We have listed the top ten reasons to consider using a Duro-Last Roof. Created in 1978 by John Burt, Duro-Last has been considered the ‘World’s Best Roof.’ As we entered the 21st century, to this day, Duro-Last remains one of the most popular roofing to use for buildings. Here, we will tell you the top ten reasons why you should consider buying Duro-Last Roofing.

• No disruption during business hours. When installing Duro-Last Roofing System, it will not interrupt your business flow during business hours. Large and loud machinery is not required to install the roof, therefore is will not disturb your customers. They might not even realize that there is a roof being installed.
• It can be installed during year-round with no messy clean-ups. All Duro-Last roofing is pre-measured and pre-cut with all accessories included so the job can be done quickly. Since there are no messy materials to use, customers and employees will not be exposed to any dangerous vapors or potential fire hazards during the installation.
• Duro-Last is Fire Resistant. Its polymer thermoplastic coating will not burn. It is regularly rated effective against light to severe fire exposure. In other words, Duro-Last will stay strong even during harsh and unexpected conditions.
• Energy Efficient. Because of its reflective qualities, you can save money on energy costs because of the roofing system. Duro-Last’s white membrane reflects up to 83% of the sun’s energy, which can save you money to use on other home improvements.
• Wind Resistant. Duro-Last’s membrane has been successfully tested by Factory Mutual Research Corp. to withstand 140 mph winds. Duro-Last will protect the building from even the most inclement weather conditions.
• Leak-Proof. Duro-Last is classified as a CPA and is a proprietary thermoplastic formulation that consists of resins and plasticizers, stablizers, biocides, flame retardant and U.V. absorbents. It is also laminated to a weft insertion knitted scrim produced by overstitching on a non-woven web to make the roofing leaf-proof.
• Comes With a 15-20 Year Prorated Warranty. Even with the commitment to provide high quality products, Duro-Last comes with protection for up to 15-20 years warranty (15 years for material and labor, 20 years to protect non-residential buildings and their contents if damaged because of failure of the Duro-Last Roofing System.)
• Maintenance-Free. Once installed, Duro-Last is continually watertight and virtually maintenance-free. It is non-curing in order to provide perfect welding ability for the entire life of the system. It is unlikely that an alteration is needed since it can be fixed with heat welding a new Duro-Last membrane or accessory to an already existing membrane.
• Installation by Professionals. Duro-Last should only be installed by authorized Duro-Last dealer/contractors who have experience and training on how to use this system.
• Successfully Inspected by Duro-Last Quality Assurance Specialists. Duro-Last operates under strict codes of principals and standards. Every Duro-Last roofing system must get a final inspection by a Duro-Last quality assurance specialist to pass the test for quality of craftsmanship.

Since 1978, Duro-Last has been America’s leading roofing for contractors for every building project. They say that Duro-Last Custom Fabricated Roofing System is created with the highest quality standards, which is why they said Duro-Last is the ‘World’s Best Roof.’

Why should you should Duro-Last?

Duro-Last Roofing uses factory prefabrication to give a quality-assured product by producing 80-85% of the seaming in an controlled environment, which can reduce the liability of all involved parties. Those using this product will have a peace of mind knowing only 15-20% of the seaming is done in the field. Duro-Last is also is made into large sheets from up to 2,500 sq. feet and up to 100 feet in length. This prefabrication reduces field seaming and installation time!

Duro-Last is classified s a co-polymer alloy and is a proprietary thermoplastic formulation that consists of resins and plasticizers, stabilizers, biocides, flame-retardants, and U.V. absorbents. It is laminated to a weft insertion knitted scrim that is available in white, tan or gray. Below, we have listed facts and reasons why you should consider using Duro-Last and you will surely find out why Duro-Last is considered the leading roofing material

• Duro-Last since it is published with 15 to 20 year warranties to give buyers and owners maximum protection.
• Installing Duro-Last is clean and safe to use. It contains no messy or hazardous materials, nor any noxious or offensive vapors.
• It is also good for installing during the coldest temperatures, so you won’t have to postpone construction.
• Duro-Last has met or exceeded all major fire and wind code requirements as well as regional approvals necessary throughout the country. Its design can provide consistent watertight integrity you expect.
  
