It's Time to Replace Your Smoke Alarms

How long does it take mold to start growing in wet carpet?

There is no defined time frame to predict when mold will grow in carpet. For any material to support common indoor mold growth, it must:

be organic,

be damp or wet,

have a moderate temperature (68-86ºF),

be in a stagnant air environment, and

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What should I do if I have a water damage at my home or business?

DO:

• Have a professional plumbing contractor eliminate the water source.
• Call a professional water damage restoration company immediately for help! Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within just a few hours.
• Remove as much water as possible from floors by mopping or blotting with clean white towels.
• Turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas if appropriate. Unplug and remove any small electrical devices located on wet carpet or other wet surfaces.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings that are not attached. Do not remove wall-to-wall carpet.

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Are Your Prepared for a Disaster?

Winter Allergies: How To Reduce Indoor Allergens

Winter brings many people with allergies a break from their symptoms. But for others, winter can be the start of a whole new allergy season. "Winter allergies are typically going to be the indoor allergens such as pets, dust mites, and mold," says Julie McNairn, MD, an allergist/immunologist in Cincinnati. She says that for people who live in tropical climates, pollen allergies can linger year-round, even through the winter. But in places where temperatures dip in the winter, it's generally indoor allergens that cause symptoms.

Dust Mites, Dander, Roaches, and Mold
Household dust, pet dander, cockroach droppings, and mold are common indoor allergens that can trigger allergies in susceptible people.

• Dust. Found in all homes, dust is the breeding ground for microscopic organisms called dust mites. The droppings of these dust mites are a common trigger for indoor allergies. Though dust mites can be found just about everywhere, they are particularly common in humid parts of the house and where human dander (flakes of dead skin) collects.

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What is the difference in shampooing and hot water extraction?

Shampoos leave behind residues and traces of chemicals that strip the carpet’s natural ability to resist dirt and grime. Over the course of many shampoos you’ll find that your newly cleaned carpets seem to be getting dirtier at a faster rate. Our hot water extraction process eliminates any such residues and chemicals and is the only safe and proven way to get your carpets fresh and clean.

A Visit to Warm Springs, Georgia

Last Friday, Joel (aka Pa) and I (aka Nonna) decided to take Zane, age 9 and Elias, age 6 on a little field trip. Where could we take them for a little getaway, learn something, have some quiet "grandparent" fun, but also escape the hoards of shoppers all over Newnan? After a little thought, we came up with the idea of a visit to the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia. From Sharpsburg, it was a lovely 35 mile drive to Warm Springs. We made one quick stop at the Georgia Fish Hatchery in Warm Springs where there is a public aquarium and visitor’s area. Species such as striped bass, sturgeon, robust redhorse and paddlefish, which are vital to the fishery resources of the Southeastern United States and the Atlantic Coast are raised here and stocked in cooperation with the various state game and fish resources.

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How To Prepare Your Home for Freezing Temperatures

Check out these tips from State Farm on home winterization preparation to avoid frozen pipes during cold and freezing weather.

Distracted Driving Stems From More Than Cell Phone Use

Here are some good reminders from The Insurance Journal...

Using a cell phone while driving is not the only distraction leading to automobile crashes today, says a group of insurance carriers.

While the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) call for a national ban on cell phone use while driving brings needed attention to the issue, the discussion should focus on how to reduce all forms of distracted driving, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).

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How to Choose a Vacuum

Extend the life of your carpet with a quality vacuum

An inexpensive machine may remove surface dirt but will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get the dirt you cant see and prolong the beauty and life of your carpet. To ensure that your vacuum will conform to the highest industry standards, make sure that your vacuum cleaner is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality Program. Visit www.carpet-rug.org for details and listings.

Select the best vacuum for your type of carpet

Shaw recommends using vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for removal. Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, Shaw recommends a suction-only vacuum or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. Be sure to test a vacuum with a beater/brush bar in an inconspicuous location before regular use, to make sure it doesnt produce excessive fuzzing.