Saturday, March 16, 2013

Water Damage Clean Up: Do's and Don'ts

It has always happened to someone else. However, this time it is you. Whether your child left the water on, your pipes broke, your washing machine leaked, or there was a storm that decided to make its presence known inside your house; you now have a lot of water where it should not be. You know that what you do now can impact whether or not parts of your house and your belongings can be salvaged. However, you are probably not sure of exactly what to do or not to do when it comes to water damage clean up. Thankfully, these types of events do not happen very often, but that means not many know what to do when it does.

Safety First

First and foremost, be sure that you and anyone helping you remain safe while trying to clean up from water damage. Many types of hazards can be present with water leakage, including the potential for electrical shock. If you are ever unsure if the area or situation is safe or not to enter, to stop water loss, or to begin clean up, wait for the professionals to arrive.

Prevent More Damage

Remember to stay calm. Losing your head during an urgent situation such as this can lead to more damage, more problems, and the potential for you or others to get injured. If possible, stop the water loss. This may require the services of a professional plumber or your local water department. Locate and turn off the breaker to the affected areas before you remove or unplug any and all electronics.
Use aluminum foil to prevent furniture stains on your carpet by placing it under furniture legs. If the water is deeper, you can use plastic bowls or buckets on the legs of the furniture. Remove any draperies and rugs from the area. Also remove any wall decorations if the walls are affected. Empty drawers and cupboards of all items in order to help them dry quicker and easier. Turn on your air conditioning unit to help decrease drying time, but only if the unit is not located in the affected area.

Dont's

Do not use your vacuum cleaner. This can cause electrical shock and can damage the unit. Use a mop or s squeegee if the area allows. Do not place newspaper in the area as the ink can be transferred to the wet carpet and cause a permanent stain. If the ceiling is wet, do not turn on light fixtures or ceiling fans.

A water leak and subsequent water damage can be a very stressful situation and lead to many uncertainties. However, it is important to remain calm and make safety a priority when this happens. Following these tips for dealing with a water leak can help prevent further damage from occurring and give you peace of mind that you did all.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7521873

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Overcoming Fire Damage to Your Business

Fire damage to your business can be so disheartening. When this happens, you will have to stop your business for a time, and this probably will mean lost money. If you find yourself in a situation like this, you would be wise to call some type of restoration services to help you get your business back on its feet. It may be a long road, but hopefully you will be able to have most things restored.

As you look for a company to help restore your business from the fire damage, you should consider several aspects of the companies that you find before choosing one. You should make sure that they are trustworthy, client-centered, and efficient. Each of these areas will help your experience to be a better one in the restoration process.

It is important to find a trustworthy restoration company because of the many items in your office to which the company will have access. Depending on your business, you may have a lot of personal information of individuals that needs to stay protected. Thankfully, computer systems help keep things hidden a little better than in the past. There will still be the need for discretion. Make sure the company guarantees the integrity of their workers.

Finding a client-centered restoration service for fire damage is also important. When you are going through something like this, you want to have good customer service. A client-centered approach will put your needs ahead of the company's. They should work with your timeline and strive to get things done by the date you set. They should also be sensitive as they deal with you concerning the loss of materials from your business. Everything in an office is not professional. You may have lost items of personal value.

Efficiency is also something to consider. The company should come in, give you a quote as to the cost, take the items they believe can be restored, and give you a prospective time frame for restoration. You should also give them a time for when you desire the items to be returned, and hopefully they will be able to work with you on that.

All of these areas are important traits of a restoration business for fire damage. No business owner wants to even consider having the office burn. It really could be a nightmare. Thankfully, with the right help that is available today, the nightmare may be cut short, and hopefully, the items that you thought would be lost will not be.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7449478

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Get Professional Help for Renovation After a Disaster

Nowadays, global warming has become a major cause for frequent natural disasters. Disasters like floods and tornadoes leave homes in a miserable state. Without professional help, restoration would become quite a difficult job. Therefore, it is advisable to hire professional help to restore your home.
A few benefits of hiring professional help are:

Expertise & Experience

Professional firms have years of experience of restoring houses and will be able to mend your damaged house more appropriately. Their expertise in this field will enable them to clean up your house and utilize the waste more efficiently. The trained crew will be able to perform the job much better than you as you probably lack the required knowledge and expertise in the area.

