Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Things You Might Have Not Known About Water Damage Cleanup - Leave It to the Professionals


A lot of homeowners think that water damage control to their property is something that they can easily fix on their own. They assume that the water control is a simple process that will involve pumping out the water and drying out the area.

Though a flood cleanup contractor will employ the same principle in their control process, there are several finer details that can easily be missed out by homeowners. Some of them are mentioned below.

If you did not know about any of the following details, it is best that you let a commercial flood cleanup contractor carry out your basement flood clean or other water damage cleanup.

Types of water categories that can cause damage

There are 4 different categories of water that can cause damage. Category 1 is water that is pretty safe. Examples of this water are water from a broken pipe or a broken sink valve. Category 2 is water that contains some levels of harmful matter such as chemical pollutants or biological contaminants. This is also popularly known as grey water. Examples of water that belong to this category are water from toilets that will have urine in them. Water from the sumps will sometimes flood a house due to machinery malfunction and this would also be water control that will be categorized as 2. The last category which is the worst form of water that can cause damage will be category 3 or what is called as black water.

This is water that has high levels of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that can cause severe health problems. Water from sewages or natural sources such as rivers and streams are perfect examples of category 3 water. Only a commercial flood cleanup contractor will know how to tackle each category of water damage in the most appropriate manner possible. For example, he will use EPA approved chemicals in the water damage cleanup process where category 3 water might have been involved.

Types or intensity of damage that can be caused by water

There are 4 classes of water damage, with 1 being the least damaging while 4 is the worst kind of water damage that can be sustained by a property. Class 1 is when there is very little carpet and other porous materials that are affected. Class 2 water damage is when there is a considerable amount of carpet that is affected. A class 1 and class 2 cleanup is often used for a basement flood cleanup as there are no carpets or little carpet used in the construction of a basement. In addition to carpet, other porous construction materials such as wood, particle board and even plywood can be affected by moisture.

Class 3 is when the water has a very fast evaporation rate and when it can affect the ceilings, walls, flood, sub floor and even the insulation of a particular room. Class 4 is the worst form of water damage where even non porous materials such as hardwood, plaster, brick and even concrete are affected by stagnated water. Class 3 and 4 will require heavy duty water damage control that can be carried out only by an expert flood cleanup contractor.


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Saturday, May 27, 2017

How to Go About Home Renovations Successfully


Your home is a sanctuary where you should feel happy and comfortable. Unfortunately, most homeowners wait until their houses start falling apart to start remodeling. Home renovations are essential to maintain a home's stylish looks, to improve the existing structure, and to modernize it. Here are some pointers on how to go about renovating your home.

Know the Extent of the Renovations
Before commencing home remodels, it is important to consider the age of the house. This will determine the extent of the renovations because older houses may require more renovations. Your intended length of stay in the house is another factor. In case you plan to sell the house immediately, there are key areas to focus on. These include the bathroom and kitchen. Many buyers concentrate on these areas.

Consider Your Budget
Whether you are renovating the whole house or some specific areas, you need to have a budget. Think about why you are making the renovations and what you expect to achieve with them. If you are doing a total makeover, you may be forced to take a loan or save for the project. Consult friends, experts, and read widely to get ideas on the approximate renovation costs. A contractor can also assist you in making a budget, depending on your needs and current state of the home.

Cut Costs during Renovations
Create an entire list of the renovations your home requires. Make a detailed accurate list and then prioritize renovations according to the most impactful on the home. Pay attention to details and countercheck orders and deliveries with the contractor. Perform a daily checkup to ensure that work is progressing well and no repairs will be required later. In addition, plan carefully and let your contractor set deadlines for different aspects of the project. Buy quality products that will last long but also take advantage of discounts. Be sure to get value for your money.

