Wednesday, March 30, 2016

After the Water Recedes: What to Expect During Restoration of Big or Small Water Damage in Your Home


Water damage in a home can be a frightening prospect. Whether the damage is from a storm or from a leaking pipe, the water can cause untold amounts of damage to the structure as well as all the belongings inside it. Time is not your friend when you're dealing with water damage - if you have or suspect you have water damage, do not delay in calling for help and repair from your trusted contractor.

Water Categories

One of the first things that need to be determined when there is water damage is what kind of water caused it. There are three categories of water, rated on their contamination level.

Category One is clean, sanitary water, also known as clear water. This most commonly is found in clean water supply lines, such as those leading to a faucet, or in bottled drinking water. While this water has little or no contamination in itself, it can degrade into a higher category quickly if it comes into contact with outside contaminants in the environment.

Category Two, also known as grey water, is water that is mostly clean but does contain some contaminants. This kind of water is found in washing machine or dishwasher overflow, as well as toilets and bathtubs. This category of water may cause discomfort or illness if ingested, and can degrade into category three if it comes into contact with further contaminants in the environment.

Category Three water, also known as black water, is grossly unsanitary, containing a high level of contamination. It can cause severe illness or even death if ingested. Sources of this kind of water include sewage, flooding from rivers, wind-driven rain, and standing water that supports bacterial growth. If left untreated, all water will eventually reach this level of contamination as it comes into contact with bacteria and other microbes.

Extent of the Damage

Once the water contamination level has been determined, it is next necessary to determine the extent of the damage.

Class One water damage generally only affects a small area, or affects an area with very little porosity such as concrete. With no wet carpet or other highly porous materials, class one damage is the least dangerous and the easiest to repair.

Class Two damage can affect an entire room, and often includes carpet. Water may also have soaked into the walls up to 2 feet. There may be moisture in the structural materials of the building.

Class Three water damage is total saturation of walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, and walls. Water often comes from overhead in these situations.

Class Four damage is reserved for unique or specialty drying situations, in which materials with low porosity (such as hardwood, plaster, brick, stone, or concrete) have become saturated. There may be very deep pockets of saturation.

Repair Procedures

Repair will begin with inspection of the area with water sensing equipment, including probes and infrared tools, to locate the source of the damage and its extent. The source of the water will be repaired if possible, such as a leaking pipe. Some damaged materials such as drywall and carpet will be removed and replaced, while other materials such as structural beams or concrete will be dried. Other restoration services will include sanitizing contaminated areas and deodorizing the affected area.

After this labor is completed, equipment for drying such as air movers or scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and specialty floor drying systems may be left in your home for a few days, to ensure that the area is completely dried. If any water is allowed to remain in the area, contamination will continue, causing mold and bacteria growth. After two or three days (or however long is necessary), the area will be reevaluated to be sure that the drying process is complete, and drying equipment will be removed.

We hope you never have to undergo the experience of water damage in your home. But if that day comes, don't wait and let the damage compound.


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Sunday, March 27, 2016

Water Damage Can Be Dangerous to Your Home and Family


Owning a home can be a wonderful experience, but the biggest drawback to owning a home is that you are responsible for any repairs that need to be done. Any type of repairs can be costly, but it is usually the unexpected ones that seem to be the most expensive. In the event of any type of water damage, it is best to call a professional to handle the cleanup and repair.

There are a number of circumstances that can cause water damage to a property, including floods, fires, a leaky pipe, storm damage, or a leaky roof. It is best to call a company that specializes in residential and commercial restoration to handle these problems since the cleanup process can be quite thorough. If the problem is not addressed as quickly as possible, it can lead to further problems over time. One example of this would be mold. Mold can develop anytime there is excessive moisture or humidity. If there is long-term exposure or inhalation, this can become a health risk for people.

Water damage is often hidden, so many restoration companies will use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to track moisture. Finding these sources of hidden moisture can prevent further problems such as mold from developing. It is often necessary to use extraction tools and structural drying equipment to complete a repair job. This equipment is the fastest way to return a property back to being livable. Most restoration companies will provide 24/7 service to ensure that their customers get the best service possible.

