Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities

EP# 146: Unmasking the Hidden Dangers of Indoor Air: Brandy Schoverling's Insights with EZ Breathe

• Skip Mauney & Brandy Schoverling • Episode 146

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What makes Brandy Schoverling with EZ Breathe a good neighbor?

Discover the unseen dangers lurking in your home and how to combat them with Brandy Schoverling, co-owner of EZ Breathe. What if the air you breathe every day is a hidden culprit behind persistent health issues? With over 20 years of expertise, Brandy reveals the critical importance of duct cleaning and mold remediation for both residential and commercial properties. From enhancing indoor air quality to debunking myths like the sufficiency of air fresheners and the misconception that new homes are immune, this episode is packed with vital insights for maintaining a healthy living and working environment.

Join us as Brandy shares her inspiring journey into the world of duct cleaning, driven by her husband’s extensive experience in the industry. Learn how EZ Breathe has been a trusted partner for communities since 2006, addressing the needs of homeowners, renters, and businesses alike. Whether you're a pet owner, have recently renovated, or simply want the best for your indoor spaces, this conversation will empower you with knowledge to ensure your air systems are safe and efficient. Tune in for actionable tips and expert advice that could transform your home or office's air quality.

To learn more about EZ Breathe go to:

https://www.facebook.com/ezbreathetn/

EZ Breathe

(423) 384-0876



Speaker 1:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Skip Monty.

Speaker 2:

Hello everyone and welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast of the Tri-Cities. Are you in need of duct cleaning in your house? That's something that a lot of folks don't even realize they need to do and it can cause a lot of issues. If you are, one might be closer than you think, because today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, ms Brandy Shoveling, who is the co-owner and operator of EasyBreathe Brandy. Welcome to the show.

Speaker 3:

Thank you for having me.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. We're thrilled to have you, and I know I used to work in a different kind of business that had a huge facility and we felt it was really important to clean our ducts at least once a year actually, because we had a lot of people with issues, you know, breathing, sinus issues and that sort of thing. So I'm really interested in learning more about what you and your company do. So, if you don't mind, why don't you kick us off by telling us about your business?

Speaker 3:

So we were established in 2006. We're a family operated business. We do duct cleaning and mold remediation. Both we focus on residential and commercial buildings. Residential would be more, like you know, homeowners who want to improve their indoor air quality, reduce allergens, enhance their HVAC efficiency. And renters, landlords, new homebu buyers, people that suffer from allergy and asthma sufferers and pet owners. And commercial, the commercial part that we focus on will be office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, hotels. We work with medical facilities, schools and manufacturing. We've done work for factories, government buildings, apartment complexes. We work with a lot of real estate agents, home inspectors. We do new construction, old construction, fire and water damage restoration, because if you have a fire damage in your house, then you need to get your ductwork cleaned out.

Speaker 2:

Gotcha.

Speaker 3:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

You guys do a lot.

Speaker 3:

Yes, we do.

Speaker 2:

You do, and it's really important too. Like I said, I you know, I've known people to get sick and you're shocked when you, if you have your ducts cleaned out or you do mold remediation, it's shocking to see what might be behind a wall where water's been running or, you know, in the ductwork itself, although especially, like you said, if you have animals. I've got two dogs and a cat, so I get it. I totally get it. Brandy, how did you get into this business?

Speaker 3:

Well, my husband worked in the field previous to us actually opening, so he has over 20 years experience in the industry. So before we actually launched our own business, he, like I said, he worked for a previous company and then that company closed, so he saw an opportunity to start his own business and that's basically how our journey began.

Speaker 2:

Awesome 20 years. That's very nice to know. What are some myths or misconceptions in the mold remediation and duct cleaning, duct system cleaning business. Are there any misconceptions?

Speaker 3:

There's a lot of misconceptions in both industries. One of the myths for duct cleaning is that newer homes doesn't need duct cleaning and, like I mentioned earlier, we do new construction projects. And, like I mentioned earlier, we do new construction projects we do like post-renovation and because all the debris from the drywall and the remodel gets into your ductwork, it accumulates and can cause problems, you know, in your home that's. Another myth is that using air fresheners or high quality filters eliminates the need for getting your ductwork cleaned out, and that's also false. Obviously, the better the filter is, you know it does help. However, the air fresheners and stuff just kind of mask the odors of the actual, the dirty vents. Another myth is that if your vents look clean, that they are, but that's not. That's also not true because the stuff gets inside the actual ductwork of your house.

