LINCOLN, Neb. — Water and time means mold isn’t far behind.
According to experts at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control mold in homes and buildings with flood waters in them need to be handled carefully. You may need to call in a professional depending on the extent of damage and your personal capabilities.
Safety First
“The first thing a home or business owner must consider is safety,” says Doug Gillespie, with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. “Re-entering your home after a flood can be quite dangerous. Then, if you can enter your home and there is mold present, it can affect your health.”
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold.
Solve your mold problem
Your next step will be to figure out if you can do the mold cleanup or if you will need a professional. For many Nebraskans, the current flooding will create a problem that is simply too big to handle without professional assistance.
If you were not able to dry your home (including furniture and other items) within 24-48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. You need to completely dry everything, clean up the mold, and make sure you don’t still have a moisture problem. Mold can appear on newly replaced-drywall if wood studs were not completely dry before installation.
Before you start cleanup activities, contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings. Remember – drying your home and removing water-damaged items is your most important step for preventing mold damage.
Mold due to floods can be extensive and may require a mold remediation professional to tackle the job. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that trained mold remediation professionals do the mold cleanup if mold growth covers as little as a 10 foot by 10 foot area.
The amount of work you can do for yourself will depend on your capabilities and you may need help with an even smaller area. Just be sure to take safety precautions when working around mold. Finding a mold remediation professional can be done by searching for ‘hiring a mold remediation professional’.
Marlboro County is no stranger to hard times. Some parts of the community are still struggling more than three years after the floods of 2015. «People still have …
Brian Thornton chips a shot on the green Tuesday, April 23, at Steamboat Golf Club, which had 20 tee times on its opening day. Leah Vann
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Golfers swung their clubs for the first time this season at Steamboat Golf Club’s opening day Tuesday, April 23.
A winter of heavy snow pushed the golf season later at the west Steamboat Springs course, which opened almost a month earlier in 2018.
“A week ago, I wouldn’t have thought we were going to open until … the weekend of the 3rd of May,” manager Jim Rapp said. “But it melted so quick, and it dried up really quick and drained real well. We moved opening day up. It’s really good because no one else is open.”
It took two weeks for a team of 13 people to get Steamboat Golf Club in playing condition, with the exception of some remnants of winter.
There’s still work to do, but the greens held up perfectly through the winter thanks to preemptive fertility treatments. Snow can cause mold damage if courses are not taken care of properly prior to winter.
There is some minor vole damage needing attention this year. Voles are small rodents that burrow in the snow for the winter. Seeding will bring new life to the vole-damaged grass in two to three weeks.
As the skies begin to clear and temperatures rise, golfers are brushing the dust off their clubs and other area courses are preparing to open.
Haymaker Golf Course is tentatively scheduled to open the week of Wednesday, May 15, with a locals appreciation week on the calendar for May 24 to 30. The annual Cobweb Classic, the first local golf tournament of the season, is May 25.
“Ninety percent of the snow is gone,” Haymaker head golf pro Cody Hasten said. “(We’re) waiting for the course to dry out, so we can get our equipment out there. Once it gets dry enough, we can start bringing out maintenance.”
Haymaker typically aims for a May 1 opening, so it’s planned opening date is two weeks later than usual.
The Sheraton’s Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course is on time, also planning to open May 15.
According to Dan Pirrallo, general manager of Sheraton Steamboat Resort, some holes are completely clear, while others remain under 20 inches of snow.
For now, locals can enjoy Steamboat Golf Club with views of Steamboat Resort in the background every time they drive a shot.
An emergency fund is a must-have safety net. CNN reported that nearly 25% of American adults had no emergency savings whatsoever. Only 29% had the recommended six months of savings tucked away. This all begs the question, “How much emergency fund do you need?”
Experts agree that you should have at least enough saved to cover six to eight months of living expenses. That means if you spend an average of $1,000 a month, you need at least $6,000 saved for an emergency. Some people might find the thought of stashing money away too difficult. But it’s possible. Keep on reading to learn about a few emergencies you should save up for.
What Would You Do If Something Happened to Your Car?
Let’s use Carson as an example. Carson needs his car for the 20-mile commute to his job. One day, all four of his tires blow out due to a pile of debris he accidentally drove over. It costs $100 to replace one tire on a standard sedan, and up to $200 for a truck. To replace all four tires, Carson will have to pay anywhere between $400 to $1,000, depending on what car he drives. Luckily, he has $3,000 saved up for emergencies like this.
Unfortunately, tires are only the beginning. Car expenses of any kind can be costly. Replacing the brakes can cost $500, while replacing the alternator costs between $400 and $600. If Carson needs a new timing belt, it’ll cost $900 to get his car running again. Like many people, Carson can’t afford to go without his car for too long. That’s why having a decent emergency fund is imperative, in the case of an unexpected expense.
Joe, on the other hand, doesn’t have any savings. Instead of paying off his car repair right away, he has to put it on his credit. Because his card charges 20% interest, it takes him eight months to pay off his auto expenses. Joe has to pay thousands of dollars more for the same work as Carson. That’s where an emergency fund comes in handy.
What Would You Do If Your Pet Needed an Unexpected Vet Visit?