• Duro-Last has a nationwide network of 1,800 dealer/contractors, plus over 600 manufacturing/corporate employees and sales representatives that with their combined efforts, ensures Duro-Last’s tradition of producing excellent products and services continue to do well into the 21st century.

Asbestos Disposal: Handling Asbestos Disposal the Mazzei Group Way

We at the Mazzei Group know that the potential dangers associated with asbestos disposal are a serious matter. Mainstream use of asbestos in the construction of buildings began in the 19th Century. Asbestos materials were commonly used for their average tensile strength, absorptive capabilities, and their relatively high resistance to heat, electrical or chemical damage. And for that reason many builders incorporated asbestos into materials such as pipe and ceiling insulation, as well as drywall, roofing, and flooring.

In dormant form, asbestos imposes no impending threats to your health. However, when that asbestos is disturbed for any reason, fibers from asbestos can be released into the air and the inhalation of such fibers can pose serious health risks. Among the ailments associated with prolonged asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos lung cancer, and any other form of “asbestos cancer”-causing diseases, pose formidable risks to your well-being. Therefore, removal of asbestos is necessary and pivotal – and the manner in which asbestos disposal is executed is crucial. Asbestos removal alone is pointless if not properly handled to abate the release of asbestos fibers into the air.

The Mazzei Group is a duly licensed company with a specialized knowledge and expertise in asbestos and asbestos disposal. The Mazzei Group is certified by the NYC DEP and the NYS DOL to both assess the extent of any asbestos related hazards and perform any asbestos disposal warranted. While it may be true that when in good shape and if left alone asbestos can serve its intended purpose and pose no real threat to a person’s health, should that asbestos become decrepit or begin to deteriorate, the risk of inhalation and sickness increases exponentially. That is precisely why asbestos assessment and abatement must be left to professionally trained asbestos removal technicians. At the Mazzei Group our dedication to excellence and attention to detail allow us to ensure that asbestos will not pose a problem for you at home, at the office, or anywhere else.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

Crime Scene Cleanup

Crime scene cleanup is available for Staten Island and Tri State area residents via the Mazzei Group. Yes, when the unthinkable happens, the staff of The Mazzei Group Environmental Projects Division are here to respond. Your physical as well as your mental health is our primary concern and we are dedicated to the recovery of all accident, crime, trauma and bio-hazardous cleanups. Anything from suicides, homicides, hoarder cleanouts, sewage back flows, microbial contamination issues such as Norwalk Virus, MRSA, Legionella, H1N1, C-diff and many more.

Our technicians are available to respond 24/7 for crime scenes, death, and blood clean ups in the Tri-State area.Unfortunately, in the after-math of tragedies and criminal activities there is a scene that must be cleaned. That is where the dedicated staff of The Mazzei Group Environmental Services Division enters to offer their unique services.

Typical Crime Scene Environments: A Visual

To truly appreciate the cleaning process and what The Mazzei Group EPD is willing to do for you, it pays to first acknowledge the appearance of the typical crime scene. Crime scenes that require specialized kind service are ones that typically involve a homicide or other type of criminal activity. Sadly, an example of such a sight would be a murder crime scene. To that end, death scene cleanup usually entails disposing of a great deal of biological matter. Therefore, for the safety of both you and our trauma scene cleaners, The Mazzei Group EPD ensures that the appropriate crime scene cleanup supplies and protective gear are utilized at all times, during the cleaning process.

Crime Scene Cleanup Supplies: What is Used for Crime Scene Cleanup?

The crime scene cleanup supplies used by crime scene cleaners is basically standard but also, very comprehensive. For personal protection, the crime scene cleaner uses a one use body suit, gloves, a respirator (to avoid inhaling possibly air-born contagions), and chemical spill boots. As far as containers to transport matter from the scene, fifty-five gallon bags and hard plastic containers are staples in the crime scene cleaners’ arsenal. The crime scene cleaner also employs the tools of any skilled porter, including mops, buckets, spray bottles, sponges, brushes, and tools of that nature.

