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Lake Management and Hurricane Season, by AllState Resource Management

Lake Management and Hurricane Season, by AllState Resource Management

  • Posted: Jul 16, 2020
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Lake Management and Hurricane Season

by AllState Resource Management

Many South Florida homeowners are not aware of the critical role their community lakes play in managing stormwater and mitigating local area flooding. With the start of this year’s hurricane season around the corner, now is the time to make sure that our lakes and waterways are ready to deal with whatever nature throws at us. The problem of flooding is a real issue here because our homes are built on relatively flat, low-lying ground. The thin layer of soil under our feet can become saturated quickly, and sits on a cap of coral rock that only allows for a slow flow of water down to the aquifers below. This, combined with the possibility of large amounts of precipitation in short periods of time creates conditions for major flooding in our urban areas.
When developers create residential communities and commercial areas, they need to take into account how much water needs to be stored or moved in order to prevent the project from flooding during major rain events. Through careful planning and design, they route stormwater away from our homes and into a system of lakes and canals. The size and number of lakes in our communities are a result of those calculations. Lakes are dug to create a storage area for water runoff from storms. The fill dug from the lakes is then used to raise the elevation of the homes around them.
Using a system of drains and pipes the water is directed from the developed areas down into the lakes. Some community lakes use weirs or culverts to connect them to the municipal canal system. This allows them to move excess water off the property once they reach a certain level. The system works well but requires regular maintenance in order to ensure that it works properly when needed. Scheduled inspections of storm drains and weirs is important to keep the water moving off our streets and properties efficiently.
These structures accumulate silt and debris, and will occasionally need to be cleaned out. The lakes themselves also need to be regularly inspected and maintained
Even though they are primarily man-made storm water basins, they do evolve and become living ecosystems like naturally occurring waterbodies. Aquatic vegetation begins to grow in all lakes eventually, and much like our lawns, require regular attention in order to avoid become overgrown. Exotic species such as hydrilla, hygrophila, and rotala grow quickly and can spread throughout acres of lake in a matter of months or less. Such infestations are not only unsightly, but all those weeds are filling up the lake and taking up space meant to hold stormwater runoff.
Floating weeds such as water lettuce and water hyacinth can rapidly cover a lake surface, clogging and even damaging weirs and other outflows. Excessive growth of vegetation near culverts and drain pipes can slow the flow of stormwater both into and out of the lake, causing backups of the system. The longer these plants are left to grow unmanaged, the harder the problem is to get under control and the longer it will take. Large scale infestations need to be treated in stages with regulated wait times between treatments. This is done in order to not deplete the dissolved oxygen in the whole lake. The other problem with established infestations is that the plants have had time to mature and grow extensive roots systems. These root systems allow the plants to re-grow quickly after initial treatments and quite frequently require multiple follow up treatments to bring under control. Even once treated, the herbicides take time to work and the plants take time to decompose and settle to the bottom. Unfortunately, tropical storm events do not wait until conditions are best suited to deal with the results.
The best way to make sure your community is protected is to be proactive and maintain your system regularly. Regular scheduled maintenance ensures that aquatic vegetation is kept at levels that don’t compromise your stormwater system and can potentially avoid costly repairs to its components.
Hurricane season corresponds with the time of year when these plants grow and spread the fastest due to the long, sunny days. We have learned that being prepared for hurricane season means taking precautions before the storm arrives. That wisdom should also definitely apply to
our first line of defense against flood damage in our communities.
Thank You to Colleen Sullivan for this Article.
Author: Stephen Montgomery / Senior Biologist
Allstate Resource Management   Members of SFPMA
– Over 25 years of experience in maintaining the health of lakes, ponds, wetlands, and stormwater systems. We have continued since our inception to be the leader in resource management. Our services include lake management, wetland management, stormwater inspections and maintenance, erosion control, fish stocking, native plantings, debris removal, water quality, aquatic pest control, and upland management.
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WHAT NOT TO PUT DOWN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSALS by Ron Giles of PRS

WHAT NOT TO PUT DOWN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSALS by Ron Giles of PRS

  • Posted: Jun 17, 2020
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WHAT NOT TO PUT DOWN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSALS

by Ron Giles of PRS

After many uses, garbage disposal blades need sharping. Just a hand full of ice can do the job. Another tip is put the drain plug in the garbage disposal. Fill the kitchen sink full of water. Turn on the garbage disposal and pull the plug.

 