Choose Professionals for Home Renovations
A skilled contractor is essential when remodeling. Since the market is full of contractors, it might be difficult to select the right one. The first step to choosing the best is to seek advice. Obtain recommendations from friends, relatives, and even neighbors. Also ask licensing bodies, hardware shops, or manufacturers. Contact contractors' organizations within your area and ask for their lists of experts.

The second step is to get bids from a minimum of 3 contractors. From these, choose the best based on what you are looking for. The last step involves verification of contractor credentials, years of experience, and their portfolio. Find out if the contractor has previously worked on projects like yours and how well they performed. Ask questions and don't leave out even the tiniest details.

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Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Water Damage Restoration - Take Pertinent Measures


Property damaged by flooding water requires immediate response and proper mitigation in order to prevent secondary damage that ruins the contents of the building. You should hire a professional service that deploys appropriate methods to reduce the impact and restore the property.

Whether there has been a flood, a leaking roof or a burst pipe in your property, you should have it cleaned right away. Damage caused by flood is different from the one caused by broken pipes or overflowing sinks as floodwater is contaminated. Hence, the problem requires a professional approach for drying as well as sanitizing the property. Though the process of restoration varies for each situation, you should take immediate action whether the damage is too much or not. Time is of the utmost importance when it comes to proper mitigation. You should consider all of the aspects in order to limit damage.

Hire Professional Service

A property that has been collaterally damaged due to a flood needs to be restored right away. If you think that it's just water and you can remove it, you are probably right but there are several other things that need to be taken care of. Apart from removing the water, the property and its contents need to be dried and all of it should be done within the least time possible. The longer you take, the graver the damage and more the expenses. Therefore, leaving it to a professional is a better idea than to attempt it yourself.

For the mitigation process, a professional service has technically advanced equipment like dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, wet-dry vacuum units, high powered drying fans, wood floor drying equipment and other tools. Along with the proper apparatus, they have years of experience in carrying out the mitigation process. From a thorough cleanup of water from your property to the sanitizing of the place, a professional will do it all.

Assessment Of The Damage

The first thing a water damage restoration professional does is assess the damaged area and identify the cause of flood. Whether it's a burst in the water pipe or rain water blown inside by the wind, the reason has to be identified in order to prevent it from happening in the future. When the root of damage is determined, they assess the damaged property and decide on the services that will be required for the restoration. These services also have water detection equipment that assist in identifying the wet contents of the room.

Content Manipulation And Restoration

Many home items also need proper attention. These items include furniture, electronic items, books and many other things that are commonly found inside the house. Some or probably all of these materials can be affected by the flood. Content manipulation is often referred to moving of the contents that have been damaged by water. During the process, these contents are analyzed whether they can be salvaged or not. The ones that can be restored are dried, sanitized and deodorized whereas others are discarded. Sometimes the expenses of salvaging some items are estimated to exceed their current values, so it is preferred to discard them.

Mold Remediation

Removing the water and drying the property is not enough, the place needs to be dehumidified properly. Even small traces of moisture inside rooms will lead to the growth of molds in several places. When it comes to mold remediation, professional decisions must be considered. The affected area needs to be treated with appropriate techniques and adequate tools which can only be carried out by professionals. Exposure to the mold causes health hazards to the occupants, so it should be taken care of immediately. From preventing the mildew growth to the restoration of the property, you should call in the water damage restoration services that carry out the procedure focusing on safety standards.

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Sunday, May 21, 2017

Home Remodeling to Build Home Equity


If you are considering selling your home you will find a competitive housing market so everything that you can do to make your home more appealing to buyers and get the most for your home try to do them. This is called building equity in your home. Home equity is the difference between the outstanding payments still owed on the home and the market value. To increase the value of your home, there are home remodeling projects you do.

Bathrooms and kitchen

Either of these is the most expensive home remodeling projects to undertake. If you are not an expert, then remodeling these rooms should not be something you should attempt. It would be advisable to hire a home remodeling contractor. Most homeowners do not want to spend the money on a contractor but there are some features you can add to increase your property value. You could paint, varnish, or replace the cabinets, update the appliances you are using, or replacing the countertops. In either room, you could paint the walls and update your faucets. In the bathroom, you could add a mirror and new lighting over the sink, and more.