The more unique tools of the trade are ozone machines to purify the air by eliminating odors; foggers, used to thicken cleaners to ensure that the cleaners fully permeate the areas needed to be cleaned, and enzyme solvent, used to both liquefy blood and kill bacteria and viruses that might be present at the scene. However, quite possibly the most unique tools of the trade are a truck-mounted steam-injection machine used to liquefy biological matter that cannot be removed in its dry form, and a chemical treatment tank, employed to disinfect and store matter that is essentially vacuumed up at the scene).

Finally, our intuitive crime scene cleaners use some conventional supplies of other trades in some unconventional ways in order to guarantee that the site is cleaned thoroughly so you and your loved ones can resume your normal routines and move forward with your lives. It is our mission to utilize whatever means necessary to make the transition back to your day-to-day life as easy as possible.

Armed with all these tools, our crime scene cleaners will arrive at the scene, which at that point should have already been processed by the police and other crime scene specialists, and complete the task of crime scene cleanup as quickly and discretely possible. From this point, depending on the type of scene, our crime scene cleaner uses the appropriate tools to clean the scene. Any given crime scene can take up to forty (40) hours to clean. Homicide crime scenes usually involve a great deal of blood and various solvents must be used to not only to ensure that the matter is removed not only topically, but also to ensure that any remaining matter doesn’t get left behind that may cause mold. However, nomatter what the situation The Mazzei Group possesses the skill and compassion necessary to ensure the job is handled appropriately

The Mazzei Group EPD will ensure that your  Staten Island and Tri – State area crime scene cleanup is thoroughly done with compassion. We specialize in the confidential cleanup of homicide, suicide, natural death, accidents, crimes and other trauma and biologically hazardous scenes that occur in residential, commercial, and industrial locations. Your safety and your physical, as well as mental, health are our primary concerns, and all our services are performed discreetly in order to respect your privacy. We are a fully-licensed and insured company providing our services in tri-state area. Our highly-skilled personnel are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to attend to all of your specific needs.

When tragedy strikes, the last thing you should have to worry about is the cleaning process. Let us handle that for you, so you can attend to more important matters.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

Getting Rid of Mold requires knowledge of what mold is, where it exists, how to detect it, why it proliferates and the consequences of living with it. Then we can properly dispose of it so we can enjoy healthy indoor living. There are many myths related to mold some created by suppliers of mold products & contractors that want your money. When unsure of mold facts go to Centers for Disease control and prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/mold.

What is mold: Mold is an essential component to our ecosystem that provides decomposition of many organic substances necessary to plant, animal and human life. Mold multiplies by producing spores which circulate in the air. When the spore contacts a moist surface it clings to it and mold develops. In an indoor environment, airborne mold spores can cause health problems to the occupants. Air quality is a key factor to healthy living, and often when houses are sealed for temperature control, the lack of ventilation can cause a build up of humidity and serious air quality problems, especially if mold is present.

Where it Exists: Toxic mold commonly occurs in damp, humid areas of the house including behind walls and appliances. Toxic mold types such as Stachybotrys, cladosporium, aspergillus, memnoniella, acremonium, and black mold are the most dangerous. They cause allergies and sicknesses that can be life-threatening.

How to detect it: No need to test for mold if you smell it or see it. Mold testing is a safety measure that you can take to ensure that indoor air is safe if someone is mysteriously sick in your home and you cannot figure out why. . Any building in which people spend a significant amount of time such as homes, offices, schools and churches can be tested for mold problems to avoid mold-related illnesses.

How it proliferates: Opportunistic environments for mold to proliferate seen during actual inspections include:
1.) Over insulated houses where fresh air sources are covered.
2.) Attics with gable vents covered over.
3.) Under ventilated homes. Yes, houses are supposed to breathe.
4.) Previous/current water damage in attics, basements, crawlspaces, plumbing.
5.) Clothes dryers vented inside a home.
6.) Under insulated homes. Moisture from heat ends up in the attic.
7.) Lack of proper vapor barrier, insulation, or ventilation in crawlspaces.
8.) Interior exhaust fans, usually bathrooms venting into the attic.
9.) Improper exterior grading. Lack of proper rain gutters and downspouts provide hydrostatic pressure and moisture intrusion into basements over time.
10.) Wet basements/crawlspaces without proper means (sump pump) to extricate the water source.
11.) Wood to ground soil contact.
12.) Lack of proper exhaust venting in bathrooms/laundry areas.
13.) Lack of maintenance of exterior siding, especially North facing exteriors.
14.) Poorly maintained forced hot air/central a/c systems.