1. Grease or oil. Just because it is out of sight does not mean the garbage disposal “disposed” of it. Usually, it solidifies and begins to build up in your pipes. Not good.
2. Vegetable peels. You might get away with it from time to time, but odds are, eventually this one will catch up with you–and leave you a soupy backfilled mess in your sink. Garbage disposals do not do too many peels–they’ll spit them up like an unhappy infant.
3. Egg shells. Believe or not, the membrane on the inside of the egg can wrap around the blades and wreak havoc. Better just to compost them.
4. Coffee Grounds. These seem like they go down fine, but over time, the little grounds build up like sediment in the pipes, causing all sorts of trouble.
5. Pits or seeds. Think: peach pits, avocado pits, cherries, etc. I am sure this one goes without mentioning, but it will basically rattle around in there like a pinball of destruction.
6. Bones. I know, again, duh.
7. Anything in bulk. Feed your disposal small meals, let it grind it up, then add more.
8. Garbage. Think: cigarette butts or paper. It is not really designed for those sorts of things and will get testy.
9. Rice and pasta. I did not know this. Basically, every time you turn the water on, the pasta and rice will continue to expand–even after your supposedly ground it up.
10. Stringy veggies. Think: celery, artichokes, carrots, corn husks, or even some types of lettuce. The stringy parts can wrap around the blades, causing resistance on the blades.
11. Potato Peels. These suckers can cause a soupy mess in your disposal down the road—even if you think you can get away with dumping them down the drain from time to time. The same goes for other starchy vegetables and beans.
12. Harsh Chemicals. Do not mistake your kitchen sink for a chemistry laboratory. The grinding components of most garbage disposals are made of galvanized steel which can corrode when contacted with strong chemicals like bleaching powder and such cleaning agents.
13. Onion Skins. The onion skin can get caught in the blades, but the worst thing is the will cause clogs down the pipes.
14. Pumpkins. Anyone who carved a pumpkin for Halloween knows how sticky they are. When thrown down a garbage disposal though they are juicy and slimy they will stick on to the grinding blades and form a clog. The only way to get rid of a pumpkin clog is by dismantling the pipes and cleaning it.
15. Corn Husk. Corn husks are some of the most fibrous items you can find in a kitchen. They are extremely difficult to grind and should never ever end up in a disposal.
16. Seafood. While you may feel confident that seafood like shrimp can be disposed of safely in a garbage disposal that’s not the case. Instead of going down the pipes they will form a white little ball that will clog the disposal. No matter what magical remedies you try dismantling the pipes is the only option that will work.

 

 

 

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The Importance of Getting Permits For Additions and Improvements for your properties.

The Importance of Getting Permits For Additions and Improvements for your properties.

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2020
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The Importance of Getting Permits For Additions and Improvements

 

Getting Permits For Work at Your House is Vital

When you consider making improvements or additions to your home, it can be tempting to try and skirt the permit process. In some cities and towns, the cost and hassle of getting a permit can seem unnecessary, especially if you are handy and like to make renovations, or you have a friend who offers to do it for you.

Unfortunately, when you go and try to sell your home, the lack of permits can prove to be a real problem. Buyers may balk at purchasing a home that does not have permits – fearing that the additions may be unsafe or not properly done.

In the end, getting the property permits is always a good idea.

Often a home seller will say to me “I’m selling my home do I need permits for work I have done”? Unfortunately, the answer is usually yes you do.

 

The Temptation Of Avoiding Permits

The temptation to avoid getting a permit for home improvements is something every owner faces at one point or another. It is understandable, as the cost of home improvements and additions is already high in many cases.

The permit process – including the inspection to verify the work is up to standards – can seem like a pain. It may take some time to complete the process, time you may not feel like you have.

Those most tempted to avoid permits are homeowners that are interested in actually saving money by doing the work themselves, or bringing in a friend who has experience in home repair and renovation.

The friend – or inexpensive contractor you hire – may even imply that you do not need to worry about getting a permit. This, of course, is WRONG!

 

The Real Reason Why Most Don’t Pull Permits

The real reason that many homeowners don’t pull permits isn’t that of paying a few hundred bucks to the town hall or the inconvenience that comes with it. Nearly every city and town in America collects taxes bases upon the assessed value of a home. Assessed value is calculated by looking at the size and characteristics of property.

What is the gross living area? How many bedrooms does it have? How many bathrooms? These are all factors in determining an appropriate assessed value.

Guess what happens when the tax assessor knows about the luxurious new finished basement with home theater, wet bar, home gym and beautiful bath you just added. If you guessed your taxes are going up, then you are 100 percent correct.

When no permits have pulled the town most likely will not find out, and your taxes will not take the upward climb, they would have otherwise.

Homeowners can save thousands of dollars over the course of owning a home when permits are not pulled. When selling a home, this becomes very problematic. If and when the town or city finds out about it, the new owner is the one who will bear the brunt of the increased taxes paid.

This will often lead to disputing high property taxes. In the case where the town has not collected taxes in years, it may be harder to get a justified abatement.

 

The Problem With Not Getting Permits

When you go to sell your home, there will always be a home inspection and an appraisal conducted by certified professionals. This is just part of the selling process, and it helps buyers know what they are getting into before they buy the home.

The inspector and appraiser will likely go over your house with a fine-toothed comb, looking over every area to verify that the home is in good working order – sometimes even checking all public records on the home.

There are no requirements for the home inspector or appraiser to check on permits for improvements to the home, but this does not mean someone will not ask about them. The inspector, the appraiser, the buyer and the bank that is doing the lending, all have the ability to request public records from your home, which will include the permits that have been acquired for the home.

A good buyers agent should always ask if there were permits pulled when a significant addition or finished basement has been added. These types of improvements can have a significant impact financially for a new owner.

You can run into major problems when someone discovers that renovations were done to the home without permits. This can, in fact, stop a home sale. There is an especially high risk of getting found out if the improvements were made recently.

The appraiser can see what the house consisted of when you bought it, and will notice if there is not an extra bathroom, deck or finished basement. The bigger the addition or improvement to the home, the more likely that someone will notice that something is off.

 

Buyers Want Certified Work

Unless you are in an extremely tight housing market, where buyers are desperate and will take anything, you can expect people to be concerned with any improvements that do not have the proper permits.

A lack of permits implies several problems to potential buyers, including safety and quality issues.

