Disaster Restoration Professionals

No matter how prepared you are for events such as hurricanes or flooding, natural disasters and other unwanted disasters like fires do strike.  When disaster strikes and you have your hands full with evaluating the needs of your home or business and safety of your family, it might be the right time to engage the services of a disaster restoration company.  These folks are the experts in water extraction, odor neutralizing, mold and mildew evaluation, hazards to health and home, professional clean-up and complete restoration of property, including contents which can be salvaged.  They can make a big difference in your recovery time and really remove stress from the process.

Not only does a disaster restoration staff have specialized training and knowledge in disaster recovery, but also they have super-duper equipment like high-powered water extraction units, gigantic fans and state-of-the-art thermal imaging tools to find water where you cannot see it.  It's likely if they are on the scene quickly, after a flood, for example, that mold will never materialize into a big issue because they know well how to act fast to remove water and dry a structure.

Additionally, disaster restoration firms can deal with biohazards like sewer backup, hazardous material spills, copious mold, hoarding situations, even crime and death scenes.  Most of these firms are familiar with and assist in the process of dealing with insurance companies and claims making the process even easier for you.  Some municipalities may require professional cleaning before re-instating an occupancy permit in a house or allowing you to re-open your business building.

When choosing a disaster recovery company, look for online reviews & reputation, check to see that they have a local contractor permit, registered to do business in FL, Better Business Bureau endorsement and/or the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) logo. This non-profit institute offers a comprehensive line of classes to increase knowledge and competency and certification in a wide range of areas, like:

• Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT)
• Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD)
• Senior Carpet Inspector (SCI)
• Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT)
• Health and Safety Technician (HST)
• Odor Control Technician (OCT)
• Wood and Laminate Flooring Inspector (WLFI)
• Introduction to Substrate Subfloor Inspection (ISSI)
• Building Moisture Thermography (BMT)
• and  many more...

The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI) has been providing advanced training to indoor environmental professionals for more than a decade.  NORMI is involved in possible legislation that states may embrace which will not impede business growth.  Currently, there are few or no mold regulations for building or maintaining structures.

While we applaud the do-it-yourselfers who often rent Tampa roll off dumpsters from Bin There Dump That, there are DIY projects both at home and at work (if you are a business owner) which are best left to the professionals in terms of turnaround time, expertise,  equipment and proficiency.   When it comes to getting rid of that debris or junk, Tampa dumpster rentals from the team at Bin There Dump That is a great option to considder.  Let them do what they do best, Tampa dumpster rentals, so you can spend your post-disaster time and energy on family, business and employee safety and security.

September = National Preparedness Month

The most prepared some families and individuals get is 24 hours before a major

weather event, after store shelves have been cleared of batteries, flashlights and other

essential supplies. You may not need a dumpster rental from Bin There Dump That

during a crisis, but you must craft a plan well in advance, and what better time than ~

[drum roll] ~ today!

Communication is imperative during an emergency, so have your ICE (In Case of

Emergency) programmed into every cell phone, including a contact outside your region,

in case communications are down locally. Teach everyone to text or use SMS (Short

Message Service) as it might work when a phone call does not. It is advisable to have a

contact card in every wallet, purse, book bag or backpack in case you are in different

locations and someone needs to make contact for a child or injured adult.

The most common reasons for evacuating your home or business, according to the

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are flood and fire. Determine a place

for you and family members to meet in a circumstance where you need to leave your

house, neighborhood or town at a time when you are not together. This can be a corner of

the yard, a certain street corner or a park in a neighboring community. Special

transportation needs must be addressed in advance for:

• babies and small children
• elderly folks, especially those with dementia or ambulatory issues
• tween kids and teenagers
• special needs people
• house pets
• horses and livestock

Your emergency kit can go with you if you leave your home or lose power at

home. Whether you live in a house, apartment, condo, travel trailer or high-rise, everyone

should have an emergency kit in a case with a handle or a backpack with handy items,

such as:

• flashlights and batteries
• portable radio and batteries
• bottled water
• non-perishable snacks
• change of clothes for everyone
• poncho for each person
• contact cards
• roll of toilet paper and paper towels
• basic first aid supplies
• a whistle 
• couple toys for children
• list of conditions and/or medications for each family member
• three large trash bags (in case you need to carry this through water)
• things you can toss in at the last minute include prescriptions, cell 
• phone chargers, dog and cat food

One of the most significant and challenging aspects of dealing with an emergency

or weathering a storm at home is staying calm. Children and elderly people especially are

greatly influenced by the actions and attitudes of adults and even teens around them.

Your behavior, facial expressions, choice of words and tone of voice can make a huge

difference in the response of those close to you during a crisis. Breathe, pray, move

slowly and confidently, sing, speak in a normal tone of voice and talk to your teens in

advance, letting them know you expect them to be strong and get along with everyone

during a rough time.

