Welcome Emily!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself...my name is Emily Mixell. Today marks my newest adventure in life, today is my first day as the new Training Services Manager for the Restoration Technical Institute. I am excited to start working at the Restoration Technical Institute and learn all aspects of the company. I graduated in May 2013 from Lycoming College with a B.A in Commercial Design. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. Please share any feedback on our course offerings or discussion topics that interest you. I look forward to working with you and being part of the Restoration Technical Institute Group.

The Restoration Technical Institute will become the first dedicated training school for iCAT contents restoration software, Canada

We are thrilled to work with iCAT. Our Contents Restoration Curriculum will combine iCAT's cloud based solution for efficient inventorying, tracking, and reporting with hands on contents processing.

The program will combine theory with practical application so that graduates can succeed in the field of Contents Restoration.

iCAT issued the attached press release with more information.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11059305.htm

What do Bed Bud Infested Textiles and Condition 2 Mold Textiles Have in Common?

Dissolvable laundry bags were originally designed to contain bed bug infested laundry and linens but are a great tool for processing Condition 2 Mold textiles as well. Remind your team to properly "sort" the textiles during packout because they are going right into your machines. Bug Bag dissolvable laundry bags are a great tool when dealing with a bed bug infestation. With these water soluble laundry bags, you can help prevent infesting other parts of your home when transporting bags. I should also add that proper protocol following the S520 should be used - PPE, Containment, etc. in regards to Mold Remediation. These bags can be found at www.bedbugsupply.com

What's in Your Wallet? (really, your Restoration Tool Box)

Why would you have an electric knife in your Bio-Cleanup kits? An electric knife is a great tool to cut out affected foam and mattress material for proper disposal. Learn this tip and more during Forensic Restoration Class, September 10-12 instructed by industry great, Don McNulty. Visit the Courses/Registration page of our website for more information on this amazing class!

What is "Bugging" the Paint Industry?

SHELLAC SHORTAGE     

By Gene Lemons – Texas Paint & Wallpaper


A world-wide shortage of raw shellac resin is really bugging the paint industry and causing price escalations that we have not seen, in the paint coating industry, since World War II.
Shellac is a natural resin secreted from the female lac beetle during their mating season. This secretion is gathered from trees, branches and leaves, which are primarily located in the south-east Asia nations of India and Thailand.
Shellac is used in a number of specialty convenience products which are then used by consumers world-wide.  Some of the uses of shellac include products produced for nail polish, paint coatings, food processing, medical equipment use, ink products, and many other applications. Although the shelf-life of the raw shellac flakes are indefinite, the shelf-life of liquified shellac is not as long as other paint coatings made from vinyl, lacquer, or other more synthetic resins. So, “stocking-up” while supplies last may not be the best idea.

Although world-wide demand for raw shellac has risen, there doesn’t appear to be any “one thing” that has caused the shortage of raw shellac resin. One possible reason given for the shortages is that the beetles are being disturbed by human encroachments into their normal mating areas.
In its raw state, shellac is an amber flake that can be liquified into a paint coating, which can then can be applied to wood surfaces, to provide a very long-lasting protective film.
As costs continue to escalate, we anticipate a very unstable pricing market for the products we sell which are made from shellac. These products include clear and amber shellac coatings as well as shellac based primer-sealers.
While shellac has served the paint industry very well, keep in mind that there are a number of other paint products that can do many of the jobs that shellac can do.

• Varnishes and lacquers will provide a beautiful long-lasting clear finish for hardwood floors, cabinets, doors and other wood surfaces that require a natural finish.
• Water-borne and alkyd-based primer-sealers can provide the same sealing power of shellac over most stains and smoke damages.