As the warm weather arrives, Team Newman and Le-Squeegee have a few tips for staying safe this summer. Many of these safety tips are implemented for our work at Newman Restoration & Cleaning.

Walk around vehicle or trailer before driving – Whether it is a team member at Newman Restoration driving a truck and trailer for work, or hauling the boat to the lake, it is important to do a 360 walk around of all vehicles and trailers before setting off. A walk around can spot any obstruction near the vehicle and avoid a disaster.

Stay safe in the sun – Working in the sun? Take a break every 20 minutes to drink water and avoid overexertion. Heat stroke can happen quickly and cause serious injury. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and reapply every two hours.

Follow social distancing recommendations – It remains vitally important this summer to follow social distancing recommendations set by the local government. It will still be possible to enjoy the summer in a safe and responsible way.

Watch for kids, bikers and motorcyclists – With the warm weather all around us in Montana, it is crucial to pay attention to children playing, bikers and motorcyclists. Take your time and drive safely.

Stay regimented with a cleaning routine for yourself and your home – Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds. Maintain a home cleaning routine as our community continues dealing with the current pandemic.

Avoid mosquitoes and other disease carrying bugs – Mosquitos and ticks can transmit diseases, so make yourself prepared when outside this summer. Utilize bug spray and avoid scented perfume or cologne which can attract bugs.

Check children’s toys, bikes and play equipment for safety – Whether it is a bike, swing set, or trampoline, inspect these items before they are used. Winter weather can cause components to rust and weaken. Make play time a safe one by reviewing these items before they go back into use.

At Newman Restoration and Cleaning we follow many different resources for current information on the COVID 19 pandemic. This week we wanted to share some of the information we believe is most helpful!

Registered disinfectant list from the Environmental Protection Agency – Make sure the cleaning products you are using appear on this list. This is comprehensive information on the products that will do the best work. As always, follow the manufacturer instructions for all cleaning products.

Mythbusters from the World Health Organization – This webpage covers some myths and misinformation regarding COVID 19. It is a useful source in telling what is fact from fiction!

When and how to use masks from the World Health Organization – Not sure how to properly wear a mask or when you should wear a mask? This website has the information you need to be prepared.

Preventing getting sick from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Helpful information on how the virus spreads and how to protect yourself.

Cleaning and disinfecting your home from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Information on how to clean and disinfect your home and what areas need to be targeted.

Team Newman utilizes an array of different cleaning products and disinfectants depending on the circumstances. These products come with different methods of application, dwell times, dilution rates and risks. Whenever possible, Newman Restoration & Cleaning utilizes botanical cleaning solutions and disinfectants. Most often, these products are the safest and easiest to use.

What is a botanical disinfectant or cleaner? – Botanical cleaners are basically plant based cleaning products. Team Newman’s preferred botanical products are created from 100% plant essential oils.

Botanicals are safer for the environment – With many synthetic disinfectants, after the proper dwell time is achieved, the product must be removed from the surface. However, with botanical cleaners, this step is often not required. Botanicals can also be biodegradable and not have the aquatic toxicity of many synthetic cleaners. Botanical cleaners are safer for homes with pets and children.

Safer for the user – Many synthetic disinfectants require the use of personal protective equipment for application. For most botanicals, there is not a need for protective equipment or a lower level of protective equipment is required.

Easier to use – Overall, botanical cleaners can simplify the cleaning or disinfection process. Not having to utilize protective equipment or a clean any residue allows for an efficient and effective cleaning process with fewer steps and hassles.

No matter what product you use, follow the instructions provided by manufacturers – For the safest and most effective use of any cleaning or disinfecting product, following the instructions on the label and from the manufacturer is vital. Labels will have any necessary information about toxicity, protective equipment required and dwell times. These are important factors for the proper use of these products.

Check the EPA list of disinfectants – Currently, it is important to check the EPA list of disinfectants which meet the criteria for the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
If interested in using a botanical cleaner, Team Newman uses botanicals with Thymol. These Thymol based cleaners can be found on the EPA list.

Spring comes with seasonal allergies. Team Newman and Le-Squeegee have a few tips to help reduce the impact that allergens make inside your home.

First, during the current pandemic, it is important to do all your cleaning while wearing disposable gloves and a mask. Take the necessary precaution to ensure your health and safety.

Clean bedding frequently – Bedding is a place where allergens can accumulate. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your bedding once a week with a water temperature of at least 130 F.

Carpet and upholstered furniture – Upholstery in your home and carpeted furniture can trap and hold on to allergens. If possible, vacuum weekly with a HEPA filtered vacuum. Spring is also a great time to have a professional carpet cleaning to ensure the best indoor air quality. Blinds and drapes also trap allergens. If possible wash and clean them to eliminate an allergen buildup.

