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Insurcomm Announces Growth Equity Investment from Summit Partners

Portsmouth, NH – Insurcomm, Inc., a rapidly growing provider of commercial and residential restoration services, today announced a majority growth investment from Summit Partners. Summit’s investment will support Insurcomm’s national expansion strategy as the Company continues its mission to deliver the highest quality service to commercial clients, residential customers, and municipalities navigating property loss events.

Insurcomm stands as one of the fastest-growing restoration services providers in the United States, propelled by a unique operating model and supported by a winning culture. The Company offers a comprehensive range of property damage restoration services, including fire and water damage cleanup, mold remediation, asbestos and biohazard removal, as well as reconstruction services to customers nationally. Serving as a single point of contact, Insurcomm supports its clients every step of the way through the complexities of property loss.

“When disaster strikes, our mission is to serve our clients with a deep sense of professionalism and dignity, ensuring timely and end-to-end solutions,” said Doug Indelicato, CEO of Insurcomm. “Partnering with Summit will help Insurcomm enter a new and expanded era of growth, allowing us to scale our impact and drive value for property owners and insurers. Together, we aim to set new standards in the restoration market, with a focus on partnering with like-minded operators who share our mission, and further cementing Insurcomm’s position as an industry leader.”

Summit’s investment comes at a time of strategic inflection for Insurcomm, as the Company seeks to scale its team, expand its operations, and acquire other providers who share a culture of excellence. Insurcomm has experienced accelerated growth over the past five years through the expansion of its geographic coverage and securing General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) status for emergency response for all federal government agencies. Insurcomm has extensive experience across thousands of loss events, ranging from day-to-day emergency responses to major catastrophic events. The Insurcomm team has built deep and trusted relationships with property owners and insurers, fueling strong growth in market share.

“Against the backdrop of a highly fragmented restoration market with secular tailwinds, Insurcomm has developed an impressive delivery model that has helped the Company to grow rapidly and profitably,” said Matt Hamilton, a Managing Director at Summit Partners who has joined the Company’s Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to join forces with Doug and the entire Insurcomm team and to support the Company’s expansion plan.”

“We believe Insurcomm’s strong organic growth is a testament to the culture of excellence that the Company has created and their commitment to serving all stakeholders in property loss events,” added Andy Lee, Vice President at Summit Partners who has also joined the Company’s Board of Directors.

Harris Williams served as financial advisor to Summit Partners, and Latham & Watkins served as legal advisor.

‍Insurcomm & Summit Partners

About Insurcomm, Inc.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Insurcomm was created in 1996 by founder Neil Robbins. Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, Insurcomm started with two employees to provide construction services for insurance-related losses. Today, Insurcomm has almost 100 employees and provides end-to-end solutions for insurance-related property losses. In addition to servicing day-to-day emergencies, Insurcomm also has a National Large Loss team, which responds to complicated large loss projects throughout the U.S. For more information, please see www.insurcomm.com or Follow on LinkedIn.

About Summit Partners
Founded in 1984, Summit Partners is a global alternative investment firm with capital dedicated to growth equity, fixed income, and public equity opportunities. Summit invests across growth sectors of the economy and has invested in more than 550 companies in technology, healthcare, and other growth industries. Summit maintains offices in North America and Europe and invests in companies around the world. For more information, please see www.summitpartners.com or Follow on LinkedIn.

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes

When water freezes it expands. When this occurs pipes are likely to burst which can mean disaster for your home or business. Rarely, the best outcome from frozen pipes is the loss of water. More likely, once pipes freeze they split and burst – causing severe flood damage.

Water loss is a headache. Flood damage is a disaster. The best way to avoid the problem is prevention. A few easy tips can prepare your water pipes for the frigid weather to come.

6 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

If you’ve heard the quote “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” it definitely applies to water pipes. Use these tips to protect your pipes from the winter weather freeze.

1. Keep your temperature up.

It’s not unusual to be away from your home or your business during winter holidays. If outside temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes are at risk. Keeping indoor temperatures above 55 degrees can make all the difference. When you are at home, don’t turn down the heat at night. A consistent temperature will help keep your pipes at a safe temperature.

