Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year From Easton Construction Group


From all of us at Easton Construction Group, we thank you and wish for you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. We look forward to being prepared to serve you whenever you might need us.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Emergency Service Response

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.

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 effected area is the first step and often most important. How and what steps are taken have can major impact further damages and what is necessary to prevent or limit further damages to a structure. ECG provides all emergency or temporary service solution which your property may require.

Monday, December 26, 2011

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.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Some Critical Suggestions About Water Damage

Water Damage Restoration

You come in and find the place looks like Niagara Falls and you are thrust into the water damage restoration process. You now find yourself in a position in which you need to assess the value as well as the importance of each and every item effected by the water damage. When the majority, if not all, of your belongings have been destroyed, it may be emotionally difficult to determine which items you want to salvage. Intellectually you know that keeping water damaged things that are beyond repair or things that may not have any further use is impractical and will just cost you a lot of storage space and money but the personal value of family heirlooms is priceless. Still you should strive to be extremely practical throughout the water damage restoration process so as you will be able to quickly and effectively reorganize your life back to its pre-water damage normalcy.

Foods And Perishables

Water damaged foods and other perishables that have been soiled via direct water contact, in most cases, should not be consumed and must be disposed of properly. Broken tableware including cups, glasses, and other kitchen tools that have come into contact with black water should be discarded as the affected item is, most likely, not fit or sanitary enough to be used.

Avoid These Items

Do not operate any of your electrical appliances when dealing with water damage. It can be extremely dangerous to operate any of your electrical appliances while standing on a wet carpet or water damaged floors! Your Blu-ray and HD television(s), DVR, TiVo, Google or Apple TV, Microsoft Windows and Apple computer(s), iPad(s), AT&T or Verizon iPhone(s), iPod(s), Amazon Kindle, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft X-Box, Kinect, Sony Playstation, recent E-Bay purchases, and the rest of your electrical appliances need to be checked first by a professional technician before you are able to determine which still function and can be kept and which items need to be replaced. Likewise, you should check your annual passes to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR, and Busch Gardens and your advance or one day tickets to the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil to ensure these items did not succumb to the water damage else you may have to call their customer service lines for replacements.

Don't Clean Anything

Do not try to dry your house or building with a blower or any heat inducing item. Rather than eliminating or removing the standing water or excessive moisture that originated from the water damage, this do-it-yourself method will be the catalyst for the uncontrolled growth of mildew and mold and can spread the water further into the building which can result in even more moisture damage and a more entailed restoration process.

All product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. Emergency Response Restoration is not, in any way, affiliated with any of these products or companies and Emergency Response Restoration does not receive any materiel benefit or compensation from any company or product mentioned herein. These marks and their use are, thereby, duly governed by the respective owners and any and all rights in connection with the same are entirely reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Kay

Monday, December 19, 2011

Professional Fire Restoration Makes All The Difference

Disaster can occur at any moment. If you experience severe loss from fire in your home or commercial property, you will need a professional fire damage repair or restoration service.

Professional fire restoration services help you get back to normal quickly. Emergency fire damage professionals will assess your home, give you an estimate and then, once approved repair your home to the standard it was previously. They make a detailed assessment of the damage. You might have conducted your fire damage assessment first and might think that the damage caused by fire could result in a total loss. However, a professional fire damage service can help repair fire damage and restore your home or commercial building and other possessions to their original condition.

Sometimes, water used to extinguish the fire may cause more damage to your property than the fire itself. Professional fire restoration starts by cleaning up the water damages. They use special equipment to prevent further damage to your property and restore it to its original state. Some messy things, if left unattended, may cause significant damages to your building. Hence, the professionals give special attention to clean them up. They use high powered equipment to remove any standing water and moisture from furniture, wood and carpets. Removing moisture can help prevent your home or office building from mould, mildew and bacterial growth. They even help restore your expensive carpets to their original size and condition. They know that fire damage restoration and water damage restoration go hand in hand. Hence, they use appropriate techniques and tools to make the restoration process more effective.

Professional fire restoration also includes cleaning up smoke particles, as they are acidic and therefore corrosive. Smoke can leave risky chemical traces and unpleasant odours. They have great expertise in restoring both wet smoke and dry smoke damages. They use powerful cleansers to remove the smoke and soot residues easily and efficiently. The professionals analyse the area damaged by smoke and fire carefully before providing you with a full report about the damage and loss. If fire has damaged the furniture and timbers fully, they remove them cautiously.

