Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Common Terms Associated With Damage Restoration


It is crucial to follow up on damage control after your home has suffered from water damage, fire damage and/or mold damage. Here are some common terms that are used in the damage restoration business and explanations as to what they mean. It is important for you to know some of these terms in case you ever need to have your property restored after damages.

Air Scrubbers - An air scrubber is a device that has a fan with several filters that separate contaminants from clean air and recirculate the air back into the atmosphere. These are commonly used in mold remediation and remove air bourne spores from the air.

Absolute Humidity - Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor that is presented in a unit volume of air after water condensation has taken place. It is usually expressed in kilograms per cubic meter.

Airlock - An airlock is a small compartment that enters a contaminated space without affecting the other areas. It uses air pressure to contain the air that is locked in.

Back Pressure - Back pressure will take place when the drying process has been done improperly. It happens when the air movers have been placed incorrectly. This can cause the air to be pushed downward and the moisture from the air will saturate the air in the walls or floors thus causing severe damage.

Bio-hazard - Bio-hazard is a pathogen that is potentially hazardous, dangerous and harmful if it is exposed to humans.

Black Water - Black water is water that has been contaminated from sewage or a septic tank. It enters your home due to a backup or a back flow. Black water can also come from other sources as well, such as flooding. It is very hazardous to one's heath and must be removed immediately.

Classes Of Water - The class of water is described in stages of 1 to 4. Class 1 water damage means the area was not severely affected and it will not take a long time to clean up the affected area. Class 2 water damage means, the same but has a little more water damage and may take a longer time to dry. Class 3 and 4 are similar but Class 4 is the worst of the stages and will take the longest to clean. Class 4 also has the most damage.

Fire Restoration - Fire restoration consist of cleaning all areas of the house that has been affected by fire. Including smoke, soot, stains and other chemicals. It is imperative that you hire professionals to clean your home entirely after it has damaged by a fire.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7205549

Sunday, January 27, 2013

State Farm® Preventing Water Damage to Your Home


Water leaks can happen anywhere in the house, but they occur most frequently in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry rooms. Whether it's a slow drip or sudden burst, water leaks can cause extensive damage throughout your house.

The first signs of water leakage might seem trivial. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems. Why take a chance? Learn where your home is most likely to suffer water damage, and what you can do to help prevent it.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

8 Tips for Home Kitchen Remodel


Many homeowners take advantage of kitchen remodeling to increase their home's value and buyer pool.

Kitchen remodels often sell a home quicker and at a higher price thanks to kitchen updates.
Homeowners looking to sell their home anytime soon, may want to first update their kitchen. It is generally a 100% return remodeling project, helping increase the interested home buyer pool and usually compete better in a tight housing market. Kitchen remodeling projects don't have to cost mega investment dollars. With wise planning, homeowners can gain a return of $2-3 on every $1 invested. That means remodeling a kitchen can actually earn money. Not all home remodeling investments carry the same high return; however, kitchen remodels are one of the best places to start.
Flipping the TV quickly shows the many options for today's trendy cooking shows. Homeowners are enamored with the idea of being culinary masters like never before. Where budgets and location allow for high-ended kitchen investments, upgrading to a professional-style kitchens may capitalize on the cooking craze. Small to medium kitchen investments are almost certainly paying off. Expensive kitchen remodels can also gain higher numbers of potential buyers and attractive returns when the homes sell - if the right home designer and updates were made and marketed well.
Homeowners can create a completely new look with an up-dated kitchen remodel, transforming the room from closed off to vibrant, mulch-functional, and inviting:
* Add a custom island. A granite and quartz counter-tops is a favorites of home chefs. Create proper working space and surfaces that are attractive, durable and popular.
* Install a back-splash using natural stone
* Adding fun storage extends your kitchen and makes it so much more useable
* Use a fun new painting technique on your cupboard. New paint says "fresh and clean" in an instant, and is one of the most cost effective improvements. Hiring a pro can make all the difference cutting in edges and gaining "wear and tear" length of life. For selling faster, consider a neutral color such as light tan - think of coffee with cream.
* Change up your cupboards. Add a glass front to showcase favorite dishes. Try attaching a thin veneer to the cabinet's surface, replacing the doors, and add new hardware for a finished and fashioned look.
* Install a new kitchen sink with a stylish faucet head. Sleek stainless resists scratches and is easy to maintain.
* Updated kitchen appliances to later models with energy saving features
* Hardwood or Laminate Flooring
The length of time a homeowner should plan for the project to take will be determined by:
1) the extent of the project
2) having the right materials ordered and on hand on time
3) your remodelers availability - it is good to schedule your project with the flexibility of fitting into your contractor's calendar.
A kitchen remodel should reflect the home's style. Be sure to enlist a professional home designer when attempting to go "modern" in a traditional or historic home. Homeowners can successfully add to the home's value when there is an excellent flow, are comfortable, functional, and maximize the available space in a stylish manner.
Today, the kitchen may be used for many facets of home life. Such as: a family gathering spot, meal-planning area, computer base for projects, and entertainment center-stage while hosting friends and family.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7220284