2. Let the Faucet Trickle.

Fast flowing creeks and rivers don’t usually freeze. When they do, freezing begins where water moves slowly. The same thing applies to the water in your pipes. A slight trickle usually prevents your pipes from freezing. If ice does form, the open faucet will relieve pressure build-up. Water pressure is what usually causes pipes to rupture.

3. Open Cabinet Doors.

Most sinks have cabinets below them that hide water pipes. Open these cabinet doors when temperatures are colder than usual. This action can allow extra heat to reach the pipes. It’s also a good idea to leave all inside doors open to allow heat to circulate freely throughout the building.

4. Insulate Pipes.

Before the temperature gets too cold, consider adding insulation to your exposed pipes. Foam or other types of insulation can be fitted to pipes to help them stay closer to the temperature of the water. Pipes inside walls are often more protected from the existing insulation. Exposed pipes may be found in the basement, attic, or crawl-spaces beneath a home.

5. Seal the Gaps.

Gaps may occur around where pipes come into the building. Cracks and gaps let in cold air which may be restricted to the area where your pipes are most vulnerable. Seal these spaces with foam insulation or caulk. Repairs on both interior and exterior sides of the wall will ensure no cold air can enter the building. If there are cracked or broken windows in the attic or basement, they should be repaired as well.

6. Locate Your Main Water Valve.

Before frigid weather occurs, find your main water shut-off valve. If a disaster occurs, you will need to turn off the water as quickly as possible. When you are out of town, you will need to be able to tell others where to locate the valve.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If your pipes freeze, there are things you can do to get water flowing again. Turning on a faucet to only see a trickle of water can be worrisome but don’t panic. There is likely ice somewhere in the pipes. It’s important to be careful when thawing pipes. If a line has already burst, water can flood the home as pipes thaw. When you know a pipe is broken, shut off the main water valve.

Apply heat to the frozen section of pipe using a hair dryer or heating pad. (Never use an open flame since pipes could be damaged or a fire could result.) Apply heat until full pressure is restored. Don’t forget to check other faucets to ensure more pipes are not frozen.

Sometimes, the most careful planning cannot prepare you for what mother nature has in store. In the event you experience frozen and burst water pipes, it is important to take action immediately. Water damage begins quickly and continues long after the event that caused it. The professionals at Insurcomm will respond immediately to your water emergency to assess the damage and begin necessary repairs. As New England’s leading restoration company, we provide emergency services to commercial and residential clients in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

 

How To Prevent & Remove Ice Dams

An ice dam can develop on the roof of any home when snowy or icy conditions are present. The damage from an ice dam can be significant, but the good news is that these dams can be prevented when proper precautions are taken. By learning more about what ice dams are and how they are formed, you can understand what it takes to prevent them and to deal with them if they do develop on your roof.

What Is An Ice Dam?

When you think about snow or ice accumulating on your roof, you may think about a relatively even layer of frozen precipitation over the entire surface. However, several factors may cause uneven heating on the roof. For example, internal heat from the home may not penetrate through the roof evenly. Sunlight and shading from trees, the chimney, and nearby structures may also result in uneven heating on the roof. Uneven heating may result in snow or ice melting in some areas of the roof and not in others. The water will run down the roof until it hits a colder space, and it may re-freeze. When this happens, thick ice will accumulate, and this creates pooling water just above the ice dam. Unfortunately, a roof is designed to be impermeable to water that is flowing downward. It is not impermeable to water that pools on the roof. Water leaks are one of the most significant types of property damage associated with ice dams. They may also result in damaged gutters, fascia, soffits and more.  

Preventing an Ice Dam

The good news is that you can prevent this type of damage from occurring if you take a few steps. Ideally, your entire roof will remain cold, and no internal heat will impact its surface temperature. To accomplish this, you need to have high-quality insulation evenly spaced throughout the attic. You may also need to reseal some areas. Improving attic ventilation can also be helpful. Before winter arrives, take a closer look at trees near the home. Trees can grow substantially during the warm weather season, so branches and limbs that were not a problem last year may result in uneven roof heating this year. Pruning and trimming before winter arrives is a helpful preventative step.