Generally, with a lack of ventilation and exposure to moisture, susceptible areas can develop widespread mold within days. It’s not just the “toxic” type of black mold, stachybotrys that needs to be addressed in these situations, but ANY type of mold in excess is not a welcome occupant in any house or workplace.

Consequences if living with it: Every home has some sort of mold in it, some good, some bad, some welcomed. Most not. It is especially important to understand that mold is not only a potential environmental hazard to the occupants for example health issues: fatigue, headache, flu-like symptoms, but has destructive elements leading to the eventual breakdown of anything made of cellulose to include wood, paper wrapped drywall, etc.

Indoor mold can make you really sick. Mold in your home releases tiny spores to reproduce, which contaminate the air we breathe. What is even worse is that mold-related illnesses are often misdiagnosed because those suffering are not even aware that they have a mold problem.

How to get rid of Mold: Once identified and cultured, remediation to include ventilation, cleanup, or removal of the affected areas must be performed.

The key to removing Mold is moisture control. If you do not eliminate or control the moisture in your home or office Mold will remain or return.

The first thing we do when we arrive at a home that has mold is to determine the possible sources of moisture, then we recommend had to eliminate the moisture. This is why you should use a Mold Contractor that understands construction building repair.

The Mazzei Group construction, a licensed General Contractor removes mold and repairs the damaged caused by that removal.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

Say Good Bye to Bed Bugs

It can happen to anyone. Bed Bugs are not a sign of a dirty house, so do not be so hard on your self. I tell my clients to look at bedbug infestation as an opportunity to clear excess clutter out of your life and simplify. Bed Bugs can be considered a cultural problem in the US because we have accumulated so much stuff and bed bugs travel & hide in your stuff. Along with the economic downturn and credit crunch, perhaps we can use this as an opportunity to focus less on material items and more on quality of relationships and life. A fact is that the less you have in your house, the easier it is to detect and exterminate bed bugs. Some of the procedures followed here will also assist in control of rodents and other insects and will cut down on allergens in your home. First I will tell you how to avoid them and exterminate them. Afterwards is who they are, what they look like, where they come from, information about their bites and home remedies to help your bites.

This is a mini bed bug manifest. If you do not want to become an expert in bed bugs and just want them exterminated or your do it yourself bedbug extermination failed call us at 347 723 1825 and we will provide you with a proposal for elimination. Severe infestations are best handled by a professional. Our environmental commercial abatement & janitorial division services provides Extermination, Lead Abatement, Asbestos Abatement, Mold Remediation, Flood & Fire Restoration, Air Quality testing and Janitorial to include carpet, fabric and cleaning of hardwood & tile flooring. We are licensed by US EPA, NYC DEP, and NYS DOL and serve residences & commercial buildings in the tri state area.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Before spraying your home with harmful insecticides, especially if you have kids, try the US EPA approach called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common sense practices. Today we also call this a Green practice. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests, which you will find below and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage bed bug infestation and damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. IPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls.

Important items in bed bug extermination are prevention, knowledge and early detection. Once a bed bugs or several bed bugs come into your home it can take several weeks before they start multiplying exponentially. Once they start multiplying exponentially they will harbor in many more, harder to exterminate places. Be conscious of bites, fecal spots on sheets and your neighbor’s cleanliness. Bed bugs will come through the electrical outlets and moldings, so if you live or work in an attached house, apartment commercial building you can get infested from your neighbors.

Bed Bug Prevention: It is important to carefully inspect clothing and baggage of travelers, and may I stress being on the lookout for bed bugs and their tell tale fecal spots. Also, inspect secondhand beds, bedding, and furniture brought into the house. Repetition of process below is important because bed bugs can live for one year without a blood source. In addition the initial process must be repeated every 10 days for 3 times because of the life cycle.

