News

Happy Holidays from Southpro! - 12.23.10

We have said it before, but we want to say it again. THANK YOU for making 2010 a wonderful year for Southpro. We are so appreciative of your support and friendship, and we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a wonderful 2011!

If you need assistance over the holidays, you can always reach us 24/7 at 1.800.809.1422.

We wouldn’t be where we are without your referrals, so please keep them coming. As always, we are on call 24/7 to assist with any restoration needs you have.

Warmest wishes,

Team Southpro

Southpro Top Sponsor for AAFAME! - 12.20.10

Southpro Austin will take top sponsorships in the Austin Association of Facility and Maintenance Engineers in 2011.  We have been selected as the “Top Sponsor” for the AAFAME Chili Slam in April or May of 2011. We will also be the luncheon sponsor at the annual Manager’s Luncheon on February 9th at the Crown Plaza Hotel.   Southpro is extremely excited to be such a huge part of AAFAME in 2011!

2011 Austin C.E. Schedule Announced - 12.20.10

Southpro’s Austin office is pleased to announce our Continuing Education classes for the first half of 2011.  We will be offering a mix of 3, 2 & 1 hour classes to help insurance professionals meet their requirements for continuing education.  All classes will be held at our headquarters – 4009 Commercial Center Drive, #650, 78744 – and snack and lunch with be provided.  Please register early as spaces are limited. You can get all the information from our “continuing education” page.

2011 CE Schedule Coming Soon - 11.16.10

Southpro is currently working on the 2011 Continuing Education schedule for members of the insurance industry.  All classes are certified by the Texas Department of Insurance under provider number 32906.

Southpro’s current class listing is as follows:

• Basics of Mold Remediation | #28145 | 2 hours
• Basics of Thermal Imaging |#28141 | 1 hour
• Business & Consumer Ethics | # 24537 | 2 hours
• Electronics Cleaning & Restoration | #28143 | 1 hour
• Fire Loss Mitigation | #7681 | 3 hours
• Mitigating Water Loss Claims |#16001 | 3 hours
• Restoration in the Wake of Catastrophe | #15999 | 3 hours
• Specialty Fire Restoration | #28147 | 1 hour

For any agency and/or class requests, please contact Erin at 512.444.4500. Check back soon for the updated 2011 schedule.

Mold Article Featured at AAFAME - 11.12.10

Southpro was recently featured on the Austin Facility & Maintenance Engineer’s (AAFAME) website talking about mold.  The article read as follows:

All About the “M” Word & What To Do If You Have It

Article Submitted by: Erin Whalen of Southpro Restoration

What are Molds?

Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris.

Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Can mold cause health problems?

Most molds do not harm healthy people. But people who have allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to molds. A small number of molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. When people are exposed to high levels of mold mycotoxins they may suffer toxic effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and irritation to the lungs and eyes.

What is mold remediation?

Mold remediation is the clean up and removal of mold growth from surfaces and/or contents in a building. It also refers to actions taken to prevent mold from growing. Mold remediators must follow a mold remediation protocol and their own mold remediation work plan that provides specific instructions and/or standard operating procedures for how the project will be done.

Before a remediation project can be deemed successful, a post-remediation assessment must be conducted by a mold assessment consultant. This is an inspection to ensure the following: that the work area is free from all visible mold and wood rot; the project was completed in compliance with the remediation protocol and remediation work plan; and the project meets all clearance criteria that were specified in the protocol. The assessment consultant must give you a passed clearance report documenting the results of this inspection. If the project fails clearance, further remediation as prescribed by a consultant will be necessary.

You suspect mold… now what do you do?

If a tenant is complaining, we suggest that you listen. At a minimum, we suggest that you contact an IAQ specialist with a mold consultant license, perform air sampling and get a mold protocol. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, if the total surface area of mold contamination is 25 contiguous square feet or less, you are not required to be licensed to perform mold assessment or mold remediation. However, to protect yourself from a liability standpoint, we always recommend that you speak with a licensed mold remediator.

See the article on AAFAME’s website here.

Southpro Supports BOMA Extravaganza - 10.27.10

The Roaring 20′s were reborn on October 27th as Austin’s Building Owners and Managers Association held its annual Extravaganza.  Southpro continued its support of BOMA Austin by sponsoring the event.

Members of Southpro’s team who attended the event included Aaron Paul and Dwight McDuffie.

Southpro has long been a supporter of BOMA Austin.  Members of Southpro’s team volunteered on BOMA’s committees and now sit on the Board of Directors.  Southpro is honored to be part of such a prestigious organization.