Sally’s dog, Rosie, ate a few coins the kids left on the floor. The cost of removing the obstruction from Rosie’s intestines can range anywhere from $800 to $7,000. There are a few factors that impact the price, including to where Sally lives, the length of Rosie’s hospital stay and the cost of any medication Rosie needs afterward.
Having money tucked away will help Sally cover the cost of the vet bills. Even if her emergency fund does not cover the total cost of the bill, she can at least put a dent in it. Sally may still need to put a little bit on a credit card. But because it’s a lower amount, she will not accumulate as much interest.
What Would You Do If You Needed to Buy a New TV?
Every parent fears for the day their TV breaks down. Many tantrums could ensue as a result. Todd’s TV recently broke down, and he’s taking a look at a 65-inch TV that costs around $913. As he continues to research the ideal TV set, he realizes that it might not be wise to use his emergency funds for a TV. In the end, Todd decides to purchase a cheaper model.
A brand-new television may not seem like a purchase worthy of dipping into an emergency fund. But in the end, it’s up to you to decide what purchases are worth taking out of your emergency fund. An emergency for one person or family can be completely different for another.
What Would You Do If You Needed to Repair Piping in Your Home?
A new TV may be an optional purchase, but fixing major piping issues is not. For example, Holly recently discovered a leaky pipe in her basement. Fixing a single leaking pipe can cost between $150 and $350 to repair. However, this doesn’t take into account the additional damages that could occur as a result. The water damage could have already spread, and Holly might need to spend an extra $1,000 for the repairs.
It is dangerous to live in a home with water damage and mold can quickly develop. Without an emergency fund to fall back on, one could find themselves either living in a home under dangerous conditions or using a credit card to pay for repairs.
How Can You Build an Emergency Fund?
Building an emergency fund can seem daunting. However, there are simple steps anyone can take to create this fund. For starters, you can track your monthly expenses. Take a look at how much of your paycheck needs to go toward the essentials. You can then put whatever’s leftover into your emergency. Even putting $20 every paycheck into an emergency fund will help give you peace of mind over time.
In the event you do not have any money left over, considering cutting back on your spending. If you go out to restaurants often, try eating at home. You can also look into getting a side job. In addition to your 9-to-5, you can work for Uber, Postmates or another service to bring in extra income.
What Should You Do Next?
Another way to build your emergency fund is to open a savings account with the aid of Credit.com. You can get an account where you accumulate 2.25% interest annually. That means if you put $1,000 in the account, it will become $1,022.50. In five years, you will get over $100 as long as you do not touch the savings. Essentially, the bank pays you. Now that you know how much emergency fund you need, contact Credit.com.
We started our post-purchase home ownership classes last week. The topic of home maintenance came up and following are a few points that might serve as good reminders to all of us as we begin spring cleaning on the inside — don’t forget the outside as well.
How much should annual maintenance cost? While the answer varies, there are a couple of guidelines.
A newer home will not require the maintenance that a 30+ year old home will require. However, taking care of the little things will deter them from turning into big expenses down the road. Freezing temperatures, heavy rain and other Ohio weather conditions may cause additional wear on the foundations, roof and windows. Where the home is located may also affect how it drains and other environmental maintenance. For example, if it is located in the woods it may have issues with mold and mildew. The OHFA guideline for budget is about $1,500 to $3,000 per year. Another source suggests 1 percent of the purchase price of your home should be set aside for ongoing repairs or another estimate is $1 per square foot.
Following is a list of tasks that may need attention in the springtime with our homes:
• If you have a fireplace, clean it out, remove all ash and vacuum well. Remove wood from around the house.
• Have air conditioning system serviced every two or three years.
• Clean or replace air conditioning filter.
• Clean the gutters, again. Wash them to get the grime and dirt off inside and out.
• Check the ridge vents for any obstructions or evidence of pest damage. Consider adding a roof vent or whole house fan to improve cooling without much extra energy cost.
• Take pictures of any foundation problems and file them to compare in the future so you can see if the problem is progressing or needs professional attention.
• Look around the foundation for ants, termites and monitor over the summer when they may be most active.
• Check decking and stairs for damage or rot, and make necessary repairs.
• Check caulking around windows and doors to keep hot air out and cool air inside this summer.
• Look at sidewalks for necessary repairs.
• Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector and replace batteries if you forgot to do it with the time change. If detectors are more than 10 years old, replace them.
• Go through the house and make a list of things that need attention. Patch holes, paint, replace fixtures, clean out drains, fix leaks and try to attend to them.
• In the yard, trim trees and bushes so nothing touches your house.
• Once spring blooming shrubs are finished blooming, cut back to remove crossing branches and restore the shape.
• Clean and take out patio furniture.
• Check railings and steps to make sure they are clean, safe and secure.
• Check outside water source, hose and sprinkling systems to make sure they are in working condition, after ground is warm and threat of freezing has passed.
• Exterior lights need examined for working condition.
• Ensure sump pump is working properly before more spring rains. Check spouting and make sure downspouts are pointed away from the house.
While the list seems long, take it one step at a time. Your home is your investment and taking care of it today can ensure greater equity in the future!
Melinda Hill is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722.
