Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

In the Thursday, February 26, 2009 posting in this Journal we introduced a series of 15 Water Damage Restoration News bulletins that you can download from our franchise website. They can be modified by you and sent or hand delivered to insurance agents and adjusters, property managers and Realtors. To refer to this article all that you have to do is click on the "Bulletins" link in the "Labels" at the end of this article. The link for the file downloads is in that article or you can directly access them here through: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/downloads/restoration.htm.

In addition, we are currently working on a series of fire damage restoration news bulletins. We are in the process of writing the fifth one in this series. Following is an example of the first bulletin: "What is This Thing Called Smoke? - Part I."

Many of the bulletins will have color photos and, possibly, illustrations. As with the water damage series you will be able to personalize them since they will be in both Microsoft Publisher and Word formats. We will inform you when the entire series is completed and you can access them for your use.

Labels: Bulletins, Fire Damage Restoration, Marketing, Restoration

Labels: Announcements, Marketing, Printing Materials, Sales, Water Damage Restoration

Duraclean Universal Spotter Program

Get the attention of new client prospects and retain the loyalty of your existing customers through Duraclean’s new “Universal Spotter Label Customization Program.” You now can have your company name, logo, phone number and website printed right onto the pint size (16 oz.) Universal Spotter bottle for a one-time nominal set-up charge and minimum quantity purchase.

A brochure detailing the program (as shown below) will be sent with your April, 2009 monthly statement.

Labels: Announcements, Promotion, Sales, Spotter

4 Keys to Building Mold Prevention

The following is a condensation of an article from BLR's "Safety Daily Advisor in regard to mold prevention in the home. There are some tips included that you can pass on to your customers.

1. Get the Wet Out

Mold is with us everywhere so there is no feasible way that you can eliminate all mold growths and mold spores in the indoor environment. Controlling excess moisture is the key to stopping indoor mold growth and reducing its presence in the home. Steps to do this include:

• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to vent moisture created to the outside.


• Control the exchange of moisture-laden and spore carrying air from dirt floor crawl spaces into the rest of the home by running a small exhaust fan from the crawl space to the outside. This will put the crawl space under a continuous negative air condition.


• Use a dehumidifier to remove damp areas such as the basement or dirt floor crawl spaces. Be sure to drain the dehumidifier regularly (if it doesn't have an automatic pump-out system) and clean condensation coils and the water collection bucket if used.


• Raise the temperature in damp areas to help lower humidity levels.


• If a humidifier is used in the winter months be sure not to overuse it. Plus, the unit must be cleaned regularly otherwise mold will grow in it and contribute to its spread!


• Increasing indoor air circulation can also help reduce indoor mold. Open doors between rooms, especially doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms. You can also increase air circulation with fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation.

2. Keep It Clean

Cleaning helps reduce mold in the home. The key is when performing these tasks that the proper PPE including gloves, eye protection and a proper dust mask or respirator if required.

• Make sure to scour sinks and tubs at least monthly. Fungi thrive on soap and films that coat tile and grout or other bathroom surfaces. Your normal bathroom cleaner will usually work on small patches of mold.
• For problem areas use 1-3 ounces of ordinary laundry bleach diluted in a quart of water. The most important thing is to give a good scrubbing. When using bleach for any amount of areas a vapor-rated respirator should be used along with good ventilation!
• Clean garbage pails frequently. They can be a prime breeding ground for mold.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Finally clean mold off hard surfaces all around the home. Be sure that surfaces are dried completely after cleaning.

3. Plug the Leaks

Leaks are a major source of mold since moisture (in a liquid of vapor form) is the key factor for its growth. Without moisture mold won't grow:

• Quickly repair any plumbing leaks, blocked drains, poorly vented clothes dryers or water seepage through walls.
• Put a plastic sheet of 6 mil plastic over dirt in crawl spaces to prevent moisture from coming in up through the ground.

4. Use Building Supplies

Mold prevention can also be done through employing common building supplies:

• Add insulation around windows and piping and to walls, roofing and floors to reduce condensation.
• Storm windows help to prevent condensation on windows when temperatures fall. This, in turn, helps prevent mold growth around the windows.

For further information regarding safety training and issues visit BLR at http://www.blr.com/.

Labels: Mold, Mold Prevention, Safety Management

Dri-Eaz LGR 2000 Dehumidifiers Now in Limited Quantities

Dri-Eaz has ceased manufacturing of the Dri-Eaz LGR 2000. There are limited quantities available. If you wish to order this unit do so A.S.A.P.

It is item #8952 and costs $2,150.00.

You can find the LGR 2000 on our website'a "Product Catalog" at: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?search=action&category=EQDE&keywords=all

Labels: Announcements, Dehumidifiers, Sales, Water Damage Restoration

Another Reason to Consider the RoutePoint Program



Duraclean franchise Mindy Reichley in a response to an e-mail sent to her from Duraclean Central's System Analyst Mary Lavanholi commented about her RoutePoint experience. Following is her text message:



"Hi, Mary. Thanks so much for your call yesterday. I left Florida last night at 5pm so I am now back in the cold of Harrisburg: (I did have a great time with warm weather in Florida, I was visiting my cousin and her new baby). This RoutePoint is so nice that I can travel anywhere and just transfer my calls to my cell and still be able to run the business! Have a great rest of your week."