Inspection: The entire room or house should be searched and inspected frequently for indications of bed bugs infestation. Use a good flashlight and check the bed mattresses especially the tucks & along the seams. Bed Bugs often hide in mattresses but they can also harbor in furniture, behind wall coverings, bed frames, mouldings, cracks in walls and floors and behind pictures/paintings. They will crawl and nest inside tiny crevices anywhere indoors, as long as there is a source of human blood. Bed bugs are typically nocturnal insects, they come out to feed at night normally between 2am and dawn when all the lights are out. If you think you have them set the clock for 4am and turn on the lights. There is a good chance they will be walking on your sheets and mattress if present. Change over to light color sheets if you have dark sheets so you can detect them and their fecal spots. Small reddish or brownish fecal spots on one’s linens are often the first sign of bed bugs. These spots are the bed bug’s droppings. Another sign is swelling where you’ve been bitten. Bed bugs hide in the tack strips of the carpets. Carpets hold dust, molds and many other indoor pollutants. If you have them or plan to install them, you must maintain a regularly schedule carpet cleaning schedule by a professional. In General they can be bad for your health especially if not maintained and cleaned properly. It is best to install and maintain hard surfaces in your house to include nail down hardwood flooring and tile.

Sanitation & Cleaning: Good sanitation and hygiene habits will help prevent the infestation of bed bugs, but it might not eliminate them. Sanitation measures include frequently vacuuming the mattress and premises to include the inside of draws & closets, outside of furniture, floors & mouldings. Laundering bedding and clothing in hot water and drying on a high heat setting. Wiping down all hard surfaces with Rubbing Alcohol. Bleach is good to kill bed bugs but toxic to humans especially if used incorrectly. After vacuuming, immediately place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag, seal tightly, and discard in a container outdoors. This prevents captured bed bugs from escaping into the home. A stiff brush can be used to scrub the mattress seams to dislodge bed bugs and eggs. Since many of our clients have expensive mattresses we clean and covered them with an allergy or bed bug cover. Discarding the mattress is another option, although a new mattress can quickly become infested if bed bugs are still on the premises. Steam cleaning of mattresses generally is not recommended because it is difficult to get rid of excess moisture, which can lead to problems with mold, mildew, house dust mites, etc. Applying pesticides on mattresses is a bad idea because you can poison yourself or your family. After completing the cleaning process be sure the bed is moved away from any walls so that it does not make contact with them. Coating the bed legs with Vaseline for 3 to 5 inches stops bed bugs from crawling up into the bed. Keep the bed covers, blankets and clothes off of the floor. Bed bugs infested bedding materials and cloths will need to be thoroughly cleaned. Wash them in hot water and dry in the dyer on a hot setting or take them to a laundry mat if you don’t want to bed bugs in your washer and dryer. But never use insecticides on materials that would come in contact with your body. Also, if you have pets, be sure to understand the possible affects chemicals may have on them.

Construction: Chaulk cracks at the base of mouldings, plaster cracks in the walls, glue down loose ends of wallpaper or remove it. Taking apart furniture is advised so you get at the source of the bed bugs infestation. Doing this in a garage or outdoors is preferred if possible. In many case if there is major infestation, we discard the box spring and build a temporary one out a melamine until the bed bugs are gone. We like to use Melamine because it is a white plastic like material and if bed bugs return they are easy to iidentify.

Green Extermination: Takes lots of work and it is the safest for your and your families health. Perform the Sanitation & cleaning listed above three times ten days apart. Apply Petroleum Jelly on bed legs and at the top of moldings. Apply Diatomaceous Earth on perimeter of baseboards & spot treat infestation areas with non residual Pyrethrin, a natural insecticides found in daisy-like Chrysanthemum flowers grown and harvested in Kenya, Africa and Austrailia.

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol kills bed bugs on-contact. Find the surfaces bed bugs inhabit, including crevices and harborages. Mix the isopropyl alcohol at a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle with water. Liberally spray the surfaces and crevices and allow to dry naturally. Less water is recommended for smaller areas or areas sensitive to water.

A residential dryer can be effective for killing bed bugs on clothing, bedding materials, stuffed animals, shoes or any other soft articles which are “dryer-safe.” When using the dryer, operate using small to medium size loads and run the dryer on high for at least 15 minutes. Remove the items immediately and seal them in a plastic bag for 24 hours. This will ensure that you kill all of the bed bugs. Important: Please use your own dryer. Do not take the items to a laundromat or community dryer units. It is important to contain the infestations, and traveling with the items will only help spread the bed bugs and contaminate the other locations.

