Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

When were in the midst of a February deep freeze, summer projects arent necessarily top of mind. But at the City were busy getting our 2021 construction season mapped out.

Just this week, the Commission got a look at the street paving and curb and gutter projects planned for this summer. Aside from rebuilding both Highland Avenue and Airport Road, well make improvements to more than 50 blocks of city street.

Those improvements will come in a variety of forms. Some will be completely rebuilt, some will be completely rebuilt and get new underground utilities, some will get a new surface, and others will get new curb and gutter.

The Commission receives more contacts about street conditions than any other issue in the community. We absolutely consider those citizen concerns when were making decisions. Thats why, this year we added an extra million dollars to the budget for street repairs. Were committed to infrastructure improvements.

Were also committed to making the construction piece of those improvements as painless as possible. Thats why we have been taking a different approach with our curb and gutter work. You see, curb and gutter work almost always accompanies street surface work. But coordinating schedules between contractors, weather, and the order in which all the improvements need to be made can be challenging and even lead to construction delays.

So, the team has worked extra hard for the last two years to get ahead in the curb and gutter work. Essentially, this year and last, the curb and gutter team does a year and half of work in one year. By the end of this construction season, our curb and gutter work should be a year ahead of our street work.

Heres why you care. It will make traffic disruptions shorter and streamline construction projects to the benefit of those living in the construction zone and those who travel through it. It may seem like a small operational change, but its one our team has invested a great deal of time and energy in to make work.

While our budget allowed us to invest more in streets improvements, we dont control what the contractor bids will look like or how the weather will look. If bids come in favorably and the weather is cooperative, we will enjoy lots of new street improvements in 2021.

You can find a map of all of our preliminary street improvement projects at cityofpierre.org on our streets page.

Continued here:
Highland Ave., Airport Rd., and 50-plus more blocks of city street work - The Capital Journal

Thursday, February 11, 2021

GoLocalProv News Team

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Brett Smiley

Smiley in October had promised the Rhode Island Ethics Commission that he would not solicit state employees or state contractors.

Smiley tells GoLocal he is returning donations to state workers and contractors.

In a statement in response to the announcement that the RI GOP filed an ethics complaint on Thursday, Smiley attacks the Republicans.

Smiley on Offensive

"I am not surprised that the same Republican Party that supports false claims of election fraud and embraces conspiracy theories is now launching baseless partisan attacks against me," he said.

I have established high fundraising standards which were approved by the Ethics Commission, have returned any contributions that did not meet those standards and have suspended fundraising to focus on a smooth transition out of state government. My focus will always be working to find solutions to the real challenges facing the people of Providence and I will not be distracted by gutter partisan politics, said Smiley.

Here's who Smiley is returning contributions to:

Elizabeth Roberts $500.00 -- Former RI Lt. Governor and state employee

Colin Kane $500.00 -- His firm has state contracts

Joseph Vinagro $1,000.00 -- His company has state contracts

CEO of Washington Trust Edward Handy $500.00 -- His company does state business

Anthony Rosciti Sr. $1,000.00 -- His firm has a state contract

Thomas Guerra $1,000.00 and Anthony Thomas $1,000.00 -- The state leases space from their company

Preston Halperin $1,000.00 and John Savage $1,000.00 -- Their law firm has state contracts

Ellis Waldman $250.00 -- His company does state business

John Galvin $1,000.00 -- His former business partner.

The total refunded is $8,750.00

The GOP Claim

"The Commission must launch a comprehensive investigation into all the donations Smiley received from individuals employed by state vendors to determine if he solicited donations from these individuals. The Ethics Commission has the power to compel production of documents and testimony from witnesses through the use of subpoena. The Ethics Commission should require all donors, who are associated with state vendors, to describe under oath any conversation they had with Smiley related to a campaign donation. Specifically, these donors should be asked under oath whether Smiley promised or threatened them in any way," said the GOP in their memoranda.

"A full investigation of Smileys fundraising activities with the employees of state vendors is justified. Smiley promised the Ethics Commission he would not solicit or accept campaign contributions from any state vendors," they added. "Smiley lied to the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission must conduct a sweeping investigation of Smileys fundraising practices and fine him."