Monday, January 21, 2013

Realizing the Hazards of Water Damage and Calling the Right Experts


When you find yourself in a flood or an issue where sewage is flooding an area, you need to be concerned about the damage from the moisture as well as the toxicity of the materials. If you have a problem like this, it is important to find someone quickly to help you keep the mess from spreading and to help keep you and your family safe from the toxins that could be involved.

There are some steps you should take before you even get a chance to call for help. If you are able to get to your home's power source without going through water, you should shut off all power. This will help you and your family to be safe from possible electrocution. You should also try to cut of the source of the water. If it is a leaking pipe, try to somehow stop the flow. That could mean using duct tape or using some type of container. It will depend on the speed of the leak. If the moisture is spreading to living areas, try to get furnishings up and out of it. If it is more than water that is leaking, it is important to have your family get as far away from the problem as possible, and you should disinfect your hands and anything that has touched the fluid that is leaking.

You will need to choose a company quickly if you are in the middle of a problem. You will not have time for research. These are the types of companies that are good to research in advance and have their name and number stored in your phone and in some type of book that you can easily access. If you have the time to do this before you have a problem, there are some traits to consider in a water damage and restoration company. Look at experience, cost, and reputation.

As you search for a company to have on file in case of a problem, you would be wise to look at the experience of those who do the work. There are many facets of this line of work, from the removal of the moisture to the restoration of the home and belongings. Make sure that you find someplace that has workers who have been doing this for several years.

The cost of the job is also a consideration. Companies can take advantage of people in desperation. Try to compare the cost of work between companies. If you like several attributes of one company, but they are more expensive, explain why you would like to go to them, and ask if they will come close to meeting the lower price.

Make sure to check out the reputation of a company because this will tell you about their customer service as well as the results. Begin now in your search for water damage experts that will be available to help when you need them.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7449511

Friday, January 18, 2013

Overcoming Fire Damage Takes Professional Help


Fire damage to any structure, residential or commercial, will need the help of a professional team to get the building back into usable condition. Although it is possible to clean up a minor problem on your own, those homes with significantly damaged walls, roofing, and flooring are best left in the hands of a professional. Though you may think it is as easy as pulling out everything that's scorched and replacing it, there's much more to think about with this type of project. With the aid of a professional, though, you will have the best possible opportunity to reduce your chances of a total loss.

Cleaning Initial Debris

Not only is the initial fire damage and debris going to be toxic for you to inhale, it will be hard to remove. Sometimes, removing this material is simply too hard to do on your own, especially since you need a place to store it. After the inspector looks, you'll want to have on hazmat suits to protect your lungs when cleaning up such a mess.

The Water Damage

Sometimes the water used to control the flames can be even harder to deal with. The water sprayed into your home or around the building can be very difficult to manage in terms of cleaning up. Any surface saturated for more than 18 hours is already growing bacteria and mold. Most often, it needs thrown out rather than cleaned. It's not easy to clean up this type of water mess in an effective manner to ensure that there's nothing left that can cause you respiratory problems months down the line.

Then There Is Smoke

Smoke does an incredible job destroying a building. Not only does it darken surfaces and create a smell that doesn't go away, but it also gets into HVAC systems. It's difficult to remove. You'll need to use specialized products to clean it up as well as to cover up the visible signs of it. Smoke can often spread throughout the home even if there is only a small area that the fire occurred in. This means you'll need to ensure that every wall and surface in your home receives specific treatment to help you to avoid the repercussions.