Master bedroom

One great selling point is that the master bedroom becomes a master suite with a private bathroom. No one wants to share a bathroom with their children. This can be an expensive project and should be undertaken by home remodeling contractor. This is the room where people relax after a long day. Make sure that it is as spacious as possible. Paint the walls a relaxing color with matching drapes or curtains.

Flooring

When you update your floors, it is a cost-effective way to add value to your home. Most homebuyers are looking for hardwood floors instead of carpeting. The reasons are hardwood floors are easier to clean, look neater, and last longer. If your budget allows it, put hardwood floors throughout the entire home. If you cannot do the entire home use carpet in the bedrooms and hardwood floors in the rest of the home. In the bathroom, you could use tile flooring. If you have small children or pets that could scuff the hardwood floors, you could use laminate flooring. This type of flooring is not as expensive and they are beautiful.

Windows

This is also an expensive home remodeling project but if you do just one expensive project, replace the windows to energy efficient windows. These types of windows can save thousands on the energy costs of the home. You may also qualify for a tax break. Make sure that you accent them with beautiful curtains and drapes.

These are just some of the many home remodeling projects that you can do to increase the equity in your home.

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Restore Your Home - Fire Or Flood Damage


Having a home damaged by fire or water (or both) is a stressful and confusing experience for the homeowner to go through. After the initial shock of the situation and securing the safety of your family and personal belongings, you can assess the damage and start to figure out your restoration options. Your home is one of the most important investments you'll make in your life, so it is imperative to begin the restoration process as soon as possible to prevent other potential damages (such as mold growth, etc.) from occurring.

Water damage can happen in many different ways. A basement can flood after a storm or a pipe under your kitchen sink could be burst. Even a small amount of water damage from a leaky pipe can develop into a major problem if not dealt with at the start. Even if you dry the area yourself using a space heater to speed the process, or even use bleach to clean the area, mold will grow under the surface of the carpet or inside the walls. Mold growth can begin within hours of being wet, so water damage needs to be addressed immediately to keep the damage from growing. Find a restoration company who will work quickly to rid your home of excess water and thoroughly dry all affected surfaces. Make sure all new construction is inspected to prevent mold growth and the restoration team is licensed in Mold Remediation.

A fire can devastate you and your family and take a toll on your emotions as you deal with insurance adjustors and insurance companies. Fire damage restoration and smoke damage restoration may not be an easy task, due to the uniqueness of each fire situation and in part due to the toxic gases that are released from the burning of construction materials, such as glues and solvents. Having an experienced fire restoration company quickly assess the damage is important, as they can detect and neutralize these chemicals and help secure the building, safeguarding and protecting valuable personal belongings. They can work with you insurance company to get the work done quickly and professionally, helping you concentrate on the security of your family. There are may aspects of restoring your home and possessions to pre-loss conditions, including air duct cleaning, deodorization, wall & floor cleaning, carpet repair and reinstallation of cleaned items.

Finding a restoration company can be a daunting and discouraging chore, especially when dealing with all the emotions that come along with the devastation and loss from a fire or flood. You need to make the decision on what company you'll contract to restore your house quickly, but you also need to be sure you're making the right choice. Choosing an inexperienced contractor can have serious negative personal property effects and can actually make the damage worse as time goes on.


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Monday, May 15, 2017

Things to Consider If You Need a Restoration Service


When you find yourself the victim of a natural disaster or fire and water damage, it is only natural to feel as if you have lost everything. Don't despair and lose hope. When disaster strikes, don't assume that all is lost. Simply contact a restoration service and let them take care of everything. Keep in mind that at first, you may be shocked about what has happened to your home, but with the right team of professionals on your side, you can and will get through this ordeal.

