Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

• Program Home Page- www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
  
• Contractor Brochure:www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/contractor_brochure.pdf
  

LBC (Lead Barrier Compound)

LBC has been certified by Massachusetts (No. DL-12362), authorized by the states of Connecticut, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, and Colorado. LBC is accepted for use in all 50 states. LBC has also been classified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL®). LBC is environmentally friendly and complies with all federal and state VOC requirements.

LBC contains Bitrex®, a bitter tasting, non-toxic, anti-ingestant to discourage oral contact with lead paint. The required minimum 7 mil. dry film thickness of LBC offers unparalleled interior and exterior coverage and economics. In addition, the lower film thickness reduces stress on the existing paint system and maintains architectural detail. LBC can be successfully applied to the proper thickness in one application with most major brands of airless spray equipment. LBC can also be applied by brush or roller. LBC can be used for application with surface temperatures as low as 38° F.

Prepare surfaces for finish coating, wipe dust, dirt, grease and other surface contaminants away with LeadSafe wipes. LeadSafe wipes are conveniently packaged towelettes pre-soaked in a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution to aid in surface preparation and cleaning.

LeadSafe wipes are effective in the quick removal of harmful lead dust particles, and can also be used as part of a conscientious program for the interim control of lead-based paint dust hazards. LeadSafe meets all Federal, State, HUD and EPA guidelines for cleaning and removing lead dust.

Piranha 2 is a heavy duty, fast acting lead-based paint remover. Piranha 2 professional paint remover will attack as many as 30 layers of lead-based paint in a single application. Piranha 2 will also remove the most difficult oil and latex paints, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and enamels. Piranha 2 is non-flammable and will not raise the grain of wood or corrode metals. This product does not require anti-evaporation paper like many caustics and other weaker solvent formulas.
Brush application recommended. CAUTION: Contains methylene chloride.

Piranha 4 is a solvent-based gel formulated to remove multiple coats of lead-based paint. This fast acting formula starts removing most paints and stubborn coatings in less than one hour, without the use of dangerous chlorinated solvents, caustics or methylene chloride. Gel formulation yields maximum coverage per gallon and has excellent resistance to sagging, enabling it to cling to vertical and overhead surfaces. Piranha 4 has a very slow rate of evaporation keeping it active for hours.

Piranha 4 is a unique solvent formulation ideally suited for paint removal from historically significant architectural components since it does not discolor or raise wood grain or require neutralization. Piranha 4 can be used on virtually any substrate to remove oil-based paint, latex paint, elastomeric paint, cementitious asbestos paint, epoxy and urethane.

Piranha 8 is a low odor, alkaline paste paint stripper that liquefies paints on a variety of substrates. Piranha 8 removes most paints, varnishes, polyurethanes, and water-based latex paints from metal, stone, concrete, marble, plaster wall, ceiling and decorative plaster. Piranha 8 can remove multiple coats safely and easily in a single application. Piranha 8 is particularly well suited for stripping lead paints. Surfaces must be neutralized after using this remover.

Labels: Fiberlock, Lead, Lead Regulations, RRP

Two Versions of A-T-D Brochure Available


Now available is the "After the Disaster" brochure in two versions. The first is a tri-fold "leave behind" version that continues the "before, during and after" look that promotes Duraclean's ability to respond to any disaster. It also has the "80 Year" banner at the bottom of the center outside panel.

The inside right panel can be imprinted with franchise information.

This item #3160 is ordered from BFC's website. Click on the following link in the franchise catalog which has pricing information and a direct link to BFC: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=3160.

This piece may also be ordered as a "mailer." It is item 3156. The center outside panel is used for the mailing information. You can click on the following link in the franchise catalog which has the pricing information and a direct link to BFC: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=3156.

Labels: After the Disaster, ATD, Brochure, Sales

Criss is the Second Featured Duraclean "Franchise of the Month"!

Rick Criss as the owner of Duraclean Services LCC of Forest Hills, MD is the eight times "President's Circle" award winner and the International Franchise Association's "Award of Excellence" winner.




Rick bought his franchise from the current owner Joe Rush in June, 1988. Prior to that he worked at Safeway Grocery stores for 15 years, the last 10 of which were in management. Rick always wanted to own his own business. He says that, "The challenges of building a business and making my own business decisions always appealed to me."


Rick currently leases 7,500 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space. They are actively looking to purchase a 10,000 sq. ft. facility.

As part of that facility are cleaning areas for contents from packouts...





...a boxing area for repacking contents cleaned as a result of a packout...





...flooring supplies for replacement including carpet and pad...





...and an area in their office space for carpet sales which also includes hardwood and laminate floor options.





Their service vehicles include 4 extraction vans, 2 passenger vans, i pickup truck and 1 box van.





Currently Duraclean Services LLC has 148 air movers and 46 dehumidifiers. They also have 15 negative machines and a soda blasting system for their burgeoning mold remediation services.





Duraclean Services LLC has a Partner - Pete Carpenter.





Duraclean Services LLC has a total of 18 dedicated employees. Here are the rest of them:


Office Manager - Lorie Masters...

Receptionist - Lisa Eckoff...





Marketing - Frank Thomas...

Estimator - Jared Harkens...








Estimator - Amy Gfrerer...





Field Manager - Tim Criss...







...and the Technicians.







Rick said that. "The greatest challenge in our business is maintaining a quality workforce in the field. Also, adjusting to the quick growth in our business particularly in the repair and reconstruction area."



The most unusual/most memorable job done by his franchise occurred this past February. "Maryland was hit with 2 blizzards with record snowfalls in less than a week. We had almost 60 inches of snow."











"We thought that the weather conditions would just put a halt to our business. 'Ice Damning' saved us!"











"We received approximately 70 water mitigation calls and 40 to 50 reconstruction jobs as a result."








As another means to market their business on April 27th Rick presented a full day water damage restoration CE (continuing education) course to insurance agents in his area. He had 19 agent attendees of which 15 were new contacts. He is very interested in seeing how the new contacts will translate into new business. This is the second time that Rick has offered a CEC presentation. His first was in November, 2008 when he held two consecutive courses (water and mold) and was assisted by Duraclean Vice President Bill Ondratschek.

Labels: Criss, Franchise of the Month