Home Remodeling After a Catastrophe

After a tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster there can be significant damage to a house. This can cause a serious need for repairs and restoration but hopefully, insurance will be available to cover the costs. Instead of simply putting things back to the status quo, why not take the opportunity to do some long-awaited home remodeling and not just fix things but also improve them?

Home remodeling is usually done by demolishing or stripping out the materials in a room or section of the house, so why not just look at the damage as nature's demolition crew. In a way, you might save time and money by having the weather do the dirty work.

After a flood is a great time to look into installing wood floors or renovating a basement. Tornado damage to a wall of the house may be the perfect time to begin that addition or redesign you have been considering. Also, perhaps the loss of many shingles to high wind and heavy rain means that the time has come to re-roof the house. Home remodeling may be the silver lining of the tragedy and catastrophe that has been foisted upon a property owner.

Home remodeling may not be entirely covered by insurance because these liability companies often seek to pay just enough to restore things to the way they were before. That does not mean that a little extra investment or creative use of the insurance settlement cannot be used to improve things. If the building flooded, it is probably worth paying for shoring to lift it and prevent future problems of that kind. If the windows blew out in a hurricane maybe higher wind-speed-rating units can be invested in. In situations where an earthquake cracked the foundation, it can be assessed, sealed, and perhaps retrofitted to prevent against future shifting. Maybe the building even needs to be leveled.

This is not meant to diminish the severity and upsetting aspects of a disaster. Home remodeling instead offers a chance to focus on something else. It is easy to get tied up in worrying and grieving for what was lost in an unexpected disaster. While nobody should entirely ignore and repress their grief, at some point everyone needs a distraction to help them return to normal life. While it may not be able to repair the emotional damage of experiencing these events, perhaps it offers a diversion to heal and move forward. If nothing else, it is a chance to improve the protection of structures from similar future problems.

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Finding the Right Water Damage Restoration Company

When your home has been flooded due to pipes bursting, overflowing toilets, or a downpour of rain, you need to find someone to clean up the problem. You need to know what to look for in order to get the best service. It is not a simple task that can be done by anyone; in reality, it is something that should be left to the professionals with the correct equipment. However, finding the right water damage restoration company sometimes can be a bit tricky.

Insurance Knowledge

When you are doing your research, you should look for a company that is willing to help file with all types of insurance. Most of these businesses are adept at knowing who needs to be notified at the different agencies in the area. They will help you find the specialist you need who will go through the claims process with you. By working with them, you can get the money necessary to cover expenses.

Own Their Equipment

A professional water damage restoration company will not have to go rent equipment because they will already own everything they need. They should have truck-mounted and portable water extraction units, dehumidifiers, and blowers. These professionals also have gauges that will help them measure just how humid and moist the environment is to ensure that the right combination of equipment is being used.

Professional Knowledge

Of course, you expect a professional to be knowledgeable about what they are doing. The person you choose needs to have the technical expertise to complete the project effectively. Time is of the essence, and while it will take several hours to find the right company and have them complete the project, you do not want to waste time on someone who is unsure of what they are doing. The right company will be able to come out, do a quick survey of the situation, and set right to work. While they work, they can also point out any problems they see that could potentially turn into bigger issues.

24/7 Availability

Finally, a professional water damage restoration company should be available 24/7. It is important to start drying and decontaminating an area as soon as possible. It is the only way to reverse the destruction and get your home back to its former beauty. The longer you wait to get a professional into the house, the more loss you are going to suffer. You will also likely face higher repair costs and expenses.

Even though time is of the essence, thorough research should be done in order to restore your home. A professional water damage restoration company should be available to you whenever disaster strikes, own all their own equipment and know how to help you work with your insurance company to get the expenses covered. Be sure to check the Better Business Bureau website to ensure the company is accredited. Don't be afraid to read the reviews of the company to see how past customers rated their service.

