Newman Restoration is ready to take on the decontamination for confirmed cases as well as precautionary cleaning measures.

Firstly, controlling the situation is the best form of prevention. Employees and visitors should be asked to wash hands regularly. The virus is spread by contact and has an extended viability rating on stainless steel and plastic surfaces. These areas should be disinfected immediately with specialty products. A simple €œfogging€ with an antimicrobial agent is not a recommended mitigation technique. All areas of contamination need to be physically cleaned using the standards set forth by ABRA (American Bio Recovery Association) and ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment).

At Newman Restoration, we strive to be educated and ready to tackle all disaster situations. In order to properly mitigate the threat of COVID-19, a decontamination would include specialty-built pressure fit containments for the areas of concern. These areas should be placed under negative air pressure using air filtration devices that supply 4 air exchanges per hour to the affected areas. A minimum of negative 5 pascals or 1.2 column inches of water should be maintained to avoid potential cross contamination.

Air filtration devices, including but not limited to negative air machines, air purification devices or any other variation of the device should be used in accordance with manufacturing recommendations. This includes a daily change out of pleated and mat pre-filters. The banked HEPA filtration filters should be replaced every 500 hours of runtime.

Specialty units including the Scientific Air Management Systems, (SAMS) unit have been testing for a kill rate on the virus. We have these specialty units that include a banked HEPA filter, UV-C bulb tunnel as well as a final filtering through a MERV 8 filter before the air is returned back to the environment. You can see these studies at https://scientificairmanagement.com/.

While the use of this equipment will help with contagion control, these recommendations only work when used together. All areas of contamination must be contained, disinfected and filtered with air purification techniques. Currently, effective clearance testing can only be completed once protocols have been put in place to end the current pandemic state. Clearance testing would be recommended for all areas that have been decontaminated.

All hard surfaces that are prone to touching should be disinfected and cleaned. These surfaces include stainless steel, countertops, door knobs, kiosk terminals, touch button displays, credit card machines, etc. For the removal of the virus from carpeted areas, carpets must be disinfected using means of hot water extraction and specialty disinfectants.

We have a team of dedicated professionals that are always on-call. We respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Le-Squeegee is here with some advice on how to be better prepared for spring cleaning this year!

Prepare a detailed list of what you want to accomplish with your spring cleaning – Whether it is small goals or big goals, write everything down to be prepared for spring cleaning and hold yourself accountable. Also a spring cleaning goals list can be motivational. Give yourself multiple small tasks to build up and conquer a larger task. Make your list in order of priority so you can tackle what is most important to you.

Get stocked up with your supplies – Nothing is more frustrating than getting in the groove of cleaning and not having enough supplies or the proper supplies. It can kill your motivation and take time out of your planned cleaning time to reload on supplies. So as you are making a list for what you want to accomplish for spring cleaning, also make a list of the supplies you will need.

Budget – Budgeting is very important for spring cleaning. Make a budget for your time to ensure that what you want to accomplish is feasible. Also budget for the money to be spent on spring cleaning. Whether it is money for a professional carpet cleaning or more supplies, having a set budget can ensure spring cleaning doesn’t put a big dent in your wallet.

Prep your mind and space for spring cleaning – Envision what a perfectly clean area of your home would look like and how exciting it will be to host that first barbeque or party! Start with removing clutter that has built up over the winter to get some positive feelings flowing about the upcoming spring clean.

Plan to clean from the top down – Having experience with a professional cleaning company, Le-Squeegee recommends that everything is cleaned from the top down. Start with ceilings and ceiling fans and work down to bookshelves, tables and countertops. Save the floors for last as this will ensure you only have to clean them once at the end of the process instead of multiple times.

Foundation issues and the resulting damage are a frustration for many homeowners. Le-Squeegee has some information on how Newman Restoration & Cleaning can help with foundation crack issues.

Identifying a foundation crack – A foundation crack can be easy to spot in an unfinished basement, but how can you find one covered by drywall? Cracks will often go undetected until they leak. Hydrostatic pressure will build and force groundwater through a crack. Newman Restoration uses advanced water detection techniques and equipment to find leaks and discover their cause. Cracks can sometimes be detected from the exterior of the home on an exposed part of the foundation. However, it is always best to fix the issue from the inside of the home so the entire length of the foundation crack can be addressed. If a foundation crack has started leaking or is wider than 1/8th of an inch, it is time for the issue to be fixed.