Keep windows closed during spring allergen season – If possible, keep windows closed and use air conditioning to keep the house cool. Make sure the filters for your air conditioning and, or furnace is clean to promote the best air quality. If this is not an option, increase the frequency of cleaning to combat allergens.

Air duct cleaning – One often forgotten aspect of indoor air quality is the ducts and vents in a home. A professional cleaning should occur every three years. This is a vital piece of proper indoor air quality. A professional duct cleaning can reduce the amount of pollen, dust and dirt in a home. Make sure to utilize a company which will clean all parts of the system including trunk lines.

Reduce the amount of surfaces for allergens – One basic way to do this is declutter your living spaces. It can reduce the area for allergens to stay and also makes regular cleaning much easier.

With heightened attention to home cleaning and cleaning products, one lesser discussed facet of cleaning and disinfection is dwell or contact times. Team Newman wants to explain why this is a crucial factor to pay attention to when cleaning during the current pandemic.

Wear disposable gloves – When cleaning around the home it is important to protect yourself. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning to keep your hands away from germs, viruses and bacteria. Also, some disinfecting products can irritate the skin, this can be prevented by wearing gloves.

Clean first – When combating the spread of a virus, it is important to clean with soap and water first. This removes the buildup of dirt and grime and gives a disinfectant the best surface to work on and promote the healthiest environment.

Know the product – Read the label, or check the EPA list of disinfectants (link below) to find the dwell or contact time. This is crucial to ensure the product works. Dwell times often range from thirty seconds to ten minutes. A product it tested and will only reach the proper result by following the dwell time.

Surface needs to look visibly wet for the recommended amount of time – In order to achieve results during the dwell time, the surface needs to stay visibly wet. Take the time to make sure your cleaning and disinfection is done properly and will be effective.

Wipe off after applying disinfectant – It is important to wipe off the disinfectant after the dwell time. Use a clean and wet rag or cloth to wipe down surfaces after the recommended dwell time. If left on a surface for too long, a disinfectant can damage the surface or irritate skin.

EPA list of disinfectants

For most of us, we do not think about getting a chimney sweep until the first few cold days of fall when we want to use our fireplace. However, scheduling a chimney sweep for the summer months has a few advantages.

Avoid the scheduling rush – Most of us think about utilizing a fireplace for the first time when the temperatures start to drop. However, chimney sweep companies can be very busy in the fall and early winter. Make it easy and support a local business by getting it scheduled in the summer.

Safer work environment and avoid delays – Frost or snow buildup on a roof can make it dangerous to perform a chimney sweep. If the weather conditions are too hazardous it can lead to a cancellation. Performing a chimney sweep in the summer makes the situation safer and easier.

Be ready for that first cold day of fall – With a professional chimney sweep in the summer, your fireplace will be ready for that first cold day of fall. This will eliminate any worry or concern of a backup or issue.

Why is a chimney sweep important – Newman Restoration recommends a yearly chimney sweep. This will prevent a dangerous creosote buildup from occurring. This is a common cause of a house fire. A chimney sweep also helps with drafting and allowing for the smoke to efficiently flow out of the home.

What is the chimney sweep process? – At Newman Restoration, we utilize a three fan, HEPA filtered vacuum which is inserted into the fireplace or wood burning stove. A series of brushes and rods are deployed from the top of the chimney, when possible, and the vacuum at the bottom catches the debris. After the sweep, the fireplace or wood burning stove is cleaned. Team Newman uses plastic and tarps to ensure the area around the fireplace is protected.

As the weather gets warmer in April, attention turns to the outdoors for home improvement projects. This often includes using an outdoor spigot for the first time since winter. However, it is important to pay attention when turning on the water outside for the first time as it is a common spot to suffer damage from freezing and thawing.

The first step is knowing where the water shutoff to your home is located – If there is a problem with a damaged pipe, shutting off the water quickly will limit the damage. Water shutoffs are most often found near the water heater inside the home or close to the water meter outside of a home.

What to look for when turning on a water spigot – One of the main signs of a possible problem is a variation in water pressure. Sudden bursts of water or a sudden loss of pressure can indicate an issue. The most common place for a spigot to be damaged is where it exits the wall or right inside the wall. This is the place most susceptible to freezing. If you shut off the water from the spigot and can still hear water running, it is a major sign of an issue.

Check inside for any water leaks – When running a spigot for the first couple of times after winter, it is always a good idea to check the inside of the home for any signs of water damage. A broken pipe leading to a spigot will most often be located close to the exterior wall.

Monitor when sprinklers are turned back on – Another cause of water damage inside of a home is a broken sprinkler line. If these lines were not properly winterized, they can freeze and crack during the winter months. A cracked sprinkler line causes ground saturation and a possible water intrusion through a foundation crack. Damaged sprinkler lines can also fill basement window wells with water. When turning sprinklers back on, it is important to monitor for proper water pressure and check the inside of the home for any water damage.