Obviously, the extent of water damage varies depending on the situation. Once it is safe to enter a property, professionals can begin to stabilize it. Stabilization includes boarding up windows and doors, repairing or tarping roofs, and then performing extraction and drying techniques. They will then repair any electrical service and heating systems. Once this process is finished, an estimator can write-up an estimate and settle with the insurance adjuster. After the cleanup is finished, the rebuilding process can begin. Crews from the restoration company will usually stay on board until the job is finished. This allows for a smooth transition for the property owner.

No one likes to think about their home or business sustaining any type of water damage, but accidents and natural disasters happen every day. In the event that something does occur, it is important to find a company that you can trust to fix the problem. It is always a good idea to make sure the company you decide to hire has a good reputation and is licensed and insured. These professionals will be spending a bit of time in your home, so you want to make sure they are someone you can trust in your home and around your family. When there is an emergency, you want to know that someone is there for you to rely on. Finding a company that offers emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week will be a huge benefit.


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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Fire Damage Clean Up: Restoring Your Home With the Help of an Expert


Having a flooded home is never a great experience, especially if the damage is too much that you'll have to spend weeks to work on it. Water damage is not only a source of frustration, it could also threaten you and your family's health. Just to think of mud-soaked carpet and cracked walls makes you very, very upset. But what is more difficult is to repair and restore a flood-damaged home since it may cost you a small fortune in remodeling or even rebuilding your home, depending on the severity of the damage.

No matter what your neighborhood handyman is capable of doing, always remember that water damage clean up is always an overwhelming job that is best left in the hands of expert professionals. Since restoring damaged property usually calls for time and expert attention, water damage clean up could be done faster with the help of someone who knows how to do it best.

The Need to Call a Water Damage Clean Up Expert

Should there be water damage in your home, a damage restoration specialist or company should be called immediately to remedy this condition. Using proper equipment, a restoration professional will not only restore your home back to its former glory, he could also see to it that your home's indoor environmental quality (IEQ) stays at a safe level.

Ideally, a restoration process should begin 24-72 hours after the water damage. This is to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If a sewage leak causes the damage, extra care should be taken to prevent toxins and bacteria from contaminating the home environment. Remember, water extraction and restoration does not end up the process; your home still needs disinfection to keep it free from harm brought by the growth of mold and mildew.

Other than moving out the furniture and fixtures out from the room, you also need to remove carpets and padding and disinfect the area using strong disinfectants and chemicals. The work may also call for the removal of molding and the lower parts of the wall or coverings. The affected area - the walls, ceilings, floors, and vents - should also be dried using high-power air movers and dehumidifying equipment to hasten the work. Since this job requires a lot of care and expertise, tapping the service of a restoration expert or company is most practical.

Since neither you nor your ever-reliable handyman could do much to restore your home after a flood or water damage, the best thing that you can do is to hire a reputable flood cleanup professional. You could ask for referral from your neighbors or friends who, like you, also experienced the same devastating situation. In this way, you can have the hand of a reliable, experienced, and skilled individual who will restore your home to an even-better look.


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Monday, March 21, 2016

Useful Information And Tips About Fire Damage Restoration


A house fire can break out at any time, and even if you are prepared, it can still cause a lot of damage. Once the fire department has extinguished the flames, it is time for the fire damage restoration process to begin. This long and complex job involves restoring your home to a livable condition again.

To keep the damage to a minimum and speed up the process, you need to call in the experts as soon as possible. Even a few hours can make a big difference in some cases. Ashes and soot can start to damage and discolor surfaces in your home almost immediately. The sooner that the professionals are able to start cleaning up, the better.

When your home is going up in flames, you may not have the presence of mind, or the opportunity, to find a reputable fire damage restoration company. If you have to waste time afterwards finding the right people for the job, the damage can be more extensive. Spend some time researching your options so that you will be prepared should a fire break out in your home.

Once you call the company, they will send a team to your home to start assessing the damage. As soon as the fire inspector says that it is safe to enter your home, they will begin conducting a top-to-bottom inspection of the property, looking for signs of damage. Smoke and fire damage can often be hidden, so they need to be as thorough as possible so that nothing is missed.