Read more:
Smiley Refunds Thousands and Attacks GOP Over Ethics Complaint - GoLocalProv

Sen. Chantal Petitclerc recounted her own experience with a disability as she sought Tuesday to counter criticism of a bill to expand access to medical assistance in dying.

Bill C-7 has been widely condemned by disability rights advocates who contend the legislation sends the message that life with a disability is a fate worse than death.

They also argue that persons with disabilities, particularly Black, Indigenous and racialized individuals, will be pressured, directly or indirectly, to end their lives prematurely due to societal attitudes, poverty and the lack of support services.

But Petitclerc, a former Paralympian who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, used her own experience to argue that the bill strikes a balance between protecting the vulnerable and respecting the autonomy of individuals to seek medical help to end intolerable suffering.

She lost the use of her legs at the age of 13 when a barn door fell on her. At the time, she said her mother was recently divorced, working a low-wage job and caring for three young children. Her mother had to "carry me up and down to the second floor of our apartment building because we could not afford to move," Petitclerc, a member of the Independent Senators Group, said as she kicked off final debate on the bill.

"So, I may be privileged to be here in the Senate of Canada but I never forget where I come from and I know exactly what it is to be in a situation of extreme vulnerability."

At the same time, Petitclerc said the bill has evoked in her a strong memory of the excruciating pain she endured in the weeks following her accident as nurses regularly moved her from side to side in her hospital bed to prevent pressure sores.

If she was ever in a position where she was in "pain that unbearable but that would be irremediable, I too would fight for the right" to seek medical help to die, Petitclerc said.

Bill C-7 would expand access to assisted dying to intolerably suffering individuals who are not near the natural end of their lives, bringing the law into compliance with a 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling.

Petitclerc said critics have "implied that access would be easy or unmonitored" and sought to dispel that notion.

"That simply is not the case," she said.

She pointed out that an individual must be a competent adult with a grievous and irremediable medical condition, in an advanced state of irreversible decline that causes intolerable, enduring suffering that can't be relieved by treatment acceptable to the patient.

For people who are not approaching the natural end of their lives, Petitclerc said the bill would impose additional safeguards.

Two medical practitioners would have to agree that the person meets the criteria for an assisted death and had not been pressured in any way.

The assessment period would have to last a minimum of 90 days, during which the patient would have to be informed of all alternative means of relieving their suffering, including counselling, community services and palliative care, and be offered consultations with professionals who provide those services.

"I believe it is important that we keep all of these steps in mind and that we acknowledge how thorough, strict and safe this process is," Petitclerc said.

However, Sen. Kim Pate, another member of the Independent Senators Group, said she can't ignore the reality of people who've experienced "ableist, racist, sexist" and other discriminatory treatment in the health care system or those who've been institutionalized and marginalized due to poverty and a lack of support services.

She suggested the bill respects the autonomy of "white, wealthy and non-disabled" people at the expense of the lives of more vulnerable people.

"Bill C-7 stands to expand rights for some at the expense of increasing inequality for others," Pate said, urging senators to question their "own ableist fears and biases."

Senators have already passed five amendments to the bill, two of which would expand access to assisted dying even more than the government proposed to do.

One amendment would impose an 18-month time limit on the legislation's proposed blanket ban on assisted dying for people suffering solely from mental illnesses. Another would allow people who fear being diagnosed with dementia or other competence-eroding conditions, to make advance requests for assisted dying.

Conservative Sen. Denise Batters was opposed to the original bill but she said the Senate's amendments "blow the bill wide open."

"I'm afraid you've put in motion a runaway train and the consequences will be dire," she said. Batters predicted the bill will be struck down for violating the rights of people with disabilities, whom she said are "screaming to be heard that they don't want this so-called benefit."

"What they want from government is not fast-track to death but rather the necessary financial and other supports that give them the option to live a dignified life."

By contrast, fellow Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan said the amendments are an improvement. But he still thinks the bill is unconstitutional since it sets up unequal access to assisted dying: a relaxed set of eligibility rules for people who are near death and a more stringent set of rules for those who are not.

