How to Prepare Your Home for the Spring

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Spring not only brings warmer temperatures but also new dangers to your home or business in the form of termites. Termites cause roughly $5 billion in damage across the US every year. Plus, for homeowners, damage caused by termites is normally not covered by home insurance.

The lack of coverage is due to the designation that damage caused by termites is preventable. This means that you will need regular inspections and the use of treatments if termites are detected. But when should such inspections begin?

Termite Season

There are two basic types of termites in California, drywood and subterranean. Drywood termites create colonies inside the wood while subterranean termites live under the ground. 

While drywood termites are most active in the late summer and early fall, subterranean termites are mostly active in the spring. It is when they leave their colonies and swarm to find new mates. Once they have found their mates, a new termite colony is born. Such termites are called swarmers because they have wings until they find their mates. 

If you see insects that look like flying ants around your property, that is a sign that termites might be present. The presence of discarded wings around your home, office, or facility is another visible sign that a colony may be nearby or even inside the building or home. 


Protecting Your Property from Termites

Whether you have seen the aforementioned signs of termites or not, it pays to have your home inspected by professionals. They can locate and identify termite colonies that may be residing inside or near your home or building. By locating such colonies, they can be dealt with in an appropriate manner that protects the wood structure. 

Standard passive protection from termites includes creating barriers around your home to prevent termites from going inside. Another popular form of protection is using bait near the colonies. The bait will steer the termites away from your property. The result is when the bait runs out, the colony will die out as well. In addition, you can also follow these tips.

  • Remove dead trees and shrubs that have yet to be infected by termites
  • Remove any newspapers, books, and other paper-based products from storage areas such as the basement, attic, or garage. 
  • Conduct regular inspections for mud tubes and discarded wings of termites during the spring

However, if termites have gotten into your home, you will need to have them removed to stop any further damage. A professional termite exterminator will be needed to locate and destroy all the termites present in the structure. 


Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you.

How Asbestos Exposure Can Cause Cancer

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Most companies in the US stopped using asbestos over forty years ago however, materials that contain asbestos are still found in millions of older buildings across the country. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that contains properties that block heat and dampen the spread of fire. Its fibers can be dangerous to humans when inhaled into the lungs and can potentially lead to cancer in individuals if exposed over a long period of time. 

Since asbestos is found in older buildings and is still used in small amounts in certain appliances and other devices, it is still possible to become exposed to asbestos. 

Where Does Exposure to Asbestos Happen? 

For the most part, exposure to asbestos occurs over a long period of time when working in buildings that have asbestos or generally being exposed to products that contain asbestos. Other possible exposure could occur during a disaster or if you live near a site contaminated with asbestos.

Until the early 1980’s ceiling and floor tiles, drywall, insulation, paint, and even cement contained asbestos. You can find small amounts of asbestos in automotive parts such as clutches, brakes, and other friction-associated materials. So, while the driver of a vehicle is most likely safe from asbestos exposure, a mechanic who works in garages or auto shops is more likely to be exposed. 

How Exposure Can Lead to Cancer

The microscopic fibers of asbestos that float in the air can be inhaled into the lungs or swallowed. The body can get rid of most of the fibers, but many can become permanently stuck. 

When the fibers accumulate over time, the result can be inflammation and damage to the DNA of cells. This can lead to cancers such as mesothelioma and other diseases that include:

  • Laryngeal, Lung, and Ovarian Cancer
  • Diffuse Pleural Thickening, Pleural Effusion, and Pleural Plaque
  • Asbestosis, Atelectasis, and Pleurisy 

Most cancers or diseases caused by exposure to asbestos take decades to develop. For individuals who are exposed to asbestos frequently due to their line of work or constantly being in older buildings can protect themselves to a certain degree by wearing the proper safety equipment. This includes respirator masks. However, the most effective method is to have the potential asbestos removed safely from the site. 

Why Call Brickley Environmental?

If you suspect that your building has asbestos, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to identify and remove asbestos from your property. In addition to asbestos removal, Brickley Environmental offers additional services, including the following:

  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal 
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation

Call the friendly, courteous staff at Brickley Environmental today. We will listen to your needs, answer questions about our services, and provide the services needed to ensure that the asbestos or other unwanted materials are removed. 

For more information about asbestos exposure and how it can cause cancer, click here to visit the National Cancer Institute website.

Negative Effects of Lead Poisoning

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Lead is one of the more common metals present on earth. For over thousands of years, lead has been used for a wide variety of uses from manufacturing to recycling, smelting, mining, ammunition, paints, toys, cosmetics, and perhaps most commonly for the creation of lead-acid batteries. 

However, lead was soon learned to be poisonous to humans. This was not known for many years as it was commonly used to create pipes to distribute drinking water and added to paint which was applied in many homes and buildings. 

The Dangers of Lead Poison

The toxic effects of lead exposure are considerable, but they mostly affect young children. Lead poison can lead to permanent impacts on mental development. If levels are high enough, lead poisoning may cause death. At lower levels of exposure, children may experience mental function and intelligence impacts and even suffer from behavioral changes. 

The long-term effects for adults include damage to the kidneys and high blood pressure. For women who are pregnant, exposure to lead may lead to premature birth, low birth weight, and even miscarriages or stillbirths. 

While the effect on adults is serious, it is young children who are most at risk. Even the tiniest amounts of lead poison may have a profound impact. 