A petition signed by over 70 former student residents claimed Mosaic Student Communities, an off-campus property management company, falsely charged students for damages and “wear and tear.” (Ling Luo/Daily Trojan)
After coming back to USC in Fall 2017 from studying abroad, senior Jack Agarwal was happy to move into an apartment on Menlo Avenue.
Agarwal and seven other students rented the property from Mosaic Student Communities, knowing that competition for housing near campus was fierce.
But by the end of the year, Agarwal, who graduated in Spring 2018 from the Marshall School of Business, was certain he would never rent from the company again.
Among numerous maintenance problems Agarwal described in an interview with the Daily Trojan, the property’s gate allegedly remained broken for two months. In that time, Agarwal’s bike was stolen, and he and his roommates could not access their car.
At the end of the year, Agarwal said Mosaic removed about $5,000 from the security deposits to the repaint the entire house. Agarwal notified Mosaic he was willing to take the company to court, but he backed down after feeling like he didn’t have a strong enough case.
Agarwal’s experience is not uncommon. Mosaic Student Communities, a property management company that markets primarily toward USC students, manages over 50 properties in the USC area.
“We care a lot about our reputation,” said George Alva, the co-owner and co-founder of Mosaic. “We care a lot about our product. We’re continuing to grow and the property management business is a challenging business.”
But a Daily Trojan investigation found that Mosaic has received numerous complaints from student residents, some of which have escalated into lawsuits. Lack of communication, failure to meet state building codes and standards and a perceived shortage of staff members have caused problem after problem for Mosaic tenants, many of whom don’t know where else to turn.
In conducting its investigation, the Daily Trojan reviewed court documents, looked over property, inspection and building records and interviewed two dozen students who have lived in Mosaic properties.
Over a dozen students said Mosaic kept their security deposits to repair damages — when instead they were used for routine maintenance projects that should have been taken on by the company itself. One student was charged $400 for a paint job.
At the same time, students said they experienced long delays in maintenance orders and repair requests. After finding black mold on their property, four students waited weeks before Mosaic addressed the issue. One student waited nearly a month before Mosaic fumigated her termite-infested house. Two students have yet to hear back from Mosaic about cockroach problems. Another student is waiting for Mosaic to address a growing moth problem.
One student had to pay out-of-pocket for her scratched car, after Mosaic said it could not be held liable for the loose roof tile that caused the damages. Courtney Jurasko, Mosaic’s senior property manager, said in an email that it was an “act of God.”
The company says it doesn’t own all of the properties it manages, making handling student complaints difficult at times. It added that it only keeps security deposits for repair purposes.
But these problems, while specific to Mosaic, represent a larger issue in an area where tight competition for housing has led to skyrocketing rents. USC guarantees student housing for incoming freshmen for a maximum of two years, and students who can’t find on-campus housing are left to settle for whatever is available in the surrounding neighborhood, often signing leases half a year in advance. But many feel that housing companies take advantage of this desperation.
“I think it’s just a repeating trend that us students are generally seen as powerless or we don’t have a lot of ability to push back against the policies or the actions of these big housing corporations,” said Sam Maracich, a senior majoring in electrical engineering who has rented from Mosaic for two years.
Slow responses
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, landlords must maintain their property and keep up with basic repairs to ensure the habitability of their residences.
But within months of moving into a Mosaic property in August, Jenna, a junior majoring in business administration and real estate finance, said she found a termite infestation that went unsolved.
“I started seeing these little grounds on the floor,” said Jenna, who asked that her last name be withheld out for fear of reprisal from Mosaic. “I called a termite inspector, and they said the house should be tented. Mosaic hasn’t done anything about that.”
Jenna reported the termites on Nov. 20 and found mold in her apartment on Dec. 11. After calling a mold inspection agency, she was told that the mold was likely due to the property’s age and poor maintenance.
According to California landlord-tenant laws, landlords must provide a written disclosure about mold hazards when they know, or have reason to know, that the mold poses a threat to the tenants’ health.
Alva said Mosaic took allegations of mold very seriously.
“[Toxic mold] can lead to serious lung infections, and often results from landlords’ neglect of pipes leaking the walls, leaky roofs and unsealed walls [that lack a protective coating],” according to California Tenant Law, a website operated by the Carlson Law Office.
When Jenna reported the issue to Jurasko, the senior property manager, she said Mosaic would address the issue immediately.
“Nothing ever happened after that phone call even though I texted, emailed, called. Nothing,” Jenna said.
Justice Schiappa, a member of cinema fraternity Delta Kappa Alpha whose house is owned by Mosaic, said Mosaic has failed to address a faulty window for two years and to provide a proper lock for the front door.
“I’ve come up to that door and it’s just been unlocked from the outside … homeless people [have] walked in,” said Schiappa, a sophomore majoring in screenwriting.
According to the California Civil Code, landlords must meet certain conditions of safety and habitability. This includes installing proper security measures and lock systems to prevent criminal activity.
“I’m trying like hell to move out because I don’t feel safe living in a Mosaic-owned property,” Schiappa said.
Montana Kanen, a senior majoring in economics, said her broken dishwasher flooded her house, leading to a cockroach infestation. But she also lived with a broken heater for a month even though, according to California law, landlords must provide “functioning plumbing, heating and electrical facilities.”