One of the roles of the Senate is to ensure legislation is constitutional, Carignan argued, "so logically, if we are certain that a bill is unconstitutional we should either amend it or reject it. That is our duty."

Several senators urged the government to accept the Senate's amendments. They noted that the government did not listen to the upper house in 2016 when the Senate urged it to drop the eligibility requirement that a person's natural death must be reasonably foreseeable -- the provision that has since been struck down as unconstitutional.

Sen. Rosemary Moodie predicted that some of the Senate amendments are likely to be rejected by the government again this time.

Senators will then have to decide, she noted, whether to defer to the will of the elected House of Commons or dig in their heels.

Read the original:
Petitclerc recounts her own experience with disability in final MAID bill debate - CBC.ca

The Maids & Mr. Clean

OMAHA, Neb. (PRWEB) February 11, 2021

The Maids, a franchised residential cleaning service, and Mr. Clean continue their exclusive partnership to ensure customers receive the highest quality cleaning services available across the United States and Canada. Originators of the home cleaning industry in 1979, The Maids is proud to partner with Procter & Gamble (P&G) through its iconic Mr. Clean brand.

The exclusive brand partnership began in 2018 and continues to provide innovation, learning, product development, and training opportunities to the front lines of The Maids operations. A legendary cleaner has joined a legendary cleaning team; and no one can match the combined cleaning power and level of service provided by The Ultimate Clean Team.

History of Cleaning Expertise & InnovationCustomers benefit from the cleaning expertise of The Maids and P&Gs extensive research and product development teams. With over 120 years of combined experience, the two companies each bring unique insights into how people want to maintain a clean and healthy home. Innovation has been a cornerstone to success as both brands seek to provide first-to-the-market solutions to help solve problems, fulfill consumer needs, and overall improve lives.

The Maids team members spend over three million hours in customers homes each year and are the experts in providing cleaner, healthier homes for our customers, says Dan Kirwan, President and CEO of The Maids International. With the Mr. Clean partnership, customers can now be reassured we are using industry-leading products along with our innovative and detailed, proprietary 22-step cleaning process thats now been certified by Mr. Clean.

Effective Cleaning Products & Industry Leading ProcessesWhen cleaning customers homes, The Maids franchisees have access to the powerful P&G Professional Line of products, the versatile Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and Microban 24, the disinfectant that keeps killing bacteria in your home for 24 hours. The Maids approach to cleaning homes is a trifecta trained employees working together in teams using professional products and equipment, and a systematic, detailed cleaning process. Beyond the brand partnership between The Maids and Mr. Clean, the corporate office for The Maids franchise network works closely with P&G on market insights, product testing and feedback, and home cleaning trends to ensure The Maids customers receive the very latest innovations and highest quality clean available to keep families happy and healthy.

A Partnership for a Certified CleanIn a crowded home services industry, it can be hard to know who to trust. The Maids customers get an added benefit of enjoying a certified level of clean. Through the co-brand partnership, current and future customers have confidence in using The Maids because they were hand-selected to be the exclusive home cleaning partners of the very meticulous Mr. Clean. The Maids has always been about convenience; thats why they offer so many different cleaning services. Mr. Cleans trust has ensured every service offered gets customers homes cleaner and healthier than ever before.

We spent decades building the Mr. Clean brand and we didnt want to trust it with just anyone, said Kevin Wenzel, Brand Vice President, P&G North America Surface Care. We did research into the brands in the home cleaning space and The Maids really stood out. The Maids were our number one choice to approach as a partner. We found The Maids has a great national presence, an outstanding brand and a dedication to quality service. We also really like that The Maids is known for genuinely caring for their employees and customers.

To put the power of The Maids and Mr. Clean to work in your home, visit https://www.maids.com to find the nearest office and get your free, no obligation cleaning estimate. If a new business venture is what youre looking for, The Maids has available territories across the United States and Canada available for you to take advantage of a proven business system.