Structural vs non-structural issues – Foundation cracks come in three categories. Diagonal, horizontal and vertical. Diagonal and vertical cracks are most often considered non-structural damage. However, horizontal cracks frequently need the attention of a structural engineer and more complicated solution. A crack is considered horizontal when it runs more than 75 degrees from vertical. For non-structural issues, a foundation crack injection is the best fix.

Newman Restoration’s method – Team Newman uses a hydrophilic polyurethane injection to fill foundation cracks. It is injected from the middle of the crack for the best seal. The exterior of the crack is also sealed to get the best result possible.

Lifetime transferable warranty – Thinking about a foundation crack solution. One good question to ask is what is the warranty from each company? Team Newman is proud to offer a lifetime transferable warranty with our foundation crack solutions.

Unfortunately it is the peak season for water damage in Montana. As the weather fluctuates, the perfect scenario develops for frozen pipes, water spigots, sprinkler lines and ice dams. Winter precipitation also leads to ground saturation and water intrusion through faults in a foundation. Le-Squeegee has some helpful tips on discovering water damage at its earliest stage.

Slow leaks are the hardest to detect, but can result in a devastation loss – An undetected slow leak can lead to microbial growth and deteriorate building materials. Learning about the signs of water damage can save yourself time and money.

Staining and visible microbial growth – Brown and grey water staining on walls or ceilings and visible microbial growth is one of the most common signs of a water intrusion. Finding these signs on the ceiling can be the result of an ice dam or roof leak. It is also common to find staining in an area that does not have proper ventilation, including attics and bathrooms.

Warping, peeling, flaking and soft drywall – Not all water damage is seen with visible staining. It can also be detected by the physical alteration of drywall and paint. Warped drywall is a sign of a water intrusion. This is most often found on a lower section of drywall resulting from a pipe leak inside the wall or a water intrusion from a foundation issue. Peeling paint or drywall that is soft to the touch is the result of the drywall becoming saturated from water. This is a sign of a slow leak where the water is absorbing into the building materials.

Musty smell – Trapped water will begin to put out a musty odor. The most common place for this type of odor to occur is water trapped in the pad of a carpet or underneath flooring. If you start to notice a musty smell, it is a good idea to get a professional restoration company involved to discover the source of the smell.

Increase in water bill – A water leak often leads to an increase in water consumption that is reflected on your bill. If you notice any irregularities with your water bill it is a good idea to have a detailed inspection to see if there are any issues.

Increased humidity – Elevated humidity levels and moisture buildup on windows is a sign of a water issue. This can happen when a space does not have proper ventilation or there is a significant water leak.

Distorted flooring – Wood floor buckling and swelling or laminate floor that is lifting or popping is a sign of water damage and an active leak. These issues require the attention of a restoration professional.

See any of these signs? Bring in a professional restoration company with advanced detection equipment – Ask your trusted restoration company for a water damage inspection. They should be able to get an detailed picture of the damage using moisture detecting equipment and a thermal imaging camera

Spending the winter months planning a spring remodel? If so, Le-Squeegee has few tips about something that often goes unchecked. If you are remodeling a home built in the 1970s or earlier, it is imperative to be on the lookout for asbestos. Le-Squeegee has a few recommendations on building materials to be on the lookout for in older homes for asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos is a fibrous material utilized in building materials for resistance to heat and corrosion. It is now recognized as a serious hazard to human health and regulated strictly by government organizations.

Asbestos was used in textured wall surfacing, including popcorn ceilings. Before scraping off any popcorn ceilings or textured wall coverings, it is imperative to have it tested for asbestos.

Floor tiles are another common place for asbestos in an older home. 9€x 9€ and 12€ x 12€ are the most common sizes that contain asbestos. Also, the mastic used to adhere the tiles often contain asbestos.

Along with floor tiles, linoleum flooring can be an asbestos containing material. The mastic underneath linoleum and mastic underneath old carpet can be asbestos containing.

Asbestos can also be found in older homes in insulation. This includes insulation found in the walls and around pipes. Older boilers and tanks were also wrapped in asbestos insulation.