When Mosaic’s maintenance team eventually came to fix the issue, it set off the smoke detectors, which the company then removed.
According to Kanen, Mosaic did not install new smoke detectors for a month, despite a California code that requires buildings have smoke detectors at all times. The company re-installed them after the day after Kanen experienced a gas leak.
“My boyfriend walks in and he’s like, ‘Holy shit, it reeks of gas,’” Kanen said. “I call Mosaic — again, really hard to get through. They told me [to] call the gas company [because] it’s not their problem.”
Mosaic Student Communities has been named as a defendant in four California Superior Court lawsuits since 2013. (Ling Luo/Daily Trojan)
Petitioning for change
After living in a Mosaic-owned property during her senior year, USC alumna and former Daily Trojan editor Erika Lee was charged $605 from her security deposit for extra cleaning services and damage done to her room.
Lee, who said she hired a professional cleaner before she moved out and made sure that nothing in the room was broken, started an online petition after she graduated in Spring 2018. The petition said Mosaic repeatedly charged students for supposed damages and normal “wear and tear,” amassing over 70 signatures.
Alva said that for properties that are managed but not owned by Mosaic, the owners of the properties have the final say in issues regarding security deposits.
“At the end of the day, the owner needs to approve [the tenant concessions],” Alva said. “If he doesn’t improve it or she doesn’t improve it or they have issues or there’s pushback, that puts us in a difficult position because we need to deliver that message to the students.”
A month after the petition began, Mosaic responded, saying it wanted to process the charges “accurately and fairly.” Lee later announced on the petition that she received her full security deposit and has since marked the petition as resolved.
Jason Hwang, who graduated last year and commented on the petition, said he was able to ignore some of Mosaic’s issues — such as how it never addressed repairs like broken bathtubs and sinks — until the company took around 70% of his and his roommates’ over $3,000 deposit.
Hwang said he felt the company’s charges were unclear and that Mosaic failed to address problems he noticed before he moved in as well as repairs he asked for during his stay.
“[Mosaic] didn’t seem to patch up the whole place perfectly when we moved in and now that we’re moving out, suddenly [they’re] making us pay for damages that really even aren’t our fault? No one came to do a full inspection during our two years staying there,” Hwang said.
After negotiating for three months, the company eventually gave Hwang 80% of his deposit back.
In an email to the Daily Trojan, Mosaic stated that “neither Mosaic nor its clients keep or make money from security deposits.”
Legal action
Some students who’ve lived in Mosaic-owned properties have turned to the legal system to address their grievances.
Since 2013, Mosaic Student Communities has been named as a defendant in four lawsuits in California Superior Court, two of which were filed in October.
Sammi Ali, the plaintiff in one of the lawsuits against Mosaic, lived in a Mosaic property twice before suing the company Oct. 3. Ali, a graduate student studying molecular biology, lived on a property that Mosaic recently acquired. Within a month following the change in management, Ali found that Mosaic had thrown out many of his belongings, including furniture and antiques that were placed outside under a tarp.
According to Ali, none of his roommates were asked or notified by Mosaic about the removal of the belongings prior to the event.
“I explained to them, in any scenario they tried to argue, I [said] either way, you needed to give notice,” Ali said. “The fact that you just started managing the property, you’re only one month in, you should already know better than to start doing whatever you want.”
After Ali sued Mosaic Student Communities in a small claims court, Mosaic was ordered to pay $6,000 for damages.
Fatimata Sanogo, a graduate student studying epidemiology, also filed a lawsuit against Mosaic in October after her security deposit was withheld.
According to UC San Diego’s guide to landlord-tenant law, tenants can have a claim against property owners if a landlord “withholds all or some of a security deposit for damages that do not exceed normal wear and tear.”
Sanogo alleged that Mosaic overcharged her and her roommate for regular wear and tear on the apartment during her stay even though she left the property in pristine condition.
Mosaic settled the case in December for around $400 each for both her and her roommate.
When asked about the legal action, Mosaic said it was against the company’s policy to comment on previous or ongoing lawsuits.
A competitive market
Mosaic told the Daily Trojan that it has close to 15 employees and that the company has a high turnover rate. Mosaic said they had over 500 residents in 2014 and have been steadily growing since. Many students found that Jurasko was the only Mosaic staffer they interacted with, leading them to feel like the company did not have enough full-time employees to meet the needs of its tenants.
“I think the employees are overburdened. I think they’re understaffed,” Maracich said. “Courtney is managing far too many properties than she’s able to.”
But issues surrounding student housing companies aren’t exclusive to the USC community. In 2013, USA Today published a story about Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University students who did not get their security deposits back. The story quoted Gregory Nichols, a civil law attorney at Tulane University, who said some landlords target students because they don’t know how to fight back.
“In a lot of cases, students have moved away, so they are not even in town — or in state — to take a landlord to court, leaving them scot-free,” Nichols told USA Today.
Some universities have taken steps to help students find equitable off-campus housing. New York University has a list of vetted and safe student housing corporations on its website. UC Berkeley has a list of tips on how to approach security deposits and ensure students are not overcharged.
In Los Angeles, where the housing market is often complex and stressful, the University has not yet provided new tenants with guidance and resources to navigate the multitude of housing companies available. USC did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding its responsibility to provide students with help finding off-campus housing.