Gather the family around the kitchen table and pull together your emergency plan

and disaster kit. There will be greater cooperation when everyone has been part of the

plan ~ a plan you hope you never have to use. But if you do, you are well prepared.

Fall Football Fun ~ 2015..... rah rah rah - bucs and bulls!

It is fall and for many... that means Football & Hunting season has arrived!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Cleveland Browns Aug. 29 on the heels of a
loss to the Vikings and creaming the Bengals before ending preseason with a win over Miami.  So the Bucs enter the season with a preseason of 2 - 2.  Hopefully we'll see a "w" posted in the opener against Tennessee! GO BUCS!

The USF Bulls started by having home field advantage in their season opener against Florida A&M on Sept. 5 with a HUGE win!   GO BULLS!!!   This Saturday we get to see the Bulls take on Florida State which is sure to have some good Saturday rivalry talk for all of us locals.

Despite a less than stellar season (for both teams) last year, the bulls and Bucs plan to charge Raymond James Stadium with all the gusto, passion and power their mascots imply.

Almost as popular as the game itself is the forerunner to the kick-off: the tailgate party.  From the picnic basket literally perched on the tailgate of a vehicle to the ever expanding collection of portable tables, canopies, grills, chairs, coolers, banners, music and satellite television systems, tailgating has morphed into a social setting that blends sports, food, friends and fun.

Toby Keith wrote and sang a hit song for one tailgate necessity: red Solo cups.

And along with those cups, you are going to want some:

• Ice and cooler
• Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Corn Hole set and bean bags
• Cold drink holders
• USF or Tampa Bay Buc apparel 
• Sunnies (sunglasses, useful in the Sunshine State and fashionable for all night games)
• Sound system
• Grill
• Burgers, brats, dogs + toppings, chips, sides
• Pigs in blankets
• Frisbee/football
• Aspirin
• Bottle opener, cork screw
• Binoculars
• Folding chairs
• Blankets
• Friends 
• Tickets to the game

Tailgating is not confined to parking lots or campus either. Fans tailgate in backyards, on street corners, in sports bars, man caves, neighborhoods and anywhere a few friends gather.  If you are hosting a good-sized tailgate party, you may as well go ahead and set up to rent a dumpster from Bin There Dump That because these folks have "been there" -- they know the kind of trash that can accumulate from tailgaters.  You do not want overflowing trash cans and errant red Solo cups to spill on to your lawn or driveway and roll down the street.

If all your friends are out of town on your tailgate party day, just make friends,  like Toby Keith did, with a red Solo cup.

Red solo cup, you're more than just plastic

More than amazing, you're more than fantastic

And believe me that I'm not the least bit sarcastic

"Red solo cup, you're not just a cup (No, no, God no)

When I look at you and say:

You're my friend, yea (Lifelong)

Thank you for being my friend" 

Save most of your energy for when Rocky the Bull, the Herd of Thunder and the
USF football bull players thunder on to the field for a spectacular afternoon of a uniquely
American sport.  Watch the Buccaneers in their 39th season as they hope to play right to
the Super Bowl, like 12 years ago when they captured the Lombardi Trophy in a 48-21
win over Oakland. in Super Bowl XXXVII. Rah rah rah!

Go Bucs and Bulls!

Labor Day ~ Rest and Recognition

As Memorial Day often signals the beginning of summer, Labor Day seems like the second bookend to summer time.   Many schools now resume classes in August, and Labor Day is much more than a rite of seasonal passage.   It's a storied holiday officially recognized by Congress in 1894 ~ the same year that Coca-Cola first sold its soda in bottles, the first U.S. automobile was tested [by Elwood Hayes at 6 mph], the first Sunday newspaper comic section was published [in NY World]; and it cost one penny stamp to mail a letter.

Like many American holidays, the beginning of Labor Day is disputed.   What is not in question is that Labor Day has its roots in the USA, and many countries around the world have followed suit in setting aside a day of rest to mark the achievements and contributions of workers to the economy. Though the early labor union Knights of Labor was a driving force for bringing attention to long hours and dangerous working conditions, Labor Day celebrates all workers, union or not.

Another great opportunity for parades, picnics, backyard BBQ and fireworks, Labor Day pays tribute to the men and women who have worked to make this country great.   But a small cog in the giant economic wheel, Bin There Dump That exudes the American dream of entrepreneurship.   It is, after all, the amalgamation of small businesses that runs the enormous economic engine, that creates and provides the most jobs collectively and that drives individuals to work hard.   The country was founded on the premise of liberty and justice for all ~ and freedom reigns in our job and career
choices.

Thomas Edison is famous for lots of things, and hard work was paramount. "The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense," he once quipped.   Vince Lombardi embraced hard work when he aptly noted: "The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.   Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.”