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How To Find A Reliable Company For Resolving Fire Damage Repairs

Disasters can happen at any moment. They can come in the form of floods, earthquakes, or fire outbreaks. No matter the reason for the disaster, it is essential to resolve the damage to bring your regular life back to normalcy. If you see huge loss due to fire in your home, it might be the time to call a professional restoration company to handle the fire damage repairs.

Unfortunately, many people lack necessary information about choosing the right company. Some homeowners choose the very first company they come across. However, this is not the right way to go about this task. You could end up putting a big hole in your budget if the company charges you exorbitantly for its services. Similarly, you won't be able to enjoy top class restoration services if the chosen company is not a professional one. To avoid such scenarios, it is advisable to stay away from such companies.

Instead, hunt for a company that can give quality restoration service for fire damage repairs. Finding such a company is certainly not an easy chore. In fact, it can take a toll on any person to spot the right company. Still, you can ease your search and save time by acting prudently. First and foremost, enquire with your relations and acquaintances. People who have hired any company for fixing their fire damages will certainly come handy in this matter. They can let you know the contact details of the company. Moreover, they will give a brief overview of the company and its services.

Seeking help from your coworkers and colleagues at your workplace is another great idea. If any of these people are familiar with a reliable company that renders restoration services for fire damage repairs, they will direct you to that particular company. Similarly, people living in neighboring areas are also worth enquiring in this respect. If you are unable to find a reliable company for resolving fire damages through offline sources, hit the internet.

A number of reliable companies you can find on the net that offers restoration services for fire damage. Surf the web using relevant search terms, and pen down the names of trusted companies that are popular for rendering quality services at affordable rates. Obtain a detailed quotation from these companies to choose the best one for your particular problem. After comparing different companies, settle with the company that provides effective and quality restoration services for fire damage repairs at pocket-friendly rates.

We all hope to never be there, but when a disaster happens to your home you want to be sure that you have the right coverage on your insurance to help you through those tough times. You don't want to have to think about all of the details like fire damage repairs, restoration assessments, and insurance claims. Finding a great company online to handle all of this for you would be the best option for you and your family.

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What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze and Burst | Consumer Reports

Whether the temperature dropped below freezing while you were away from home, or your efforts to keep the bitter cold at bay couldn't save your pipes, here are the crucial steps to take to take if you have a burst pipe.

Tips on Returning Home After a Disaster

Tips on returning home after a disaster from the American Red Cross.

Disaster Restoration Services Provide Shelter from the Storm

The reason disaster restoration services are so invaluable is because they are like handymen trained in tragedy. They specialize in any type of natural mishap, big or small, and are ready 24-7 to help salvage your home from ruin. They can be hired to remove waste, water, pests, damaged items, or entire sections of the home. And they can also restore, repair, renovate, or rebuild any wall, roof, window, appliance, or an entire room. These experts are like qualified stress relievers, prepared to provide support, not more strain.

Types of Disaster Restoration Service
In order to be a useful disaster recovery service contractor, you have to be ready for anything. So their expertise lies in everything from simple deodorization to complete reconstruction. They are required to be qualified by special organizations for each type of emergency and therefore are licensed and certified in every possible task. Here’s a list of natural calamities, the problems they bring, and how a disaster restoration service is an incredible resource in these situations:

Floods
Water extraction is one of the most widespread problems associated with weather damage. Floods, storms, or simply heavy rainfalls can lead to a submerged basement or waterlogged first floor. Therefore, repair experts can remove the water and, afterward, dry, dehumidify, and restore the area. They can also replace drywall, rebuild any damaged walls or installations, and even re-paint a room if needed. How much does water extraction cost? The national average is about $2,800, but that price can vary depending on the damage.

