One named peril included in many policies is vandalism.  It will either be listed as a named peril or not excluded in open perils.  Smoke damage is normally a covered peril.  Just like a kitchen fire, the smoke and fumes from a meth lab leave a similar residue in the structure and on the contents, which need cleaning. 

            Liability coverage may come into play if a meth lab is busted by a law enforcement agency and condemns the property as inhabitable.  If you receive such a notice, you may want to request a coverage determination under both first-party coverage and liability.

            I could talk about insurance all day (are you kidding?  Yes), but you would probably stop reading at this point.  The important thing to remember is to promptly call your insurance and follow up with a letter, best sent certified.  Since you may have both first-party coverage and liability, one or both may cover meth cleanup.  If you are denied, you need to get the denial in writing and have coverage counsel review it. 

            Some rental property owners are hesitant to file an insurance claim due to concern they will be dropped, and it is true they could be dropped by their insurance carrier.  It is good to research other insurance carriers that will allow coverage.  Why have insurance if you cannot use it when you need it?

            My friends at Crisis Cleaning will be happy to walk you through the insurance process, taking care of the hassles associated with such claims.  Give them a call today if you need help with meth residue contamination (877) 260-4828.  You will be glad you did!

(Contribution:  The Meth Solution by Donetta J. Held)

By Joan Mason

WHAT'S THE DIAGNOSIS?

            When I was in school, our class took a trip to Vincennes.  I know, it wasn’t the Bahamas or even King’s Island, but we had a great time.  Seeing the old, historical homes of great American patriots meant a great deal to the class.  I was so excited, but please remember that was a few (and a few more) years ago.  I still love this old, historical city that has grown and is a landmark in our State.  Historical homes are many times preserved for future posterity. 

            Sometimes, however, older homes are purchased and beautifully remodeled.  My aunt and uncle had a house built for them when they were first married.  I loved that house.  Walking in the front door and traveling to the right in a circle brought you right back to the front door.  Of course, there were bedrooms to your right and eventually a bathroom was added.  The kitchen was in the back of the house and then as you continued through the circle, there was the dining room, and then back to the living room in the front of the house.  The house had a cellar and an upstairs area over it in the middle of the circle.  After my aunt and uncle had both passed away, the property was sold and the new owners remodeled this house beautifully.  However, I will always remember the original look of the home with my aunt and uncle sitting on the long front porch waiting for us to arrive for a visit.

            Was there asbestos in their house?  I don’t know the answer, but asbestos was used in earlier years as a flame retardant.  In good condition, asbestos is harmless.  However, when damaged, asbestos can release microscopic fibers into the air that can lodge in a person’s lungs.  Long-time exposure or heavy dosages can build up and lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma, as well as asthma.   

            Back to remodeling a house that contains asbestos; if remodeling or renovating, asbestos removal may be essential, and if so, it is time to call in the professionals.  Crisis Cleaning can take the hassle and fear out of asbestos removal.  They follow local, state, and federal asbestos removal regulations.  We will discuss asbestos more in future articles, but please remember when in doubt, give Crisis Cleaning a call toll-free at (877) 260-4828 or email info@crisiscleaning.com.  Leave the worry to the professionals.

By Joan Mason        

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BREAD?

            Keeping bread in the refrigerator, particularly in the summer, seems like a good idea (although I’ve been told it doesn’t help).  We go grocery shopping and try to make our food supply last as long as possible.  Grocery prices keep moving upward, so if you’re like I am, you try to consume every ounce of food in some form or another.  Ground beef, for example, is great for hamburgers, meatloaf, pasta dishes, chili, meatballs, tacos, and the list goes on.  Then comes the time to clean out the refrigerator.  By now we’re sick of all the hamburger, right?  Oh, I can still make a meatloaf sandwich, one of my favorites.  But when I go to get the bread, it has turned blue/green.  While I like lots of colors, not on my bread please.  It has mold, and of course I dispose of it rather quickly at that point. 

            Just what is mold?  Can it be good or bad?  We know penicillin is a type of mold, which has saved billions of lives.  Blue cheese for example has some type of mold added, which also helps in the aging process.  So there definitely is good mold.  Now let’s look at the bad mold.  While not all mold is a reason for worry, too many mold spores in the air can produce a problem.  Typically the goal is to make sure that indoor air has about the same number of mold spores as naturally occur in the outside air.  Some types of mold, like the black mold Stachybotrys, produce deadly toxins and are not safe even in small amounts.

            Growing undetected in your basement or inside walls for years can trigger subtle physical systems and long-term health problems.  With  chronic mold exposure one can experience sinus congestion and runny nose, cough, throat irritation, skin irritation, headache and sneezing. 

            If you believe there is a problem with mold, call the certified mold remediation experts at Crisis Cleaning and take the fear and frustration out of dealing with potentially deadly mold.

