Posts Tagged ‘mold damage’

May
7

Dwyer Group introduces the Women in the Trades Initiative and Scholarship

May 7th, 2013 by Rainbow International

The Dwyer Group introduces the Women in the Trades initiative, focused on providing financial assistance to women entering the service trade industry. This includes home service fields, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance repair, home restoration, glass installation and landscaping.

“We have 1,600 franchisees representing our brands worldwide, but fewer than 7% are owned by female sole proprietors and fewer than 4% of our front-line service professionals are women,” said The Dwyer Group CEO and Chairwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens. “We are excited to open this opportunity for women interested in trade professions to further their curiosity, expertise and experience.”

The trade industry has historically been a male-dominated career path. Often, women are unaware of the potential for success and personal fulfillment, which can be achieved by working as a trade technician. Studies have shown that females in the home are often the lead decision-makers when it comes to home maintenance. This inherent familiarity with the target audience gives a female trades expert a unique industry advantage.

“Countless women have lost good jobs and we are now recruiting them as franchisees or as front-line plumbers, electricians, grounds care experts, restoration specialists and appliance, HVAC and glass installation and repair technicians within our seven home service brands,” said Dwyer-Owens. “It makes sense to offer women interested in either changing their career paths or further pursuing their career in these industries the opportunity to become the best of the best through thorough training and education.”

The Women in the Trades Scholarship is open to women 18 and older, interested in pursuing a career in the trades. Qualified candidates who are actively pursuing a degree or certification in a trade are encouraged to apply. Candidates will be evaluated based upon financial need, previous work experience and their passion for their chosen industry. For more information and to apply: http://www.dwyergroup.com/women-in-trades.asp or email WITT@dwyergroup.com.

Mar
15

Rainbow International Celebrates Female Business Owners for Women’s History Month – Tammy Kimble Finds Success in a Male-Dominated Industry

March 15th, 2013 by Rainbow International

One hundred years ago, more than 5,000 women marched on Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the gross misrepresentation of women in our society. Today, women are heralded as the leaders of tomorrow in education, business and politics. Rainbow International celebrates March and Women’s History Month by recognizing Tammy Kimble, owner of Rainbow International of Alamance County.

Kimble has been the proud owner of Rainbow International for nearly five years, achieving both personal and professional goals. “I think every business you go into is about how you build it and the relationships you build in the process. Every business is about the communication with customers and how you represent the business. Once you start listening to your customer or client, you’ll connect with them.”

Kimble has worked in multiple areas of business, from owning a carpet cleaning business to owning a daycare center. Kimble is an entrepreneur.

“Tammy is a rising star,” Rainbow International President Rob White said. “No matter the situation, she has risen to the challenge. We are proud to have her on our team.”

Women, like Kimble, who have embraced the opportunities afforded them and overcome the obstacles, are paving the path for future generations of women to proudly walk.

“Something I would share with young ladies trying to find their way in this industry is to take on everything you can,” Kimble said. “Learn. Get in every open door you can. Take everything with you into your next experience.”

Sep
19

Minneapolis Insurance Agents Attend “Fungus Amongus” Continuing Education Class

September 19th, 2012 by Rainbow International

Local insurance agents learned about fungal remediation practices and guidelines during continuing education (CE) training by Rainbow International of Twin Cities North owned by Brian McNallan.

More than 30 people attended the class, which was taught by Ron Clawson, System Sales Manager. CE class credits are required every two years for agents to keep their licenses.

“Our presentation is designed to teach attendees about fungus and mold development, and how it affects the repair process and the health of the occupants,” Clawson said.

Clawson gave an overview on what fungus is and how to identify it, provided information on how to reduce the cost of a loss from fungi (mold) contamination that results from water damage, and discussed the latest in regulations and industry standards.

For more information about CE classes or cleaning and restoration services, contact Rainbow International at (888) 426-3533 or visit http://www.rainbowintl.com.

Aug
30

Our Experts Can Help in the Event of Water Damage from Hurricane Isaac

August 30th, 2012 by Rainbow International

If your home has experienced water damage from Hurricane Isaac, it is important that you locate a water damage repair company that is well trained and has the equipment to completely dry your home as quickly as possible.

Water damage is progressive and items that could be restored within the first 48 hours of the water damage may not be restored if emergency response is delayed. Although you might be tempted to use a shop vacuum or call a company that only has equipment to dry carpet, you should consider that water will wick up walls and travel under base molding and sill plates. It will penetrate through floor coverings into sub-floors, even causing water damage in rooms below.

In addition, if humidity inside the structure is not controlled, items that were not damaged from the original water damage could be damaged as a result of absorbing moisture from the air. Structures that are not dried out quickly and properly can become a food source for mold growth, which may require professional mold removal.

Rainbow International® Water Restoration Service Professionals are trained on current procedures, such as Rapid Structural Drying, to dry your entire structure as quickly as possible, using state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Moisture meters are used to locate moisture that may not be visible or may be hidden behind walls or cabinets, so that our Water Restoration Service Professionals can ensure that all wet materials are dry. Because we understand how important it is to react quickly in the unfortunate event of water damage, you can rely on Rainbow International to provide emergency response and quick professional service 24-hours a day.

In the event of water damage, do the following:

  • Stay calm! Call Rainbow International.
  • Turn off the breaker in the damaged area before you unplug or remove any electrical devices located on the wet carpet.
  • Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture, which is in contact with wet carpet. This might help prevent furniture stains on your carpet.
  • Lift draperies away from wet carpet.
  • Pin up upholstered furniture skirts which may get wet.
  • Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, and other items, which may stain wet carpet.