“At the end of the day, tenants pay the rent, they pay the mortgage, they pay all the bills,” said Mosaic co-owner Carlos Delherra. “That’s something we try to remind our employees about all the time. We see our tenants and our residents truly as business partners.”
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — A roach issue wasn’t the only problem found at Lombardi’s Pizza in Sunrise last week.
According to a state inspector, mold was falling into the ice used inside your drinks.
Lombardi’s was among nine kitchens ordered shut in South Florida last week.
Roach issues were found at the very popular Captain’s Tavern in Miami. It’s the second time Captain’s Tavern has been ordered shut due to a roach issue.
Rodent and roach issues were found at Kelly’s Cajun in the Southland Mall.
Rodent issues were also found at May’s Kitchen in Pompano Beach.
Venus Restaurant in North Miami can’t seem to get its roach issues under control. Venus was ordered shut for the third time this month.
There is even a Key West restaurant on this week’s Dirty Dining list.
Below is a list of places and some of their violations. All the places mentioned have been allowed to reopen following an ordered clean up and re-inspection.
CAPTAIN’S TAVERN 9621 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY MIAMI
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT 19 VIOLATIONS FOUND ORDERED SHUT 4/16/19 ALSO ORDERED SHUT 6/4/18
«Roach activity present as evidenced by approximately 10 +live roaches found inside the wall and around the Electrical breaker box located inside the room used to prepare appetizers inside kitchen . Observed approximately 10 + live roaches around reach in cooler gasket located inside appetizer room . Observed 10+ live roaches on the inside part of the electric box of the dish machine located in kitchen area . Observed 10+ live roaches under table located in dish machine room, observed 5+ live roaches under prep table located in kitchen area in main line.»
«Dead roaches on premises. Observed 2 dead roaches inside oven located in appetizer room.»
«Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area.»
KELLY’S CAJUN GRILL SOUTHLAND MALL 20505 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 4/19/16 20 VIOLATIONS FOUND
«Rodent activity present as evidenced by approximately 10+rodent droppings found on top of soap container located next to 3 compartment sink in kitchen area. Observed approximately 20+rodent droppings under shelving used to store bean, salt , flour and dry pasta in the kitchen area.»
«Roach activity present as evidenced by 10+ live roaches found on the rack used to store the soda boxes located next to 3 compartment sink inside kitchen area.»
«Accumulation of food debris/grease on food-contact surface. Oven interior , reach in cooler interior , microwave interior , walk in cooler shelves soiled.»
«Build-up of food debris, dust or dirt on nonfood-contact surface. Shelving around kitchen area , rolling cart , hood filters , reach in cooler gaskets.»
«Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.»
«Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of food borne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.»
«No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling.»
VENUS RESTAURANT 13785 NW 7TH AVENUE NORTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 4/17/19 9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 4/10/19 ALSO ORDERED SHUT 4/12/19
«Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 4 live roaches crawling behind a reach freezer, 2+ live roaches crawling on the top of a flour container , 4 + live roaches crawling on the wall ( all in the front line area). Also observed 2 live roaches crawling behind a reach in freezer in the kitchen area, 3 + live roach crawling on the wall in ware washing area in the kitchen, and. 3 + live roaches inside an unused reach in freezer next to 3 compartment sink in the kitchen, also observed 2 + live roaches inside a broken reach in cooler in the kitchen area. — From follow-up inspection 2019-04-12: Observed approximately 10 + live roaches crawling underneath the front counter, 2+ live roaches on the wall at the kitchen entrance, 2 + live roaches behind the freezer in the kitchen area and 1 + live roach on the wall above 3 compartment sink. **Admin Complaint** — From follow-up inspection 2019-04-17: Observed approximately 8 live roaches in the kitchen area. **Time Extended**.»
«Dead roaches on premises. Observed a dead roach inside the reach in cooler used for beverages, 3 dead roaches in the interior topside of the reach in freezer 5+ dead roaches behind reach in freezer (all in the front line area). Also observed 10 + dead roaches behind a freezer in the kitchen and approximately 8 + by the cook line in the kitchen, also observed 3+ dead roaches on shelves underneath prep table in front of the cook line. **Repeat Violation** — From follow-up inspection 2019-04-12: Observed approximately 7+ dead roaches in the front line area, 2+ dead roaches by the beverage reach in cooler and behind the freezer in the kitchen area. **Admin Complaint** — From follow-up inspection 2019-04-17: Observed approximately 6 dead roaches in kitchen area. **Time Extended**.»
LEAMINGTON HOTEL 307 NE 1ST STREET MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 4/18/19 5 VIOLATIONS FOUND
«Establishment operating after issuance of an Emergency Order of Suspension of license.»
«Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed equipment not being washed, rinsed and sanitized no three compartment sink or dish machine available. Establishment under construction.»
«Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter pack holding at room temperature (72°F — Cold Holding).»
«No three-compartment sink is provided for ware washing. At the time of the inspection observed establishment under construction. No three compartment sink.»
LA BODEGA RESTAURANT 13774 SW 88TH STREET (KENDALL DRIVE) MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 4/17/19 32 VIOLATIONS
«Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed in the kitchen on top and on the side of the dish machine: 3 live roaches crawling. Observed in the kitchen in dish ware area: 3 live roaches crawling shelf with clean pans.»