Damages from soot can be frustrating and hard to clean up. Professional fire damage restorations helps you remove damages caused by soot carefully. The professionals use effective chemicals that remove soot, without causing any damage to painted walls and wallpapers. Fire restoration experts can also help restore and refurbish your damaged residential or commercial property, including curtains, furniture, electronic items and other valuable things. They are dedicated to restore as much of your property as possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Raper

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Our Specialties at Easton Construction Group

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

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

Monday, December 12, 2011

Diamond Certified - Companies Rated Highest in Quality - Contractors


If you want quality, you'll have confidence in choosing a Diamond Certified company. Our ratings process of local companies is the most accurate in the Bay Area. Only those rated Highest in Quality in customer satisfaction earn Diamond Certified. Most companies can't qualify.

Easton Construction Group is a Diamond Certified Company.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Falling Cypress Tree Barely Misses Two Children


Andrew Easton of Easton Construction Group was recently interviewed on the news from area wind damages.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Roof Claims: Hail and Wind Storm Damage


The roof of your house is your first line of defense against the elements. On a sunny day the sun can heat your roof to unbearable temperatures. On a rainy day it is the first to get soaked by the rain. On a windy day your shingles can get blown or torn away from your house. Finally, on those stormy days, a hail storm can beat up your roof and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. What kind of damage can a hail or wind storm actually cause? The most common type of roof damage is called storm damage. This is damage caused by wind, hail, or both.

In 2009 hail storms caused over $1.2 billion worth of property damage in the United States. Often times this type of roof damage is not noticeable until other parts of your home have been affected. Hail hits cause a reduction in the life expectancy of your shingles. When hail hits your shingles the top layer of granules is removed from the matting causing damage in the form of small circular marks on the shingles. These small marks eventually cause leaks leading to more costly damage such as interior drywall rot and upper roof decking damage. It may take months or years for leaks to form around these marks, but the ultimate cause is the hail. Delayed repairs can cause a lapse in the statute of limitations given by the home-owners insurance company leaving you, the homeowner, responsible for all the repairs needed. This is why it is very important to have a prompt inspection. You should not wait until you see a leak to call a storm restoration specialist.

Wind damage occurs when strong wind gusts blow the shingles in such a way that it causes them to crease, crack, or blow completely off the roof decking. Creased or cracked shingles become weaker and will continue to blow back in future storms. As the shingle tabs continue to get blown back and forth upon the weakened crease, the shingle can eventually pull away and cause the roof decking to be exposed to the elements. Other times shingles will lift up from the shingle underneath it enough for debris to lodge underneath. Once debris is underneath the shingle, it will no longer properly adhere to the roof. These kinds of damage will compromise the integrity of the roof causing leaks and additional damage.

The only way to know for sure the type of damage you have is to have a trained professional thoroughly inspect your roof. A roof restoration specialist can help you determine if you need your roof replaced.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clifford_Evans

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Professional Fire Restoration Services

Disaster can occur at any moment. If you experience severe loss from fire in your home or commercial property, you will need a professional fire damage repair or restoration service.

Professional fire restoration services help you get back to normal quickly. Emergency fire damage professionals will assess your home, give you an estimate and then, once approved repair your home to the standard it was previously. They make a detailed assessment of the damage. You might have conducted your fire damage assessment first and might think that the damage caused by fire could result in a total loss. However, a professional fire damage service can help repair fire damage and restore your home or commercial building and other possessions to their original condition.

Sometimes, water used to extinguish the fire may cause more damage to your property than the fire itself. Professional fire restoration starts by cleaning up the water damages. They use special equipment to prevent further damage to your property and restore it to its original state. Some messy things, if left unattended, may cause significant damages to your building. Hence, the professionals give special attention to clean them up. They use high powered equipment to remove any standing water and moisture from furniture, wood and carpets. Removing moisture can help prevent your home or office building from mould, mildew and bacterial growth. They even help restore your expensive carpets to their original size and condition. They know that fire damage restoration and water damage restoration go hand in hand. Hence, they use appropriate techniques and tools to make the restoration process more effective.

Professional fire restoration also includes cleaning up smoke particles, as they are acidic and therefore corrosive. Smoke can leave risky chemical traces and unpleasant odours. They have great expertise in restoring both wet smoke and dry smoke damages. They use powerful cleansers to remove the smoke and soot residues easily and efficiently. The professionals analyse the area damaged by smoke and fire carefully before providing you with a full report about the damage and loss. If fire has damaged the furniture and timbers fully, they remove them cautiously.