 

Safety Concerns

Customers want to move into a safe home. They may be planning to start a family, or already have children. They may just be uneasy about any work that was not done by a certified professional.

Part of the permit process is intended to verify that the improvements to a home were made properly, according to regulations, by someone who knows what he or she is doing.

Knowing that all safety rules and standard building practices were observed gives buyers peace of mind. Another would be hiring the local handyman to do electrical wiring a licensed electrician should have done.

In some cases, it is even possible that you may not have insurance coverage if there was a major catastrophe like a fire. The perfect example is the owner who goes out and buys a wood stove for the fireplace and doesn’t bother to pull an installation permit with the fire department.

Good luck getting an insurance claim if the insurance company finds out there are no permits, and the stove was the cause of the fire.

 

Quality Concerns

Safety may be the first thing buyers think about when they see you lack permits, but questions about the quality of the work will come quickly after.

The fact that you do not have a permit makes buyers think that you were trying to cut corners. You may have hired someone that was not fully qualified to do the work, or you may have done the work yourself and not known what you were doing.

Whatever the truth is, buyers will suspect shoddy craftsmanship when there is a missing permit. No one wants to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into a home with poorly crafted improvements.

A good example here is all the homeowners who had to deal with removing ice dams this past winter. There are a lot of negative things ice dams can do to a home including mold. In cases where mold is bad walls may need to be removed and rebuilt.

If it is bad enough, you may even need to relocate or replace the electrical wiring. Could a homeowner fix this themselves? I am sure many have. That doesn’t mean hiring a professional who pulls a permit for this kind of work is not the right way to go.

 

What Happens When I Don’t Have Building Permits

One of the questions I am often asked by homeowners when they are considering selling is what will happen if I don’t have a building permit for work done on my home. There is no clear cut and dry answer on this but in my experience, the local city or town will ask the homeowner to go through the permitting process.

The owner will, of course, have to pay all necessary fees involved with the construction. Each of the applicable inspectors will also need to come through and inspect the work.

Many homeowners are asking this question because they want to know if the town will make them rip out everything they have built and start from scratch. In my twenty-nice years of selling real estate I have not experienced this.

That, however, does not mean it is not possible. Homeowners should be very apologetic to the local building department when it has been discovered there are no permits pulled.

 

What Are Additional Risks of Not Pulling Permits

One of the other risks of not pulling permits is getting sued later on down the road by the buyer who purchases your home. Unfortunately, we live in a sue-happy society where people are always looking for someone to blame.

When you don’t pull a permit, and something tragic happens years down the road, who do you think they are going to come after?

In Massachusetts when selling a home, it is standard practice that homeowners fill out a form called the “sellers statement of property condition.” Lots of states use these forms.

They are primarily a disclosure of what the seller knows and doesn’t know about the home. One of the first questions on this form asks “have you done any work on the home in which a permit was required.” You better answer this one honestly folks for the reason above I just mentioned!

 

When Do I Need to Pull a Building Permit?

There is no clear cut and dry answer on when you will need to pull a building permit for an improvement to your home. The best way to find out is to pick up the phone and call the local building department or stop in for a face to face.

The building inspector should be able to quickly tell you if you will need a permit for your project or not.

It is safe to assume that anything safety related will require a permit. You can also expect that a permit will be necessary when you are doing something that will significantly alter your home.

One important reminder – When all the work has been completed don’t forget to have a final inspection and get the permit closed out! Over the years I have had several clients who have done the right thing and pulled a building permit but never closed it out once all the work was completed.

Closing out a permit is often called getting a certificate of occupancy. Recently while selling a home, I ran into this exact situation.

The owner pulled an original building permit but never asked for a final inspection, so the project was never filed as completed. Luckily, the building department did not make them do anything special other than getting a final inspection.

You could, however, find yourself in a situation where you are not so lucky if there are code changes between the time the permit is pulled and when you are selling your home. So make sure when the project is completed a final inspection is done, and certificate of occupancy is issued.

Here are some examples of items you will more than likely need a permit for:

  • A finished basement.
  • A bathroom remodel or adding a bathroom.
  • The addition of a deck.
  • The addition of a screened porch.
  • Changing or upgrading your electrical service.

These are just a few quick examples. There are many other items for which you will need to pull a permit.

 

 

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Most people do not give much thought to their pipes – until they stop working by Ronnie Giles of PRS

Most people do not give much thought to their pipes – until they stop working by Ronnie Giles of PRS

  • Posted: Jun 04, 2020
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Ronnie Giles 561-602-8660

Sr. Account Manager Florida East Coast

CAI Business Partner Certified

#CGC 1517755 / #CFC 1429221

PRS_FinalFiles

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Gyms in your Building:  Will owners use it?

Gyms in your Building: Will owners use it?

Gyms in your Building: Clean the Equipment in your Fitness Centers!
Will owners use it? Funding it with condo funds? What you will need with Development? Expert advice? upkeep and questions?

 

We spoke with Commercial Fitness Products, and its

Owner Richard Wasserlauf
5034 Hiatus Road
Sunrise, Florida 33351

 

I can think of a building we worked on a short time ago bringing a new designed fitness facility in their condo.

The committee figured they’d be able to pay that money back to the reserve in five years, assuming 25 percent of the building’s residents would join. (“It was guesswork,” says Richard.) They charged a one-time sign-up fee of $300 and $250 per year for the first person in a unit and $150 for each additional unit resident.