Crisis Cleaning has a 24-hour emergency hotline at (877) 260-4828.  Leave your worries with the professionals.       

By Joan Mason

EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER

             Have you ever sat in a classroom and been taught “how to” use a certain software program or how to work a machine or work a problem or whatever the case may be?  Well, I have.  I remember several years ago attending a class on using a particular software.  Of course we all had computers in the classroom, and I took notes after notes, while noticing everyone else seemed to be doing the same.  As the instructor continued and time moved on, my head seemed to be spinning and the instructions got a little more complicated, or was it my focus?  I thought wow; everyone seems to understand this class but me.  I thought the instructor was moving a little too fast, but I realized much information had to be instilled in our minds to fully understand the software.

            After class everyone was talking, and I realized we all had the same problem, not really thoroughly understanding everything that was communicated about the software.  As I went to my desk, with notes in hand, I decided I was going to learn through experience with some help from my scribbles.  Anytime I had a free moment, I went into the program and worked with it, day after day, week after week.  And it worked.  I learned more from first-hand experience than from the classroom.  Many of us are visual learners and while studying helps, nothing in my opinion works as well as hands on experience.

            I have been writing for Crisis Cleaning’s blog, after reading their information and becoming better informed.  However, I recently had the opportunity to go with a certified inspector to a home for a meth test inspection.  What an experience. No one was permitted to live in the house until resolution of any possible meth contamination.  After meeting the owner of the house and briefly discussing the current situation, we proceeded with the testing.  With supervision, I even participated in the testing process, but before we could begin, we placed disposable covers on our shoes.  I noticed the house was very warm and contained what my nose sensed as an unpleasant odor.  We tested all rooms and areas in the three-level house (main level, upstairs, and basement). It was difficult to reach the ceiling in some of the rooms on the first floor, as they appeared to be ten feet tall.   While testing in the basement, my nose felt some kind of sensation and wanted to keep running.  I don’t know if it was the heat or something else.   

 With this visual lesson, I now realize how much work and care it takes to do a good, professional job.  Every room was tested carefully and thoroughly.  And I can tell you first hand, it’s not an easy job.  I saw how much work was put into every step.  Crisis Cleaning is a professional company that focuses on meth decontamination, mold, asbestos, death/crime scene cleanup, and lead remediation.  If you have concerns in any of these areas, give Crisis Cleaning a call toll free at (877) 260-4828.  They are certified, insured and licensed and will make sure the job is done right.

By Joan Mason

BUT I DON'T LIKE TESTS!!

             How many tests would you guess you have taken so far in your life?   This number would include school exams, medical, dental, eye exams, and household tests for whatever reason – termites, gas leaks etc.  I remember being very anxious and nervous when it came to school tests, and in particular if they were timed.  I was usually the last one to finish because I kept looking over my paper to make sure I had made the right choices.  When I go to see the doctor and he says more tests are needed, I get a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Why must we take so many tests?  Well, one reason, at least for school exams, is to make sure we have comprehended what was taught, and if not, that we find out the reason we are having any problems with a class.  Other tests, such as medical and household, may be to go straight to the problem and find a possible solution or deterrent to prevent further issues.  There are times I think I would rather not know test results and just stick my head in the sand and pretend everything is fine; maybe what I don’t know won’t hurt me – but, what if it will? 

            Our last article talked about meth decontamination professionals  who can work with you if you suspect meth residue may be contaminating your rental property or your residence due to previous meth exposure in the home.  After working with professionals as a first step, step two involves testing.  Even though some states do not require pre-testing before beginning meth lab decontamination, thorough specific pre-testing can be helpful.  Why pre-test?  You may save thousands of dollars, since 25% of Crisis Cleaning’s pre-tests reveal the home’s meth levels are within the safe zone and do not need any professional decontamination.  Wow, money is saved by not performing unnecessary cleanup.  Who wants to spend money unnecessarily?  It would be like taking medication for an illness you don’t have, and we all know some medications are very expensive.

            So we have covered steps 1 and 2 – begin by working with professionals and two, take the test if you suspect meth contamination.  We will continue with the next steps in our future articles.  In the meantime, be safe if you suspect any meth residue – call Crisis Cleaning toll free at 1-877-260-4828.  They are licensed and certified, and will make sure the job is done right.  Resolving any problem begins with knowing the facts.  Call Crisis Cleaning today!  

by Joan Mason

DO IT YOURSELF??