Damages from soot can be frustrating and hard to clean up. Professional fire damage restorations helps you remove damages caused by soot carefully. The professionals use effective chemicals that remove soot, without causing any damage to painted walls and wallpapers. Fire restoration experts can also help restore and refurbish your damaged residential or commercial property, including curtains, furniture, electronic items and other valuable things. They are dedicated to restore as much of your property as possible.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Raper

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Dry Ice Blasting Smoke Damaged Books


Dry ice blasting log cabin, smoke damaged books and lead-based paint from the Utah State Capitol Restoration Project

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Our Estimates Using Xactimate Software

Xactware® is recognized in the claims industry and used by many insurance providers. All of our restoration scopes and reconstruction estimates are generaged using Xactimate estimating software or Xactcontents for personal property.
With our estimating staff's knowledge, combined with the power of Xactimate, our estimates indicate exact quantities and materials & labor. This is accompanied with a clear description of work to be performed and graphical reference providing you with a clear concise scope of repairs that ECG will perform on your project.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Wildfire Ember Highlights


 Xactware is one of the founders of the Institute for Business & Home Safety's new state-of-the-art, multi-peril research center in Chester Country, N.C. At this facility, researchers simulate disaster conditions — including heavy winds, droplet-sized rain, realistic hailstones, and firebrand/ember generation — to test building materials and structure components. They record the tests on high-speed, high-definition cameras to analyze the results.

In this experiment, researchers recreated an ember storm to study how a typical home holds up in wildfire conditions. The U.S. Forest Service and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have verified that the ember storm simulation is a realistic demonstration of a typical wildfire event.

For more information about IBHS, check out http://www.disastersafety.org.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Emergency Services - We're Here To Help

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.

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 effected area is the first step and often most important. How and what steps are taken have can major impact further damages and what is necessary to prevent or limit further damages to a structure. ECG provides all emergency or temporary service solution which your property may require.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Easton Construction Group Specialties

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

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

Call us at 925-757-6000, or 510-473-5070, or 209-910-5070 for more information.

Friday, November 4, 2011

How To Spot Water Damage Before It Wrecks Your Home

Water just may be your home's worst enemy; and it's a sneaky, insidious foe. Your home could have a slow leak for weeks before you see the first signs of damage.

Take the case of my friend Tom, who recently spotted a strange puddle outside his brand new townhome. For some reason a small, hand-sized pool of water would sometimes appear on his back porch next to the bedroom wall. He didn't think much of it, until he spotted water stains on his inside wall, directly opposite the puddle. Uh-oh.

When workmen pried the planks off his exterior wall, they found a PVC drainpipe that had been sliced-through during construction. Workers installing the hardy plank exterior during construction had trimmed the planks in place with a power saw, not noticing that there were slashing the drain pipe in the process. The entire time Tom had lived in his home, water had been leaking into his wall.

Unless you are alert for small signs like this, water damage can go unchecked, emerging only when it has caused serious damage to your home.

The key is to spot telltale signs of damage before they turn into big problems. Here are a few things for which you should be on the lookout.

Finding Interior Leaks

Leaks can happen anywhere inside your home, but they are most likely to occur where water pipes and drains connect to appliances. That means your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are the most likely problem areas.

1) Water Stains

Stains on your drywall are the most obvious sign of interior water damage. Check your window frames and exterior door frames for any sign stains, and apply caulk or molding as needed.

Any unusual stain on your interior walls should be investigated immediately since, as my friend Tom learned, they could be a sign of a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall.

2) Warping or Buckling Floors

Also keep an eye out for any buckling or warping of your wooden floors. Even if your home doesn't have hardwood floors, vinyl, tile surfaces and carpets are often installed on top of a wooden particle board layer that will swell and warp when exposed to water.

3) Meter Readings

If water lines inside your home are leaking, you may be able to tell by reading your water meter. Turn off all the water inside your house, and then check your meter's current reading. Wait about an hour, and then check it again. If the meter reading has changed, you've got a leak.

Spotting Exterior Problems

A leaky roof, poor drainage around your home and clogged or leaky rain gutters are the biggest causes of exterior leaks. The key to detection is to check your home during a rainstorm. If you can't wait for rain, spray your roof with a garden hose.

1) Check the Attic

It's a good idea to periodically inspect your attic for stains and other signs of water infiltration. Pay special attention the valleys where two roof planes intersect. Also check the flashing where the roof meets a wall, and flashing around any chimneys and roof vents.