One problem often caused by fires is the smell of smoke that can linger long after the fire has been put out. If you do not want your home to smell like smoke for months, or even years, afterwards, you need to call an experienced company right away. The sooner that they are able to start cleaning up your home, the sooner the smell of smoke will vanish.

Be sure to get a written estimate from the company before they start doing any work. This estimate should be based on a detailed assessment of the damage that was done. If they discover any new damage that will require additional work, they should tell you about it right away. A good company will be up-front about all of its charges so that you do not find yourself paying a lot more than you bargained for.

It is important to remove as many of your items from your home as you can to minimize the damage. If you leave undamaged items in your home, the damage can spread to them. As soon as it is safe to do so, have your possessions removed from your home. This will also make it easier to determine what can be salvaged and what will have to be discarded.

The fire damage restoration company will also conduct a thorough inventory of the contents of your home so that you know exactly what will need to be replaced. This way, you will not wonder where certain items went. The company should tag and track everything in your home so that nothing gets lost.

Make sure that your insurance company is willing to work with the restoration company that you choose. You should file your claim as soon as possible to get the process underway. This will help you avoid any unpleasant financial shocks later on.

Finding a good company to restore your home after a fire is vital. If you delay action, the damage can become significantly greater. Get the restoration process started as soon as possible.


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Friday, March 18, 2016

Where Can You Find the Best Restoration Service Around?


Whether it be due to a fire, a flood, or any other natural disaster, dealing with the damage on your home can be overwhelming. While you try to cope with the loss, which hopefully only includes property, you must also start taking the steps necessary to put your residence back in order. If you have never used a restoration service before, where do you begin? It's not like there are ads on your television about local restoration companies, so where do you start to get the services you need?

Like most professional services, the natural place to start is by searching online. Unlike other services, knowing what to look for is not always easy. When you start searching for options, you quickly find that there is no handy price guide or simply instructions on how to hire a specialist. With that in mind, here are some steps to get you started.

1. Look at the professional credentials.

Any restoration service should be fully insured and certified to provide you with what you need. Look at the credentials of any company you want to consider and make sure that they are ready to go. Also look for any appropriate licensing requirements in your state and make sure that they are up to date. Failure to do this could end up costing you more money in the long run, which is the last thing you want to deal with.

2. Make sure they handle your problem.

Though many companies offer an all purpose restoration service, there are some that are limited in scope. If you have experienced a flood, the last thing you want to do is hire someone who only deals with fire damage. Before you even contact a specialist, check out their information to make sure they can actually cover the damage. If you are unsure, go ahead and call to check, but be clear about what you need over the phone.

3. See how they handle your initial conversation.

Professional behavior on the phone and in the initial meeting helps set the pace for future interactions. If you hire a specialist who shows up an hour late to inspect the damage and give an estimate, you can expect that same type of service if you hire them for repairs. When it comes to getting things repaired, the last thing you want is to wait around. With that in mind, do yourself a favor and scratch people off the list if they make you wait.

Regardless of who you decide to hire for your restoration service, remember that damage to your home can always be repaired. Always remain grateful that you and your family are alright, and move forward knowing that anything damaged can be replaced. Once the damages are repaired, your life can get back to normal and you can feel confident that you handled the matter with poise.


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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Home


When you choose to renovate your house, you're investing a lot of time, money, and faith in the contractor you hire to complete the job. The work that they do will affect your day-to-day life, the efficiency of your home, its longevity, and its resell value. So don't just choose the contractor you see first-spend some time questioning them so that you can determine if they're the right person for the job. After all, you're not just trusting them to enter your home-you're trusting them to come at it with a drill and sledgehammer.

Things to Consider Before You Choose a Contractor

  • Do they have a good reputation? The surest way to choose a contractor is to ask the family and friends you trust. If they don't have any recommendations (or maybe you've recently moved), try the Internet and websites like Angie's List. You want a contractor who is pleasant to work with, has repeat customers, and always leave clients satisfied.