          Have you seen how easy these DIY television programs make things look?  They repair, replace, decorate, landscape; you name it.  Have you tried to do some to these tasks yourself?  Sometimes it looks good and it all works out, but sometimes it doesn’t.  I do some things myself, like changing light bulbs, batteries, curtain alterations, painting (that usually means painting me and the room), but there have been times I have tried to do things myself and ended up spending more, because after I spent money trying to do it myself, I had to spend money hiring someone to fix what I did!  If I have a meth contamination problem in my residence or rental property, should I just get some bleach or other cleaning solutions and try and fix it myself?  I used to think bleach could solve about any household problem and still keep it on hand, but some things require a professional.  It takes professionals with specialized solutions to remove meth residue, because it resists most normal cleaning products. 

            Let’s start with the first step in resolving meth contamination, and then we will talk about additional steps in our next few articles.  First step is to work with professionals.  Most of us go to our family doctor for help when we feel a little under the weather, but if we have a specific problem with our health, we may choose to see a specialist.  Crisis Cleaning is a meth contamination specialist who may save you money.  They will walk you through the process and their friendly and courteous staff will be happy to answer your questions.  Since many times property insurance covers the cost of professional decontamination, Crisis Cleaning will help with the hassles of claims and paperwork.  Since meth decontamination requires specialized solutions that are not available to the general public, Crisis Cleaning’s solutions are safe and biodegradable and developed specifically for removal of chemical contaminants, not just bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

            Take that first step and call Crisis Cleaning toll free at 877-260-4828 or email them at info@crisiscleaning.com.  The hardest part of any job is getting started.  Don’t delay; call or email today if you suspect you may need help with meth residue contamination in your home or rental property.  Give the worry to Crisis Cleaning because they know what to do to solve the problem.

By Joan Mason

LEFTOVERS ANYONE?

            Don’t know about you, but I do not like to throw away food, especially with today’s prices.  I try to buy just the right amount for one meal’s consumption, but I can’t always accurately predict my appetite for a particular food on a particular day.  So I may wind up with leftovers, which is fine for a short time. I believe some leftovers are even better the second day than the first, like chili, for instance.   Unfortunately when my body does not totally agree with certain foods, it lets me know with the first meal and any subsequent leftovers.  While leftovers can be good, after all there is little or no waste, they can also create discomfort.  If they cause discomfort the first time around, the leftovers will most likely re-create those same issues.

            Let’s look at some leftovers that may cause negative effects, with symptoms such as depression, breathing problems, confusion, and headaches, among others.   I am talking about long-term exposure to meth residue, symptoms of which may be the same as those of meth users, and which may take up to a year to appear.  If you are living in a house where meth was made or used, take precautions and work with professionals to alleviate this possible problem.  Don’t let unwanted leftovers affect your health and wellbeing.

Give Crisis Cleaning a call if you suspect possible meth contamination.  They are as easy as a phone call away, toll free at 877-260-4828, or email at info@crisiscleaning.com.  They may be able to save you money and work with you to file claims, as property insurance in many situations pays for professional decontamination.  Play it safe and enjoy peace of mind. 

Watch for our next article to learn more about meth residue and some steps you can take to deal with it in your home or rental property.

By Joan Mason

DID YOU LOCK YOUR DOORS?

Don’t know about you, but anytime I leave the house, I have to make sure all is well inside before walking out the door.  The same is true for my car.  Before I had a garage, I made sure my car doors were locked prior to going inside the house.  I learned that lesson the hard way; once when a black cat was placed in my car on Halloween.  It is a little scary when you open your car door to a screaming cat jumping out at you, leaving evidence of the visit in your vehicle.  Another time, I discovered someone sleeping in the back seat of my car when I started to get in it the next morning.   Locking doors has been a good habit for me in the past several years, but not so much when I was younger and lived in the country.  We went to bed with unlocked house and car doors.  Not much happened back then.  No one tried to steal anything or harm anyone.  It does not seem so today.  I would not think of retiring (the old expression for going to bed) without making sure my house is locked, and I mean every door.  And of course we have security systems to help protect us in our homes.  What has changed so much in the past several years?   In my opinion, people have become more brazen or perhaps I am just more aware of what is going on around me because of the media blitz.  Perhaps there is more drug dependency now than in earlier days, or again maybe we are just more aware of drugs now than then.   Even today we have availability to lock and secure our homes remotely.  Wow, things sure are different nowadays.

Well, my house is locked and secure and no harm, hopefully, will invade my private domain.  Yet I must ask myself if all is safe since I locked my house?    Wow, what a question.  Why would my home harbor any potential danger or place me in harm’s way?  How could such a thing happen?   Perhaps we could say it is an “inside job.”  Maybe something microscopic and unnoticeable to the naked eye is putting me at risk.  Of course we can see any insects usually, except perhaps for termites and then we can see their damage, but what about Asbestos?  As most of us know Asbestos left alone may pose no health issues, but if you are like me, you like to re-arrange things from time to time.  Perhaps I go beyond just re-arranging and decide to remodel my kitchen; there should be no problem, right?  Perhaps there will be no problem, but do we want to make sure our house is safe when remodeling?  Could we say Asbestos may be a silent threat?  If you have an older home and want to remodel, you may not know where Asbestos is located and if it will be disturbed.  Should you be concerned?  Absolutely, but do not panic.  Fortunately, there is a company that will inspect your house for Asbestos to see if there is any hidden danger lurking.  Not only can they check for possible Asbestos contamination in the air but also for meth residue contamination and mold.  We will talk about meth and mold in future articles, so keep watching and be informed.  Give Crisis Cleaning a call toll free today at (877) 260-4828 or email them at info@crisiscleaning.com.  They serve Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and North and South Carolina.  