About The Maids:The Maids, the most trusted name in home cleaning, provides superior customer service and a premium clean for every customer. Using professional supplies and state-of-the-art equipment with a proprietary cleaning process, The Maids is the residential cleaning service of choice. Visit https://www.maids.com or call 1-800-The Maids (843-6243) to learn more.

About Procter & Gamble:P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

Certain trademarks used under license from The Procter & Gamble Company or its affiliates.

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The Maids & Mr. Clean Partnership The Ultimate Clean Team - PR Web

The latest report on ' Dry Ice Cleaning Service market' Added by Market Study Report, LLC, provides a concise analysis of the industry size, revenue forecast and regional spectrum of this business. The report further illustrates the major challenges and the latest growth strategies adopted by key players who are a part of the dynamic competitive spectrum of this industry.

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As per the report, Dry Ice Cleaning Service market is projected to grow substantially with XX% CAGR over 20XX-20X, which is poised to amass momentous returns by the end of analysis timeframe.

The nation-wide lockdown, travel bans, and movement restrictions, in every part of the world, to curb COVID-19 spread, are believed to have doomed many industries. Consequently, all companies are revising their finances and business strategies to incorporate the set-up over the forthcoming period. With our thorough analysis of this marketplace, we offer recommendations to frame robust contingency plans in order to nullify business uncertainties.

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2. Global Content-Based Recommendation System Market 2021 by Company, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2026Content-Based Recommendation System Market Report covers the makers' information, including shipment, value, income, net benefit, talk with record, business appropriation and so forth., this information enables the buyer to think about the contenders better. This report additionally covers every one of the districts and nations of the world, which demonstrates a provincial advancement status, including market size, volume and esteem, and also value information. It additionally covers diverse enterprises customers data, which is critical for the producers.Read More: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-content-based-recommendation-system-market-2021-by-company-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2026

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Dry Ice Cleaning Service Market to Witness Robust Expansion Throughout the Forec - Fractovia News

Interior design is the art and sciences of improving the layout of a structure so that the people in the house can enjoy a cleaner and more stylistic atmosphere. An interior decorator is somebody who designs, explores, manages, and oversees individual ventures for change. Interior design is a diverse discipline that involves design creation, planning of spaces, site preparation, scheduling, analysis, coordination with project partners, product development, and design execution. The society of Japan is among the worlds most influential and fascinating cultures. Their practice has dramatically influenced the robust and reliable design and decor since the beginnings of their times. It created a unique, stylish style that inspired the entire world. Among the most significant parts of the house is a communal area of the Japanese household. That is where the family comes around, tells their experiences, and even eatsthe location where Ocha, the Japanese tea ceremony, is also located. For more than 1000 years, it has been in Japanese society. For the tea ceremony to be performed, plain and modest designs must be put in line with Japanese architecture standards.

First of all, the natural surroundings implementation into architectural configuration is characterized in a Japanese living area.

It utilizes organic elements such as twigs, timber, and stones, which have natural colors and textures. Ornamental nature components such as the renowned bonsai tree and bamboo are also added. If high ceilings or sliding doors are possible, which open to natural landscapes, the Japanese will undoubtedly use them, inviting nature into their homes. The color scheme is essential in every Japanese design, as it can make the room comfortable or not. Consequently, the most frequently used color palette is cheerful and relaxing. This color combination also included white, beige, brown, and some green tints to represent the vegetation. The principle of modernism has prevented the Japanese from using any color palette beyond the natural worlds fundamental shades.

An instantly recognizable Japanese screen is called Shoji and a significant design feature of Homes today.

Because of the rising mortgage costs, the Japanese residences tend to be small, and many citizens are renting houses, it is essential to keep every rectangular inch of space. Contrary to the doors, these Shoji move backward and forwards, improving safety for a swinging door. A genuine Japanese screen usually is a fine-textured sheet on the inside of a wooden board. However, current models of these screens are available on the internet and typically consist of a timber grid of window panes. Another essential feature of these screens is to prevent direct sunlight and outdoor environment, except doors. Trying to replace a big wall with a glass-paneled sliding door might be an excellent way to add this aesthetic to your whole residence. The living room design for a house in Japan is crucial. All furnishings must be well thought through. It needs to be as minimal as possible to the floor. After the idea of less is more, much room is unoccupied in the house. Only the light fills it, enhancing the feeling of spaces calmness.