You should also check your roof from the outside for damaged flashing and missing, cracked or curled shingles.

2) Standing Water

If you see standing water anywhere outside your home, it's cause for worry. A puddle could be due to poor drainage in your yard that makes water flow toward your house. It could also be a sign of leaky rain gutters or gutter downspouts that don't carry water far enough from the house.

3) Drip Lines

Water dripping off your roof can cause erosion on your patio or driveway. This issue is tricky, because by the time you see erosion in the stone or concrete, the damage is done. You need to spot drip lines before they do damage. Walk around your house when it's raining and look for drip lines.

Check how your home's gutters handle a heavy rain. Do the gutters overflow? Your gutters need to be cleaned periodically to keep them free of leaves, or you may need to install gutter covers or screens to keep leaves out.

Check the gutters themselves for leaks. Many homes still use old-style seamed gutters with welded joints. Check these points for signs of rust or separation.

These simple checks can go a long way toward keeping your home safe from water damage and the mold infestations that can come with it. Try to make them a regular part of your home maintenance.

Mike Milliman is a managing partner of GutterSupply.com, the leading online seller of gutter supplies and copper gutters.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1195898

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Water Damage to Your Home

Many people have no clue as to what types of water damage is covered under their home or business insurance policy. Homeowners and business owners are becoming confused, hearing about mold insurance claims getting denied, and lots of questions arise about water damage to their homes. This article will go on to explain what types of damage is covered by your home insurance or your business policy and what you should do if your house has damage.

What Water Damage will your Home Insurance Policy cover?

Homeowners policies don't cover damages from a flood, you would need to purchase flood insurance if you want to be specifically covered for water damage caused by a flood. Your home insurance policy would pay for damage from rain coming through a hole or a window if the hole had been caused by strong storm winds. But if you have a pipe leaking inside your house that created water damage over time, that wouldn't be covered. It simply comes down to if your water damage was caused by a covered event such as a storm or if the water damage happened because you failed to keep your house repaired which would not be covered. If you are unsure as to what kind of water damage is covered, carefully read through your home insurance policy or call your the company.

Avoid Mold: Cleaning Up After a Disaster

It is very important you take steps to repair your water damage because if you let the damage linger it could cause further damage as well as health risks. Don't ignore obvious signs of a water problem in your house! You need to immediately try to find any leaks and repair them from the source. When you let water leak in your house, moisture builds up and mold will grow. Mold will eat through the building's structure and gradually cause health problems that could become serious. Mold exposure causes a wide variety of health effects such as coughs, nosebleeds, runny noses, sinusitis and congestion and even more serious upper respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Many insurance companies don't cover mold damage but it might be covered if it was caused by a covered peril such as a storm. As soon as you discover any water damage, report it to your insurance agent before it gets any worse.

Water Damage Caused By a Storm

When there is a storm, if water gets into your home, you need to dry up all the wet areas and set up air circulation to help everything dry. Water can come into your house or place of business from roof damage, or damaged gutters, or from a leaking basement. To prevent additional damage, cover all areas with a tarp. By drying, covering and dehumidifying all wet areas you can attempt to minimize the chance that mold will form from the water damage. Flooding can happen if a storm causes a river level to rise. Of course, always contact your insurance agent as soon as possible so that you can begin the homeowners insurance or business insurance policy claims process.

Moisture Damage Over a Period of Time

If you find water or moisture damage that appears to be from a leakage existing for a period of time, mold might have developed and the chances your claim will be covered are very slim. In this situation, trying to cleanup the mold now will spread the mold spores and cause more property damage and increased health risks. Mold is extremely dangerous to your health and it is crucial that you have a professional restoration expert come to cleanup the damage. Obvious damage from flooding can be cleaned up but mold growth isn't always apparent. Moisture behind drywall can be detected using specialized equipment from a certified disaster restoration contractor. Typically insurance policies have a cap or limit of what the insurance company is willing to pay towards mold removal. Prepare to cover at least some of the clean up expense out of your pocket, that means shopping around on search engines to select a competent disaster restoration company in your area. Contact your home insurance company to check if any of the damage is covered with your policy and call a professional disaster restoration company immediately.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Bruce

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Smoke Damage Cleanup - A Daunting Task Without Professional Help

Smoke damage cleanup can be a harder task than most people realize. Unless you have had a fire in your home before, you may not realize the time and effort that smoke clean up actually takes. We all know that when we go camping and sit next to a camp fire everything we own smells like smoke. The tent will trap that smoke smell and a year later you unwrap the tent and it smells even stronger than it did a year ago. Now think about having that camp fire in your house. Everything the smoke touches will hold the smell, and the sooner it is properly cleaned the better.