Labor Day in the Tampa area is ripe with activities day and night.   The NFL and college football seasons kick off.   The beaches are open, and many take to the links for a day of golf, pitch a tent or just have a family BBQ at one of the parks in the area.   Music plays all weekend at Caddy's on the Beach, and over at Hogan's Beach, superstar DJ, Laidback Luke, hosts the party they dub as "Tampa's biggest Labor Day weekend beach bash."  Davis Islands Seaplane Basin is a welcoming park with beach and dog park.

There's another dog park and more grills over at Rowlett Park, and Desoto Park has trails, restrooms, skate park and grills.   However you decide to mark Labor Day this year, pat yourself on the back for your own hard work.  Thank the men and women who work in stores you regularly visit, and remember there are hardworking folks over at Bin There Dump That for all your short-term trash and junk clean out and debris removal needs.   Enjoy the day, the time, the family and friends, the hot dogs and ice cream.   Just chill on this day set aside to honor and validate work and workers.

Dozen Days of Downpours... plus a few Dozen more!

This past month had a few dozen days of downpours.  A few dozen or so roads closed. A few dozen inches of rainfall...  Several dozens of disasters.   If you are dealing with the fallout of flooding and rain damage, the Bin There Dump That Dumpster Diva is here to help.   

July ended with 4.77 inches above normal rainfall, and if you have wet carpets, a flooded carport, water damage in your yard or around the foundation or other rain-inflicted destruction, you need to take action.   The City of Tampa has been giving away sandbags, and residents have to exercise caution in leaving home, as many roads have been closed, flooded and/or damaged.   Flood warnings were issued, and the Anclote River rose more than two feet above flood stage on Aug. 3.   Flooding can occur days after rain has stopped.

Unwanted water commands immediate attention as it not only can destroy carpets, electronics, floors and furnishings, but also it creates a haven for mold growth.   Mold can ruin interior walls and structure components, and it promotes very poor indoor air quality which in turn can cause serious illness and respiratory problems.   The quicker you act, the faster you reduce chances of unnecessary damage and health issues.

• Disconnect power if water is above any electrical outlets, and exercise caution using electrical things like a shop vac in places where water has accumulated
• Wear protective clothing, boots and gloves, etc
• Take photos for insurance purposes before you begin clean-up work
• Remove what you can as quickly as you can to higher ground or place
• Get rid of water; use buckets and mops if you have to; remove mud with shovels and hose out what you can
• Cut away wet drywall, tear up rugs, remove wet insulation and worry about repairs later
• Check foundation for mortar breakdown
• Open up everything you can to dry air and breezes
• As things dry, clean with disinfectant to eliminate bacteria; water and common bleach mixture (5:1 ratio) is a great disinfectant except for fabric; wear protective gear and work with windows open
• One excellent product, Concrobium, inhibits mold growth  
• Arrange for a Tampa dumpster rental with Bin There Dump That to keep all the wet, damp and damaged stuff together and away from the house.

Timing is of the essence when cleaning up unwanted water, and cross-ventilation is the best way to dry things out.  It may not be the fastest, and you can assist with fans.  Don't forget to open small spaces like half-baths, closets and pantries. 

Then head for the yard for downed branches, debris, plastic chairs and anything in the neighborhood that wasn't nailed down during high wind and rain that may now be on your property.  Bin There Dump That can deliver a yard waste dumpster rental for you to share with a couple neighbors for tree limbs, errant junk and damaged landscaping. 

Remember this tiny fact: Most people underestimate the size of a dumpster they need, so go up a notch or two and be sure you have what you need first time, so you're not paying for multiple pick-ups and replacement. The Bin There Dump That folks can help you decide, and they'll be like your new best friend for a quick response and professional placement and storm debris and junk removal. 

Keep an eye on where ERIKA is going, hopefully it turns east and gives us a break from the rain!

Be Safe ~ Be Smart: Flood Prep

The number one natural disaster in the United States is floods, and Florida leads the country with twice as many claims and twice as much money paid out than the second state on the list [Alabama]. While a flood is a temporary condition, it is also a potentially dangerous and expensive experience. 

In the Tampa Bay region, it's not usually swollen rivers overflowing their banks, but heavy rainfall in a short period of time, measured in hours, not days or weeks or the high tides in South Tampa.   The topography is fairly flat, and there are not many appropriate places for rainwater to go once the drain systems are overwhelmed. So, it leaks and pours into inappropriate places, like your house. 

You can't control Mother Nature, but you can be prepared and remain safe during torrential rains and local flooding.   About half of people who die in floods are trying to drive through water.  The Bin There Dump That Dumpster Diva is here to tell you that water is one powerful force.   It creates valleys like the Grand Canyon, can sweep away a car or SUV in a mere two-foot depth, and a person can go down quickly in as little as six inches of rapidly moving water.  