“They paid it back in less than two years,” says Richard. Sixty-five of the building’s 100 units belong to the gym—84 residents altogether. The early success enabled the committee to cut the yearly fee in half, to $125. “They still covered operating costs,” says Richard, “and allocate about $3,000 a year for equipment replacement—which hasn’t been necessary yet—and continue to contribute $2,000 to $3,000 a year to the reserve fund.”

The Building, a 27-story, 156-unit cooperative in Manhattan is a success story. working with developers and board members, helped get the gym project done, converting a 500-square-foot room in the basement into a gym with a budget of a mere $30,000 taken from the reserve fund. Residents pay $225 per year for membership.

“The gym has about 100 members today,” says Richard. “We’re well ahead of the game. The membership dues more than replenishes the reserve that we took out for it, and pays for the upkeep.” he adds that, “The building has a healthy turnover of apartments and 90 percent of new buyers join the gym.”

 

Building the Gym

Buying workout equipment is the easiest part of the build-out. “A lot of people think they are going to take the bike room, put equipment in it, paint the walls, and call it a day,” observes Richard Wasserlauf, Owner of Commercial Fitness Products, a leading gym equipment retailer. “In Sunrise Florida, that is not going to cut it.”

The first thing you need to need to consider, advises Richard, “is what construction and code obstacles you might need to overcome to pull the project off.” Potential problems include open asbestos, lead paint on the walls, mold or fungus problems, and particularly in basement spaces, pipes that sweat in the summer. Basement spaces also have the issue of exposed pipes, conduits and drain lines. As older buildings replace systems, they often leave old piping, electrical conduits and phone lines in place. Each should be tested and removed if inactive.

HVAC is perhaps the most important system in the facility. To meet city code, the gym space must have 15 percent fresh air flowing into the space. If the proposed space for the gym is not already equipped with central air conditioning, ducting will need to be installed if the room does not have a window. If there is a window, you need to install a unit with adequate power.

“You’re looking to maintain 68° year round—that often means running a cooling system practically year round,” says Richard, both for safety and comfort—to keep members coming back to the club. If there is any sort of landing or ledge outside the window on which to set a compressor, Heidings recommends a split system, available for around $2,000.

Another important code issue with which the gym room must conform is egress—providing a clear and unencumbered path out of the room if there is an emergency such as a fire or loss of power.

 

 

Bring in a Pro

To get a clear and objective evaluation of the condition of the room, and to get an idea of the construction costs entailed, it’s best to consult an architect right up front, says Richard. “If you find that your construction costs are very high, you may just say this is just something we cannot afford right now—or ever,” unless or until there is a more suitable space available in the building.

Some of the major design challenges is inclusion of light. Most often spaces designed for this purpose are in basements or underutilized rooms, and may not have natural light to make the space breathable. Lighting design, therefore, becomes very important. Many gyms find that fluorescent in fixtures aimed upward to soften the light are an effective and inexpensive alternative to high-end lighting.

You should also note if the floor has adequate space and structural capacity for both the equipment and the occupants, he says.

Another element to consider, say the designers, is noise—both kinds: vibration caused by things like treadmills, which primarily travels vertically downward; and audible, like the clanging and dropping of weights or the thumping of runners. A thick rubber floor like the ones commonly used in commercial gyms addresses both. Rubber flooring for a 600-square-foot gym costs around $5,000, say the pros.

A particularly pernicious vibration problem can be solved by laying a floating floor on top of the existing and then putting rubber over that, plus sealing and caulking every edge of the space as well as every pipe intrusion and structural column. A dropped ceiling filled with insulation will keep noise from traveling upward. In luxury condominiums, “Rubber flooring comes at different price points. some have the capability to deliver custom colors and complement the upholstery on the equipment.

The gym must have mirrors on approximately half the wall space in the gym, corresponding to the placement of the stretching/ab area and the apparatus. The price range for mirror panelling is typically from $3,000 to $5,000. Lastly, a computerized electronic lock on the door not only keeps the room secure, but keeps track of who is in the room and when, in case anything is damaged or stolen. Plastic keycards, which can easily be passed around to non-member residents, have been replaced by palm or fingerprint scanners, available for under $1,000.

 

Layout and Design

A well thought-out private gym provides a full-body workout, which includes warm-up, stretch, cardio, strength training and cool-down. According to Commercial Fitness Products, cardio equipment will generally be the most used. A 500-600-square-foot gym will typically have two treadmills (approximately $2,000 each), two elliptical machines ($1,500 each), a recumbent bike ($2,000), an upright bike (under $2,000), a multi-station weight apparatus (around $5,000) and at least two racks of free weights and two benches (under $1,000). A popular, fabulously versatile new apparatus is the functional trainer (around $3,500), which uses two adjustable-height and width pulleys attached to individual weight stacks and offers a wide range of exercises.

The gym above, containing all commercial grade brand-name equipment, including delivery and installation, should come to about $30,000 plus tax. .

It’s important, says Richard, to decide what’s necessary and what’s not. For example, consider whether adding a shower/locker room is essential. Perhaps residents would prefer using their own apartments for that function rather than the in-house gym, where maintenance could prove expensive or difficult. Other concerns are consulting with an attorney and insurer on liability issues, and making sure the facility is secure using safety-conscious materials and products.