We are now using extreme heat & extreme cold to kill bed bugs. It’s safer and more effective than many of the chemicals traditionally used. We also use steam cleaning for any hard surfaces infested with bed bugs. The proper equipment will heat unpressurized water to above 220-degrees. We spray the infested surfaces with the steam, completely saturating the areas. We than speed dry the surfaces to avoid damage or mold infestation to furniture or other articles.

Extermination with insecticides: Insecticides are not recommended for do it yourself use. Never bomb or fog room because the bed bugs will scatter increasing the territory they claim. Spot extermination based on inspection is best.

Who they are ?
Bedbugs are most often found in hotels, hostels, shelters, and apartment complexes where lots of people come and go. Because bedbugs hide in small crevices, they can hitch a ride into your home on luggage, pets, furniture, clothing, boxes, and other objects. Bedbugs are found worldwide, but are most common in developing countries. Once rare in North America, they are on the rise due, in part, to increases in international travel. The Bed Bug is a persistent little creature. Bed Bugs are more of a nuisance than a health hazard. There is no proof that they spread disease.

Most people find bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) a most disagreeable houseguest. These parasites are usually no more than ¼ inch in length in their adult state and can engorge themselves with human blood in less than 15 minutes causing their bodies to fill to as much as three times its usual size. Fully engorged bed bugs bear little resemblance to their original state and are often thought to be a different insect altogether.
Bed bugs can lay between one and five eggs per day with an incubation period of 10 days in warm weather (slightly longer when cool). These newly hatched bed bugs will require five significant blood feedings to reach adult size. They will molt in between feedings by shedding their exoskeleton. One mature they will begin the process of laying new eggs.

Adult female bedbugs can lay more than 5 eggs per day during their lifetime and the new generation of bed bugs will immediately seek a blood meal and they might be looking at you through hungry compound eyes. When they are finished eating they leave tiny sores to remind you of their midnight binge.
Bed bugs feed on the blood of human beings but can suck blood from other animals as well. Birds and mice are the most common animals. Bed bugs most often feed at nightime when people are asleep. When they feed, they inject a salivary secretion into the wound to prevent coagulation. The fluid can cause a person’s skin to itch and even become swollen. Scratching can cause sores which often become infected. Bed bugs are not known to transmit any human blood-borne pathogens.

An adult bed bug is about 1/5-inch long, oval in shape and flat. They’re generally brown except after sucking blood. Their body then becomes swollen and the color changes to a dark red. Bed bugs like to hide in the cracks and electrical outlets in walls, behind wallpaper, base boards and picture frames, between beds and around the creases of mattresses and in bedding materials. They have a rather pungent odor which is caused by an oil-like liquid they emit. Bed bugs are often carried into houses by clothes, luggage, furniture, and bedding. Or sometimes even by humans.

Bed bugs seek harborage in cracks and crevices. Common harborages in hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins include: folds & creases in bed linens, seams, tufts & under buttons on mattresses, in drapery pleats & hems, beneath loose wallpaper, in headboards, desks, entertainment centers and nightstands, behind base molding in wall-mounted artwork, etc.

Using a flashlight carefully inspect for bed bugs. Search for crawling insects, blood spots, and excrement and/or cast skins. Confirm that suspected insects are bedbugs prior to treatment. Make efficient use of your time by combining inspection with vacuum cleaning. Use a canister vacuum with crevice attachment. Remove mounted artwork from walls. Inspect backside of artwork. Working in conjunction with vacuum tool, brush and vacuum crevices to remove loose dust from artwork and mounting hardware. Using a brush in conjunction with vacuum’s crevice tool to remove dust, cast skin cases loose and bed bugs from cracks and crevices.

Bed Bug Bites ?
The words “bed bugs” are enough to send most of us running with skin all a quiver at the thought of little blood-sucking creatures crawling all over us as we sleep. These little bugs are pests, to be sure, and they can be difficult to get rid of once they have decided to make your house their home, hiding during the daylight hours in cracks and crevasses where they are almost impossible to excise. Because of this, you may not realize right away that bed bugs are the source of the annoying sores on your legs when you wake up in the mornings. Bed bugs are attracted by both warmth and the presence of carbon dioxide, which is what we exhale in breathing. The bugs climb up onto your skin and pierce you with two hollow tubes, one of which injects anti-coagulants and anesthetics. The other tube is used to withdraw your blood, feeding for about five minutes before returning to their hiding places.

