Articles

Mold is everywhere but you never want to see it in your home.

To do a mold test at your home, it is important to do routine maintenance checks.

Mold is a type of fungus that grows from spores that are in the air.  It can grow almost anywhere and it loves moisture, so any damp place in your home is susceptible to mold. Normally you can easily spot mold with the easiest to identify being mildew, which begins as tiny black spots and grows into larger sections.  Sometimes, people mistaken mildew for dirt, so it is important to test the area in question for mold.

To test at home, you can dab a few drops of household bleach on the area in question and if it lightens after 1-2 minutes, you have mold/mildew.  If the area remains dark, it is likely just a dirty surface.

Sometimes, mold underneath surfaces can be harder to detect.  If the wall or wallpaper have dark rings, discoloration or bubbling, there might be mold under the surface.

If you do not see visible signs of mold, you may be able to pick up on the musty smell that mold has. If you smell something like a damp, earthy smell, it is a good indicator that you have mold in your home.

If you do in fact have mold in your home and it is a very small area, removal is best with simply soap and water because it contains surfactants which can remove mold.

However, if it is a larger area where leaks, condensation, or flooding has occurred it is critical to call a professional.  Mold can be dangerous and cause lung disease, coughing, headaches, sore throat, wheezing and more.  You should not trust DIY treatment for larger mold removal because it can grow back after initial treatment.

It is important to hire a company that does professional mold removal to completely remove the mold from all surfaces, mold spores from the air, and remove any lingering odors.  JP Maguire is Connecticut’s mold removal and remediation specialists.  Your safety is important, and you can have peace of mind for your health related to mold, mildew, and black mold by contacting a professional for mold removal.

To learn more about our services, email us
or call us today at

877-576-2484

Apart from the physical damage to your material property, fire can cause mental distress. Your response after extinguishing the fire is all that matters. Are you disturbed by the scars left by an accidental fire in your home? Read on to learn why smoke damage restoration companies are the ultimate solution to fire damage problems.

Established smoke damage restoration firms have a set of skills and tools that make the cleanup process easier. Additionally, they are knowledgeable about the prevailing conditions and newest developments in the industry. Removing fire soot residue requires an innovative combination of both technology and technical skills.

Residential fire damage restoration firms are armed with state-of-the art tools to increase the efficiency of the cleaning process. Apart from the equipment, these smoke damage repair contractors have the right cleaning products to restore your property to its original state before the fire.

Restoration professionals understand your urgency and are quick to respond to your call. As such, they provide efficient and fast emergency response services to reduce further damage to property. At JP Maguire, we are available 24/7 for emergency response.

The cleanup is done in record time to bring your property to its pre-fire condition. Although there might be the urge to do the cleanup activities on your own, the lack of proper tools is a derailing factor. Without the proper equipment and know how, it will take much longer to restore your property. At the same time, the damage may get worse if left unattended. It is, therefore, important to hire a professional as soon as the damage is done.

Inspection is the first step towards the restoration of your home after fire and smoke damage. With the extent of damage documented, the experts like JP Maguire, will come up with a cleaning plan to restore your property.

Restoration companies have a team of experts trained to handle all technical issues in your home resulting from fire damage. These certified experts comb through the house to ascertain the extent of destruction and determine the best steps to begin reconstruction.

There may also be water damage from the fire being extinguished. Most homeowners don’t know that 98% of homes with basements experience some form of water damage. If you belong to this category, restoration experts will repair the water damage and help to prevent further damage from occurring.

Unlike ordinary cleaners, fire damage repair contractors have a specialized team of skilled and highly-trained staff. The employees at JP Maguire are professional and knowledgeable, thanks to the many hours of training they have undergone. Communication is one of the special skills they train for as part of the overall customer service experience.

Additionally, experienced firms do not take chances with the workers they hire. The employees are vetted according to specific principles and company guidelines to ensure a certain level of integrity and a solid work ethic. The main focus of these workers is to renew your property and make sure you are back in your home as soon as possible.

The best way to reverse smoke damage is with intense and thorough cleaning. Smoke and ash from a recently extinguished fire can be an obstacle for amateur cleaners. In the case of experienced professionals, they know what to do when such situations arise.

The deep cleaning process must target smoke odor and ash particles settled on surfaces. If the ash is left unattended, it is likely to destroy surfaces due to its acidic properties.

Although the workers will have performed an inspection at the beginning of the cleaning engagement, a second round of assessment may be necessary. This kind of thorough evaluation is something you will not see in ordinary cleaning services.

Professional fire damage repair contractors take their cleaning work seriously, and nothing is left to chance. The second round of assessment is meant to ascertain the quality of services provided and ensure that all surfaces are dry to avoid any mold problems in your refurbished property.

