Category Archives: Environment

For as long as humankind has been living in sheltered dwellings, we’ve been finding ways to stay warm through insulation. Prehistoric tribes used much the same materials for their clothing as they did for temporary dwellings, usually wool, animal skins, fur and plant products like flax, straw and reed. As people began to settle in more permanent settlements with the development of agriculture, more durable materials were used in the construction of housing, in a pre-tool era that was usually dug out earth shelters or caves, and as building technologies developed the preferred mediums leaned more to stone, woods and sun-baked mud and clay. The ancient Romans and Greeks are reported to be the first implementers of cavity walls filled with a natural fibre insulation. read more

Remediating flood damage is one of the most common property restoration tasks for a Vancouver home restoration specialist, and the better ones in town understand that certain remediation procedures involve added secondary risks to the structure. The heat generated by drying units can affect the integrity of building materials, and a pro will be expected to know how and to what extent heat levels may pose a problem.

Water damage remediation jobs are all about HAT – Humidity, Airflow and Temperature. All three factors need to be working together to achieve the best drying results. Modern high-flow drying units are very effective, but only when applied and operated by someone with the required level of know how. read more

Mildew might be the cause of most of the odours a Vancouver property restoration provider will come across, but it’s not the only one. There’s a whole host of reasons why a space can have an unpleasant smell to it, and some will come from contaminants and others will be the work of the human inhabitants of that room over time. Either way it’s not going to get much attention in the way of being a major structural or habitation concern, but it can get to the point where some people say the stink is making it darn near inhabitable. read more

It is easy to forget how important proper insulation can be for your home. It is what helps keep you comfortable and warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. Good insulation can also save you plenty of money on your monthly energy bills. Although you may not notice the problem right away, neglecting to replace your insulation when it has become damaged or ineffective will cost you money and cause you problems down the road. Always make sure to do a yearly inspection of your insulation to make sure that it is fully intact and functional. Be on the lookout for any of these warning signs, and if you notice any problems, be sure to take action quickly. Contact the professionals at Urban Environmental for quick, efficient help replacing your insulation. read more

Most people are familiar with ordinary household insulation, having seen it in attics and basements everywhere. But fewer people are familiar with what exactly insulation is made of. Most modern household insulation is made from recycled waste materials, including cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool. Another option is foam insulation, made from polystyrene or polyurethane. These different types of

insulation have different benefits and drawbacks, but are both safe, non-toxic materials that are safe for use in your home. The same cannot be said for older forms of insulation that can sometimes still be found in offices and houses throughout Vancouver. read more

If you are one of the many landlords in the Vancouver area, one of your greatest fears is damage to your home. Although we normally think of damages to do with parties or other unruly behaviour, damages from bodily fluids can also damage a property almost beyond repair. In this article, we are looking at what you should do if you become aware of a scene that is contaminated with blood and/ or bodily fluids.

1. First and foremost, you will need to contact the police. If this was not expected, the police may need to get involved and will be able to provide you with a point of contact, normally the lead investigator, going forward. If you are not the homeowner, this would be the time to call your landlord and have them to come down to the scene as well. read more

When it comes to our insulation, we generally do not pay attention unless things are going terribly. Many have prescribed rules that they follow that they believe make sense. For instance, that re-insulating your house is only necessary if the house was built before 1980. This is simply factually incorrect, and here at Urban Environmental, we want to clear a few things up. Thus, we have brought together 5 things that you need to know for when you need to re-insulate in your home.

1. Your air conditioner or furnace is running continuously. read more

Basements and other damp areas of your home can cause significant issues if left untreated. Many of us need to rely on a dehumidifier to alleviate moisture problems before they occur. With these simple tips, you can get more efficiency and effectiveness from your dehumidifier.

Empty the reservoir often

One of the most common mistakes is simple to avoid. A damp room might require that you empty your dehumidifier more often than you think. Don’t be afraid to check out the water level daily, and it’s always a good idea to empty the chamber long before it fills to the brim. It’s easier to manage, plus you don’t risk spilling that stinky wastewater on yourself. Another idea? Consider using the drain hose feature if you can easily channel the water flow into a drain. read more

With all the renovation shows on television these days and an endless stream of DIY guides online, it’s more tempting than ever to tackle home improvements yourself. Unfortunately, there are many things that are best left to the professionals when it comes to construction waste. Demolition services and environmental waste management are often seen as “nice-to-haves” from ambitious homeowners, but they are almost always a better option than tackling the problem on your own.

Mould

If you are renovating an old home, mould is almost guaranteed to present problems for you during removal. Spores from household mould can be extremely toxic and damaging to human health. Even with the proper equipment, many DIY-type will commit tragic errors in removal and disposal. Remediating mould is a professional skill that requires extensive training. If you have mould-ridden building materials, it’s a good idea to hire a trained and experienced specialist to tackle the job. read more

With the wrath of weather we have seen in the Caribbean and Southern United States, now is a great time to talk about mould. Let’s take Hurricane Harvey for instance. We all saw the widespread flooding, the issues of low lying areas and of course the wind, but one thing that the news did not talk about is the widespread mould growth in the Houston area. As soon as flooding receded, the mould started to appear. It is well known in the remediation community that mould can grow within a single 24-hour period, but how is that even possible, and more importantly, what can you do to prevent it? read more