It is not easy to manage fire damage. Even in the best situations where the flames did not spread, you still have to deal with smoke and water. All three combined can be very devastating on the structural components of the building. That's why it is critical to leave this type of cleanup and restoration work to those who know it well and who can help you to restore your home.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7448174

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Hiring a Water Damage Restoration Company After a Natural Disaster


It is difficult when you have to go through a natural disaster that causes major flooding. The water damage that can ensue from something like this is catastrophic. If you find yourself in a situation like this, or you know you are at risk for it happening, you will want to call experts who restore homes after flooding.

When your home first floods, you may or may not be home. Perhaps you have evacuated. When you do go back to your home, it is important to make sure the electricity has been turned off to your home. You can call your electrical company and ask them to do this remotely. You should also not enter your home without the right protective clothing. There could be raw sewage mixed in with the flood waters, and this could be very detrimental to your health. At this point it is a good idea to call for help. There are several things to look for in a water damage restoration company. Look for a company that is always available for emergencies, dries structures, and also has the equipment to pull out moisture. A thermal imaging infrared camera is a piece of technology that would also be helpful.

Having a company that has the right equipment to detect moisture and get rid of it is so important. If even a little bit of moisture is left, mold can grow, and then you will have an entirely different problem that will necessitate more work.

If you have never heard of a company, and they come to you offering to help after a flood, you should be very cautious. Some places might come to help people from other cities or states, but others may simply come to prey on those who will have a hard time saying no due to their circumstances. Before you say yes to someone like this, check out the company with the Better Business Bureau, compare their prices to others in the area, and make sure that the background of the employees is clean. After natural disaster, there are likely a lot of crimes such as theft. It is important that you can trust the company to be in your home without removing anything from it except for restoration.

Once you find a water damage company that you believe you can trust, you will want them to get started as soon as possible. It takes a lot of work to clean up a house as well as dry out the contents. Doing so quickly may help prevent the growth of mold and mildew.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7448418

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Our Specialties at Easton Construction Group


Easton Construction Group, Inc. ( ECG INC ) specializes in property and structure restoration. ECG INC is a full service restoration provider.

ECG INC provides a single claim solution (SCS) for all property and structure damages resulting from fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, storm damage, Vandalism and structures damage cause by vehicle impacts.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Tips To Find a Water Damage Restoration Company


Are you looking for a restoration service for repairing the damage caused by water seepage in your home or office? If the answer is yes then you are reading the right article. In this article you will find some tips which will surely help you to find the right restoration company.

The effects of water damage can be very harmful for your possessions. Water seepage not only damages your possessions but also affects the health of the family members. One should always deal properly with water damage and it`s bad effects.

It is very important to get rid of unwanted water as soon as possible because water stagnation can promote growth of mold and fungus in your home or office. Growth of mold can cause serious health hazards like allergic reactions and respiratory infections. Mold can be very dangerous for the family members specially children.

Porous materials like floors, pads and carpets are at the greater risk of damage caused by water and mold. You can surely lose your valuable belongings if water leakage is not treated promptly.

If you really want to prevent water leakage and the damages caused by this leakage then it is a good idea to do regular inspections of the house. You can easily prevent many hazards by regular maintenance and inspection of your home or office.

You should always call a restoration company if you find any signs of water leakage. The choice of restoration company depends on the nature of water causing the damage in your home. The water causing damage to your home can be clean, gray or black. The water seepage due to pipe burst does not cause health hazards because this type of water is clean as compared to black or gray water. But you should be very prompt if you find dirty water in the premises.

It is a smart idea to buy an insurance which can help you to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance of your home or office.

If you are looking for a restoration company then it is a great idea to spend some time on the internet. There are many companies with reputed websites on the World Wide Web. It is a good idea to go through them one by one. One should always go through all the services offered by the company before taking any further steps.