Building insurance almost always covers injury and mishaps in the gym (just as it does in the laundry room), as long as no one under 16 is allowed admission. No additional policy is usually required—though of course it’s wise to double-check with your building’s insurance carrier to make absolutely sure.

The life span of equipment in a gym varies from piece to piece in a co-op or condo gym, conservatively, treadmills can be counted on to last about five years, elliptical machines about seven and bikes about 10. Weight machines last indefinitely, requiring only occasional reupholstering and replacement of pulleys and cams. Regular professional maintenance will help extend the life of all the equipment. Contracts, usually costing around $1,200 a year, include inspection, adjustment and lubrication of all moving and mechanical parts.

In addition to quarterly maintenance visits, the room has to be cleaned every day. This is typically done by existing building staff, the chore includes wiping down all the equipment with disinfectant, vacuuming the floor, emptying the garbage and cleaning the bathroom if there is one.

Adding TV screens to each of the six cardio pieces above would add at least $6,000 to the cost of the package. Richard says about half the gyms he equips go without any TVs at all to save on cable bills, figuring people bring their iPods for entertainment. Some have just two BestBuy or Costco-bought flat screens on the wall, using their speakers to produce the sound. Other more extravagant buildings spend tens of thousands on individual touchscreens with wireless internet as well as cable TV.

 

 

You’ve Built It: Now Make Sure They Come

In order to let residents know that their new gym is open and fully operational, “Do as many kickoff events as you can,” Richard advises. “You’ve got to get a lot of energy down there.” As soon as the gym is finished, do a wine and cheese ribbon-cutting ceremony. Later on, bring in a trainer to lead several training sessions for four or five shareholders at a time.

“The building can offer regularly scheduled yoga, stretch and pilates mat classes, because while yoga studios that offer classes without membership abound in Florida, “there are very few places people can go to take pilates classes without joining an expensive gym.

Yoga and pilates classes can generate a modest extra income for the building—and at the same time help keep shareholders and tenants healthy. we’ve just begun a Fitness After Fifty program that seems to be going well.” geared to the older owners.

The bottom line is that not only can a well-designed, well-maintained gym facility add value to your building, it can help boost community spirit as residents bond over the iron, and it helps keep your owners and shareholders healthy. And that’s a winning equation.

 

amen_Fitness_Room-CardioCall for all of your Fitness needs, Throughout South Florida.
Find out more about:
Commercial Fitness Products
Richard Wasserlauf
Address: 5034 Hiatus Road
Sunrise, Florida 33351
Phone: 954-747-5128
Fax: 239-938-1462
E-Mail: SALES@COMMFITNESSPRODUCTS.COM
Web: http://www.commfitnessproducts.com

And Find us on the

Find-A-Service Directory on SFPMA.COM

https://sfpma.com/listing/commercial-fitness-products/

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Is YOUR Pond A Breeding Ground For Pesky Midge Flies?

Is YOUR Pond A Breeding Ground For Pesky Midge Flies?

  • Posted: May 14, 2020
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Midge Fly Control
An Integrated Management Approach

 

Lakes, ponds and wetlands are valuable resources for boating and recreation, fishing, drinking water, stormwater collection, aesthetic beauty and wildlife habitat. But they also serve as common breeding grounds for pesky insects like aquatic midge flies, often referred to as “midge bugs” or “blind mosquitoes.” Midge flies belong to a very large and diverse family of aquatic insects. While often thought of as the “cousin” of mosquitoes, midges don’t bite, sting, suck blood or transmit disease. They can, however, become a terrible nuisance and trigger allergies or respiratory issues.

 

What is a midge? Where are they found?

Midges thrive near aquatic resources because their egg, larvae and pupae stages must occur in water. They have evolved to populate and prosper under difficult environmental conditions commonly occurring in many of our community lakes and ponds that have excessive nutrient loading, murky water, organic muck accumulation and low dissolved oxygen levels. These same water quality problems that favor midges also prevent midge predators such as fish and other aquatic insects from preying on them. This allows midges to form monocultures across a lake’s bottom and reproduce in extremely large numbers often exceeding 40,000 larvae per square meter. 1,000 larvae per square meter is considered the threshold for nuisance levels. Out-of-control midge larvae populations can become a terrible annoyance, inconvenience and even a health hazard to waterside residents when they metamorphose into adult flies.

 

 

Negative impact of midges:

  • Their swarms are attracted to lights around businesses, residential areas, and stormwater systems, which can detract from the enjoyment of outdoor activities.
  • Large populations of midges are known to blanket cars, building exteriors and other surfaces, which can stain or damage them over time.
  • Many communities experience a rapid increase in local spider populations reacting to the midge flies as a food source.
  • Residents find their eaves, porches and windows covered in spider webs full of decaying midges and smelling like dead fish.
  • Typically, midges are the biggest nuisance in the spring and fall when adults emerge from the water surface. However, in many states, particularly across the south and Florida, midge fly season is year-round.

 

An Integrated Midge Management Approach

 

Managing midge fly populations below nuisance levels requires an integrated approach to achieve successful long-term control—starting with bathymetric mapping of the habitat and a professional larvae assessment. Midge larvae surveys are crucial tools to determine which midge species are present and how to effectively manage them.

Blood midge larvae, for example, thrive in bottom sediments and must be targeted with an ingestible larvicide. On the other hand, phantom or ‘ghost’ midge larvae flow freely throughout the water column and are targeted with a growth-regulating hormone that prevents them from becoming healthy adults.