Removing an Ice Dam

If you notice signs of an ice dam forming, you may be inclined to grab an ice pick or another sharp tool and start chipping away at the ice. However, that can result in tremendous damage to the roof. Salt may be helpful, but it can fall off of the roof and harm your vegetation. There are a few safer and effective ways to deal with an ice dam. For example, you may place a box fan in the attic to promote improved circulation. You may also use a special raking device that is made specifically for this purpose. This special rake may change the temperature of the roof almost immediately. Another idea is to use calcium chloride as a deicer. Or, cat litter! An easy way to apply the calcium chloride or cat litter to the roof is to stuff it into a pair of nylon pantyhose.

Dealing with Water Damage

If you remove an ice dam quickly, you may not have to deal with the effects of water damage from a roof leak. However, if you are like many others, you may not realize that an ice dam has formed until it is too late. Insurcomm is your leading source for water damage repair from ice dams and other issues throughout New England. We provide our clients with a fast response and effective remediation and restoration services. Water damage may become more problematic over time, so it is best to address this issue head-on.

The best time to prepare for an ice dam is well before cold winter weather arrives. Spending time improving ventilation, and insulation throughout the attic and pruning tree branches are essential before each winter season arrives. You also need to be observant throughout the winter so that you can take pre-emptive steps if an ice dam begins to form. Reach out to Insurcomm immediately for restoration services if your home is damaged by water.

Top 10 Ways To Prepare For Winter

Winter weather is usually rough in New England. It has never been more important to prepare your residential or commercial property to prevent problems. It is better to begin your property chores in the fall before the temperature gets too cold. Here is a list of property maintenance tasks to plan to do before winter arrives.

Clean Rain Gutters and Downspouts

After the leaves have fallen from the trees on or near your property, you should clean the rain gutters and the downspouts. You can use an extension ladder or a bucket truck to reach these items. For a smaller building, using a gardening shovel is an easy way to remove the debris from the rain gutters, but many property owners prefer using a power washer device to blast away the leaves, trash, and dirt with strong streams of pressurized water.

Add Caulking around Your Home’s Windows and Doors

To keep a building warmer, you should add liquid or adhesive roll caulking around the windows and doors. Begin by doing this outside a building, but you should also determine if you need to add these materials to the inside of a building to prevent cold drafts.

Care for Trees on Your Property

Check the trees on your property to make sure that the trunks and branches are in good condition. You can often remove dangling or dead branches on your own, but if a tree is dead or dying, then you should consider calling a professional to have it removed. A decaying tree is a risk on your property because it can fall during a blizzard, leading to damage to a building or injuries to the building’s occupants.

Prepare Plumbing Devices

You must prepare a building’s plumbing devices for winter to prevent frozen pipes and faucets. Drain a building’s exterior faucets and pipes first before protecting the items with adhesive insulation tape and covers. If you have an irrigation system for the lawns or gardens on your property, then check the equipment’s manual to understand how to prepare it for winter. In addition, check the plumbing fixtures inside a building to make sure that the devices are in the best condition for the cold temperatures that occur during the winter.

Inspect Rooftop for Storm Damage

It is possible for a building’s rooftop to have storm damage that will get worse during the winter. You can inspect a roof for problems by using a bucket truck or extension ladder, but it is often better to call a professional roofer to check for storm damage that he can fix right away before it begins to snow.

Add Insulation to the Attic & Garage

If you have had expensive heating bills in the past, then you can add insulation to your garage or attic during the fall. Roll insulation is easy to install on the floor of an attic, and you can also use this material on the walls of a garage. If your home or business is poorly insulated, then you can call an expert to inject blown-in type insulation into the walls of the building.

Clean Fireplaces and Chimneys

When a building has fireplaces and chimneys, you must clean these devices once a year to remove a buildup of creosote and wood particles. These substances can prevent the proper flow of smoke along with causing an internal fire. Experts recommend hiring a professional chimney sweep for the highest quality repairs to fireplaces and chimneys.