And protect your health and your home!

By: Joan Mason, Blogger for Crisis Cleaning, Inc.

The Importance of a Checkup! 

Why do many of us call our physician to schedule our yearly check-up?  While we may not feel ill, we do want to catch or prevent any possible future health problems. 
We may take vitamins, all the way from A to Z, to build up our strength and keep us

healthy.  Many times I stop by a store, whether department or pharmacy, and view their aisles of vitamins and supplements.  And how many times has your doctor told you to exercise?  Why, to keep our muscles strong or perhaps lose a few pounds (or maybe to re-proportion the weight we already have) and to maintain a good balance.  We also may be told to drink more water and watch our caloric and sugar intakes, eat lots of vegetables and low-fat foods.  Oh, and some of us take our medications to keep ourselves in check and prevent physical problems such as a stroke or heart attack.  Certainly we work at keeping our bodies healthy so we may lead happy, productive and longer lives.

Now let’s ask ourselves how many of us who have older homes, say built before 1978, make an appointment for a house checkup to insure we have no issues with possible asbestos exposure?  Left alone, contained and intact, asbestos may pose no harm to one’s health or well-being.  Many times simply leaving it alone is all that is required.  However, if you are planning to remodel your older home, please be aware of your house’s asbestos locations.  Disturbed and airborne, asbestos may pose a health problem over time.  Certainly television has brought awareness to mesothelioma and the possibility that asbestos exposure may cause various lung issues.  Who doesn't want clean and healthy lungs?  If you suspect your home may need an asbestos inspection, especially if you are considering remodeling, what about a home health checkup?  As the saying goes “An ounce of prevention…” 

What can you do if you want a home health safety inspection?  One way is to call a company on whom you can rely to make sure all is well with your house.  Such a company is Crisis Cleaning, Inc. who is an environmental decontamination company servicing Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, North and South Carolina.

Give them a call today toll free at 1-877-260-4828 if you have any questions or issues with asbestos, mold, or meth residue contamination in your home.  Hopefully, your house will get a clean bill of health and at the very least a company created to help people just like you solve home health and safety issues.  

By:  Joan Mason

DANGERS OF LIVING WITH TOXIC MOLD

You already know that your brain on meth is not great; but did you know that mold can have devastating neurological consequences, as well?

Of course, scientists have long suspected that mold exposure - especially to super-toxic molds like Stachybotrys - can damaged the human brain. It’s kind of a given, considering the toxic effects of mold on the rest of our physical systems. But recent studies have started to link household and workplace mold exposure to serious neurological and psychological symptoms.

So what does your brain look like on toxic mold?

Anxious and depressed

The more we learn about the neurochemicals in our brains, the more we find out that so many things factor into anxiety and depression. Sure, these can be inherited conditions rooted in your natural brain chemistry. But certain issues - like nutritional defects - can make anxiety and depression worse.

And, it turns out, mold can do the same.

In one recent study, mice consistently exposed to Stachybotrys mold were more likely to become depressed and anxious than their non-mold-exposed counterparts.

Forgetful

Besides making us more anxious and depressed, mold may make us forgetful. The same study that found mold exposure makes mice anxious found that exposure also makes them more forgetful. Mice experienced serious deficits in contextual and spatial memory after even relatively low exposure to the toxic black mold.

Apparently the mice exposed to the mold experienced decreases in brain mass in the hippocampus - a major brain region that helps control memory.

Parkinsonian movements

While we still don’t know the real cause of Parkinson’s disease, this study showed the mold-derived toxins can cause parksinsonian symptoms by degenerating dopamine neurons. Exposure to these toxins may cause some of the movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease.

What you can do

Estimates say that between 40% and 70% of U.S. homes have some mold lurking in dank basements and behind sheetrock walls. While not all of this mold is incredibly harmful, some of it can have the effects mentioned above - especially on children and their rapidly-developing brains.

Luckily, there is an answer to mold in your home or commercial building! Professional mold remediators like those at Crisis Cleaning can test your home’s air for levels of mold exposure. Then, we can use proven techniques to efficiently rid your home of the mold that could be making you and your family sick.

If you suspect your home has a mold problem, call our 24-hour hotline at (877) 260-4828 to discuss mold testing and remediation today!