In Japanese Traditional residences, sofas are not embraced even though theyre in more Japanese Culture residences.

The dining room would be made of clean-geometric timber, which remains in its natural shape or is painted colorfully. Either reduced seats or puff pillowcases will be around the table. Tatami, which is rice straws tapes, would be the carpet tile underneath the dining area. As we said, ornaments always are minimized inside the Japanese Style. Just hang scrolls with famous quotations or aphorisms, and candle holders with plain ceramic plates will often have been found on the wall. Parents photographs cant be found in Japanese Traditional residences; sofas are not embraced even though theyre in more Japanese Culture residences. The dining room would be made of clean-geometric timber, which remains in its basic shape or is painted colorfully. Either reduced seats or puff pillowcases will be around the table. Tatami, which is rice straws tapes, would be the wall paneling underneath the dining area. The entry is known as a genkan by the Japanese. This region welcomes guests and where sneakers are chosen to take off instantaneously and usually substituted by indoor flip flops. The entrance has shelves or an office called tobacco, which is used to store shoes. The door is simplistic with wooden elements and a lot of artificial sunlight, as you will notice. In these houses, especially the entrances, stone tile carpeting is also widely known.

As we said, ornaments always are minimized inside the Traditional Japanese home. Just hang scrolls with famous quotations or aphorisms, and candle holders with plain ceramic plates will often have been found on the wall. Japanese design is clean and stylish; you can already tell. In these residences, Mess is not included. As we mentioned above, in a real Japanese house, sometimes there are not even many furnishings. The point is to keep your design realistic and uncut. This Style is easy to recreate for most modern design lovers. Contemporary, spotless furnishings and wood laminate should be available. Early and modern lights should be. Or illumination could also imitate a true Japanese lantern style. Look at this sleek, minimalist Style in western life design elements overall!

Slowly, this idea was introduced into the living room to express the Zen-philosophical thoughts.

They are thinking about Scandinavian or Japanese interior design as of Zen or minimalist living. The Japanese society pays attention to old practices, instills modernism and Zen, and lives in harmony with nature. They sure should use trees and flowers in their fashion concepts as often as practicable. A lot of open fields and direct sunlight would still be available. Fine art also takes precedent from Japanese architecture and design. Their elegant arrangements of furniture are made of organic materials in a custom engraving workshop.

Style of architecture and interior decorating focuses primarily on the natural realm of possibilities. Organic fibers are used in living rooms: Tatami mat, walls, and floors in Shoji style, bamboo chambers, and bamboo blinds.

Real wood furnishings are well suited to both classic and contemporary decorations.

They make a room look more sleek and typical. You may use wooden armoires, cabinets, frames for kitchens, etc. The living room with timber works, including wall slopes and wood lamps, can also be occupied. To add a Japanese flair to your furniture decorating, you dont need a natural wooden bath. Classic Ofuro styles are also available using granite or ceramic materials. When the ancient Japanese rituals are introduced to the Western World by the home interior scheme, just put a big bathroom in the house. It replicates the theme of a spa where citizens can swim for an extended period. If your bathroom is tiny for a big bath, you can opt to make it a little bigger. Keep tidy and bare in the remainder of the area in the toilet.

Read more from the original source:
Living in a house inspired by Japanese culture - - VENTS Magazine

Gauri Khan shared this image of AbRam. (courtesy gaurikhan)

Gauri Khan's latest Instagram entry is adorable in every sense. On Wednesday, the interior decorator shared a super cute picture of her and Shah Rukh Khan's son AbRam. In the picture, AbRam, can be seen looking at the camera as he sits wearing boxing gloves on his hands. Referring to boxing legend Mike Tyson, Gauri Khan captioned the post:"My Mike Tyson." Just like us, Gauri's Instafam also loved the picture and the comments section of her post clearly reflects that. "Cutie," wrote an Instagram user. "Cutest," added another fan. In no time, Gauri's post was filled up with heart emoticons. Gauri Khan and SRK are also parents to Aryan (their eldest child) and Suhana. Both Aryan and Suhana are pursuing their higher studies abroad while AbRam stays with his parents in Mumbai.