Check Exterior Lighting Fixtures

It is important to have exterior lighting fixtures on your property because it is darker in the winter. You won’t want to replace a light bulb in a porch or driveway lighting fixture when it is snowing. Fall is also a great time to install additional lighting fixtures that are either electric or solar-powered.

Check Foundation

Walk around a building to check its foundation for problems such as cracks where moisture or pests can enter. If a building’s foundation is crumbling, then the floors in a business or home will be colder in the winter. You can repair foundation problems with cement or other substances that are available at local hardware stores.

Make a list of the required autumn maintenance chores so that you can prepare a shopping list for the required supplies for each task. When the weather is warm and dry, you can work outside, but when it is cool or rainy, you can work inside your commercial or residential property.

Insurcomm: The Restoration Leader

Insurcomm is an Insurance Restoration contractor based in New England. Insurcomm is a leading company focusing on getting families back on track should they experience the unexpected. Whether it is water damage, fire damage, environmental mishaps, mold issues, or smoke damage, Insurcomm can make sure your family and life get back to normal after an unexpected event.

The more you prepare, the better you will do. Storm damage is the most common inconvenience out there, so if possible, begin your research there. We hope you enjoy your fall. Should you need any kind of restoration service Insurcomm is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 844-424-9283 or online at insurcomm.com.

September Is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. The following article will provide you with the steps to take to make sure your home or business possessions are safe and secure from the possibilities of fire damage, water damage, theft or natural disaster. Insurcomm has created a major disasters page which can be found here.

Insurcomm National Preparedness Month

Major disasters occur frequently. This is especially true in New England where the fall, winter and even spring months can pose the threat of serious storms. When a disaster strikes, your loved ones may not all be together, and you will want to have a plan that everyone can follow from wherever they might be. It is important to be informed about what can be done should any mishap occur in our lives. There are times when events we don’t expect happen and turn our worlds upside down, including flooding or fire. Sometimes these events can be tragic, which is why National Preparedness Month is so important. Tragic things shouldn’t occur if you are fully prepared should the unexpected happen in life. Here are some tips from Insurcomm that can help you make the best of a bad situation.

What is National Preparedness Month?

National Preparedness Month is in September every year. It is a month-long event in the United States that seeks to educate the public on what they can do during potentially dangerous events that could negatively impact the lives of millions. The better prepared you are, the less likely there will be the loss of life or an escalation of issues.

Tips on Being Prepared: Expect the Unexpected

The Red Cross has many good tips to get better prepared for emergencies, plus kits families can buy should national disasters occur. On the Red Cross website, they offer a survival kit for families, which isn’t a bad thing to get in case of an emergency. They recommend family plans for every event you could think of, including fire events and flooding events. Has your family talked about the strategies you would employ should there be a fire? Have you decided where you will meet, how you will escape the fire, and know what steps to take regarding the fire department? All of these topics should be discussed with family members so that there can be a plan in place that saves lives.

Storm damage is a much more common event. In case of a severe storm in your area, make sure you have extra food and supplies to last several days. Do you know who to call following a severe storm that takes out power and leaves you stranded? If you have cell service, be sure to call the local power company to inquire about the severity of the storm and when you should expect things to get back to normal. If there is damage to your house, the next step after that would be to call a restoration specialist to assess damage and give you an estimate. A key way to prepare for emergencies is to have specified insurance for your property, so we recommend you look into this in case damage occurs due to expense.

A great site to visit to get more ideas on how to prepare for disasters is ready.gov/september. Signing up for alerts and warnings in your area is also a great idea to keep you better informed. Reading up on past disasters and learning about what people did and did not do in response is a great idea as well. Study up on psychology to understand how people respond to stress and national events so that you can know what to expect from neighbors and the like. It may surprise you.

Insurcomm: The Restoration Leader

Insurcomm is an Insurance Restoration contractor based in New England. Insurcomm is a leading company focusing on getting families back on track should they experience the unexpected. Whether it is water damage, fire damage, environmental mishaps, mold issues, or smoke damage, Insurcomm can make sure your family and life get back to normal after an unexpected event.