Once larvae surveys are completed, an integrated approach may continue with strategic larvicide treatments to disrupt midge lifecycles, as well as the following management approaches:
  • Balance water quality conditions to prevent algae growth
  • Enhance biological control via predatory fish stocking 
  • Increase circulation and dissolved oxygen levels through aeration 
  • Develop a healthy and diverse shoreline littoral habitat

 

Balance water quality:

  • Ensure stormwater management facilities are within compliance in order to properly divert watershed runoff containing phosphorus, nitrogen and other pollutants.
  • Use nutrient remediation products like Phoslock, Alum or Biochar to help create balanced water quality conditions that are less hospitable to the algae blooms on which midge larvae feed.
  • To eradicate stubborn algae blooms, work with your lake and pond management professional to arrange the application of EPA-registered algaecides.

 

Introduce aeration: 

  • Traditional aeration solutions and new technologies like nanobubbles can be used to naturally increase dissolved oxygen levels, thus accelerating the oxidation of undesirable nutrients – the primary food source that filter feeding midge larvae rely on.
  • Raising oxygen levels throughout the water column will allow predatory fish to attack the larvae population hiding in deeper bottom waters and sediments.
  • Increased oxygen levels can help reduce phosphorus, nitrogen and algae growth, improving the lake or pond’s overall water quality, clarity and beauty.

 

Manage fish populations:

  • Arrange a professional electrofishing assessment to survey your fish population and ensure the proper predatory fish species like Bream and Gambusia are present to feed on midge larvae.
  • Stock the correct quantity of fish for your lake’s or pond’s midge species and density, and restock yearly to maintain abundant fish populations.
  • Consider supporting fish populations with the introduction of automatic fish feeders and habitat structures.

 

Cultivate a healthy shoreline:

  • Introduce a variety of native flowering species to help limit the negative impacts of nutrient loading. Beneficial plants include arrowhead, pickerelweed, canna lily and blue flag iris.
  • Native vegetative plantings also provide cover and shelter for midge predators including gambusia, bream, amphibians and dragonfly nymphs and adults.
  • Is your shoreline too eroded to plant? Install a biodegradable shoreline erosion control system like coconut coir logs or ShoreSOX to restore banks and hillsides for more than 10 years.

 

 

Find Your Solution

With SOLitude Lake Management

Looking for sustainable long-term control of your algae or aquatic weed problems? Considering  fisheries management assistance? Need help with water quality testing? Trying to find the perfect pond aeration system for your aquatic ecosystem?

Whatever your lake and pond management needs may be, SOLitude Lake Management has the answer. Simply fill out the form ( Click Find Your Solution ) and let us know how we can help. We look forward to helping you find your lake or pond management solution.

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Reshaping Large Construction Projects Webinar this Thursday, May 7th at 2pm! by The Falcon Group

Reshaping Large Construction Projects Webinar this Thursday, May 7th at 2pm! by The Falcon Group

  • Posted: May 06, 2020
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Don’t forget to sign up for the:

Reshaping Large Construction Projects Webinar this Thursday, May 7th at 2pm!

Be Proactive, Educated and Engaged
#thefalcongroup

Sign Up Info:
Email: PFoltanski@falconengineering.com
Subject: Large Construction Projects
Body: Please provide your Full Name, Company, Address, Phone Number and if you are a CMCA

“The STRENGTH of the TEAM is each individual MEMBER. The STRENGTH of each MEMBER is the TEAM.”

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UNIVERSAL RESTORATION IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR ALL YOUR RESTORATION NEEDS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

UNIVERSAL RESTORATION IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR ALL YOUR RESTORATION NEEDS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

  • Posted: May 05, 2020
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UNIVERSAL RESTORATION IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR ALL YOUR RESTORATION NEEDS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Universal Restoration is a locally owned and operated certified restoration company serving the Northeast Florida area. We have a combined experience of 20+ years in the remediation and rebuild industry and we are ready to help you with any emergency you may experience 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. We specialize in both commercial and residential properties.
“We have offices conveniently located throughout northeast Florida to meet your needs.”
Given our high standards of workmanship, dedication, strong work ethic and commitment to each project along with affordable prices, we have established ourselves as an industry leader for Property Damage Restoration and Cleanup. We value the safety of your property and maintain a consistently high level of professional care and responsibility in each project. We guarantee all of our work to be of the highest quality, as we know our clients would expect nothing less.
Universal Restoration is a fully insured, bonded, and certified restoration company with over 20 years of experience in the industry. We specialize in both commercial and residential properties. Our company will provide you with a reliable, accurate estimate for Mold Testing and Damage Recovery Services.

 

CALL TODAY for a Free Estimate –– www.universalrestoration.net/services

💪 20+ Years Restoration Experience
☣️ COVID-19 Decontamination Experts
📍 Serving ALL North Florida Homes & Businesses

If you are a business planning to re-open, MAKE SURE you have a cleaning plan in place  Don’t wait, we are helping MORE businesses be SAFER and CLEANER for their staff and customers 

 

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A Healthy Workplace Starts In the Janitor’s Closet by ACE Cleaning Systems

A Healthy Workplace Starts In the Janitor’s Closet by ACE Cleaning Systems

  • Posted: Apr 22, 2020
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A Healthy Workplace Starts In the Janitor’s Closet

by ACE Cleaning Systems

Is Your Workplace Healthy?