See Gauri Khan's post here:

AbRam frequently features on his mother's Instagram profile and we simply love it when that happens. See some of the posts here:

Gauri Khan is an interior decorator and she owns the plush Gauri Khan Designs in Mumbai. She has given makeovers to several suburban Mumbai restaurants and celebrity homes over the years. She has decorated homes for several Bollywood A-listers such as Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar among others. She has designed restaurants like Arth and Sanchos. She also designed Alia Bhatt's vanity van. She is the author of the book My Life In Design.

Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in the 2018 film Zero, co-starring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. The actor produced several projects which include Netflix's Bard Of Blood, Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu's Badla and Kaamyaab. He also produced the film Bob Biswas, starring Abhishek Bachchan. The actor has signed a film titled Pathan.

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"My Mike Tyson": Gauri Khan's Caption For This Adorable Pic Of Son AbRam - NDTV

Air duct cleaning is a misnomer. In actuality, the entire HVAC system should be cleaned. Failure to clean all components of the system can result in recontamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.

Just as you wouldnt clean only half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your HVAC system. NADCA recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components:

There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.

Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system. Examples of agitation devices include: brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles or skipper balls. Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming.

During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.

HVAC system cleaning is not a complex process, but each job is unique. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps and existing service openings. Cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes in the duct work in order to reach inside with various cleaning tools. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, requires craftsmanship and professional skills.

There is a wide variety of equipment available to HVAC cleaning professionals. Both truck-mounted and portable vacuums can be used to stop the spread of contaminants and get the system cleaned to the NADCA Standard.

Antimicrobial chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants and deodorizers that can be applied to nonporous surfaces in HVAC systems to address microbial contamination and help control odors. Only chemicals registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. These products should only be considered after mechanical surface cleaning has been performed and if the need for such treatment has been deemed necessary. Review the NADCA White Paper on Chemical Applications in HVAC Systems formore information.

When youre ready to tackle those air ducts, make sure you choose a qualified contractor to ensure the job is done right. NADCA makes it really simple for homeowners to find a certified air duct cleaning professional. All it takes is a zip code to search ouronline directoryto find a NADCA member in your area.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A NADCA PROFESSIONAL NEAR YOU

Originally posted here:
Proper Cleaning Methods | National Air Duct Cleaners ...

This guest blog was provided by Julia Clem, a member of the marketing team at Best Pick Reports.

Theres nothing quite as satisfying as a clean house, but what if your home isnt as spick-and-span as you thought it was? Your floors are spotless and even your baseboards are bright and dust-free, but what about the areas you dont see every day?

Unfortunately, HVAC ducts, the metal conduits that pipe cooled or heated air through your house, are a favorite hiding place of dust, dirt, and other allergens. Ductwork is hidden, after all, and because central air conditioning systems draw air in from outside to cool and circulate through the house, contaminants easily make their way indoors.

Cleaning your homes air ducts isnt something you should attempt on your own. Its a complex process that requires advanced knowledge of HVAC systems as well as specialized tools, so always rely on professionals who have been certified by NADCA, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. A NADCA certification means that your job will be done correctly and according to the most up-to-date methods and processes.

If youre not entirely confident that youd know when your air ducts need cleaning, keep reading to learn the telltale signs of dirty ducts!

Since your homes ductwork is hidden behind layers of flooring and Sheetrock, youll need to keep a sharp eye out for these four signs that your air ducts are getting a little grimy.

Your HVAC system needs to be cleaned and serviced periodicallyin fact, most manufacturers and HVAC service professionals recommend scheduling two service visits per year. Because both air conditioners and furnaces can develop condensation, mold growth is a possibility, especially if you live in a humid climate.