Take national disasters seriously and do your research on what to do should a tragedy occur. There have been many events in recent years, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, that have made national news. It could happen in your area for all you know, so it’s best to take care of the details that matter so that nothing bad will happen to your loved ones in case of emergency.

One last tip is to relax. Don’t worry too much about what could happen, just make sure that if something does actually happen you will know how to respond. We know that life can be stressful and there is enough to worry about. Even so, emergencies that can cause house and property damage can be especially heinous because the event could include loss of life. The more you research, the better you will do. Storm damage is the most common inconvenience out there, so if possible, begin your research there.

We hope you enjoy your September and the beginnings of fall. Should you need any kind of restoration service Insurcomm is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 844-424-9283 or online at insurcomm.com.

Continuing Education Class Schedule For 2022

Please click on any of the links below that you would like to register for.
January 7th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Ethics In Action
February 4th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm 
A Plethora of Personal Lines
March 7th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
All You Ever Wanted To Know About Condos
March 14th, 2022 – 9 am – 4 pm
MAIA: CRIS Commercial Auto, Surety, Misc Lines
April 1st, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Claim Handling 101
May 5th, 2022 – 9 am – 4 pm
MAIA: CRIS Commercial Liability Insurance for Contractors 
May 6th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
New Exposures Facing Businesses Today
June 3rd, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Ethics In Action – Not An Oxymoron
July 12th, 2022 – 9 am – 4 pm
MAIA: CRIS Contractual Risk Transfer In Construction 
July 15th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Common Personal Lines Endorsements
August 5th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Certificates of Insurance or How I Got A Job In Prison Laundry
September 9th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Personal Lines Issues
September 13th, 2022 – 9 am – 4 pm
MAIA: CRIS Property Insurance for Contractors 
October 7th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
More What NH, ME, and VT Laws Say
November 4th, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Personal Auto Issues
November 14th, 2022 – 9 am – 4 pm
MAIA: Workers Compensation for Contractors 
December 2nd, 2022 – 9 am – 12 pm
Ordinance Or Law & Other Mysteries

 

 

 

Summer 2022 Top Fire Safety Tips

The summer months raise the risk of fire and the dangers that go along with fires rise. We get our share of questions, especially from homeowners, centering around fire safety. Below we answer some of the more frequent questions we receive in the hope of keeping your summer safe.

Grilling & Propane

It’s grilling time! But please, before you spark up the grill, stay safe by wearing loose-fitting clothes; never use a grill in any type of enclosed location; if using a gas grill, check the connections on the propane tank between the fuel line and the tank; and watch where you place your lighter fluid, as a stray flame can ignite this liquid in an instant.

Smoke Detectors

Even though the warm weather diverts your attention to the outdoors, remember to test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. We suggest having at least one smoke and carbon monoxide detector on every floor, including one in an attached garage and one in your basement. The more detectors, the better…placing them in bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms, and furnace rooms makes for better coverage and means better protection for your home and family. We also suggest changing the batteries twice a year, once when you “Spring ahead” your clocks and once again when you “Fall behind” on your clocks.

Air Conditioners

House fires can also be caused by air conditioning units. During the hot summer months, air conditioners can become overworked, overheated, and easily overlooked. Regularly cleaning the filter, occasionally changing the filter, avoiding extension cords or power strips, making sure the unit is clear of any surrounding combustible material and having your conditioner checked over at least once a year by a certified HVAC technician, will help ensure that your home and your family remain safe.

Appliances & Electronics

Consider that your stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer, computer, and fan generate heat and pose a potential fire hazard. Look around these devices for loose connections, frayed wires, overtasked extension cords, and combustible material. A fire inside your home is anyone’s worst nightmare, and by simply being observant and proactive regarding your appliances, you can help avoid such a tragedy.

Fire Extinguishers

Fireproof your home by keeping fire extinguishers handy, by properly disposing of flammable material in your basement or garage, by having your furnace checked by a qualified professional, and by simply using good common sense and making good choices when it comes to candles, matches, and, once again, all electrical appliances.