  • Do they have experience? Ideally, you'll find someone who has been in this business for years and has a high level of hands-on knowledge. However, if your budget is smaller or the project's quality isn't crucial, someone with less experience might be a better fit. Also, be sure to ask if they've worked on similar projects to the one you'll be hiring them to take on.

  • Do they subcontract? Sometimes you assume that the person you talk to is the one who will show up at your house on Monday. That's not always the case. Ask if they subcontract and if they do, ask how long they've worked with their subcontractors so that you can establish trust.

  • How many projects do they take on at once? If they take on a handful of projects at one time, be sure to ask what sort of schedule they'll be keeping. It's likely that they'll be away from your house for days or weeks at a time, and it's important that you know when you can expect them to be working.

  • How will they react when complications arise? When complications occur (as they always seem to), ask what the procedure will be. How will they adjust their schedule? Do they ever charge extra? How much?

  • How will they minimize the inconvenience for your family? Home reconstruction can be loud and annoying. Talk to the contractor beforehand about what working hours are appropriate and when they are allowed to enter your home. Consider asking them to use a garage or a sidedoor for an entrance to minimize the amount of debris in your home.

  • What are the details of the contract? Never choose a contractor before you've discussed the contract in detail. Be sure to ask about the following: cost, payment terms, start date, completion date, and a description of the work. You want strong, open communication.

  • Do you trust them? Finally, it's important that you instinctively feel that you can trust this person. Your gut tells you that they'll do the job right and you can trust them in your home. And if you want to be especially careful, you could always do a background check.

Do you homework and ask a lot of questions to be certain that you're going to choose a contractor well suited to your home renovation needs.


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Saturday, March 12, 2016

Basic House Fire Prevention : Fire Prevention



You can prevent a house fire effectively by keeping a few basic things in mind. Learn about basic house fire prevention with help from a goal-oriented health care provider in this free video clip.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Water Damage Clean Up - Not Just From Storms


When most people think of water damage in a home or business, scenes of area wide flooding showing continuously on 24 hour news channels is likely to come to mind. But actually, a small percentage of water damage losses are related to storms or flooding.

It's true that these losses get more publicity because they happen in bunches and tend to be more severe, but it is much more likely that if you suffer a water damage loss it will be from a plumbing problem. That's the good news, because there is nothing you can do to prevent storms, and little you can do to prevent storm damage, but there are things you can do to prevent water damage from plumbing problems.

Water Damage from Plumbing Mishaps

The most severe incidents usually occur in a home or business when there is a water line break and no one is there. This is a common occurrence at businesses, where a broken water supply line can spew out water all night or all weekend before it is discovered. The culprits include: blown fittings on water heaters located above the office areas; automatic coffee machines that malfunction and continue filling and overflowing the pot all night; broken lines to a sink, toilet, or ice maker; malfunctioning fire sprinkler systems; and even water main breaks in the ceiling.

In homes, similar problems with supply lines are common, but other common occurrences in are: the hot or cold water hose to the washing machine rupturing; dishwashers and washing machines continuing to fill and overflow when the float ball malfunctions; toilets that are flushed, stop up and continue to run; and bathtubs that are being filled and are forgotten.

Preventive Measures

As you can see from all of these examples, the easiest thing you can do to limit or prevent water damage in your home or business is to turn off the main water line when you will be away for an extended time. Some of worst days for water damage losses are right after major holidays or popular vacation times when people are returning home. That's when they discover that water has been leaking for who knows how long, and when the damage is severe and the clean up and repairs extensive. How long you are willing to be gone without turning off the water to your home or business depends on how big of a risk you are willing to take.

But even simpler and smaller steps than turning off the water main to your home can be taken to avoid common water damage situations. For instance don't leave your home with the dishwasher or washing machine running, or with a toilet that hasn't stopped running. Also, if you are going to be gone for more than a day, at least turn off the hot and cold water to your washing machine. That in itself will eliminate a common cause of water damage.

And one last thing, if the water service to your home is ever interrupted, make sure to turn off every faucet and shower that was on when the water went off. Severe water damage can occur when faucets and showers are inadvertently left on and the water service is restored while the homeowner is gone. So you can see that many water damage losses, and the grief that goes with them, are very preventable if you are willing to take a few simple precautions.