There may be a cluster of bites instead of singular ones when you awake, and this is typically caused by disturbing the bugs while they feed, causing them to detach and return to feed momentarily. A well fed bedbug can live anywhere from four to six months, while a dormant one might live without feeding for up to 18 months. The bites can be found just about anywhere on your body, with exposed bits of skin being the preferred feeding ground for the bugs, making your face a target along with arms and legs. The bits cannot be felt at first, but as the anesthetics wear off and the skin begins to react to the injections, the bites can make themselves felt minutes or even hours after the bedbugs have returned to hiding.

If you have bedbugs, your infestation can get worse very quickly since a female bedbug can lay up to five eggs per day, and up to around 500 eggs in her lifetime. Since it takes only five weeks for hatched nymphs to grow to maturity, your problems could expand exponentially within a relatively short period of time, and infestations can be hard to control.

Beg Bug Bites Treatment
We recommend calling your doctor, especially if you see suspect your bites are infected. If you’re not sure, call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately!
Suggestions for home treatment-
Step 1: Wash skin with soap and hot water.
Step 2: Liberally apply an anesthetic cream or lotion
Step 3: Apply ice to avoid swelling/welting
Repeat every 6-8 hours until symptoms subside.

The History of Bed Bugs ?

Bed bugs have been around for centuries. Documentation reaching as far back as the 17th century has told about infestations of bed bugs. In the United States, bed bugs were very common until about World War II. With the introduction of such pesticides as DDT, a great decrease in infestations occurred. It was not until the last decade that reported cases gave an indication of a possible rise in bed bug infestations.

Authorities believe that the rise in reports can be attributed to the extermination tactics of pest control today. Today, many pest control experts use baiting tactics for in home infestations of such things as ants, roaches, and spiders. These baiting tactics work well for their intended subjects, but since bed bugs are blood feeders, they do not fall for the baiting tricks used. This change in exterminating technique has contributed to the rise in reported bed bug infestations.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

In a time where Americans are becoming more conscious of both their environment and wallets, the idea of a dual flush toilet is nothing short of revolutionary. This cutting edge advancement in toilet technology allows a user to choose between different types of flushes. When one needs to dispose of liquid waste, the toilet has a specific flush function which uses less water for liquid waste than it would for solid waste.

Dual flush toilets may be another defining moment in the development of the American john: the introduction of environmental conservation to the process of elimination. Interest in low flow and dual flush toilets is on the rise in the United States, due in part to increased government regulation and the rising cost of water, and there are incentives for making changes in the way we use the commode. In the next sections, we’ll see why change may be a good thing, learn more about the specifics of the dual flush and find out how government and business are coming together to help America flush responsibly. (Via HowStuffWorks.com)

The other prominent benefit of a dual flush toilet system is that it can help cut down the water bill significantly. Installing a dual flush uses 67% less water than the ordinary toilet, which would translate to considerable savings on your monthly water bill.

If you’re interested in having a dual flush toilet installed for either environmental or financial concerns the Mazzei Group can install a brand new dual flush toilet system. If a new toilet is not in your budget we could also convert your standard flush toilet into a dual flush.

Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that renovations and repairs of pre-1978 housing must now be conducted using safe practices to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to lead-based paint. Almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Adults exposed to lead hazards can suffer from high blood pressure and headaches. Children under six years old are most at risk.

The lead-safe program will protect children and families from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation and repair activities in houses built before 1978. This rule requires contractors to follow some simple and effective lead-safe work practices to prevent children’s exposure to dangerous levels of lead. Lead poisoning is completely preventable.

EPA proposed the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which requires contractors to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices and starting implementing it on April 23, 2010.
When we renovate a home built prior to 1978, we assume there is Lead and renovate in a safe manner to prevent Lead dust from being released in the air and from settling on all surfaces in the household. If Lead settles in the household, children get it on their hands and lick their hands causing Lead to get into their blood. Most people are unaware that Lead has a sweet taste.