Do not attempt the following:

  • Don’t use your home vacuum, since electrical shock may result, as well as certain damage to the equipment itself.
  • Don’t place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on, since newspaper ink transfers easily to the wet carpet fibers and may result in permanent staining.
  • Don’t walk on carpet any more than necessary. This will keep the damage from spreading to unaffected areas.
Sep
30

Preparing Your Home for Fall

September 30th, 2011 by Rainbow International

“All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travelers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.” (Thomas Wolfe) 

It’s time to say goodbye to September and hello to October! While the official calendar start of fall was a week ago, to many people flipping the page to October is a more symbolic and meaningful way to get ready for this terrific time of year. Cooler temperatures, changing leaves and the promise of Halloween beckon on the whisper of soft north winds.

While you may be decorating, shopping or otherwise getting ready, have you thought about preparing your home for fall? The water, fire, smoke and mold damage cleanup and restoration professionals at Rainbow International offer these quick and easy tips to help you start preparing your home for fall.

  • Clean your gutters and seal openings around windows
  • It’s probably been months since you’ve cranked up your heater. Have a professional HVAC company inspect the system. Similarly, consider having a qualified chimneysweep check out your fireplace and chimney before lighting that first cozy fire of the season.
  • Check for dampness in areas of your home like the basement, attic and around exposed plumbing. Moisture feeds mold growth and denying it water can help ensure mold doesn’t become an issue in your home. If you have concerns or visible signs of dampness and/or mold growth, contact a qualified mold remediation specialist.
  • Depending on where you live and when your first hard freeze of the year usually strikes, it might be a good time to consider having your yard sprinkler system flushed-out.

We hope you enjoyed our tips on preparing your home for fall. Please feel free to leave a reply here, email us at blog@rainbowintl.com or comment on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Have a terrific October!

Sep
26

Rainbow International Welcomes Five New Franchise Owners In September

September 26th, 2011 by Rainbow International

Rainbow International welcomes five new franchise owners to business training at the home office in Waco, Texas!

We’re joined by new franchise owners Bob Cullen (Carmichael, California), David Crow (Champaign, Illinois), Brent Arthaud (Worcester, Massachusetts), John DeVito (Katonah, New York) and Ben Berringer (Portland, Maine).

Welcome to the Rainbow International network of water, fire, smoke and mold damage cleanup and restoration professionals!

Sep
22

Rainbow International Hosts IICRC WRT Training Class

September 22nd, 2011 by Rainbow International

Rainbow International is excited to host an IICRC certification course this week.

Eight franchise owners and service professionals are enrolled in the IICRC WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) class.

These individuals represent seven (7) separate locations across five (5) states in the rapidly growing Rainbow International network of water, fire, smoke and mold damage cleanup and restoration professionals.

States represented include Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine and Texas.

Rainbow International is a strong proponent of continuing education for our growing network of water, fire, smoke and mold damage cleanup and restoration professionals. Classes are offered regularly throughout the year to help ensure knowledge of and adherence to new laws regulating the restoration industry. These classes also share best practice information on new technology, processes and procedures.

Sep
14

Rainbow International Hosts Two IICRC Certification Classes

September 14th, 2011 by Rainbow International

Rainbow International is excited to host two IICRC certification courses this week.

Twelve franchise owners, business development associates and service professionals are enrolled in the Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) IICRC certification course. An additional twelve franchise owners, business development associates and service professionals are enrolled in the Odor Control Technician (OCT) IICRC certification course.

States represented include Tennessee, Illinois, Georgia, New York, California and Texas.

Rainbow International is a strong proponent of continuing education for our growing network of water, fire, smoke and mold damage cleanup and restoration professionals. Classes are offered regularly throughout the year to help ensure knowledge of and adherence to new laws regulating the restoration industry. These classes also share best practice information on new technology, processes and procedures.

Sep
9

Rainbow International President Rob White Featured in New Issue of “Franchise Canada” Magazine

September 9th, 2011 by Rainbow International

Rainbow International President Rob White is featured in the September/October 2011 issue of Franchise Canada Magazine. Check out his story as he details the journey from working in the corporate world, to small business ownership via franchising, to earning the president’s role.

Check out the article linked below. Enter 86 in the page number box to go straight to the story about Rob.

http://www.cfa.ca/Books/FranchiseCanadaDigital.html

Sep
1

Happy September!

September 1st, 2011 by Rainbow International

Can you believe it’s September? The year has really flown by. It must be the brutal summer heat most of the nation (and especially Texas) has endured.

While it’s still burning up outside, this time of year allows us time to pause and give a little early extra thanks to our customers. To the homeowners, business owners, property managers and insurance professionals that honor us with their trust: thank you.

What Rainbow International does helping families and business owners recover from water, fire, smoke and mold damage makes a real difference in peoples’ lives. We impact people in positive ways and start a cycle of goodwill and customer satisfaction that leads to long-term relationships.

As the calendar turns and we enter the last few months of 2011, remember the importance of pausing to breathe, focus and appreciate all the blessings around you that really count … family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones. When you stop to think about it, our blessings are innumerable.

The growing and dynamic Rainbow International team across the United States and Canada counts every customer amongst those blessings. Thank you for your trust, Happy September and enjoy the (unofficial) start of autumn!