Equipment

If you plan to restore your home yourself, you will have to purchase tool sets or other equipment to help you with the task. Professional teams have all the required tools and equipment needed for the job. Moreover, their professional equipment will have better features and will be able to execute tasks more efficiently and quickly than tools and equipment you may have bought for yourself.

Finance

Restoring the house yourself may cost you more than you may have calculated. You may be missing a few resources like nails, drill, paint etc. which you will be required to buy. A restoration company has all the required resources and will cost you a reasonable amount of money.

Professional Support in Legal Matters

After a disaster, you may want to file a claim with your insurance company to receive compensation for the restoration costs of your house. Filing a claim is a lengthy, time-consuming and hectic process. Having professional help in such matters will help you get through all the legal processes and formal documentation. They will also get you a fair price for your claim than you would have been able to get for yourself as insurance companies usually try to exploit the lack of knowledge of their customers and underestimate the value of the destroyed property.

Compliance with Official Construction Guidelines

A professional restoration company will be aware of all the guidelines set by higher authorities for home restoration and will adhere to them. Their compliance to those guidelines will reduce the possibility of your house getting damaged by a disaster in the future.

Lastly, and most importantly, hiring a professional team to carry out the restoration of your home will give your mind some rest. You will already be undergoing trauma and recovering emotionally from the tragedy. A professional restoration firm will take a portion of your stress away.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7305183

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Water Damage FAQ

What causes water damage?
The most obvious causes of water damage, and those that cannot be avoided, are severe forces of nature, such as hurricanes or floods. Water damage also can occur when a fire is extinguished, from leaking pipes, and malfunctioning washing machines and heaters, as well as leaks in your roofing and siding and from defective gutters, which will cause water to pool around your property and potentially leak into your basement.
What areas of my property should I watch regularly for damage?
Water damage can occur in every area of your home and property, but there are certain areas that, if damaged, are more problematic and should be watched closely. Check the plumbing pipes and connections in your home's bathrooms and kitchen as well as any pipelines in your basement or crawl spaces for standing water and leaks.
What are some hidden signs of water damage?
Some of these signs include peeling paint and wallpaper, splotches of mold, moisture and condensation, a musty smell and moisture in your carpet or other flooring.
Are there any tools or pieces of equipment that are important for detecting and dealing with water damage?
Moisture detectors are important since moisture can cause mold growth and poor air quality. Leak detectors are used for finding hidden water leaks, including those in walls and crawl spaces. Other tools you can use are dehumidifiers and water extractors to help repair water damage.
What actions do I take when I first notice the damage?
Immediately following a water-related incident, call your insurance provider to inform him/her of the damage. If your home is severely damaged, determine whether it is structurally safe to enter. If not or you are unsure, immediately make arrangements to stay elsewhere.
What steps can I take to minimize the damage?
If your home is structurally sound and before the restoration professionals arrive, turn off your home's power, water and natural gas supplies. Cover damaged windows, doors, walls and roof areas with plywood or plastic sheeting to protect your interior from the elements.
Does water damage cause mold?
Water damage certainly has the potential to cause the growth of mildew and mold. Because mold thrives in moist and warm environments, any place that is wet (and especially humid) is a perfect place for mold to grow.
How can I prepare for expected water intrusion from a storm?
The best way to keep water from becoming a major problem is to prepare your property before the damage occurs. One thing you should be sure to know is how to cut-off the power in your home in case of a flood. Water and electricity are a deadly combination.
How can I help speed the repair of my home and property after a storm?
Documenting your property's damage and relaying the information to your restoration professional can make for a speedier repair. Inspect the exterior of your home for damage. Check out your roofing structure and document any shingles missing or in need of repair. Also note if your chimney or the flashing surrounding it is damaged or missing and list any damages to your gutters. Check your home's siding for warped or loose boards. Note signs of water intrusion through your home's windows and doors and don't forget to check the access points to your basement.
How can I remove standing water easily?
The first step to removing standing water from within your home is to sweep it outdoors. Any standing water left on carpeted areas should quickly be removed with a wet-vac. The removal of standing water is crucial for salvaging your home's carpeting and could save you money.
How does the water removal process work?
Several steps are taken to remove water from your property in the event of a flood, hurricane or other water-related disaster. First, the water will be removed from the property. Once the water is removed, a dehumidification process will begin to dry the wet areas. Next, evaporation of the water will occur, and, finally, the air will be tested to ensure that all water and moisture is gone from the property and won't cause any further problems.
Other processes involved with water damage restoration include wet carpet restoration, odor control, fabric restoration, mold remediation, and dry wall and wood floor restoration.
What are the different categories of water?
There are three basic categories of water. The type of water in your property will help determine the extent of the damage and how the water will be removed.
The first category of water is clean water than poses no harm to people. This includes water damage caused by a sink or bathtub overflow or an appliance malfunction.
The second category of water is called gray water. This category includes water that has a significant amount of contamination, which can be chemical, physical and/or biological. Gray water can cause harm and illness to those who are exposed to or drink it.
The third category of water is known as black water. This water is very unsanitary and contains pathogenic agents coming from other contaminated water sources. It can cause discomfort and illness to those who are exposed to or who drink it. Black water can come from sewage and flood waters from rivers and streams.
What should I do to protect my valuables?
If your home is too damaged to secure, remove valuables to a storage facility or the home of a trusted friend or family member. If your home is secured against intrusion, transfer valuable belongings to a safe and dry place within your home. Relocate water-damaged items, such as furniture, clothing and rugs, to an area of your home that is dry.
Does home maintenance really make a difference in preventing water damage?
Even the most highly conceptualized and well-built home cannot protect you 100 percent from water intrusion and the resulting damage, but a well maintained home can protect you from most water incidents, excluding severe emergencies. Routine maintenance and seasonal inspections of roofing and siding as well as other vulnerable areas can pinpoint potential problems before they can allow for water infiltration and damage.
How do I hire a professional restoration company?
Hiring a professional restoration company is important to ensure proper care for your property. Most insurance carriers will specify a list of restoration companies available to you and some may allow you to choose a restoration company from your own research.
Professional restoration companies will have available to you a list of industry organizations to which they belong and certifications they carry. Many professional restoration companies will also have examples of their work for you to view. In the case of disaster restoration, checking references may not be advantageous. But, rest assured that industry associations have strict guidelines and verify that members follow them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1667248