Speaker 2:

New construction. You know I can't imagine with all the sanding. And you know, like you said, drywall. You know I can't imagine with all the sanding and you know, like you said, drywall, I've done. I've done some, fixed a couple, patched a couple holes in my popcorn ceiling and had to sand a lot.

Speaker 3:

I was covered, I was covered, and you know, and all of that got into our system so we're probably due for one at my house and then everything that goes that you're breathing obviously goes into your lungs.

Speaker 3:

So all that dust and debris and pet dander and allergens and pollen, all of that goes into your lungs, which could cause, you know, medical issues for you. And then, as far as the mold misconceptions, there's obviously there's a lot that surrounds mold. There's a lot of misinformation online mold there's a lot of misinformation online and one of the number one misconceptions that I hear and that if you Google it online, it will tell you that bleach is the best solution for removing mold. That is inaccurate, because bleach only removes it on the surface, so it doesn't actually kill the mold that's growing in your drywall, your wood, your insulation. It actually can cause more mold spores to grow. So proper remediation, yeah, requires specialized antimicrobial treatments and actually addressing the actual where the moisture is coming from, which is obviously what we do. Another one would be that only black mold is dangerous. That's also, you know, inaccurate. There's mold in all different colors and forms and they're all hazardous for your health.

Speaker 2:

If you hadn't brought up black mold. I was going to because I know that's something that I've run into anyway. People are scared to death of it.

Speaker 3:

Yes, yes, black mold is very dangerous, but there's also other forms of mold that's just as dangerous as black mold.

Speaker 2:

Just as dangerous.

Speaker 3:

Very well.

Speaker 2:

So outside of work, Brandy, what do you do for fun?

Speaker 3:

We have four children, and so we try to spend as much time with them as possible. We have two dogs, three cats, and so we're very family oriented. And our children every one of our children has worked for us in the past. That's usually was their first career, and then they moved on, obviously, to other things. That's awesome, though.

Speaker 2:

That's awesome. I understand. I've got five kids and it keeps you running. Mine are older. Yeah, my youngest is now 22. So yeah, I'm an old guy.

Speaker 3:

My youngest is 20.

Speaker 2:

Oh really, oh wow. Well, I know where you're coming from.

Speaker 3:

then he just turned 20 the other day actually.

Speaker 2:

Oh wow. Well, happy birthday to the youngest. Well, family is a good answer with having fun, so that's what I always say. Answer, you know, with having fun, so that's what I always say. What if, if, if, brandy, if you could think of one thing you would like our listeners to remember about Easy Breathe what would that be?

Speaker 3:

And that we're very, we're very professional with. My husband is at every job site, so he oversees every job. He is in control of every job that he does. He is very meticulous. He wants to make sure that he has removed if it is mold, that he has removed all you know, as much mold as you possibly can remove. We follow the NADCA standards, which is the National Air Duct Cleaners Association for for duct cleaning, and we're CIC certified, which is on the mold side. And you know, just getting your duct work cleaned out can really reduce your indoor air quality and affect your, you know, help with your heat pump system run more efficiently.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, absolutely. My wife gets on to me about replacing filters on a timely basis, because if you don't do that, it creates a mess.

Speaker 3:

It does. And it can eliminate odors and, like I say, you know and there's a lot of things that having your ductwork cleaned out can do for you that a lot of people are just unaware of the health benefits are definitely the most important. Yeah, the health benefits are huge, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, absolutely Well if, brandy, how can our? If anybody's interested in giving you a call, they've got a problem with mold or, you know, they've had a leak. There's a lot of flood damage around this area right now.

Speaker 3:

How can? How can?

Speaker 2:

our listeners learn more about you and contact you.

Speaker 3:

We are on Facebook. We have email.

Speaker 2:

The best way to contact us is probably through phone, and what number is that? 423-384-0876. 423-384-0876. Very good.

Speaker 3:

And that's my husband's actual direct cell phone one, so he he's the one that can answer all the technical questions for them.

Speaker 2:

Gotcha, gotcha, all right, very good. Well, brandy, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you being on our show and time out of your busy schedule to let our listeners know all about Easy Breathe and about you guys, and I wish you and your family and Easy Breathe all the best moving forward.

Speaker 3:

Thank you and I really appreciate you taking time out to have me on your show.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 3:

And, matter of fact, I know you own several other businesses. We'll have you back to talk about that. Yes, that sounds great. All right, thanks so much. Great, I look forward to it.

Speaker 2:

Thanks so much Same here. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnptry-citiescom. That's gnptry-citiescom, or call 423-719-5873.