Accidental fire is rare, but when it happens, the damage can be enormous. Whether it is an electrical fault or a mishap in the kitchen, the faster you act the better. You can bank on the quick response of fire damage restoration companies like JP Maguire. For more information on smoke damage cleanup in CT, contact us today.

To learn more about our services, email us
or call us today at

877-576-2484

CT commercial property owners have found that commercial disinfection is one of the best ways to reopen with confidence after the COVID-19 outbreak. The biohazard cleaning specialists at JP Maguire have the skill set, equipment, and cleaning solutions required to ensure that your property is safe for everyone.

Historically commercial disinfection services were used as a part of emergency response services after a wide range of events. Today, more business owners are turning to commercial disinfection to prepare their properties for reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a big difference between a cleaning service that offers disinfection services and a proper commercial disinfection company. A company like JP Maguire, that focuses on providing true biohazard clean up services like crime scene cleanup, effective mold removal treatments and fire damage clean up, has the tools, know-how, and experience to get the job done correctly.

Disinfection services require specialized equipment, tools and supplies. It is not enough to have a janitorial service or cleaning service clean your commercial or municipal property, especially when it comes to safely reopening your business during the pandemic and helping to combat the spread of COVID-19. JP Maguire uses As part of the Tomi Service Network (TSN), JP Maguire has several trained SteraMist™ technicians that can respond anywhere in Connecticut to promptly disinfect/decontaminate your facility. Using SteraMIst has several advantages over other products including minimizing the downtime of your facility and no harsh chemicals. SteraMist™ is 99.999% effective at deactivating the virus within 7 minutes and because the main component of the process is Hydrogen Peroxide, the only byproduct is oxygen and water vapor rather than harsh and corrosive cleaners. SteraMist™ is safe to use around sensitive electronics and expensive industry specific equipment.

JP Maguire adheres to all OSHA regulations and strictly follows the state and federal guidelines when it comes to disease cleanup and disinfection.

• We use CDC and EPA approved cleaners and disinfectants
• Fully encapsulated personal protective equipment (PPE) and full-face respirator masks are worn at all times by our technicians

We understand that the health and safety of you, your family, and your employees are on the line and Because of the high exposure risk, biohazard remediation is a specialty service that requires proper training, equipment, certification, and licensing.

JP Maguire is committed to providing our community the information, tools, and assistance to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Whether it is mold remediation or it is an effort to keep COVID-19 from spreading in your workplace, the best approach is to use the professionals that know how to stop the problem right in its tracks.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, commercial disinfection services, biohazard remediation and other professional cleaning services were important to property owners when they had a specific need. Today, every property owner needs to be prepared to take the proper steps to disinfect their buildings so that their businesses can operate in a safe environment.

Commercial disinfection services provide a level of confidence to business owners trying to reopen safely after COVID-19. When you are ready to reopen your commercial property, you can rest assured that your building is safe for people to return to work. COVID-19 does not have to keep your doors closed. There is a solution that is affordable and effective.

Having the peace of mind knowing that you have taken the steps to thoroughly disinfect your building and keep it safe for the people in it, starts with contacting the professionals that are trusted when it comes to commercial disinfection services – JP Maguire.

To learn more about our services, email us
or call us today at

877-576-2484

The health and well being of all of our clients, friends, and families is of utmost concern to JP Maguire Associates. As you know from the news, Covid-19 or Coronavirus has become more widespread and therefore a concern for everyone. Our thoughts are with those who are affected. We want to share some information with you about keeping those around you safe as well as our capabilities to help you, should the need arise.

The CDC has outlined specific guidelines that we should all follow on a regular basis to keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. They include:

• Actively encourage sick people to stay home:
  • people who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come until they are free of fever
• Separate sick people:
  • CDC recommends that anyone who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to your facility or become sick during the day should be separated from others and be sent home immediately.
• Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all who visit your facilities:
  
  • Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygieneat the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.
  • Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by anyone in your facilities.
  • Instruct people to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.
• Perform routine environmental cleaning:
  • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.

First thing… do not panic. Having a plan in place ahead of time is the first step to mitigating any further exposures and keeping everyone who uses your facility as safe as possible. Your plan should include a company with the tools and technology that is capable of handling a biohazard clean up on a large scale.

Similar to Influenza A, Coronavirus is an enveloped virus. While this would often serve to protect the virus from possible threats, SteraMist features efficacy against Influenza A and other enveloped viruses, including Coronavirus. Tomi (the manufacturer of SteraMist) has EPA studies to meet the standards to respond to emerging pathogens in the enveloped and non-enveloped categories. This includes SARS, MERS, and Covid-19 the current Coronavirus outbreak.