Mold
When it comes to water damage, it may seem that the suffering comes from your stuff getting wet. But the real trouble is what’s left behind by the moisture. Mold and mildew build up, gets stuck behind your walls, spreads rapidly, and causes a lot of health problems for your family. And it doesn’t just have to occur in a flood, but anywhere at any time. Therefore, immediate mold remediation is necessary. It’s important to have your home inspected annually and, if detected, these pros can help remove the mildew.

Storms
A tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or heavy winds can wreck a lot of havoc. Therefore, after the storm, these professionals help to remove debris, fallen trees, or other rubble. They can be hired for demolition, window board-ups, emergency roof tarps, or complete reconstruction of the property if desired. Plus, they can help stabilize structures and foundations. And if you’re without power, they can even provide temporary generators, heaters, or sump pumps to supply some relief.

Fire Damage
After surviving a fire, your home will be at risk for structural damage and your personal items can quickly be unsalvageable unless quickly cleaned. A disaster restoration service can deodorize, clean, and refurbish any architecture as well as remove soot from any spoiled carpet, cloth, metal, or stone material before permanent injury sets in.

Special Services
They can also help with any pest removal and some companies are even qualified to take care of more serious clean-ups, such as infectious wastes from septic tanks and other biohazardous substances. Most importantly, after the disaster restoration service has cleaned or repaired your home, they can also give advice to avoid problems in the future by providing assistance and educating the homeowner about a few simple measures to alleviate potential crises. Plus, since their one mission statement is help instead of hinder, these professionals are usually very generous with their guidance and reasonable with their prices.

Home Restoration Services
The heritage and distinctiveness of old homes should be their greatest strength, not their greatest weakness. Uneven floors, cracked drywall, warped wood siding, and gutters are just a few of the most common areas where home restoration services are badly needed. Home restoration contractors are trained not only to return your home to tip-top living condition but also to preserve the architectural integrity of the original structure. Unlike modern suburban neighborhoods, older homes are one-of-a-kind and require contractors with equal parts experience and innovation.

Cost of Home Restoration Services
Analogous to the cost of owning an older home, home restoration isn’t necessarily more expensive than standard home improvements, but it will require more regular and more costly maintenance. Wood siding, for example, is less expensive to install than most siding alternatives, but it will need to be sealed every couple years. Along with homeowners insurance and property taxes, you should plan to set aside a sizable budget for annual home restoration services and general maintenance.

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A Guide to Understanding Water Damage Restoration

Whether it is after a fire, burst pipes, or the result of a flood, your home must be restored from all the destruction caused by moisture. Water damage restoration will repair the house and make it safe to live in again. There are several steps to repairing your property after this type of devastation.

Assessing the Damage

The first step to repairing your home after any type of flooding is the loss assessment. This procedure is how the technicians know exactly what to do in order to repair your home. Technicians are required to work with insurance companies to determine property's injuries. Only then can a plan be devised on how to go about refurbishing it.

During the assessment, the water damage restoration company will assign one of three categories. Each of these categories signifies a different manner in which the devastation is handled and reversed. These categories are:

Category One: This is water without any contaminants such as urine or feces. The liquid comes from a clean source such as pipes or sinks. It may also come from toilets, as long as it was free of contaminants.

Category Two: The liquid comes from dishwashers, washing machines, or toilets with urine and has some minor contamination.

Category Three: The impairments are caused by an unsanitary source such as flooding, toilets with fecal matter, sewage lines, or has been standing for some time and may contain microbes.

Drying and Decontaminating the Area

Once a category has been set, the water damage restoration team can start the process of drying out the area. If the damage has been categorized as a two or a three, the area must also be decontaminated in order for the area to be livable again. It is important to understand that an entire house may not contain contaminated liquid. In some cases, it is only specific pockets of the space that must be decontaminated.

If the area is small and has little moisture absorbed into the surrounding materials, the process is much quicker. Dehumidifiers and blowers may be all that is required to restore the space to its natural state. However, a larger area with carpet or one that has deep saturation may require more equipment such as scrubbers and subfloor drying devices.