As many in Montana have some extra time around the home, it is a good idea to get prepared for spring weather. One important issue to tackle is proper drainage around your home in anticipation of rain.

Why is proper drainage and clean gutters important? – The main reason is to prevent the ground near the home from becoming oversaturated. If the ground near the home becomes saturated, the water has no place to go and will try to find a way through the foundation of the home. This can cause expensive repairs inside your home. Also, if water begins to pool near your home it can enter through basement windows and doors. These are all issues that can be avoided with clean gutters and proper drainage.

A few tips for cleaning gutters – First, prepare yourself. Gutters can have sharp edges and debris built up over the last few months. Protect your hands with gloves and wear a long sleeved shirt to protect your forearms. Next, prep the area around where you will be cleaning. Ensure you have a safe, level spot to anchor your ladder. Also, put a tarp down as an area to catch gutter debris. This makes cleanup much easier!

Downspout extensions – A crucial element in directing water away from the foundation of a home is a downspout extension. There are many different solutions, but the most common ones are an elbow at the end of the downspout or a flex line that directs the water away. It is imperative to have a directional element to move water away from the home instead of just saturating the ground next to the home.

Flush your gutters – Once your gutters have been cleaned, run water through the entire system to check for leaks and proper drainage. It is best for water to be directed downhill away from the property wherever possible.

With the recent executive order from Governor Steve Bullock it is imperative for Montanas to take the necessary steps to keep our communities as safe as possible. Preventative cleaning is of major importance for those now working from home or essential business in order to limit the spread of COVID – 19.

However, for preventative cleaning to be effective, personal guidelines set by the CDC must be followed. This includes social distancing, washing your hands often with soap and water and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. If these measures are not utilized, it will hamper the effectiveness of preventative cleaning.

The most important part of preventative cleaning is the cleaning and application of disinfectant to touchpoints. Touchpoints are commonly used or handled areas of a home or business. This includes door handles, keyboards, countertops, desks, faucets, phones, remotes, light switches, toilets, sinks and handles for drawers and cabinets. Do not forget to clean and then disinfect. This means that surfaces must be cleaned first and then followed with disinfectant. For cleaning the CDC recommends a detergent or soap and water mixture. The CDC also has a list of disinfectants it approves and a diluted bleach mixture. According to the CDC, to make a bleach solution, mix: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. For more approved disinfectants from the CDC.
For more detailed information on cleaning and application of disinfectant. The CDC also recommends wearing disposable gloves for all cleaning and disinfecting.

One area that is often overlooked is the car. Frequently touched items in a vehicle need to be cleaned and disinfected. Please test all products in an inconspicuous area first to ensure they will not damage your vehicle interior.

Another overlooked area is carpeted areas and rugs. These areas also need cleaning and disinfecting. Use soap and water or appropriate cleaners if possible. Please test in an inconspicuous area first and do not overload carpets or rugs with soap as it is not extracted from the surface easily. Do not use a bleach solution on soft surfaces as it can remove color easily from these items.

Laundering clothes, towels and linens is very important for preventative cleaning. Please use disposable gloves when handling these items. Also use the warmest setting that will not damage clothes and linens.

Team Newman is offering preventative cleaning as part of our services regarding COVID – 19. Please contact Team Newman and set up an on-site inspection for preventative cleaning services.

Team Newman wanted to take some time this week to put together a few recommendations for home cleaning during the COVID – 19 pandemic. You can find recommendations from the CDC here : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html.

The first step is to practice good personal health habits – Ensure everyone in your household is practicing preventative health habits. This includes washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water. Hand washing should take place before and after eating and using the bathroom. The CDC also recommends washing hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. 

Follow the manufacturers recommendations on all cleaning products – when cleaning your home, it is imperative to follow the suggestions from the manufacturer. These are most often found right on the packaging of the cleaning product itself. Also, please use this list as a guide for what products to use: https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf

Clean frequently used and touched areas and objects daily – This includes doorknobs, tables, countertops, light switches, tv remotes, video game controllers, bathrooms and kitchen cooktops. If it is something used frequently by anyone in the house, it needs to be cleaned with one of the recommended cleaning products. 

If possible, choose a room and bathroom to set aside for someone who is sick – the CDC has helpful guidelines on how to care for someone at home : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html

Avoid sharing with others in your home – Avoid sharing food and drinks with others in your home. Stay away from unnecessary contact and sharing utensils, remotes, towels, hairbrushes, etc. the fewer points of contact with others, the fewer opportunists there are to spread the virus. 

Take care of your mental health as well – Periods of isolation and self-quarantine can be difficult. Make sure to give neighbors and family a phone call to check in on them and make sure they are doing alright. Outbreaks can be very stressful for children. The CDC has provided guidelines on how to communicate with children during stressful events : https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html