«Dead roaches on premises. Observed in the kitchen on a shelf with clean pans: 4 dead roaches. Observed on top of a dish machine: 12+ dead roaches Also observed on top of microwave in the kitchen: 6+ dead roaches.»
«Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees.»
RIVIERA COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP 3100 FLAGLER AVENUE KEY WEST
ORDERED SHUT 4/16/19 13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
«Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 8 live roaches crawling around the triple sink in the kitchen. Observed approximately 3 live roaches crawling on the wall around the triple sink in the kitchen.»
«Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. Observed 2 live flies inside of the garbage can in the kitchen.»
«Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed pest repellant stored above the triple sink.»
«Attached equipment soiled with accumulated grease, or food debris. Observed kitchen Racks Around the griddle and above the triple sink soiled with grease.»
«No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employee.»
NIKUDO JAPANESE BUFFET 18812 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY CUTLER BAY
ORDERED SHUT 4/15/19 INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT 44 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 5/29/18 ALSO ORDERED SHUT 6/14/18
«Rodent activity present as evidenced by 50 + rodent droppings found around the corners of the dry storage area where bottle drinks are stored . Also observed 20 + rodent droppings around soda station located next to cook line area.»
«Accumulation of food debris/grease on food-contact surface. Reach in cooler interior , reach in cooler shelves, oven interior , ice machine interior Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation**.»
«Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. ranch dressing (52°F — Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (51°F — Cold Holding); egg salad (51°F — Cold Holding); pasta (53°F — Cold Holding); crab salad (53°F — Cold Holding); squid salad (52°F — Cold Holding) located in front buffet area. According to owner they keep temperatures for the unit using cold water from under the unit. When the water was tested it was at 58°. crab meat (46°F — Cold Holding); raw shrimp (47°F — Cold Holding); raw beef (48°F — Cold Holding); raw chicken (49°F — Cold Holding); rice (49°F — Cold Holding); noodles (49°F — Cold Holding) located in cold station in hibachi section. raw tuna (49°F — Cold Holding); cream cheese (49°F — Cold Holding); cooked eggs (47°F — Cold Holding); imitation crab (47°F — Cold Holding)located in front counter at sushi bar. raw tuna (48°F — Cold Holding); imitation crab (48°F — Cold Holding); sauces (48°F — Cold Holding)in reach in cooler in sushi bar, ambient temperature at 50°.»
«Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee was cleaning the shelves in cook line area then proceeded to cook without washing hands.»
LOMBARDI’S PIZZA 11130 WEST OAKLAND PARK BLVD. SUNRISE
ORDERED SHUT 4/18/19 28 VIOLATIONS
«Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed — 1 live inside base of mounted can opener on prep table in front of walk-in cooler. — 3 live underneath prep table in front of walk-in cooler. — 1 live on top of prep table in front of walk-in cooler -1 live on base of blender on top of prep table in front of walk-in cooler -1 live in container holder with dressing/oils in front of cook line . -2 live inside oven -1 live on front of fryer -2 live in cover metal container with utensils under steam table. — 4 live on dishwashing racks on floor under drain board by dishwashing machine. -1 live by cashier’s station by front-line. -1 live on wall above flip top reach in cooler by pizza station. -1 live on Styrofoam carry out containers -1 live on Styrofoam bowls. -1 live on floor in front of storage rack with Styrofoam containers in front of ice machine. -1 live on shelf with clean plates in front of cook line . -2 live on floor in front of walk-in cooler. -1 live on soda gun holster by bar area. -1 inside walk-in cooler door.»
«Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed ice machine interior moldy with mold dripping directly onto drink ice.»
«Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.»
«Dead roaches on premises. Observed dead roaches with egg cases intact throughout establishment , too numerous to count, — on floor in dining room — on floor by ice machine — hallway towards kitchen — in entire kitchen area. — on top of dishwashing machine.»
«Small flying insects in bar area. Observed more than 10 flying around and landing on glasses.»
«Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.»
«Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands — food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed pizza cook touching ready to eat pizza with bare hands.»
«Interior of microwave soiled with encrusted food debris. Observed in kitchen area.»
«Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area.»
MAY’S KITCHEN 19 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY POMPANO BEACH
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT ORDERED SHUT 4/16/19 12 VIOLATIONS FOUND
«Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 10 fresh rodent dropping behind box and under air handler in closet off storeroom, 3 fresh rodent dropping behind cans at bottom of shelf in storeroom, 3 fresh dropping behind front counter cabinet under cables, 2 fresh droppings next to gap at back door.»
«Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. Observed 3 live flies in kitchen area. 2 landed on reach in freezer and 1 landed on shelf at rice cooker.»
«Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Front door is propped open. Rodent droppings and flies are observed inside establishment.»
«Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food thawed in standing water. Shrimp in standing water. Moved to sink and water turned on thaw properly.»
«Build-up of mold-like substance on nonfood-contact surface. Shelves at cook line are soiled. **Repeat Violation**.»
«Hole in or other damage to wall. Wall in disrepair at 3 compartment sink and at bathroom wall. Small hole in window frame behind front counter that connects to outside. **Repeat Violation**.»