Insurcomm Is Your One Point Of Contact

The bottom line is that these summer months present a wonderful and exciting time to bond with family, especially after our long New England winter! To get in touch with the Insurcomm fire team and learn more about fire damage cleanup and repair please visit our fire page. If a fire does occur please call us 24/7 at 844-424-9283.

 

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations

The following article was initially published on the CDC Website.

Please visit our cleaning and disinfection page to get in touch with us to discuss the next steps. 

Background

There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. The transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus, in general, occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for the prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.

Purpose

This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas of those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19 have visited. It is aimed at limiting the survival of novel coronavirus in key environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.

These guidelines are focused on community, non-healthcare facilities (e.g., schools, institutions of higher education, offices, daycare centers, businesses, community centers) that do and do not house persons overnight. These guidelines are not meant for cleaning staff in healthcare facilities or repatriation sites, households, or for others for whom specific guidance already exists.

Definitions

  • Community facilities (e.g., schools, daycares centers, businesses) comprise most non-healthcare settings that are visited by the general public outside of a household.
  • Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection.
  • Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.

Cleaning and Disinfection After Persons Suspected/Confirmed to Have COVID-19 Have Been in the Facility

Timing and location of cleaning and disinfection of surfaces

  • At a school, daycare center, office, or another facility that does not house people overnight:
    • It is recommended to close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize the potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
    • Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill persons, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
  • At a facility that does house people overnight:
    • Follow Interim Guidance for US Institutions of Higher Education on working with state and local health officials to isolate ill persons and provide temporary housing as needed.
    • It is recommended to close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize the potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
    • In areas where ill persons are being housed in isolation, follow Interim Guidance for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection for U.S. Households with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019. This includes focusing on cleaning and disinfecting common areas where staff/others providing services may come into contact with ill persons, but reducing cleaning and disinfection of bedrooms/bathrooms used by ill persons to as needed.
    • In areas where ill persons have visited or used, continue routine cleaning and disinfection as in this guidance.

How to Clean and Disinfect

Surfaces

  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
    • Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
    • Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
    • For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
    • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
    • Otherwise, use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims that are suitable for porous surfaces 

Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry

  • Do not shake dirty laundry; this increases the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air.
  • Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
  • Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to the guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hand Hygiene:

  • Cleaning staff should wear disposable gloves and gowns for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.
    • Gloves and gowns should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used.
    • Additional PPE might be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant products being used and whether there is a risk of a splash.
    • Gloves and gowns should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area. Be sure to clean your hands after removing gloves.
  • Gloves should be removed after cleaning a room or area occupied by ill persons. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
  • Cleaning staff should immediately report breaches in PPE (e.g., tear in gloves) or any potential exposures to their supervisor.
  • Cleaning staff and others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
  • Follow normal preventive actions while at work and home, including cleaning hands and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Additional key times to clean hands include:
      • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
      • After using the restroom
      • Before eating or preparing food
      • After contact with animals or pets
      • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g., a child)

Additional Considerations for Employers:

  • Employers should work with their local and state health departments to ensure appropriate local protocols and guidelines, such as updated/additional guidance for cleaning and disinfection, are followed, including for identification of new potential cases of COVID-19.
  • Employers should educate staff and workers performing cleaning, laundry, and trash pick-up activities to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 and provide instructions on what to do if they develop symptoms within 14 days after their last possible exposure to the virus. At a minimum, any staff should immediately notify their supervisor and the local health department if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. The health department will provide guidance on what actions need to be taken. When working with your local health department check their available hours.
  • Employers should develop policies for worker protection and provide training to all cleaning staff on-site prior to providing cleaning tasks. Training should include when to use PPE, what PPE is necessary, how to properly don (put on), use, and doff (take off) PPE, and how to properly dispose of PPE.
  • Employers must ensure workers are trained on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200external icon).
  • Employers must comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030external icon), including proper disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 1910.132external icon).

At Insurcomm, we have the experience and understand what is involved with environmental cleaning and disinfection. If you have questions we are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 844-424-9283 or our dedicated cleaning and disinfection webpage.