The second problem with smoke damage cleanup is the water that is used to put out the fire. So on top of having smoke penetrate every fiber and material in your home, you also have water damage to deal with. It's like having two disasters hit at once. When it first happens the problem seems overwhelming. The first thing you have to do is dry out the water, to prevent further damage from water and mold. So as soon as you are allowed back in the home safely, think of drying out the home as fast as possible. If it's warm out opening the windows may bring in too much heat and cause humidity so a dehumidifier will be the best option. If it is cool out, getting the windows open and air flow to the damp areas would help dry them out fast. To dry a home efficiently, it is highly recommended to enlist a professional service; most cleanup specialists are available 24 hours a day to get the process started as soon as possible.

Smoke damage cleanup professionals are in the business to deal with this damage from the very beginning. They also keep up on the latest tools and techniques to get the job done correctly and efficiently. A cleanup professional will also have experience dealing with the insurance claims and get you the most money back to help with expenses. We all know that the longer it takes to get your life and home back to normal the more damage to the sanity, so act fast and get professional help right away.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Jordan

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Water Damage Restoration 101 - Why Use a Water Damage Restoration Company?

While in the midst of a recent job, the insurance adjuster came out and asked why we are continuing to dry when the floor looked dry upon the adjuster's visual inspection. An insurance adjuster, presumedly, is better qualified and has more experience in water damage restoration than a homeowner who is dealing with an emergency remediation service for the first, and hopefully final, time. The sincere question of said adjuster prompted this article as if someone who is supposed to be professionally educated and experienced in this arena does not understand what dry means, then it stands to reason that the in duress homeowner does not know and can reasonably question the time and effort we expend in doing a professional water damage remediation.

Let's face it, money is always a consideration. Any person, in a purely fiduciary and cost accounting point of view, could make the reasonable determination that removing water from a structure can be accomplished by simply using a store rented machine, a shop wet vacuum, or by any carpet cleaning service found in the phone book. This reasonable and cost controlling assumption that any of the water removal methodologies just outlined is correct as any of the aforementioned water removal methods should be able to remove the top layer of water but NONE of those water removal methods can remove the water that has penetrated the flooring, base boards, or drywall. Unfortunately, the moisture not removed by these methods is, often times, the underlying catalyst for costly structural damage and can create the optimal conditions for mold growth. While this approach to save money is understood and appreciated, this approach is unnecessary as, in many cases, a professional water damage remediation company can handle such work for little to no out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner.

In addition to the cost savings the professional water damage remediation company may afford the homeowner, a professionally trained and intra-industry certified company will know the industry established dry standard for the region they serve and will ensure that the moisture content of the affected area will be dried to the established drying standard and not to a level that looks, feels, and otherwise appears dry upon a casual inspection. The benefit of this is simple... the potential for structural damage is abated and the potential for mold growth is minimized thus saving the homeowner untold expenses in home repair and medical costs.

So what does dry mean? When is something dry? Dry does not mean a moisture content of zero as even in the desert there is moisture - if you know where to look and how to extract it. Dry, in the context of water damage remediation, refers to a point in the intra-industry drying standard at which the moisture content is stated to be dry. Each region, by virtue of its unique ecology, has its own established drying standard. The outline of each region is beyond the scope of this article but any interested party can easily find the established drying standard for their region online. It is to this point that a professional water damage remediation company will dry to, or beyond, to ensure your home indemnified to its preloss condition. Then, and only then, is your affected home / structure able to be deemed as dry.

As outlined in this article, there really is a lot that goes into a water damage remediation service... far more then is apparent at first glance. Now that you have a reasonable understanding of the time, money, and risk you can offset via the contracting a professional water damage restoration company, you now know that your fiduciary responsibility and cost saving intent is BEST served by using a professional water damage remediation company whenever water damage occurs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Kay

Sunday, October 23, 2011

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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Wallace

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Storm Damage: Dealing With The Aftermath


Storm damage of any kind whether it is high winds, hail, floods or lightning it all make a mess out of your home and life. It is hard to look at the mess that surrounds what used to be your home and not dive right in to start the clean up. Believe it or not you will not want to do that. Initially you should contact your insurance company. A representative will come out to your home and evaluate the damage that the storm has created. They should also lay out a detailed plan to help get your life restarted. You will have to continue living even though storm damage has turned your life topsy-turvy.