Monday, March 4, 2013

What Are the Steps Involved in a Water or Flood Restoration Service?

Water or flood damage can lead to a range of issues, from excessive house humidity levels to structural damage to mold growth. Find out how a professional disaster restoration specialist can help you get your home get back to normal after severe water damage.

Water damage is never a good thing for a home, but severe damage from a flood or a major leak is even worse. The good news, though, is that professional water and flood restoration pros are available to help you through the steps of a successful cleanup process. From initial assessment to professional humidity control procedures, these experts will be able to get your home dried out and restored to a stable state in a timely and thorough manner.

When your home has been severely damaged by water, the first thing to do is to get a water damage restoration professional into the building to perform a comprehensive assessment of the situation. These experts have both the knowledge and the tools to catalog the full extent of the damage, especially when it comes to issues that you can't see. They will also be able to identify burgeoning problem areas--such as a compromised structural element--and will be able to create a restoration plan that targets the most vital areas first so that your home does not sustain any more damage.

Once your restoration team has assessed the situation and designed a plan, they will proceed through a targeted process of water extraction, drying, and home humidity control. The various steps of this water removal process are key. Not only will they get rid of any standing water that has collected, but they will also extract water from porous materials (drying) and from the air (humidity control). A restoration team won't just get rid of the water you can see--they'll use every resource at their disposal to remove all excess moisture from your home in a comprehensive way.

Once the moisture removal steps are dealt with, the actual water restoration work can start. Your restoration pros will do everything they can to make sure your home looks and feels as close to its original state as possible, including:

* Disinfection and mold cleanup
* Deodorizing
* Stain removal
* Contents pack outs and storage

Restoration work means much more than just water or moisture control. It actually means restoring your home to its pre-damage state. Once your home water damage restoration professionals are done, you should notice almost no different between your home before and after the damage occurred.

The first step in water or flood damage restoration services is assessment and planning, followed by water extraction, dehumidification, and then comprehensive restoration work. When your restoration pros are through, your home will be as close to its original state as it can possibly be.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6940165

Friday, March 1, 2013

Easton Construction Service Solutions

Easton Construction Group, Inc has three divisions. We offer both Emergency Service / First response (DIV I) and Complete Restoration / Reconstruction (DIV II) services for both property and structure claims. Our General and Electrical Construction (DIV III) services cover all phases of residential and commercial renovations, remodels, improvements, and maintenance. Our knowledge and experience in residential and commercial field allows us to serve you with high quality installations and job performance, making the project flow smoothly from permit application to final inspection.