You are going to need to do some things before the restoration service can get started. One of those things is to file a police report so that your insurance company will cover the cost to fix any damaged components of your home. A reputable restoration service can get things back to normal the fastest way possible. If some part of your home needs to be rebuilt because of extensive damage or if some part just needs to be remodeled, you don't have to go out looking around for a company that would be willing to take on your home with the type of damage it has sustained.

There are several reasons why you should hire a professional company. One is because emergencies and disasters can happen any time of day or night. You don't want to have to wait for assistance if it is after hours. By hiring a professional team, you have assistance available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They are there at your beck and call to help.

Because there is so much urgency in times of dire need, it may not be possible for you to properly screen all contractors that offer a restoration service. That is why you should hire a restoration service that has employees. A reputable company will be certified by several government agencies, in addition to having all of the required credentials and insurances for your protection. When you are faced with this type of situation, it is best to get started right away to reduce the severity of your loss or damage. The right company will get your property secured and cleaned up in no time.

You want to hire a company that will work with your insurer so you don't have any unexpected or out of pocket expenses. They can fill out the necessary paperwork and speed up the processing time for your claim. This will help you to get back on your feet.

Keep in mind that you need to hire a restoration service that is available around the clock. They need to have workmen's compensation insurance and liability insurance on all of their workers. The longer they have been in business shows how well they cater to the needs of their customers. Ultimately, you want a company that can take care of all of your needs from start to finish, which will make the whole process less stressful and easier to deal with.


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Friday, May 12, 2017

Water Damage Service to Fix Your Home Or Business


Water damage service from a qualified and bonded water damage company must begin within 24-48 hours after you have an incident to prevent the growth of dangerous mold. Water damage mold can not only damage and stain your belongings, but it can reduce your air quality and cause allergic reactions.

Any kind of water damage, whether it is a burst pipe, roof problems, flood, hurricane or a broken appliance will need immediate water damage cleanup. Having a flood plan in place will be the easiest way to deal with this catastrophe.

Begin by making sure you will be covered financially for such an event. Many homeowner policies will not cover you for a flood of any kind. You may be required to carry additional flood water damage insurance to be covered.

Many homeowners don't carry flood insurance if their mortgage company doesn't require it. Most don't if you don't live in a 100 or 500 year flood plain. This can give you a false sense of security as many floods can and do happen outside of this area.

Once you are properly covered with the financial aspect, be sure to have access to several qualified and bonded companies that can do water damage service. This isn't something you should try to do on your own or use an unqualified water damage company. This can make the difference in saving your possessions and preventing mold growth, or requiring a total rehab job.

After a flooding event, be sure to stop the water if you can. If it is an appliance, turn off the water at the source. Always consider safety first, though. If electrical damage is suspected, turn off the electricity at the source, as well.

Damage will continue to walls, woodwork and insulation if the carpet is wet. Attempt to dry the carpet or pull it up. This will prevent the continued water damage to the interior of your home or business.

You should separate furniture legs from wet carpeting. Use a saucer or wood blocks. Open windows and allow for cross ventilation.

This should get you started while waiting for your water damage service company. Be sure to insist on immediate action and ask if their is anything else that they would like for you to do that will help to minimize damage.


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Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Emergency Restoration Checklist


Here is a helpful checklist to minimize damage to your property following a fire, flood, storm or other disaster event.