How do you get started? Is it possible to tell who is actually going to help you and not scam you or rip you off? Is it possible to completely trust your insurance agent? Who do you contact for expert advice? These questions are hard to answer when you are sitting there vulnerable after a natural disaster of any magnitude. Here is a list of advice to get you started in the long and overwhelming process of repairing storm damage to your home.

Storm Damage Checklist

Contact your insurance agent. This is of course the first and most important advice anyone can give you. Your insurance agent is your ally. Make sure when you are purchasing insurance in the first place that you research local insurance agents. A good rate is one thing but an insurance company that you can count on in a time of need is something completely different. The cheapest might not always be the best way to go.

Don't start any repairs or cleanup efforts until you have had the damage accessed by the professionals. First you don't want to get hurt, second you don't want to make things worse and third you need to give the adjuster the full scope of damage. It is important that you do document in video and film the damage from your prospective. Just in case later on down the road the adjuster gets shaky with his evaluation.

No repairs should be started before you have agreed upon a settlement with you insurance company. If you do something like boarding up windows and such make sure to save receipts. Materials will often be reimbursed. That is the only type of work that should even be contemplated before a final approval has been gone over.

Your homeowner's insurance policy should cover a temporary home for you. Make sure to check with the agent when they arrive to scope out the damage. They might have special restrictions on where you are allowed to stay and for how long, make sure you are aware of these things in advance if possible.

It is so important that you fully understand and are aware of the limitations that the insurance company has in place regarding the coverage on your home in regards to different events. You want to know how you are covered and the differences in coverage for floods, fires, natural disasters, storms, hail, lightening and all that loveliness that storm damage brings. You should also be aware that if you move to another state or another area in your state you could need special coverage for that area. The best advice any homeowner can receive is to find a trustworthy and reliable insurance agent. They will be your best ally if storm damage ever affects your household.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6497671

Monday, October 17, 2011

Dealing With Fire Damage


The cost of paying for fire damage is at an all time high according to insurance companies. Interestingly, one of the reasons cited for this is the fact that open plan living is more popular than ever and this layout is particularly conducive to fire spreading quickly, making fire damage more serious. Of course, this underlines is the importance of making sure that you are properly insured to cover potential damage.

Providing you are insured adequately, the costs of hiring a fire restoration company should be covered. Depending on the severity of the fire damage, you may not feel that you need to employ professionals, but at this distressing time it can certainly help in making sure that the property is safe and that losses are minimised, allowing you back into your home or office as soon as possible.

The first priority of dealing with fire damage should be ensuring that the property is safe and secure. Dedicated fire restorers are experienced at liaising with building contractors in order to get the place structurally sound as quickly as possible. They are also able to quickly secure locks and windows on the property so that further losses are prevented and other people are unable to enter.

One major problem after a fire is that high chlorine levels pose a corrosion risk to electrical equipment. Fire restoration companies can use specialist equipment to test chlorine levels in a fire affected building and will take action where appropriate to minimise damage to appliances and subsequent loss.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5250733

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Different Types of Water Damage

Basically water damage is confined to three different categories: clean water, gray water and black water.

Clean water means pretty much what it says. The water than has done the damage is clean, and relatively safe to work with during restoration. There are no impurities in the water that is going to be harmful to humans or pets.

Grey water is water that has harmful agents in it that can make anyone coming in contact with it ill, or at the very least very uncomfortable to work with.

Black water is definitely the worse of the three. It is known to have bacteria, chemicals or fungi that can not only be very harmful to humans and animals alike, but in some instances could cause death. Black water should always be handled by professionals who have the equipment and knowledge to deal with it effectively.

Most types of water damage can be prevented by an awareness as to what causes it, plus a minimum of two yearly inspections to see that your plumbing facilities, your foundation and roof are in good order.

Though many of us think of water damage as something that happens on a large scale, there are many times water damage can be happening on a much smaller, but still very serious scale.

If you notice even small amounts of water on the inside surface of exterior walls or on plaster sheet rock, there is a moisture problem that is causing slow but costly damage. These problems are usually caused by a small leak inside the wall coming from the roof or a rusty pipe with a slow drip.

If there is moisture on your foundation walls, you need to apply a damp proofing compound. The moisture is eventually going to cause rot to any wood framing that it is in contact with.