As part of the Tomi Service Network (TSN), JP Maguire has several trained SteraMist technicians that can respond anywhere in Connecticut to promptly disinfect/decontaminate your facility. Using SteraMIst has several advantages over other products including minimizing the downtime of your facility and no harsh chemicals. SteraMist is 99.999% effective at deactivating the virus within 7 minutes and because the main component of the process is Hydrogen Peroxide, the only byproduct is oxygen and water vapor rather than harsh and corrosive cleaners. SteraMist is safe to use around sensitive electronics and expensive industry specific equipment.

JP Maguire is committed to providing our community the information, tools, and assistance to keep everyone safe and healthy. Do not hesitate to contact whenever you need us. As always we are available 24/7.

5 Things You Need to Know

48 hours is enough time for mold to spread. Whenever you have a mold problem, seeking help from a biohazard cleaning specialist is among the best decisions you can ever make. It’s rather hard to give a quote over the phone because mold removal calls for a thorough inspection to help determine the scope of work. Killing mold can be an uphill task to handle on your own and it’s wise to leave the job to effective mold treatment professionals. Here are tips to help you when looking for mold removal services.

1. Customer Reviews

Word of mouth is among the best ways to know about the best mold removal experts in town. Professional companies know that their clients will most likely spread the word about their services. So, seeking the opinion of someone who hired a certain service provider before will offer insight on what to expect. Now that you will be hearing from the horse’s mouth, you will be able to separate good mold removal companies from the bad.

The internet is also a powerful platform that can work in your favor. A quick look at the company’s social media pages and website will paint a clear picture of what their services are like. One or two complaints are no cause for alarm, but you may have reason to worry if the company seems to rub all clients the wrong way with negative reviews.

2. Trust Your Instincts

Trusting your gut might not seem like a big deal in this case, but it can help avoid regrets later. If a service provider appears unprofessional or arrives at your home with a dirty, unmarked van, it could be cause for concern. Make sure you are trusting the job to qualified professionals. Your hard-earned money will simply go down the drain when the mold removal job isn’t done to perfection.

3. Insurance

Insurance is a must-have when in need of most services today, and mold removal is no exception. Should anything go wrong on the job, insurance serves as a safety net to cover any accidents or liabilities likely to occur.
Make sure any contractor you use is fully insured, and if there are times when the company works with subcontractors, make sure that they are insured as well.

4. Price

Remember that cheapest is not always the best option. There is some truth to what people say about getting what you pay for, but this doesn’t mean that you have to over-pay either. A mold removal contractor that helps strike a balance between superior quality and fair price is the best.

5. Experience

Mold can be stubborn, and not doing an effective job removing it means that the problem will likely recur in the near future. In order to get perfect results the first time, mold removal is a job that should be handled by experienced professionals. An experienced company knows the best mold removal methods in line with proper guidelines. Such a company can also enlighten you on mold prevention tips for the future.

Bottom Line

With several options to choose from, it can be tough to know how to pick the best contractor. It can make the process go a little easier if you know what to look out for, and the above tips will be of great help to you.

As lucky as we have been this winter with moderate temperatures, we know the colder weather is coming. Let’s face it, no one wants to deal with the added stress, expense and mess that are caused by burst pipes. In most cases, your pipes begin to freeze when the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

JP Maguire and Associates has been in business for over 35 years, so we have seen our fair share of pipes freezing due to cold weather. It is very important to take proper precaution when temperatures drop.

Keep Water Running
It is important to keep one or two faucets running on low to allow water to move through the pipes. This will help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Allow Circulation
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air for circulation. Start in the coolest areas of your home such as your basement and attic to allow warmer air to raise the area’s temperature.

Add Insulation
Add extra insulation in cooler areas in your home. Heat tape or Pipe Insulation can be a great addition in preventing pipes from freezing and can easily be found at your local hardware store.

Seal any Leaks That Allow Cold Air In
Make sure to use caulk or insulation to seal any air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Even a small opening can bring in a lot of cold air to cause damage.

In the event that you do experience burst pipes, JP Maguire and Associates has a 24/7 Emergency Services to start the process of water removal and drying process. Call 877-576-2484 for our emergency line.

As the colder season is upon on, it is so important for you and your family to keep proper precautions in preventing house fires. Did you know that heating equipment is the leading cause of house fires? At JP Maguire, your safety is our priority.

Here are six safety tips to ensure your safety this winter season in order to prevent a house fire:

1. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
2. Do not forget to have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a professional.
3. Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or sleeping. Also make sure to blow out any candles before leaving or sleeping. Make sure children keep a minimum of three-foot distance away from any heaters, ovens, or fireplaces.
4. Always use the specified fuel recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
6. Test smoke alarms around the house at least once a month and make sure to replace batteries twice or once per year.