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Sunday, March 6, 2016

Fire and Water Restoration Services - Hire Only Professionals to Minimize Your Losses


You probably found this article when you were searching for fire and water restoration services. If your property was the unfortunate victim of a fire mishap or damage due to water, it is imperative that you seek the help and assistance of a professional fire and water restoration service company. They will use their expertise and knowledge to minimize the losses you have sustained. Time is of the essence when it comes to dealing with these problems as the worst damage can usually occur well after the fire has been put out or after a water leak has stopped.

This article will hopefully allow you to realize the benefits of hiring a fire and water restoration contractor. Many people make the mistake of attempting to restore the damaged parts of their home on their own. While finances can be tough in the midst of losses caused by property damage, it would still be a very wise decision to hire professional fire and water restoration services for the reasons mentioned below.

Damage due to fire - What you might have not known
  • Even after a fire has been put out, smoke will continue to be absorbed by various parts of a building structure. Furniture and furnishings will also continue to absorb smoke. A fire and water restoration contractor will be able to minimize these damages and will also be able to treat the damaged furnishings in such a way that they are back to their original condition or better.
  • Strong odors will often remain for weeks and even months after a fire unless they are treated by specialized chemicals and ozone which only a professional fire and water restoration company can do.
  • Smoke can come in many different forms such as wet smoke, dry smoke or fuel smoke they will all have different kinds of damage that will need professional remedial measures to remove.

Damage due to water - What you might have not known
  • There are 3 categories of water that can cause damage to your property. Category 1 is water that is essentially clean, coming from sources such as a broken pipe or a sink overflow while category 3 is far more problematic, containing bacteria and fungi, coming from sources such as toilet back flows. Damage caused by different categories of water will have to be treated accordingly and it is best that you allow an expert in the fire and water restoration business to deal with the damage caused by water leaks in your property.
  • Water damage has an ability to indirectly damage the structure of the property as water will evaporate and be absorbed as moisture. Different kinds of water have a different evaporation rate and different materials will be affected in various ways. A fire and water restoration contractor will quickly be able to assess the relevant damage to your house and take the necessary steps to minimize the loss.

As you can see from the article above, cleaning up and fixing up a property that has been damaged by fire or water is best approached by hiring a professional. The help and expertise of a professional fire and water restoration company will help you minimize your losses and expenses.


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Thursday, March 3, 2016

Restoring Your Home After a Fire - Types of Smoke and Smoke Damage


It pays to be aware that not all smoke is the same, the type of smoke damage that has affected your house will differ depending on the type of fire that has taken place. Each of the following types of smoke require a different type of smoke damage restoration approach.

A smoldering fire will give off a thick smoke that coats the surfaces of the room completely. The result is a sticky, smeared smoke pattern that resembles a web.

A high-temperature fire that burns very rapidly will produce a lighter smoke pattern, although there is a far greater likelihood that there will be significant charring in the room.
Plastics and chemicals give off a toxic smoke that becomes almost invisible when it stains the walls but it is extremely pungent. This kind of smoke will stain the paint or varnish on the walls.

A blocked furnace or fireplace flue will force an oily soot back into the living room. It can also result in a fire at the blockage point. Either way you are left with an oily deposit that is particularly difficult to clean.

Smoke will generally result in two types of damage. Firstly, the visible staining of walls and other surfaces is immediately noticeable. Just as pervading is the unmistakable odor that has become deeply embedded in hard surfaces and soft furnishing alike. Knowing how to deal with each type of smoke damage is the specialty of a fire damage restoration company and they will be able to advise on the best way to deal with smoke damage and can then carry out the necessary work to remove it.

Importantly, surfaces left untreated with smoke or soot damage can become increasingly discolored as time goes by. Painted or varnished surfaces will discolor considerably and can go from restorable to unsalvageable in the space of a week. For this reason it is important to remove fire residue as soon after the fire as is practicable.

The best way to deal with fire damage is to get some professional assistance from those who know the correct fire and smoke damage cleanup procedures.

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