Disaster Blaster, Inc

I was extremely happy with everything that Disaster Blaster did at my home. They were here quickly and dried out my kitchen in a timely manner. When they discovered a layer of asbestos flooring they were quick to get the necessary approvals from my insurance company and have it properly and safely remoed (which I appreciated since I have small children). Everyone I spoke to and dealt with was very understanding of my situation and patient with my questions. Great company!

May 6, 2015Dear *** ***:I am in receipt of your letter of May 1, (copy attached)From your letter it appears that this is your third attempt at writing to usI can assure you that we did not receive any of the prior requests and had we received them, we would have answered your inquiry
immediately.In any event, regarding *** ***’s complaint, let me say the following:Disaster Blaster Incis licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform Radon MitigationTo acquire and maintain this license extensive training and testing is required by the StateIn our capacity as a Radon Mitigation Company, our primary goal is to reduce radon levels in the home or other buildingsWe are trained and educated in the design and installation of the systems required to reduce radon levels within the acceptable standards setGiven these facts, we do not permit customers to determine the general design and layout of the radon mitigation system installed but rather must be allowed to rely on our training in designing a system that provides the best overall radon reduction.In this particular case, we are pleased to advise that we designed and installed a system that reduced the radon level from the pre-existing poi/L to pCi/L, a number well below what is considered acceptableAfter having received this very favorable result, *** *** would like to have changes made to the design of the radon system.As explained to *** *** multiple times, we recommend against the changes he has suggested as they will most probably reduce the effectiveness of the present systemWhile there is a great deal of information on the Internet related to radon and radon mitigation systems, we feel it is safe to say that reading this available information does not make one an expert in Radon MitigationThere is much more that needs to be learned, through experience and training, before the State licenses a firm to perform this mitigation work*** *** does not appear to appreciate our expertise to his detriment.Despite the fact that we do not believe *** ***’s radon mitigation system design should be changed, in an effort to appease *** ***, we have informed him that we will redesign the system to his specifications but that he would have to pay for this additional workAs well since this new system would now be his design, not ours, we would be unable to warrant in any way that the radon levels would be reduced to acceptable levels.Regarding the moisture/condensation concerns *** *** mentions in his complaint, as previously explained to *** ***, this is due to the condensation running down the outside of the pipe and not through the fan boxAs well, *** ***’s concern about water getting into the pipe at the out flow point was also explained and this is considered acceptable as the fan system is designed to handle this moisture.Also regarding radon testing, Disaster Blaster Incfeels that it is a conflict of interest for us to perform the clearance testing on the work we performAccordingly our quote to design and install the radon system at *** ***’s home did not charge for any testing but rather allows the customer to obtain and pay for testing from any licensed testing vendor of his choosingOur Radon Mitigation License with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania specifically contains an approved filing that indicates that is how testing is handled by our firmIt is interesting to note that at this juncture the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is presently revising their licensing standards and one of the changes being considered is to prevent all Radon Mitigation Firms from testing their own workIt appears then we will be at the forefront of this important revision.In conclusion, as *** *** was already aware, this matter has been turned over to our legal counsel with instructions to collect the amounts owed us or proceed with the filing of a mechanics lien against the customer's propertyAt this time it is Disaster Blaster Inc's position that we designed and installed a system that is operating properly and is reducing radon in the home to acceptable standards and accordingly we have fulfilled our obligationWe now ask that *** *** fulfill his by paying the $1,presently owed within the next fifteen (15) daysThis balance includes late charges and attorney/collection costs to dateAdditional late charges and fees will continue to accrue if not paid within that period of time.Thank you for your attention to this matterIf you need anything further, let me know.Thank you, Gary L