If your service technician tells you that your HVAC system has mold growing in it, first ask to see evidence. Your next step should be to contact a mold expert. Your HVAC technician may not have the training and credentials to properly identify mold (or pinpoint whether the mold is harmful), so look for an indoor air quality expert, ideally a member of the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).

Mold found on your furnace, air conditioner, or air handler unit isnt a guarantee that your ductwork has been affected, but it certainly increases the chances. A NADCA-certified air duct cleaning technician will thoroughly clean your homes HVAC system and ductwork to remove the mold and prevent its return.

Construction is messy. Even when contractors are diligent about cleaning up and closing off work areas to keep the rest of the house tidy, dust and debris will always find its way in. And unless the HVAC system is not turned on and kept completely covered during the entire construction process (which isnt realistic for most homeowners), that dirt and dust will make its way into your ductwork.

Construction dust can contain some pretty nasty particulate matter that you dont want to breathe, so dont wait until you experience respiratory problems to call in the pros.

Dusting isnt the most entertaining task, but its something we all have to do from time to time. If, however, you notice that every flat surface in your house is coated in a layer of dust almost immediately after youve put away your cleaning supplies, you probably need to have your ducts cleaned.

Take a look at both the supply and return vents around your house. Are they visibly dirty and dusty? Carefully remove a vent cover and look into the ductwork. Is the metal covered in dust?

If your answer is yes to both questions, call a NADCA-certified air duct cleaning expert.

Your heating and cooling costs should be relatively predictable from year to year. If you receive a bill that is noticeably high, however, or if you look at your records and note that your utility bills are much higher now compared to the same time a year ago, your homes ductwork might be (partially, at least) to blame.

In extreme cases, ductwork can become so dirty that air isnt able to flow freely and efficiently through your homes HVAC system. When this happens, your furnace and air conditioner are forced to work harder (use more energy, in other words) to maintain the temperature youve set at the thermostat. This extra energy expenditure translates to higher utility bills for you.

Beyond removing airflow-obstructing dirt and debris, your air duct cleaning technician will also keep an eye out for leaking ducts. Ductwork is usually installed in a home in sections, and these sections are sealed to prevent air leakage. Over years of use, however, these seals can deteriorate, which reduces the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Imagine trying to fill a small cup using a fire hose: Youll get some water in the cup, but ultimately, most of the water will end up on the floor. Leaky ducts have a similar effect on your home. Youll still have air moving through your ductwork, but some of that heated or cooled air will end up in the attic, walls, or basement.

The bottom line is that when your ductwork isnt sealed properly, youre paying for heated and cooled air that you dont get to enjoy.

If your homes air ducts need to be cleaned, rely on the experts to do the job right. Theres a lot around your house that you can safely DIY, but air duct cleaning isnt on the list.

Professional air duct cleaners use commercial-grade vacuum systems and powered brushes to loosen and remove dirt and debris from your homes HVAC system and ductwork without worsening the quality of the air inside your home.

Residential vacuum cleaners and cleaning attachments simply arent powerful enough to do the job correctly, and a DIYer runs the risk of doing serious damage to the ductwork. Air duct cleaning pros are also trained to spot other problems with an HVAC system that the average homeowner may not know to look for.

Like many other trades in the home improvement industry, air duct cleaning is subject to scams. Be wary of air duct cleaning companies that offer unusually low rates or that promise a super-quick service. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and keep looking.

Your best bet for finding a reliable, highly qualified air duct cleaning technician is to find a NADCA member company in your area. Whether youve noticed more dust around your house than usual or your HVAC technician found mold in your furnace, a NADCA-certified expert will help you get your home clean and back to normalthe right way!

Click Here to Find a NADCA Profefssional Near You

Julia Clem is part of the marketing team at Best Pick Reports. Best Pick Reports utilizes consumer satisfaction research to evaluate the performance of home service providers, such as plumbers, roofers, and painters, in metro areas across the US. After compiling surveys from thousands of homeowners who have had direct experience with local service companies, Best Pick Reports connects top-rated companies with their ideal customers by promoting them in its annual publication, website, and mobile app.

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4 Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning | National Air Duct ...