Many times a serious water damage problem will occur simply because the structure does not have a sufficient amount of insulation. When a home or other structure is under insulated, water vapor forms inside the walls or in the attic and sooner or later will do a lot of damage as well as being a haven for insects. To prevent the problem from getting any worse you may need more insulation or need to install an attic fan. Fans keep the air circulating, which will dry the moisture as it forms.

The installation of exhaust fans in the bathrooms is also a needed necessity to help prevent water damage. When you take a shower or bath water vapors form in the air, and over a period of time your wallpaper will start peeling off the wall and you will need to repair or replace it often. Also, it is a ripe environment for mold to develop.

On the outside of your house rotten or stopped up gutters will eventually cause the eaves and wood trim around your roof to rot. If it gets bad enough, it could even allow water to enter the walls of your home.

As you see there are many types of water damage that can occur in many different ways. You don't necessarily need a pipe to burst or a storm to damage your roof to incur a costly amount of damage.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Robichaud

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Kitchen Fire Safety



Most home fires begin in the kitchen, and Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy demonstrates how quickly a kitchen fire can get out of control. With a live fire burning as the backdrop for the segment, Appy offers critical tips to put out stove top fires and demonstrates the slide a lid technique.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

How Fire Sprinklers Have Made Things Safer


Henry Parmelee

Fire sprinklers are one of those items that is out of sight and out of mind. Through the years, however, advancements in these devices have made surviving fires much more likely.

The story of fire sprinklers begins with a piano factory, and a man named Henry. Henry Parmelee is credited with creating the first fire sprinkler around the year 1864. He was tired of watching large buildings go up in flames due to unforeseen fires, and he wanted a way to protect his own piano factory. Parmelee got in touch with a few creative individuals, expressed his concerns and ideas, and eventually came up with a product that he could patent and sell.

Unfortunately for Henry, the model fire sprinkler that he came up with was rather expensive to purchase, which turned a lot of individuals off of his idea. Rather than giving up, Henry took it upon himself to take his idea to various insurance companies - they listened. Thanks to two of Parmelee's friends (Major Hesketh and James North Lane), Parmelee was able to talk to many different insurers, and he was also able to put his plan into motion. Though Parmelee enjoyed some success, his invention was improved upon by another man who became wealthy thanks to Parmelee's ideas.

Parmelee had hired a man by the name of Fredrick Grinnell to sell his sprinklers throughout the United States. Even though Grinnell did manage to sell some of the product, he also figured out a way to make it much more effective. Thus, Grinnell created his own version of the sprinkler, and took it to Europe where he was able to become rather wealthy. Fire sprinkler history really stops at this point, as many other people began to create different types of this contraption. Still, without Henry Parmelee, many types of businesses would not stand a chance against fire today.

Although the general public never really thinks about it, a sprinkler system can really save plenty of merchandise and lives in the case of a fire. These small devices tend to blend into the ceilings of many different buildings, though they are entirely necessary for any large business. It's interesting to think that an invention created in 1864 is still in use today (though today's devices are high tech in comparison).

As you can see, fire sprinkler history is, indeed, curious. Though it all began with one man seeking to protect his piano factory, the very same invention is used throughout the world today. These sprinklers are now a mandatory part of owning most types of business, and no insurance company in the world would go without them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1085619

Monday, October 3, 2011

Very Large Hail Can Be Dangerous


Tennis ball size hail in Woodson, TX

We don't think so much about hail damage in northern California, though it has been known to do some damage, but take a look at this from Texas!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Reparing Water and Smoke Damage


This video explains how to prime and repair water and smoke damage to your walls or ceiling. For further information and tips, visit www.dutchboy.com. Happy Painting!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Ultrasonic Cleaning of Smoke Damaged Ceramics


Ultrasonic cleaning of a smoke damaged ceramic figurine from a house fire in southcentral Wisconsin.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Cleaning smoke damaged art work



Created on November 13, 2010 This is some art work that a friend of mine gave me. The work is from a local artist that had a house fire. They were thrown away but I thought they could be saved. I washed them with Clorox clean up and a mild soap after a few hours each they came out pretty good after so much smoke damage.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Flood Damaged Home: Cleaning After the Flood


NDSU Extension area specialist Daniel Waldstein shares tips for cleaning out a flood damaged home, as he cleans his own home after the 2011 Minot, ND flood. In this segment, How to clean and sanitize.
For more flood information check out http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Flooded Home: What to Look for Before Rebuilding


NDSU Extension Educator Carl Pedersen shows what to look for and check out in your home before rebuilding after the flood.

or more flood information check out http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Flooded Home: Entering for the First Time


NDSU Extension Educator Carl Pedersen shows what you need to look for when entering a home for the first time after a flood.