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
I disagree with the rebuttal sent by Disaster Blaster in regard to my complaint First of all I see they did some research and found that they are responsible for post mitigation testingThey replied that PADEP is changing the law to not have conflict of interest I agree and understand that but at the time we signed a contract with them PADEP stipulates Post-Mitigation testing to be done by person or persons installing the systemI have a copy of it in writing from PADEPThat part is done and over with since I had the testing done and that is how Disaster Blaster got the results which were very good MY complaint is more about aesthetics The piping running outside and vertically up the wall of my home is not plumb and very noticeable, also where it crosses over the soffit panel (eave) it is not straight and the pipe leading above the roof line shoots out on an angle I'm not saying that I am an expert in this field but I have seen many other systems and they don't look like this one two different colors crooked not plumb and such I can't believe changing a degree elbow to a degree elbow at the end of the run would restrict air flow I also remit that I contracted for what they term the elite system and choose the largest most expensive fan available by them because if in case the post-mit test #s were not good that Disaster Blaster would drill addtional hole or holes in concrete basement flooring til post-Mit testing was good That would require more piping and more elbows coming from another part of the basement into the already existing system Would that not cause a restriction in air-flow??? I am not asking for a re-design just correct the outside piping so it doesn't look "shoddy" I would also like to mention they did not say anything about an appointment I had scheduled with Allen R*** to look at this job soon after it was completedAllen is one their employees who does the initial estimate and work to be done( I already had the concrete floor drilled out for them with PVC pipe already in place they just had to connect to itback to the appointment with Allen, he never kept the appointment, I e-mailed him and he stated that it slipped his mind or something to do with his calenderAnyway he e- mailed me back and apologized and said he would call back and make another appointment agreeable to both of usI said fine However he failed to call me back I am also questioning now were did they get that I owe them $1012.50? If they hired an Attorney, why should I have to pay for it? I was also in touch with their Attorney *** *** ** *** of *** *** *** from Tunkhannock Pasent him all the details of this situation and sent him a money order in the amount of $362.50, which he signed for,, leaving a balance of $Now obviously Gary L*** of Disaster Blaster did not receive this money, and I will gladly pay this when the job is corrected I hate to say this but it appears they are resorting to strong arm tactics by adding addtional monies to what I actually owe and threatening me with a "Mechanics Lien" on my property In regard to water and moisture entering the fan box they state that this fan box is designed to handle this, maybe so but I don't see any warranty stating suchShould I just take their word for it? Like I mentioned earlier I'm not an expert in this particular field but I have taken many courses in Building Construction relating to my former position as an Officer in the FDNY Thank you in advance for all you can do
Regards,
*** ***

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
I disagree with the rebuttal sent by Disaster Blaster in regard to my complaint First of all I see they did some research and found that they are responsible for post mitigation testingThey replied that PADEP is changing the law to not have conflict of interest I agree and understand that but at the time we signed a contract with them PADEP stipulates Post-Mitigation testing to be done by person or persons installing the systemI have a copy of it in writing from PADEPThat part is done and over with since I had the testing done and that is how Disaster Blaster got the results which were very good MY complaint is more about aesthetics The piping running outside and vertically up the wall of my home is not plumb and very noticeable, also where it crosses over the soffit panel (eave) it is not straight and the pipe leading above the roof line shoots out on an angle I'm not saying that I am an expert in this field but I have seen many other systems and they don't look like this one two different colors crooked not plumb and such I can't believe changing a degree elbow to a degree elbow at the end of the run would restrict air flow I also remit that I contracted for what they term the elite system and choose the largest most expensive fan available by them because if in case the post-mit test #s were not good that Disaster Blaster would drill addtional hole or holes in concrete basement flooring til post-Mit testing was good That would require more piping and more elbows coming from another part of the basement into the already existing system Would that not cause a restriction in air-flow??? I am not asking for a re-design just correct the outside piping so it doesn't look "shoddy". I would also like to mention they did not say anything about an appointment I had scheduled with Allen R*** to look at this job soon after it was completedAllen is one their employees who does the initial estimate and work to be done( I already had the concrete floor drilled out for them with PVC pipe already in place they just had to connect to itback to the appointment with Allen, he never kept the appointment, I e-mailed him and he stated that it slipped his mind or something to do with his calenderAnyway he e- mailed me back and apologized and said he would call back and make another appointment agreeable to both of usI said fine However he failed to call me back. I am also questioning now were did they get that I owe them $1012.50? If they hired an Attorney, why should I have to pay for it? I was also in touch with their Attorney *** *** ** *** of *** *** *** from Tunkhannock Pasent him all the details of this situation and sent him a money order in the amount of $362.50, which he signed for,, leaving a balance of $Now obviously Gary L*** of Disaster Blaster did not receive this money, and I will gladly pay this when the job is corrected. I hate to say this but it appears they are resorting to strong arm tactics by adding addtional monies to what I actually owe and threatening me with a "Mechanics Lien" on my property. In regard to water and moisture entering the fan box they state that this fan box is designed to handle this, maybe so but I don't see any warranty stating suchShould I just take their word for it? Like I mentioned earlier I'm not an expert in this particular field but I have taken many courses in Building Construction relating to my former position as an Officer in the FDNY Thank you in advance for all you can do
Regards,
*** ***