We all want to live and work in a safe and sanitary environment.  In light of the recent covid-19 outbreak, we have become more aware of the importance of cleaning (and disinfecting) the surfaces we touch in our workplaces.  While no facility can be made “germ free”, janitorial companies can utilize modern cleaning and disinfection practices to create a safe and healthy work environment for your business.

Much of the equipment and cleaning practices in current use have become outdated because they are less effective at removing germs.   This is because science has uncovered three disturbing facts:

1. Surfaces that look clean are not always free of germs.

2. Cleaning incorrectly can actually cause germs to spread from one area to another.

3. Certain types of cleaning equipment and supplies actually encourage the spread of germs.

The important takeaways are this:  surfaces that look clean can still contain enough germs to cause an illness to spread.  And, even though it may look like someone is cleaning and disinfecting your facility, they may unknowingly be spreading germs around because they aren’t using the right cleaning methods and or equipment.

So, how can you know if your cleaning company is removing sufficient amounts of germs from the surfaces they clean?  First, inspect the janitor’s closet for outdated commercial cleaning equipment and supplies.

 

 

What’s in your janitor’s closet?

A janitorial closet that is well organized and kept clean provides a clue that your janitorial company is doing its job properly.  But, the type of equipment and supplies you find inside your closet can uncover the real reason you’re not reducing employee absenteeism.

Is your janitor closet unorganized?  Are bottles not labeled? Are rags thrown all over the place?  Do you see dirty string mops and contaminated buckets?  Is there a “dirty” laundry bag to keep new and used towels separated?  Does you company have disposable microfiber towels in the event your workplace has reported sick employees?

 

Look in your janitor’s closet for three signs of inadequate disinfection and or cross contamination(i.e. the spread of germs):

1. String mops and buckets – There are very few uses for string mops in outpatient healthcare facilities.  String mops can spread massive amounts of germs around (see study below) when used for routine floor cleaning.   String mops can be replaced with inexpensive, EPA recommended, bucket-less flat mops that virtually eliminate cross contamination (see the UC Davis study on flat mops vs. string mops here).

2. Soiled rags, wet string mops, buckets with standing water should not be found lying around or hanging in your janitor’s closet (they are breeding grounds for germs). Soiled cleaning cloths and mop heads should be stored in closed containers and laundered properly after each use. Cleaning cloths and mop heads should not be hand washed on-site and re-used.

3. Find out the name of the disinfectant your cleaning company is using (please look in your janitor’s closet). Every chemical in the closet should be labeled (OSHA regulations) and should have a corresponding safety data sheet (SDS). The cleaning company should be using a disinfectant that has been approved by the EPA for use against the coronavirus. The list can be found here:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

 

Cleaning Best Practices:

Best practices are defined as commercial procedures that are accepted as being correct or most effective.  Best cleaning practices have been developed in the janitorial industry through research by leading authorities in the field.  These practices include the use of certain types of equipment, supplies and cleaning methods and when followed, produce high quality results.

Cleaning Standards:

So, how can you know if your janitorial company’s equipment can reduce employee absenteeism and protect the health of your staff?  It’s really not hard to find out.  Just follow the checklist we’ve created for you below.  This list is not arbitrary.  Its based on accepted cleaning standards that have been developed after years of research by highly respected organizations such as:

the EPACDC, and USGBC (United States Green Building Council).

The cleaning standards developed by these organizations are widely accepted as janitorial cleaning best practices.  But, unfortunately, they aren’t always practiced.  Commercial cleaning companies often use outdated, ineffective equipment that just can’t get the job done properly.

 

Janitorial Closet Checklist:

The equipment checklist below is your best defense against hiring the wrong cleaning company and keeping your workplace safe and healthy.  Ask these questions before you sign your next janitorial cleaning contract:

1) Do you use string mops?

If they answer yes, this is a big red flag.  Many companies still use outdated string mops that spread dirt and germs around.  Microfiber flat mops are a better choice and an accepted standard.

Read more about the best mops to use in healthcare and most commercial facilities:

https://www.acecleaningsystems.com/single-post/The-Best-And-Worst-Mops-For-Commercial-Cleaning

 

2) Do you dilute chemicals by hand?

Many companies still dilute cleaning solutions by hand.  Manual methods of dilution are unreliable and can be dangerous.  Automated dilution systems are the cleaning standard today.

 

3) Are all bottles labeled according to OSHA standards?

OSHA requires labeling on all cleaning products to prevent improper use.  This is for the safety of your building’s occupants.  Is the company OSHA compliant?

 

4) Do you use green clean certified products?

Green cleaning products are safe and non-toxic.  They are not required, but are becoming an accepted standard in many facilities.

 

5) Do you use microfiber towels?

Microfiber towels are the accepted standard for surface cleaning and disinfection.  Paper towels and cotton rags cannot remove dirt or soil as effectively and are out of favor.  Many companies use paper towels to avoid using microfiber towels that require ongoing laundering services.  To minimize the spread of infections janitorial companies should  endorse disposable microfiber towels.

 

6) Do you use a color-coded system for towels?

Color-coded towel systems prevent the spread of germs from one area of your facility to another. You don’t want a janitorial worker using the same towel to clean your bathroom and desk.  Color-coding prevents this from happening.

 

7) Do you use HEPA certified vacuums?