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The Salvation Army Family Store is temporarily closed due to water damage from the last few weeks of storms. On April 20, El Dorado saw a record breaking inches of rain at 3.24 and flooding across town. The Family Store was one of the locations that saw flooding.
Capt. Jason Perdieu said none of the merchandise inside the store was damaged. However, the carpet and walls received some damage and the roof will need replaced. Perdieu isn’t sure when the store will be able to open again.
“We don’t because we have to get the roof replaced and with all the continuous rain, it’s hard for them to get up there to fix the roof,” he said. “The storms are prohibiting a lot of the progression of the work to get done.”
Work inside started Tuesday to remove carpet and start drying everything out. Perdieu said with the flooding, there’s the potential for mold growth, which means getting space blowers, drying agents and chemicals in to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“For the safety of our staff, community and customers we had to get everything from the show floor quickly so that the company could come in and take up the carpet, remove part of the walls and start that restoration process,” he said.
On Monday, the Salvation Army put out a call on it’s Facebook page asking for community members to help move merchandise from the showroom to storage areas so that the restoration crew could get started the next day.
“In El Dorado, I’ve found that if you put out the call for help El Dorado comes to take care of their own and they did that morning,” Perdieu said. “We had a number of volunteers show up to give their time and efforts to help us get that taken care of.”
Michael Shine may be reached at 870-862-6611 or mshine@eldoradonews.com. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.
OMAHA — Grain and grain bins have many safety risks under normal conditions and even more if bins have been damaged by floodwaters.
A first step for grain bin reclamation activities is to gather personal protective equipment, according to staff at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health.
“Use of respirators (dust masks) and goggles or some form of eye protection is critical,” said Aaron Yoder, associate professor in the college’s Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health.
He advises using masks certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Such masks will have an “N” rating and number identifying how much of airborne particles it will remove.
A properly used N95 mask removes at least 95 percent and there are masks at N99, and N100 efficiency levels. “An N95 mask or one that provides even greater protection is crucial for protecting you from mold and other bacteria that may be growing in wet grain or inside a compromised bin,” Yoder said.
Protective clothing for post-flood work should include long-sleeve shirts, long pants, waterproof boots — use duct tape to attach the top of a boot to the pants — and gloves rated for such hazards as sharp materials, chemicals and solvents. Kevlar gloves are cut- and abrasion-resistant, and protect against heat and cold.
Adults with asthma, other breathing conditions or compromised immune systems should not enter bins suspected of having mold damage. Children never should enter grain bins.
Insurance issues
Determine your insurance company’s policies before starting restoration work, including damage documentation requirements. Yoder said some also may want to send a representative to review damages before any work is done.
“Typically, in disasters such as Nebraska and Iowa recently experienced, organizations such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) hire extra help so they’re able to quickly assess damage,” he said, adding that there are advantages to also having bin manufacturers or engineers assess bin damage and safety issues.
Yoder said all electrical, gas and other utilities must be turned off before anyone approaches a damaged bin.
“Many times, significant hazards at the bin site aren’t easily visible. These include washouts at the bin foundation or the presence of debris that was never around the site before,” he explained. “Manufacturers and engineers who are familiar with bin equipment can more readily identify equipment issues that can occur in situations such as a flood.”
Common damages to look for include compromised caulking seals, sheared bolts and elongated holes, misaligned doors, and any shift of the bin and/or the foundation.
“There are many busted bins across Nebraska that were damaged due to swelling grain,” Yoder said. “Even if the bin hasn’t given way, look closely at bin fasteners and joints to detect potential for imminent collapse.”
Many grain issues
In addition to mold and spore inhalation, serious safety hazards include grain entrapment and undetected problems with loading, unloading and grain management equipment.
“Grain bins must be perfectly round in order for stirring devices to perform,” Yoder said. “If the bin or the stirring device is misshapen at all, it can cause many problems.”
He added that all bin inspectors must be made aware of all equipment in the bin.
No electrical or gas-powered equipment should be turned on before a bin inspector has checked it. Utility companies often provide such services.
Although elevated bins may protect grain from flood damage, their foundations may be compromised. “There’s potential for the foundation to crack and for the bin to tip over,” Yoder said, which is another reason for a bin manufacturer or installer inspections.
Each bin site must be carefully assessed to determine if stored grain can be salvaged. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has information about flood-damaged grain and hay at http://deq.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/11-023.
Grain vacuums
Yoder said grain vacuums can help with recovery, but confined entry safety practices related to working around flowing grain still must be followed, including:
— De-energize (turn off) and disconnect, lockout and tag or block off all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, especially grain-moving equipment.
— Workers can’t be inside the bin when grain is being removed.
— Prohibit any practice that has a worker walking on grain to make it flow.
— Prohibit entry onto or below a grain bridging condition or where it has built up on the side of the bin.
— Provide a body harness with a lifeline or boatswain’s chair to each worker who will enter a bin from a level at or above stored grain. Make sure the lifeline is positioned and of sufficient length to prevent a worker from sinking in grain beyond waist deep.
— Provide workers with rescue equipment, such as winch systems specifically suited for rescue from the bin.