Wallboard and wallboard systems can be asbestos containing. The wallboard itself and the joint compound and tape are suspect materials for asbestos. It is important to have it tested before demolition.

There are also miscellaneous materials around an older home that can be asbestos containing. Roofing and siding, ceiling panels and tiles, lath and plaster and caulking are suspect materials.

Concerned about asbestos in an older home? Use a certified asbestos inspector to test materials before a home demo or remodeling project.

A concrete foundation will settle over time and develop small cracks and fractures. Le-Squeegee has a few tips in this blog on when a foundation crack can be issue and need a professional solution.

The three common types of foundation cracks are vertical, diagonal and horizontal – A vertical crack is the most common type and most often occurs from the foundation settling after it is constructed. A crack that runs between 30 to 75 degrees from vertical on a foundation is considered a diagonal crack. If it runs across a large wall, a diagonal crack is concerning. Most often, diagonal cracks come from the corner of a window. A horizontal foundation crack runs from 75 to 90 degrees from vertical. This is always a major concern as it points to structural issues with the foundation.

Foundation cracks wider than …› of an inch or foundation cracks that run horizontally are an immediate concern – If a foundation crack with any of these characteristics is found, it needs immediate attention. Cracks that run vertically or diagonally that are wider than …› of an inch can most often be fixed with an injection. However, horizontal cracks often need a structural repair. The most common options for a structural repair are piering, bracing and reinforcing.

How to spot a foundation crack – If a basement level is unfinished, a foundation crack can be spotted with a visual inspection. It gets more difficult when a basement is finished and the foundation walls are not exposed. Common signs of a foundation issue in a finished basement include doors and windows not closing properly, bowing or warping in drywall or damp drywall and carpet. Another common sign is a musty smell in the basement. This occurs from water settling inside the walls from a foundation crack leak.

Foundation cracks most often leak in the spring – As the snow melts and the ground becomes saturated, water will push up against the foundation and leak through large cracks. This is a common source of water damage in a home during the spring. If you suspect a foundation crack is leaking, get a restoration company involved immediately. Ask them to inspect using a thermal camera and a moisture meter to find if any water is leaking through a crack.

Ask about warranties when picking a foundation crack solution – Most professional companies will offer a warranty with their foundation crack solution. Make sure to ask about any warranties as they can help you make an informed decision.

Le-Squeegee is bringing some new advice for this Friday Blog. With the big game coming up this Sunday, Le-Squeegee has some Super suggestions for keeping your home clean if you are throwing a big party!

Have plenty of easily accessible trash cans and label them for what you want in them! – Most of your guests for the big game will be enjoying snacks and drinks and do not want to turn their attention away from the television. Make it easy for them to ditch their trash and keep the house looking nice by having all trash receptacles easy to find and labeled. Want your recycling separated? Well make sure there is a trash can labeled for recycling. This makes it much easier on guests and hosts.

Ask guests to remove their shoes before coming inside – With the forecast for Sunday anticipating snow in central Montana, keep your house looking tidy by simply asking guests to remove their shoes at the door! This simple ask can save hours of vacuuming and cleaning later!

Deal with the leftover food right away – Some of those tasty game day snacks can turn to real stinkers very quickly. Avoid the unpleasant smell by getting that leftover food wrapped up and in the refrigerator. One of Le-Squeegee’s favorite moves is to encourage guests to take home all of the leftover food.

Is the man cave starting to smell too much like a locker room? Keep a few candles around to change it! Candles or an oil diffuser can drastically alter the smell of a room. Keep them in mind if the area around the television is starting to smell like a sweaty locker room!

After the game is over, follow the top down cleaning method- Start with cleaning  tables and countertops before moving on tho chairs and floors. This way, as crumbs and other food debris gets knocked down to the floor, it is the last thing to be cleaned. This ensures it only has to be cleaned once!

Asks your guests to help out before they leave – Le-Squeegee’s friends sometimes need a little encouragement to help clean. But teamwork can make the post game cleanup go way faster. 

For this Friday blog, Le-Squeegee is here with a few tips on when you should be sweeping your chimney. Le-Squeegee recommends that chimneys used during the winter are swept in the following spring or summer. This helps eliminate creosote buildup and reduce the risk of a damaging house fire.