May 27, 2015Enclosed is invoice from Disaster Blaster showing owe a balance of $762.50, Also is a letter sent to their lawyer from [redacted] along with money order for $362.50 for which he signed return receipt and lastly copy of money order made out to Disaster Blaster but sent to their lawyer as requested.Respectfully submitted,

May 6, 2015Dear [redacted]:
I am in receipt of your letter of May 1, 2015 (copy attached). From your letter it appears that this is your third attempt at writing to us. I can assure you that we did not receive any of the prior requests and had we received them, we would have...

answered your inquiry immediately.In any event, regarding [redacted]’s complaint, let me say the following:Disaster Blaster Inc. is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform Radon Mitigation. To acquire and maintain this license extensive training and testing is required by the State. In our capacity as a Radon Mitigation Company, our primary goal is to reduce radon levels in the home or other buildings. We are trained and educated in the design and installation of the systems required to reduce radon levels within the acceptable standards set. Given these facts, we do not permit customers to determine the general design and layout of the radon mitigation system installed but rather must be allowed to rely on our training in designing a system that provides the best overall radon reduction.
In this particular case, we are pleased to advise that we designed and installed a system that reduced the radon level from the pre-existing 17 poi/L to 1.7 pCi/L, a number well below what is considered acceptable. After having received this very favorable result, [redacted] would like to have changes made to the design of the radon system.
As explained to [redacted] multiple times, we recommend against the changes he has suggested as they will most probably reduce the effectiveness of the present system. While there is a great deal of information on the Internet related to radon and radon mitigation systems, we feel it is safe to say that reading this available information does not make one an expert in Radon Mitigation. There is much more that needs to be learned, through experience and training, before the State licenses a firm to perform this mitigation work. [redacted] does not appear to appreciate our expertise to his detriment.Despite the fact that we do not believe [redacted]’s radon mitigation system design should be changed, in an effort to appease [redacted], we have informed him that we will redesign the system to his specifications but that he would have to pay for this additional work. As well since this new system would now be his design, not ours, we would be unable to warrant in any way that the radon levels would be reduced to acceptable levels.
Regarding the moisture/condensation concerns [redacted] mentions in his complaint, as previously explained to [redacted], this is due to the condensation running down the outside of the pipe and not through the fan box. As well, [redacted]’s concern about water getting into the pipe at the out flow point was also explained and this is considered acceptable as the fan system is designed to handle this moisture.
Also regarding radon testing, Disaster Blaster Inc. feels that it is a conflict of interest for us to perform the clearance testing on the work we perform. Accordingly our quote to design and install the radon system at [redacted]’s home did not charge for any testing but rather allows the customer to obtain and pay for testing from any licensed testing vendor of his choosing. Our Radon Mitigation License with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania specifically contains an approved filing that indicates that is how testing is handled by our firm. It is interesting to note that at this juncture the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is presently revising their licensing standards and one of the changes being considered is to prevent all Radon Mitigation Firms from testing their own work. It appears then we will be at the forefront of this important revision.
In conclusion, as [redacted] was already aware, this matter has been turned over to our legal counsel with instructions to collect the amounts owed us or proceed with the filing of a mechanics lien against the customer's property. At this time it is Disaster Blaster Inc's position that we designed and installed a system that is operating properly and is reducing radon in the home to acceptable standards and accordingly we have fulfilled our obligation. We now ask that [redacted] fulfill his by paying the $1,012.50 presently owed within the next fifteen (15) days. This balance includes late charges and attorney/collection costs to date. Additional late charges and fees will continue to accrue if not paid within that period of time.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you need anything further, let me know.
Thank you, 
Gary L.

I was very happy with everyone at Disaster Blaster. They were here the same day that I called and got my home dried out quickly. They were always willing and available to answer all of my questions.