  • Alert your insurance company immediately. Your insurance agent is your partner during this stressful time. He/she will guide you through the claims and clean-up process.
  • Take photos of the damage prior to the property being cleaned-up, boarded-up or demolished. Having photographic documentation of the damage could be helpful for insurance purposes.
  • Determine whether your house or place of business is structurally safe. If not, you will need to evacuate the facility and make alternate arrangements.
  • Shut down the electrical and water supply and close the main gas valve, after the threat of physical danger has passed. These steps will help you avoid further damage, so it is important to know in advance where these important systems are located.
  • Protect and secure property assets and/or personal belongings.
    • Relocate all valuables to a safe and dry place.
    • If there is standing water, try to remove as much of it to the outdoors as possible and run the air conditioning, a dehumidifier or a fan to help dry out the area. WARNING: Standing water will begin to produce dangerous mold within 48 hours, making it imperative to remove all standing water.
    • If conditions allow, cover broken windows and doors as well as damaged walls and roof areas with plywood or plastic sheeting to prevent additional moisture entry and to protect the property from the elements.
  • Inspect the property thoroughly. Your observations and comments will help speed up the restoration process when professional help arrives.
  • Determine if there are roof shingles missing or if there is any damage to your home's exterior, including to the gutters, windows, siding, chimneys, etc.
    • Inspect the property for any signs of water infiltration.
    • Determine if the insulation is wet or damaged. Be sure to check the insulation around your windows and doors and in your attic, crawl spaces and walls.
    • Look closely to verify that your foundation walls are intact.

In most cases your insurance agent will make clean-up/restoration contractor recommendations. However, in some situations, you may be advised to hire a restoration company of your own choosing. The following are tips for hiring the best professional restoration company:

  • Look for a professional restoration company that specializes in working with property owners after a fire, flood, storm or other disaster. These companies are a better choice than general contracting companies that may offer restoration services.
  • Be sure that the company you choose is licensed, bonded and insured in the state where the work will be performed.
  • Do not sign a contract unless the job is described in detail including what will be done, a price estimate and what materials/tools will be used.
  • Ask for a list of references. Also, look at before and after pictures of the company's work.
  • Do not hire a company that requires a larger than normal deposit in order to start work.

The most effective way to recover from a fire, flood, storm or other disastrous event is to take action quickly Carefully following the Emergency Restoration checklist will help the disaster relief experts restore your home and property to normal as quickly as possible.


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Saturday, May 6, 2017

How To Prevent A Home Fire | American Red Cross


Learn how to prevent a home fire as well as evacuate when one occurs with these five prevention tips and three evacuation tips from the American Red Cross. Watch now to better protect your home and family.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Water Damage - It's Not the End of the World


When it comes to things that can wreak havoc upon the safety and structure of your home, water damage is undoubtedly one of the more devastating issues that may need to be addressed. Unlike a fire, it can be a very complicated and multi-faceted process, because there are many other issues that must be considered when making the repairs. It isn't enough to simply remove the wet items and address any destruction that may have been left behind on the surface, because the parts of the home that aren't visible and are rarely considered may have been affected. Because of this, it isn't advisable for homeowners to tackle repairs without at least a basic level of professional help.

Although flooding from hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters is the primary reason most water damage repairs are necessary, there are a number of other things that may cause your home to fall victim to destruction. It is able to easily seep through cracks in the walls and floor, as well as weaknesses in your foundation. Minor problems may occur from leaky pipes, or you may experience full blown flooding as a result of broken or burst pipes. Related appliances such as your water heater are common sources of destruction, as well as backed up drains or even a leaky roof. There's no way to prevent your home from suffering some of the catastrophic side effects, but you can help keep the repairs and the cost minimal by acting quickly at the first signs of a problem, and through making sure your home's insurance policy includes flood and water damage coverage.

If your home has been damaged by flooding or other problems that have resulted in flooding inside your home, the first step in dealing with the problem is to remove all household items and furnishings affected by the accident, including furniture, personal mementos and homed decor, storage boxes, linens, clothing, window treatments, and anything hanging on the walls. After this step is complete, begin to remove the excess moisture from the home. Depending on the volume of liquid inside the house, this can be accomplished with a mop and bucket, a wet/dry vacuum, or through calling a service to handle the removal of water from your home. Only after these things have been accomplished can you get a true sense of the extent of the damage, and call in both your insurance company and repair professionals.


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