Mindy Reichley

To learn more about RoutePoint and how it can help you in your business call Mary Lavanholi at Duraclean Central, X159.

Labels: management, RoutePoint, Testimonial

Group, Multiple, Individual and Family Health Insurance Plans




Group Health Insurance Plans

Group health insurance is an industry term. Group insurance generally has the following statistics and/or requirements:

• Group medical plans are employer sponsored plans on behalf of the employees. The employer is normally required to pay 50% of the employee premium.


• Group medical insurance must meet minimum participation requirements, which are normally 50% of all full time employees – 75% after valid waivers (employees with other valid coverage are
  counted towards total participation). Plan participants are “guaranteed issue” or guaranteed coverage as long as they had prior coverage with no lapse in coverage in the past 63 days. This can
  vary by state.


• Group medical insurance plans are underwritten based on state mandates. The insurance carrier files the base (best possible) rate with the State Department of Insurance. Once the employee
  applications are completed, there is a maximum rating the insurance company can apply to the base rate, regardless of employee medical conditions or their severity. This applies in most states.


• Group medical insurance may be more expensive than individual health insurance coverage, which is not guaranteed issue. Individual coverage is usually less expensive because the insurance company can decline coverage or exclude conditions. This means they take on less risk and, therefore, premiums can be lower.


• Group medical insurance does not necessarily mean you are getting a “bulk rate” especially when your “group” is under 5 covered lives. A company with 3 or less healthy employees can usually realize a substantial savings versus a group medical plan.

Multiple Plans

Multiple plan designs can be offered to employees. Generally, the employer decides which plans will be offered and the employee chooses the plan that best suits their needs.

Most companies choose from traditional plans, which have deductibles and co‐pays for doctor and prescription expenses. Many companies now choose alternative plans like HSA’s and HRA’s, which in many cases will lower total costs without lowering benefits.

Waiting periods for employee eligibility in the plan (30, 60, 90 days or longer) are determined by the employer. Companies with 20 or more employees are subject to COBRA, and must extend coverage to terminated employees. The employer is not required to pay any portion of the premium after the employee termination date.

To learn more on how you can save, get a group health insurance quote from our affinity partner, Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants, Inc.

To get a free, no‐obligation health quote, go the website – www.mmicinsurance.com/Duraclean or call toll‐free 1‐800‐349‐1039.

Individual & Family Health Insurance Plans

Individual medical policies cover one person or a family. Most people think that because an individual health insurance policy is not part of a “group plan” that you’ll have less coverage and pay a higher price. This couldn't’ be farther from the truth. The main reason people think this is because their employer had been paying half of the cost. Most employers will pay at least 50% of the employee premium each month. Some employees are required to pay the full premium for any dependents that are covered under their company group plan. Many savvy employees have saved thousands by obtaining an individual policy for their dependents, or in lieu of COBRA coverage.

Individual health insurance can provide the same coverage that a group plan offers. More importantly, individual coverage is usually far less expensive! Individual medical plans also provide greater flexibility by allowing you to purchase only the benefits you and your family need.
On a group plan, you share the cost for many benefits that you may not need, such as maternity coverage.

If you start a business, retire early, work for a company without health insurance or even lose a job that provided medical benefits, you’ll most likely be shopping for affordable individual health insurance. Health Insurance is a vital component to any sound financial plan and is needed by everyone. Without proper coverage, you leave yourself open to financial risk and possibly financial ruin. Unexpected medical expenses are the largest reason people file bankruptcy.

To learn more on how you can save, you can get an instant individual health insurance quote from Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants, Inc. by going to the insurance website: www.mmicinsurance.com/Duraclean or call 1‐800‐349‐1039.

Labels: Health Insurance, Insurance, Personnel

Eye and Face Protection Sources

The following is a condensation of a information bulletin from Lion Technology Inc. (http://www.lion.com/). It concerns workplace safety in regard to eye protection and sources that you can access for program implementation.

OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=3359.

Eye and face protection is addressed through various OSHA workplace safety regulations. The employer must consider engineering and administrative controls along with specific PPE standards to determine what is adequate eye/face protection in the work environment. For us in the restoration/remediation service fields exposure to flying particles, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids and chemical gases of vapors require eye and/or face protection. Also in specified in the OSHA standard is that the use of PPE eye wear cannot interfere with prescription lenses and that the PPE eye wear must be constructed to ANSI or equivalent standards and the manufacturers must distinctly mark their products: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778.

OSHA has a number of resources to assist employees in implementing an effective eye/face protection program. Included you will find:

• Eye/face protection tool that includes a hazard assessment module to assist the employer selection the right protection: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/index.html.


• OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment Booklet: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.html.


• NIOSH guide on eye safety: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye.


• NIOSH guide on the use of contact lenses in chemical environments: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-139/.

Labels: PPE, Safety Compliance, Safety Management

Boston, Massachusetts has been selected as the site of the 2009 Annual Meeting. Join us in Boston, a destination with endless possibilities for exploration of history, culture, shopping, dining and nightlife.

For additional information please visit the Franchise Meetings Link at http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/. From there you will be able to see the meeting agenda and view a PowerPoint presentation to learn more about Boston.



If you have any questions, please call Danielle at 800-251-7070 x 120.

Labels: 2009 Annual Meeting, Meetings