Asbestos Testing And Removal

What Is Asbestos?

Insurcomm Asbestos

According to the Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos is: “A mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. Asbestos is a term used to refer to six naturally occurring silicate minerals. All are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fiber is composed of many microscopic ‘fibrils’ that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes and is often transferred into a fluffy consistency.

Why Is Asbestos Used?

Asbestos fibers are strong, soft and flexible allowing the material to withstand tremendous heat, electricity, and corrosion. These qualities have made asbestos useful in building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. These qualities; however, can pose a health risk. 

Where Is Asbestos Most Often Found? 

It is more common in homes than you may realize and can appear in various locations in your home. The most common areas you should be concerned with; but not limited to, are external siding, pipe wrap, linoleum flooring, and mastic. These products remain prevalent in many homes throughout New England.

External Siding – Most; not all, asbestos-containing siding looked like cement board.  It is about one-quarter inch thick, 10” to 12” tall, and 18” to 24” wide.  You could paint it, but most homeowners previously choose to leave it in its natural grey color.  

Pipe Wrap – Pipes found in basements were wrapped in a material that had a cloth outer shell and internally it looked like corrugated cardboard which is often found to be asbestos.  This wrap came in three-foot lengths and was secured to the pipe with metal clips. When this type of wrap was used – a paste was created and applied to the corners. The pipe and this material were also normally found to be asbestos based.  There is newer pipe wrap that looks like fiberglass and is yellow or pink in color with a similar cloth exterior which in many cases is not asbestos. However, the only way to confirm the presence or absence is by way of a laboratory test to confirm.

Linoleum Flooring – Traditionally linoleum came in 9” or 12” square tiles or in large rolls.  Historically the 9” tiles are older and are more commonly asbestos-based where the 12” tiles are newer and not commonly asbestos based.  The rolled style was known to contain asbestos in the older applications and not the newer but there is no way to determine old versus new linoleum regardless of size without a laboratory test to confirm. 

Mastic – Mastic; or glue, is the adhesive used to adhere to tile or other products to the subfloor or existing floor.  It was normally black or white in color. Traditionally the black mastic contained asbestos and the white did not – but again both need to be tested.  When removing flooring you are potentially dealing with many layers as it was common in the past to not remove the old floor and to simply go over it. If the top layer of linoleum does not contain asbestos but the mastic used to adhere it to the layer below is asbestos then whatever the mastic is touching must also be removed.  This can potentially mean many layers of flooring and subflooring must be removed. 

Recognizing The Presence Of Asbestos

It is not possible to look at something and determine if it is or is not asbestos. A laboratory specializing in testing needs to be utilized to confirm its presence.

Asbestos Abatement (removal) 

Asbestos needs to be removed (abated) by trained and certified professionals for the safety of anyone working or living in close proximity to it. Prior to the removal – licenses and permits from the EPA, and your local municipality in accordance with state laws are in place.

Insurcomm Asbestos Abatement

Asbestos can be a very dangerous product if established rules and regulations are not adhered to during the removal process. To avoid any conflict of interest, a third party is hired to conduct all testing.  

Once it has been determined that the presence of this dangerous substance is present on-site, Insurcomm will file the appropriate paperwork with the state and secure the necessary permits for remediation. 

Once all paperwork and permits are in place the area will be quarantined, a cleansing station for all workers to utilize when entering and departing the area will be constructed. The establishment of a negative air system and specialized dumpsters are wrapped and put in place for all hazardous waste during the ongoing work.  Once the asbestos has been removed from the involved area and that area has been cleaned and vacuumed utilizing HEPA vacuums the third laboratory will dispatch a licensed hygienist to perform a visual inspection and also perform a third party clearance test to ensure there are no dust particulates in the air. 

At Insurcomm, we have the experience and understand that the removal of this dangerous substance involves strict adherence to an intricate procedure followed by a delicate and thorough approach toward removal. If you have questions, Insurcomm is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 844-424-9283 or online at insurcomm.com.

Additional Resources:

Your Guide to Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company – Asbestos.com