There are many more things which should be considered before choosing a water restoration company but above tips and techniques can help you a lot in making the right choices.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7261747

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Your Local Fire and Water Damage Restoration Experts Can Help You in Your Time of Need


Fires and floods are the things of nightmares. Thankfully, your local fire and water restoration team will be there for you during every step of your recovery, from drying out soaked furniture to removing soot to remodeling your building.
No one ever thinks that fire or water could possibly ravage their home. It always seems like something that happens to someone else or an event that only would take place in a movie. In fact, even after it has happened, many people still feel as though they are in a movie, as if this horror couldn't possibly be happening.
Tragedies are hard enough to get through without having to worry about hiring many different professionals to help you get your life back on track. That's why your local damage restoration service professionals offer fire, water, and remodeling services--for your convenience and emotional ease.
Water damage
There are so many ways that water could enter your home. Through cracks in the basement walls, a burst pipe, a leaky roof, spray from putting out a fire...the list goes on. But in the end, water is water, and it can cause serious damages to your property and harbor unwanted visitors such as mold, mildew, and dangerous pathogens.
Your water damage restoration professionals will begin the process by first vacuuming all standing water from the premises. After it is determined which possessions and structures can be salvaged, the permanently damaged materials will be hauled away, and the drying process can begin. Using professional tools such as air scrubbers, air movers, and dehumidifiers, the restoration professional will make sure that all carpets, furniture, and other materials are completely dried. Then, the area will be disinfected and deodorized. If necessary, mold remediation processes can begin to quarantine any outbreaks of mold and prevent future occurrences.
Fire restoration
Fire restoration often involves many of the same initial steps as water damage restoration, as many times a copious amount of water was used by the firefighters in order to combat the blaze. After the premises are dried out and all unsalvageable areas are identified and removed, the fire restoration professional can begin removing ash, soot, and other fire byproducts. Then the remodeling can begin.
Your remodeling contractors can handle both interior and exterior remodeling and can make your home look as though tragedy had never struck. These professionals can:
  • Install replacement windows
  • Paint
  • Perform framing and drywall work
  • Install doors
  • Install flooring
  • Perform siding contractor work
  • Replace electrical components
  • And more!
Above all, your local water and fire damage restoration team with treat you with patience and compassion. After all, you've suffered unthinkable losses. It is time to grieve, and to rebuild. Your local restoration and remodeling team is here to help you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4871352

Thursday, January 3, 2013

How to Get the Best Return on Investment for Your Home Improvement Remodeling Projects


A home improvement remodeling project can actually make you money in the long run. Also, there are returns on your investment that have nothing to do with financial gains. The most important thing about remodeling your home is that you should have something in the end that is more valuable to you than it was in the beginning. There are several ways to improve your ROI.

1. Choose the right home improvement remodeling project.

Select a plan that will make a big difference in the value of your home. The two most profitable changes are updating your kitchen and remodeling you bathroom. These are the rooms with the most cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances.

When someone wants to buy your home, they will be impressed by a modern, beautiful kitchen. They will also pay strong attention to a well-designed and nicely-appointed bathroom. Not only will these two home improvement remodeling projects add to your home's money value, but they will increase its intrinsic value to you as well.

2. Do not make mistakes.

If you spend extra time and money doing the job, you may end up with a huge investment in the project. Your home improvement remodeling job will only improve your situation financially if you spend less doing the project than the value you gain from the results. Sometimes extra costs can run up when you make mistakes in doing the job. You might buy the wrong supplies, break the supplies you get, or install them incorrectly.

However, hiring a home improvement remodeling company will assure that the job gets done right the first time. It may appear that you are getting the job done for less when you plan it out to do it yourself. Yet, if you have many false starts and wasted materials, you will probably profit more from using skilled remodelers in the first place.

3. Make sure you finish.

Many people start home improvement remodeling jobs only to leave them half-completed. Perhaps they do not have the spare time to do the work required. They might not make the financial commitment to getting the job finished. Maybe they just lose interest in the project.

For whatever reasons, there are large numbers of homeowners who have partially done projects making parts of their homes nearly unlivable. If you have started a project and do not see an end in sight, it is probably time to hire a home improvement remodeling company to finish it for you. They can put their full concentration on the job rather than having to think about it after work like you do. There is no shame in seeking help; the only shame is in leaving your home in chaos indefinitely.

Your home will bring more money on the market if your home improvement remodeling projects are completed, and completed meticulously. If you have the skills, ability, time and desire to plan a project, start it and keep it going through to the end, you may be able to make that return on investment a reality. If so, you can make it better, both in the increased price your home is worth and in the value you get from you home while you live there. If not, it is a good idea to think about hiring a home improvement remodeling company to help you out.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5432911