GREENandSAVESTAFF

Purge Virus helps building owners disinfect the air to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Purge Virus replicates the disinfecting power of the sun to make indoor environments pathogen free.

Monday, February 1, 2021

No doubt about it, a war continues with an invisible enemy thats difficult to beat. But, analogous to the Allied victory in World War II, the battle against the coronavirus will most likely be won as an air fight.

COVID-19 is an extremely small virus about 0.12 microns (a human hair is 50-70 microns). When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, droplets with the virus fly into the air. Anyone who is within 6 feet of that person can breathe those droplets into their lungs and potentially get sick.

The question is, why are the same old tactics being used that didnt generate positive results 103 years ago masks and social distancing instead of deploying modern technology to overcome the virus that killed more than 675,000 people in the US alone during the 1918 pandemic.

The answer is companies and governments are starting to turn to air purification technology providers like Purge Virus to reduce sick building syndrome and improve indoor air quality at their buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other contagions.

Heres how it works; a building owner installs ultraviolet (UV-C) or bipolar ionization (BPI) air purification systems in their buildings existing air handling units to clean the air and prevent pathogens from passing into the ducts that supply air to other rooms.

The UV-C technology prevents the pathogen microorganisms from replicating and harming people. The BPI technology continuously saturates spaces with ions that bind to contaminants and then works to neutralize them. Independent research has shown that airborne bacteria and virusesincluding COVID-19were reduced by 99% within minutes of exposure to the systems.

We look at all the of the available and proven technologies in the world and align them to your buildings HVAC system to help keep people safe while occupying the space, said Charlie Szoradi, CEO of Purge Virus. With UV-C, we set out to simulate the disinfectant power of sunlight inside of the ducts in buildings.

Cleaning the air of germicides and limiting the spread of pathogens may become a world-wide effort among property owners, landlords, and everyday homeowners. Hospitals have been doing this for decades.

Medical experts say as COVID-19 variants continue to surface, vaccines may not achieve herd immunity soon enough, and some form of coronavirus may live on like the flu for decades. The new normal may be high-tech HVAC upgrades as part of standard building safety practices.

The true battlefield of WWII was not on land. It was a massive air and sea super-battlefield that stretched for thousands of miles. Victory in this super-battlefield eventually won the war. Combatting COVID-19 is an air war that can be won with the right technology and the service providers who understand how to use the weapons.

Charlie Szoradi is CEO of Purge Viruswww.purgevirus.com, a service organization that provides advanced in-duct disinfection technology to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and future viruses.

Disinfection Overview ContactCompany Name:Purge VirusContact Person:Charlie Szoradi: Charlie.Szoradi@PurgeVirus.comCountry:United StatesWebsite:https://www.purgevirus.com/

This disinfection overview is just the beginning. For more on bipolar ionization and other disinfectant technologies, please see:https://purgevirus.com/disinfection-webinar/

For more news on why Purge Virus is focusing HVAC to help Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) see here: https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/others/2020/06/can-hvac-systems-transmit-covid-19

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta (U of A) is investigating the possibility that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems might play a part in spreading airborne COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Until now, it has been unclear how human-generated bioaerosols (suspended airborne particles) affect airborne virus transmission and how HVAC systems should be designed and operated to reduce the risk of transmission, said Zhong.

Zhong says non-pharmaceutical intervention through HVAC systems is as valuable as vaccine research in the battle to tame the coronavirus.

Improving mechanical ventilation systems in high-occupancy structures would be a critical way to contain the (COVID-19) pandemic, she said. Some buildings or cabins have a high density of occupants in enclosed spaces where the spread of airborne infections can have rapid and extensive consequences.

If the U of A researchers find that HVAC systems can, in fact, carry the virus, Hadjiloizou says how the ventilation systems need adjust depends on the spreading pattern of the virus.

The fix could be simple, such as replacing the filters in the systems more frequently, he said. Or maybe the whole concept needs to be redesigned, so that the air inside a building is not recirculated and fresh air is brought in from outside.

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Purge Virus helps building owners disinfect the air to reduce the spread of COVID-19 - GREENandSAVE