What is creosote? – It is a residue that comes from burning wood or coal. If it is not regularly addressed in a chimney it can build and develop into a tar-like substance. A creosote buildup can result in a chimney that does not draft properly. It is also an irritant and can lead to skin, eye and respiratory irritation. It is also a fire hazard if allowed to build up over the years in a chimney.

Is it more difficult this winter to start a fire? This is a sign of a chimney in need of cleaning – A weak draft and poor airflow can turn into difficulty starting a fire. This often results from a buildup or blockage in the chimney and means it should be swept.

Smoke flowing into the house and not through the chimney – Smoke not drafting through the chimney is another sign of a poorly drafting chimney and means that a sweep is necessary.

Inspect a chimney regularly for build ups or blockages – Black creosote and other blockages can sometimes be seen with a quick inspection. It is a good idea to regularly look at the chimney opening and see if there are any visible issues.

A wood burning smell when the fireplace is not in use – Does it smell like a fire is lit even when it isn’t? Well this can be a lingering smell leftover from a severe creosote buildup.

Spring and summer is the best time for a chimney sweep – Often the best clean for a chimney is achieved from the outside of the home. It can be difficult and unsafe to work on the roof during the cold months, making it harder to clean the chimney.

As winter progresses, Le-Squeegee is here to provide some information about ice dams and the damage they can cause to a roof and interior of the home.

Ice dams are a buildup of ice and snow on a roof, often on the lower portion and extend over the edge and gutters

Snow on the roof melts and freezes creating an ice dam. An issue occurs when the melting snow is trapped and can not release from the roof. It can penetrate through the shingles and create water damage on the interior of the home.

Ice dams can occur from direct sunlight and or heat coming from inside the home

If the attic or space below the roof is creating too much heat it can often be resolved with a few fixes. The first step is to improve insulation. This can be done by fixing holes or gaps in the insulation or replacing it with a higher value. This keeps the home warmer and the attic space cooler. Ventilating the space can also help if too much warm air is hitting the roof from underneath.

Keep your roof clear after a snowfall – Utilizing a roof rake to eliminate snow buildups is a way of preventing ice dams from occurring. Be cautious because snow can come down quickly and is quite heavy. It is also a good step to keep gutters clear of debris as it can impede the runoff when snow melts.

Chip away ice if it can be done safely or use a professional to melt the ice – The majority of the issue with ice dams comes from the ice buildup. It possible, chip away the ice buildup or search for a local company to help with the removal of an ice dam.

Create a channel for the snow to melt with an ice melt product – The melting snow needs a path to escape off the roof. Creating a channel through the buildup with an ice melt product is one possible solution. Often this can be difficult with frozen and snowy roofs being too dangerous to access.

Le-Squeegee is bringing some new advice for this Friday Blog. With the big game coming up this Sunday, Le-Squeegee has some Super suggestions for keeping your home clean if you are throwing a big party!

Have plenty of easily accessible trash cans and label them for what you want in them! – Most of your guests for the big game will be enjoying snacks and drinks and do not want to turn their attention away from the television. Make it easy for them to ditch their trash and keep the house looking nice by having all trash receptacles easy to find and labeled. Want your recycling separated? Well make sure there is a trash can labeled for recycling. This makes it much easier on guests and hosts.

Ask guests to remove their shoes before coming inside – With the forecast for Sunday anticipating snow in central Montana, keep your house looking tidy by simply asking guests to remove their shoes at the door! This simple ask can save hours of vacuuming and cleaning later!

Deal with the leftover food right away – Some of those tasty game day snacks can turn to real stinkers very quickly. Avoid the unpleasant smell by getting that leftover food wrapped up and in the refrigerator. One of Le-Squeegee’s favorite moves is to encourage guests to take home all of the leftover food.

Is the man cave starting to smell too much like a locker room? Keep a few candles around to change it! Candles or an oil diffuser can drastically alter the smell of a room. Keep them in mind if the area around the television is starting to smell like a sweaty locker room!

After the game is over, follow the top down cleaning method- Start with cleaning  tables and countertops before moving on tho chairs and floors. This way, as crumbs and other food debris gets knocked down to the floor, it is the last thing to be cleaned. This ensures it only has to be cleaned once!

Asks your guests to help out before they leave – Le-Squeegee’s friends sometimes need a little encouragement to help clean. But teamwork can make the post game cleanup go way faster.