Common Locations for Lead

The presence of lead can be in many places. While plenty of work has been accomplished in removing lead from everyday items and products such as gasoline, it can be commonly found in the items listed below:

  • Paint: Lead was banned from paint in the 1970s, yet it is still present in many homes and buildings mostly because it has been painted over with new, lead-free paint. However, when the top layers of the paint are removed, it exposes the lead-based paint which may contaminate the air itself. 
  • Pipes: Water contamination may be the single largest source of lead poisoning left in the modern world. This may be due to a combination of lead pipes that have yet to be replaced to contaminated water sources where lead has been dumped or otherwise is present.  
  • Lead may also be present naturally, which makes it difficult to locate. And because even a small amount of lead exposure may develop into serious medical issues, finding such sources is paramount for the health of those living or working inside a contaminated home or building. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect the presence of lead in your home, office, or facility, call the experts at Brickley Environmental. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to identify and remove lead from all types of buildings and structures. In addition, we offer the following services.

  • Abatement of Asbestos
  • Removal of Mold
  • Demolition
  • Removal of Hazardous Waste 

Lead poisoning is dangerous to come in contact with. If you believe that lead may be present in the paint or in the pipes, call Brickley Environmental. We will listen to your needs, explain our services, and help bring you peace of mind with our commitment to you. 

For more information on lead poisoning, click here to visit the CDC website.

Facts About Monkeypox and How to Stay Safe

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Monkeypox has exploded around the world with more than 44,000 cases in over 95 countries. While the numbers may seem alarming, there are strong differences between monkeypox and the coronavirus in terms of how it’s spread and its severity to the public. 

Another difference is that while the version of coronavirus or COVID-19 was new when it first appeared in late 2019, monkeypox has been around for centuries and maybe longer. Related to the eradicated smallpox virus, monkeypox is not nearly as deadly nor does it spread in the same way as the coronavirus. 

How Does Monkeypox Spread?

Until the current outbreak, monkeypox mostly spread via close contact with animals that were infected with the virus. This means contact through bites, feces, bodily fluids, or consuming meat that was not properly cooked. 

Although it was first named monkeypox in 1958 because it was found in lab monkeys, the virus is primarily carried by rodents in tropical rainforests. There have been periodic outbreaks around the world, though it is mostly regulated in Africa. 

The current outbreak of monkeypox can be transmitted through very close physical contact, such as skin-to-skin, including:

  • Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
  • Contact with respiratory secretions.

This means that, unlike COVID, sitting right next to an infected person will normally not spread the virus to them. Only close skin-to-skin contact under the above circumstances will do it. 

Monkeypox Symptoms 

A person infected with monkeypox usually takes one to two weeks for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and tiredness. However, the most notable symptom of the outbreak is a painful rash often displayed on one’s face, feet, mouth, hands, and genitals. This happens about two to three days after the initial flu-like symptoms. 

A common occurrence in many recent cases is a single lesion on the body. Lesions last for about two to three weeks. Once scabs form and fall off, the person is no longer infectious. 

Death is relatively rare from monkeypox. Of the over 44,000 known cases, there have been only a handful of confirmed deaths. While the spread of monkeypox should be taken seriously, the death rate makes it far less serious than the coronavirus. 

Why Call Brickley Environmental?

With monkeypox and many other viruses on the loose, it pays to have a professional team of experts on call to answer your questions and provide the right type of information and services. Brickley Environmental has been serving the Southern California area for over 30 years. Experts in asbestos and hazardous waste removal, Brickley Environmental can also answer your questions about possible contamination at your business or residential location. 

Call today and find out more about how Brickley Environmental can help you. We are here to answer your questions, explain our services, and provide the best assistance possible to meet your needs. 

For more information on the monkeypox virus, click here to visit the CDC website.

How to Clean Your Home After a Flood 

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Flooding in your home or business can really disrupt your life. Once you have been cleared to go back into the building or residence by the authorities, it becomes a race against time to properly clean the property. It’s not just the water and dirt that causes damage, it is the bacteria, viruses, and potential for mold that can really do damage. 

The first step should be to file a claim with your flood insurance. Be sure to follow the proper steps when filing your claim. But that is only the first step in the recovery process. 

Inspection of Flooding

A flood can often bring with it more damage than you might initially see. This means downed power lines, breaks in gas mains, and other damage that will need to be addressed. Walk both inside and around the outside of your home to fully assess all damage to your home. You’ll want to shut off the gas, power, or water if you detect any leaks in that regard. 

Protection from Flooding

You do not want to conduct your inspection or start the cleaning process until you have properly protected yourself. This not only means wearing gloves, but also eye protection, masks, and even putting on a respirator to filter out the viruses, bacteria, and mold spores that may be present. It is also possible that the flood has brought in unwanted chemicals that may also be dangerous. So, be sure to protect your lungs with the proper equipment. 

Dry, Clean, & Remove

You’ll need to dry out your property as soon as possible. This will not only limit the damage, but also the spread of viruses, bacteria, and mold. Use wet vacs to suck up all the water and fans to dry out the interior. 

As the interior is being dried, clean out all the debris. This means everything that has come into the home or building. Plus, remove all furniture, carpet, and other items that have gotten wet from flood water. These items will need to be cleaned separately. 

Replace Items Damaged from Flooding

Remove any drywall and wooden structural material that has been damaged by the flood. You will need to have this replaced to fully restore the property to its original condition. 

Cleaning up after a flood can be a considerable task. That is why most people call a reputable, professional company that specializes in cleaning up after a flood. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you need to clean your home after a flood, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental. They have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to fully clean your home. Floods can bring with them more than just dirt and debris. Brickley Environmental can also clean away the viruses and bacteria associated with flood water. 

If your home or business has recently experienced a flood, call Brickley Environmental and talk to one of our friendly, courteous staff. We will listen to your needs and arrive quickly to address the situation. Let us help you get your life back to normal. Call today and find out more about our flood cleaning services. 

For more information on how to clean your home after a flood, click here to visit the CDC website.