If you live in Aspen, Colorado, you should be prepared for heavy snows and power outages.  If Chicago is your home, its nickname of the Windy City is a clue that mega breezy conditions may occur.  And if you are lucky enough to reside in the Sunshine State of Florida, flooding could be the thorn in your side.  Preparation is key, even if there's nary a cloud in the sky.  

Things to keep on hand year round, plus extras you can gather even one day in advance:

• flashlights and batteries
• radio with batteries
• pet flood emergency plan
• spare toiletries in a secure bag
• change of clothes in waterproof container
• dry foods, snacks and pet food
• medicine
• flotation devices (why not?) for every member of the family
• know how to shut off power and gas to your house
• fully charged cell phone
• at least a few gallons of clean water.

All levels of government stay informed and impart information to the public as it becomes available.  Stay tuned in advance to weather alerts and heed both watches and warnings.  Hold a family powwow and go over emergency procedures, plans and supplies.  

Take advantage of free sandbags, like the City of Tampa recently provided, and all other services, including moving to a shelter in advance.  Emergency Medical Services personnel and equipment are stretched to the limit during natural disasters, and people who plan ahead need not be in the statistics of those who need evacuation assistance or among those who perish in the disaster.   Be part of the solution, not the problem. 

• Stay calm and clear-headed
• Tune in for local news and information often
• Do not drive or walk in moving water
• Evacuate in advance if it looks worse than normal
• Cut off your own power if water rises
• Don't touch any downed power lines
• Refrain from swimming
• Be smart, sensible and safe

Since hurricanes are a serious source of flooding, many of our resources locally address flooding in hurricane preparedness communication.  Here are a few local resources for flood preparation around our area:

• City of Tampa - Hurricane & Flood Preparation
• My Fox Tampa Bay Hurricane Preparation resources
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Bay News 9 Hurricane Preparation resources
• City of Clearwater - Protect yourself from floods
• City of St. Petersburg - Hurricane Center

Tampa Flood Clean Up

Some Rain Must Fall

In his well-known poem "The Rainy Day," Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [1807-1882] concluded:

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Certainly this could not have been some premonition of recent days in Florida, could it?   The Gulf View Square Mall in Port Richey closed mid-afternoon. Parts of Anclote River Estates were evacuated. Streets and intersections in Tampa were flooded. The Sky Way Bridge closed at times, & Buddy Brew on Kennedy Avenue in Tampa gave away coffee to stranded motorists.

Even the Pony Express, now known as the U.S. Postal Service, was halted from its operating slogan, "the mail must go through," due to flooding.  I thought they never stopped!   This was not a futuristic movie of natural disaster; it is/was real life in the Tampa Bay region as rainfall descended at unprecedented rates in late July and into August.  

Just under six inches of rain in 12 hours was reported in Odessa at one point, while more than seven inches fell in Palm Harbor and close to five and a half in Dunedin!   Imagine heading home via the I-275 southbound exit ramp at Westshore Blvd. to find it flooded at the bottom and gridlock of autos backed up to the highway. Rescue units were out in full force plucking folks from flooded homes and evacuating families from flooded apartment complexes.

Curt Gadson, a federal employee who was stuck on a flooded Palmira Avenue in Palma Ceia, joked about capturing the water and sending it to drought-ridden California. In Palm Harbor, jon boats and Humvees were pressed into service to bring people out of an RV park. Even Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority got into the action, sending out a couple buses to assist stranded residents. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge boasted winds gusting up to 43 miles per hour, and the Florida Highway Patrol advised everyone to use caution if they had to go that way.

The Anclote River rose close to its highest ever, and rain fell in some places at the rate of three inches per hour. And for a few days and ensuing weeks in this neck of the woods, it's possible that the Sunshine State was fast becoming the Waterlogged State. Most of you probably saw the facebook map where our area was under water in the middle of Florida!

The normal average rainfall for August fell in just the first three days. July ended with 4.7 inches above average rain. The flatness of the land along with our location means that the greater Tampa region often experiences heavy rainstorms and local flooding. Tropical storms and hurricanes bring more damage and floods than the typical, afternoon thunderstorms, but all can damage property and threaten health and well-being.

The City of Tampa has produced a Stormwater Department Flood Protection brochure available by clicking this link here.

But the bottom line is this:

If you have/had water seeping into your living room, master bedroom, kitchen, carport or anywhere, you don't much care about the statistics.  You know there's been wa-a-a-ay above average rain. You're looking at it in places you don't want to see it, possibly damaging your property and stuff. Stick with Bin There Dump That's Dumpster Diva for flood tips, clean-up advice and debris removal dumpster rentals coming next to our blog!