— Station outside the bin an observer equipped to provide assistance and perform rescue operations.
— Before entering a bin, test the inside air for oxygen content and the presence of hazardous gases.
Grain vacuum safety practices:
— Make sure the vacuum has an emergency stop device.
— Make vacuum operators aware of hazardous conditions caused by clumped or spoiled grain.
— Enforce manufacturer guidelines for safe vacuum operation that include working at a shallow angle and frequently moving the vacuum intake.
— Avoid forming a cone depression in the grain. Work to keep the grain surface level and move from the outside wall inward.
Because grain vacuums are used infrequently, it’s critical to make sure they are in good repair before use. Also, review the operations manual and check all safety shields and features.
All equipment must be turned off before addressing problems, with extra caution required when working with damaged grain.
Q: Our chimney is badly stained from weather. A chimney sweep told us chemicals and power washing would not guarantee removing these stains, and a heavy power wash could even damage the brick. How can we safely remove the stains?
A: The stains could be mold, dirt, algae or soot, judging from the assessments offered by four chimney sweeps who respond to calls in the area.
“Trust me, it’s mold,” said Jim Shortley, owner of My Chimney Sweep Service in Potomac, Maryland. The remedy, he said, is to spray with a bleach-based product labeled for removing mold and mildew, wait 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse. Sometimes he also has to scrub stubborn stains using a synthetic-fiber brush. To keep from bleaching more than the chimney, he covers nearby roofing with a heavy tarp first.
Carlos Aragon, owner of Aragon Chimney Services in Derwood, Maryland, also said the stains are probably mold. He would inspect to make sure the bricks and mortar were in good condition, then use a pressure washer to remove the stains. That’s the “easiest and fastest” way to clean the exterior of a chimney, he said.
Carmine Ferraro, owner of Colonial Chimney in Germantown, Maryland, said he thinks the problem is algae and he’d use an algae-removing cleaner, “the same stuff we use on the roof,” and a pressure washer. Both Ferraro and Aragon said they would also coat the bricks with a water repellent after the cleaning to help keep the problem from recurring.
Steve Coates, owner of Chimney Masters in Germantown, said the black stains could be dirt blown off a nearby tree, soot, or a combination of soot and dirt. He would use an acidic cleaner, which bubbles up as it works and requires keen attention to safety and washing everything from the bricks on down to the ground afterward. “Dilute the hell out of things,” he said, adding that if any of the rinse water looked like it were headed to a storm drain, he would direct a hose into the runoff to ensure good dilution. Asked whether a stain that’s just dirt might come off with a gentler cleaner, he said that might work if the stains are not deeply embedded, but it’s a waste of time otherwise. “You’d be up there all day getting nothing done.”
Both Shortley and Coates warned against using a power washer, especially on old bricks. “If you power wash old brick structures, you’re going to blow the mortar out or peel off a layer of bricks,” Coates said.
At each of these companies, the cost varies depending partly on height and access, as well as whether the two sides of the chimney visible in the picture you sent are representative of the stains on the other two sides. Aragon estimated $50 to $150. Ferraro at Colonial Chimney said $200 to $500. Coates at Chimney Masters said $250 to $400. And Shortley at My Chimney Sweep Service said $200 to $1,000.
Given the different opinions, which approach makes sense? You definitely don’t want to damage the bricks or mortar while fixing a cosmetic problem, and you’re dealing with surfaces high up, where it’s hard for you to inspect. So take a cautious approach.
Spraying on a bleach-based product, waiting a few minutes and rinsing it away with water from a hose won’t hurt the bricks or mortar. Hire a chimney sweep and specify that you want the stains treated with a bleach-based cleaner first. Or, if your chimney isn’t too high and you are comfortable being on a ladder, you can do a test patch on your own. The cleaner Shortley uses, Mold Armor Instant Mold & Mildew Stain Remover, costs $5.98 for a 32-ounce bottle at Home Depot. If you want a synthetic-fiber scrub brush, which he uses, also buy the HDX Gong Scrub Brush for $6.98. Be sure to wear goggles in case the spray drifts, as well as rubber gloves and clothing that covers your skin.
Using an acidic cleaner poses more risk both to your plants and chimney. On new masonry, these cleaners are great for removing smeared mortar, but that’s not your situation. The Brick Industry Association, a trade group, warns against using unbuffered muriatic (hydrochloric) or hydrofluoric acid, and it says to always test first. That’s especially important with light-colored bricks, which you have, because they are more susceptible than dark bricks to staining from acidic cleaners.
If the person you hire insists on using a pressure washer, make sure the pressure isn’t so high that it could damage the bricks or mortar. Under the “Read & Research” section of the Brick Industry Association’s website (gobrick.com) a primer titled “Technical Notes on Brick Construction” suggests first saturating the dirty bricks and those below with water at very low pressure (less than 100 pounds per square inch). It says to apply cleaning solution with a brush or a pump sprayer with no more than 30 to 50 psi, followed by a thorough rinse at low pressure (100 to 400 psi). Never exceed 400 psi, it says.
If the stains turn out to be soot, you’ll need a cleaner up to that task. Shortley uses Rutland Brick and Stone Cleaner ($7.16 for a 16-ounce bottle from rutland.com).
Damage Mold 