Always use a contractor trained and certified in lead-safe work practices and request a copy of their certificate. The entire staff at the Mazzei Group Construction are trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. In addition several of the staff are certified in Lead Abatement allowing them to permanently remove from the interior and exterior of residences and businesses.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

You would be very surprised to learn how you can utilize the space you already have. You can take all that wasted basement space and turn it into a TV room, a bar room, a bedroom, or even a mini apartment for that kid that grew up but won’t move out yet,(or better yet, you’re mother-in-law!). The attic is always a good spot to look to see if you can reclaim some precious space. If you have a new baby coming home soon, it is a great idea to add a room or two up there. You can put the older siblings up there or use it for the playroom so your home isn’t strewn with toys. You can keep it a mess and not worry too much about your guests thinking you’re messy. Pop up a dormer to create a passage, a little creativity and some good old fashioned workmanship, and viola, more room on a decent budget! If we really put our brains in high gear, we can come up with creative ways to restructure our current living space to get the most from it. Rearranging closets, moving walls, adding openings and levels can all add to the useable space in our homes. Enclosing a porch is a great way to give you that much needed elbow room.

The basement can offer quite a bit. Usually it is cozy and out of the way, so it can be used as a sanctuary for a bit of privacy from guests. Whichever type of space you decide to create, you will need to consider a few things. First is escape passages in the event of emergencies, such as egress windows or bilco doors. Second is the height in correlation to what you want to do with the area. If it is to be a TV room, then most of the time you will be sitting or lying down. If it is going to be a bar room, you will probably need more height to stand comfortably. Basements tend to be more humid or even damp. You will need to accommodate for this by either waterproofing with paint or lifting the floor with a moisture barrier underneath. In some cases you may need a sump pump and a special closet to house it. If you choose to put a bathroom down there, you may have to dig through the foundation and install a mini septic tank with a pump. You may need to install heating and air conditioning as well, depending on what’s there already.

The attic can have some plusses and minuses. That all depends on how big it is and how you can get to it. Usually the roof needs to be raised in one or more spots to make headroom, like a dormer over a stairway or in a room where the existing slanted roof is too low. However, it does offer more daylight and a better view. It would also keep the personal areas, like bedrooms, up and away from guests, and offer better supervision of loved ones. The attic is more subject to the weather; therefore you would definitely need better insulation and temperature control.

The porch may be the best option to increase living space for the entire family. They are usually right off the living room and are somewhat boxed in already. All that would need to be done is close it in and insulate, add windows and doors where appropriate, then create open access to it.

All of these options are great for cutting down the budget, removing zoning obstacles, and shortening the build time. Permits can be a real hassle to get for additions. There are so many variables to consider. Consequently the process for an addition can take 8 months just for the approvals. Permits are much easier for remodeling the inside. Call us to discuss all the specific details and possibilities for your home. We’d love to show you!

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825

With many working on a tight budget, getting a home makeover may seem improbable. Recently, The Mazzei Group has teamed up with The Sherwin Williams Paint Company, making it more affordable to design your home, no matter the color. While The Mazzei Group ensures to keep their work around the budget of their customers, they also strive to provide the best quality work and service.

Sherwin Williams products provide the best appearance, durability, and performance to each of these customers. Together, Sherwin Williams and The Mazzei Group are providing their customers with top service and superior products such as our low V.O.C paint called, ProGreen 200. With this product, The Mazzei Group is able to provide a large array of colors with this product to their customer’s as well as giving them a green alternative.

What is Progreen 200?

ProGreen 200 allows you to get the results you want without compromising your budget or the environment.

ProGreen 200 enables you to deliver an attractive, uniform finish while meeting environmental regulations and demanding budgets. Its low-VOC, low-odor formula makes it ideal for painting occupied areas while its durability and competitive pricing are perfect for new commercial construction applications. And, with availability in Primer, Flat, Low Sheen, Egg-Shel, and Semi-Gloss sheens, ProGreen 200 will satisfy your project requirements.

This low-VOC, low-odor paint meets the needs of contractors, commercial builders, property owners, and architects alike. Since it can be applied in occupied areas, scheduling hassles for you and your clients are virtually eliminated increasing productivity and profitability for everyone.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825