HEPA certified vacuums capture very fine dust particles. They improve indoor air quality and remove more soil than other vacuums. This is an accepted cleaning standard, especially in hospitals, medical offices, schools and child care centers.  Many cleaning companies use in-expensive, less effective vacuums.   Poor air quality has been associated with headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritation of the lungs and other health issues, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Read more about how to increase the indoor air quality in your workplace:

https://www.cleanlink.com/cp/article/High-Vacuuming-Improves-Indoor-Air-Quality–23910

 

8) Will you be using EPA registered, hospital grade disinfectants?

There are many disinfectants available for purchase over the counter.  However, the accepted standard and more effective practice is to use commercially available, EPA registered disinfectants.

9) Do you use a laundry system to clean and disinfect towels and rags?

If a janitorial company doesn’t have a separate laundry bag for used towels, it’s another red flag.  Accepted standards include frequent changing of microfiber towels to prevent the spread of dirt and germs, aka cross contamination.  After towels have become soiled, they should be stored in a “dirty” bag until laundered.  This sounds like a simple process, but you’d be surprised how many cleaning companies don’t have a laundering system in place.

 

10) Do you have a disinfection plan if there is an outbreak in your workplace?

Electrostatic spray disinfection is a highly effective method of applying an EPA-registered disinfectant to surfaces and objects.  The disinfectant is sprayed on electrostatically, causing it to cling and wrap around the surface or object, providing a more thorough and effective disinfection. Read more: https://www.acecleaningsystems.com/single-post/How-To-Reduce-the-Spread-of-Germs-at-Work

 

Commercial Janitorial Cleaning Services

Ace provides high quality commercial cleaning services to businesses in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and nearby cities.  Over the last 12 years our company has developed cost effective janitorial cleaning programs for a wide range of businesses in Broward and Palm Beach County.  We are an independent, locally owned company with a hands on management team that is responsive to our customer’s needs. 

Members of SFPMA – View our Membership page

Zach Shor
954-756-2588
President, Ace Cleaning Systems, Inc.

 

 

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HOW TO REMOVE TROUBLESOME TREES

HOW TO REMOVE TROUBLESOME TREES

  • Posted: Feb 17, 2020
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HOW TO REMOVE TROUBLESOME TREES

by Jeffrey Rembaum, Esq. KBRLegal

 

A great many streets in Florida’s residential communities are lined with oak trees. While they can look so appealing as a canopy, many of these trees can raise sidewalks and driveways. Their massive roots can grow into plumbing lines, cause various trip hazards and kill the grass, too.

Until recently, it was very problematic to remove these trees for a variety reasons. Moreover, it was also expensive  to deal with all of the governmental red tape caused, in many instances, by over zealous city officials, such as the city forester, who requires strict compliance with the community’s original landscaping plans, etc.  Well, the Florida legislature listened to stories of local government unreasonableness and did something about it to the great satisfaction of association members everywhere.

But, there is still a problem because many local governments refuse to accept that   House Bill 1159 was passed into law in 2019. This new law prohibits a local government from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property when an arborist or landscape architect documents that the tree presents a danger to persons or property. As an important FYI, mangroves are exempt and all existing requirements for mangrove trimming, etc., remain steadfastly in place.

Apparently, the problem of local government personnel ignoring this new law is so pervasive that on January 7, 2020, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Jose Oliva, sent a memo to all Local Government Officials alerting them that they need to follow this new law and that the House of Representatives will be “diligent in executing its oversight responsibilities in order to protect the rights of property owners and to prevent illegal governmental actions that interfere with these rights. WOW!!!

If your community has a problem with tree removal caused by local government officials perhaps showing them a copy of the memo might help. Also, be sure to alert your association’s attorney to the problem so that they can intercede on the association’s behalf.

 

This new law is codified in s. 163.045, Florida Statutes and provides as follows: 

s. 163.045 Tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property.—

(1) A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the property owner obtains documentation from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree presents a danger to persons or property.

(2) A local government may not require a property owner to replant a tree that was pruned, trimmed, or removed in accordance with this section.

(3) This section does not apply to the exercise of specifically delegated authority for mangrove protection pursuant to ss. 403.9321403.9333.

 

View our Membership page on SFPMA and Legal Sponsors, with articles written each month in the Florida Rising Magazine – KBRLegal

 

 

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Before Storms hit Florida, Building Owners and Managers should have their Storm Drains cleaned.

Before Storms hit Florida, Building Owners and Managers should have their Storm Drains cleaned.

  • Posted: Aug 20, 2019
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Before Storms hit Florida, Building Owners and Managers should have their Storm Drains cleaned

 

Clearing this helps with parking lot, loading docks and your building flooding and causing damage to your properties.

Generally speaking, you’re usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are outside of property boundaries, and sewers.

How to Maintain a Drainage System, find member companies on SFPMA 

  • Allow rain to help settle the loose soil before working the field
  • Driving directly on the tiles can crush the pipe and ruin the tile. Straddle the pavers instead for the first year.
  • Back-fill the open trenches carefully, so as not to damage the pipe
  • Clean up unused pieces of pipe and do not use the open trench for garbage disposal
  • Do not work the land if wet or moist with excess water
  • Rotate the location of cattle hay feeders
  • Clean drainage boxes once a month if present. Drainage boxes trap sediments

 

 

From Pipe Repairs to Cleaning of your storm Drains. You can find members of sfpma.com ready to help!

 

https://sfpma.com/listings/storm-drain-cleaning-repair/

 

 

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