Finishing the Job

Of course, during the process, you should expect the technicians to be available on site during the duration. They must constantly monitor the equipment to ensure that the area is drying evenly. They should also verify that the entire site is completely dry before removing the dryers. The company should also be observing the area to spot any other problems that may arise once the water has been removed.

Water damage restoration is not something anyone wants to go through. However, with the right company and the proper equipment, your home can be restored to its former glory. When looking for the right group to handle the job, make sure you do your homework. Look at reviews and check out the Better Business Bureau to see if the business is accredited or has any outstanding complaints.

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Why Restoration Services Should Be Done Immediately

Hiring a restoration service as soon as you possibly can after your home has been damaged can be important for many different reasons. It could mean the difference between keeping your house and not keeping it. You shouldn't let water or fire damage sit for too long for safety reasons for your health, and because the integrity of the home can suffer greatly shortly after the damage has been left. Water damage should especially be treated immediately after it occurs because of the complications that arise quickly after a flood has happened.

If you leave water to sit in your home, it can ruin the wood, foundation, structure, and livability of your home in a hurry. Drywall is easily ruined by water damage, so getting it removed and replaced to prevent the spread of dampness and mold is very important. Mold can ruin a home and be very unhealthy to breathe on a day-to-day basis, so this is the main reason why when you have water damage that you should get it fixed immediately.

Fire damage and smoke damage can be very serious to a home. As soon as you can, you should call a restoration service to assess the damage that has been done, and get them to fix it as soon as you can. You shouldn't leave your home damaged after any event if you want your house to maintain its integrity. Time is really the most important thing when it comes to fire and water damage to your home. Even after a fire is put out, or water is removed, it can still be damaging your house in ways that you cannot see, so be sure to get things fixed and back to normal in a timely manner.

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Alltek Restoration Provides 24/7 Emergency Services

Emergency Services

We are here to help when you need it. Providing first response to your needs 24/7. Our team will be dispatched to your loss, will assess the damages, explain the course of action required and with your approval start immediately preventing further loss and damages.

The post-loss condition of a structure or dwelling can vary and is specific to each type of loss and the severity of the damage that has occurred. Determining the cause of the loss and the affected area is the first step and often most important. How and what steps are taken can have a significant impact on further damages and what is necessary to prevent or limit further damages to a structure. Alltek Restoration, Inc. provides all emergency or temporary services which your property may require.

Board Up Services

Are very common requirements after storm or fire losses. The damages caused by the actual fire and tactics use to extinguish can leave your property with broken or blown out windows, burnt doors or broken doors, ventilation holes in roofs, and structural deficiencies all of which leaves the property open to access, in distress, and insecure. We will secure all loss related openings with temporary measures securing the property and temporary structural repairs to help prevent further damages.

Temporary Weather Proofing

Your property may require temporary weatherproofing as a result of a loss. Both storm and fire damages can leave your property exposed or vulnerable to weather elements which will cause further damage to your property. Preventing additional damages is key as secondary damages can exceed the preliminary damages.

Content Services

Depending on the type of loss and severity will determine what needs to be done.

Services can include the following: manipulation, both salvageable and non-salvageable / total loss inventory, packing for on or off-site storage, cleaning and restoration, and pack back after repairs.


Mitigation Services

Includes initial loss assessment, determination of cause and source, water category / classification, moisture mapping, and determining the affected areas that require structural drying. Removal of both salvageable and non-salvageable building components, and the placement of required drying equipment as well as monitoring the drying progress until completed. After the drying process, repairs may proceed.

Temporary Utility Services

After a loss, a structure's utilities can be interrupted or shut off until safe operation and use can be confirmed. All utilities are subject to interruption which can make your home uninhabitable or unsafe. After a fire, if the electrical system is damaged emergency personnel will have the utility provider interrupt service to prevent the risk of injury and further structure damages. We can provide emergency repair or provide temporary utilities that are required so repairs may begin.