For more flood information check out http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood

Friday, September 9, 2011

Flooded Home: Electrical Issues


NDSU Extension Educator Carl Pedersen shows what to look out for with your homes electrical equipment before rebuilding after the flood.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Expert Professionals for the Best Smoke Damage Cleanup

The smell of smoke can really irritate your nose and overwhelm your body's respiration, especially if your home suffered from fire. If your home is foul-smelling, it is easy to eliminate the odor using a room deodorizer. Going natural, dried eucalyptus branches placed inside a pot or vase could also keep off the bad smell away.

What if something is burned inside your house or a part of your house was razed by fire? Surely, it will leave a lot of residues and odors. Could a spray of deodorizer or a pot of eucalyptus bring the magic? Probably not. What is even worse is that the bad smell from smoke will make the repair and restoration more difficult. And since using even the most potent odor-removing techniques and sprays will not take away the smoke from your home, the most practical thing that you-and other homeowners-should do is hire experts who could conduct smoke damage cleanup. Knowing that eliminating the smell of unwanted smoke is often beyond your skill or even that of your most reliable handyman, follow what most insurance companies suggest: hire experts.

But if fire only affected a small part of your home, probably your kitchen or bedroom, and if there is no structural damage at all-just a few soot and an awful smell of smoke-your insurance claim, being limited only to the smoke and soot, might discourage you to hire a cleanup team.

With this, you have only two options: it's either you hire someone and pay for his service at your own expense or do the work yourself.

If you decide to do the work on your home, here are the things that you might need for a do-it-yourself smoke damage cleanup:

• Vacuum cleaner. Choose a unit that can handle wet and dry surfaces.

• Dry, cleaning sponges. Choose sponges that are specially made for cleaning soot. They are available in cleaning and paint supply stores and you could also find one at art suppliers since they are also great for cleaning paintings and other artworks.

• Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). This is chemical, though caustic, works as an all-purpose cleaning agent that easily wipes grease and soot. Pine cleaners are also effective and they are less caustic than TSP but using them requires longer time before effects come out.

• Bucket. Your bucket should be at least gallon-size so you could mix TSP and other cleaners properly.

• Sponges, rags, and mop. You will use these for cleaning and wiping out hard and stained surfaces.

• Rubber gloves. Use rubber gloves while mixing cleaners and cleaning the surfaces to avoid skin irritation. Oils from your fingers can cause further damage on the surfaces that you have contact with especially when mixed with soot. Thus, using rubber gloves will make your work easier and more effective.

• Vacuum cleaner with edge attachment. This equipment is great for stains and soot on hard-to-reach corners and cracks.

Since most smoke damage are widespread and affects a huge area in your house, you could enlist the help of professional smoke damage cleanup experts. They have better equipment, skills, and expertise than you do that could save you time and money in the long run. If a greater part of your home is razed by fire and it is only redeemable when an expert team of professionals steps in to do the job, then don't think twice. Contact your most trusted restoration professional now and let their expertise save your home from further dereliction.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Wallace

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Why Do It Yourself Fire Restoration and Water Restoration Is Not Recommended

Many homeowners who are confronted with water or fire damage often try to take up restoration efforts on their own. Though it might seem like a great idea at the beginning, one will often find that fire restoration and water restoration is actually quite difficult once they have begun.

Homeowners will often find themselves lacking in two different aspects. They will be found wanting in terms of technical expertise and will secondly be shorthanded when it comes to quality equipment that will be necessary to carry out fire restoration and water restoration. This is explained in more detail below.

Technical aspects of fire and water restoration that might not be common knowledge,

•When it comes to fire damage, parts of the house that never came in contact with the fire can still be affected by the smoke emitted from the fire. There are different types of smoke such as fuel oil smoke, protein smoke and a few others. Each type of smoke will have to be treated with different compositions of chemicals if the odor has to be removed. A homeowner might carry out an incomplete restoration process where the odor of smoke will be temporarily eliminated. It can however come back after a few weeks and will require another restoration effort to be carried out.

•Water restoration is also equally tricky in the sense that parts of the house untouched by water can still be damaged from the moisture released by the stagnated water. If there is standing water, the water will start to evaporate and turn into moisture that will start to be absorbed by porous construction materials such as ceilings, carpets etc. A water restoration company will use hygrometers to detect moisture levels. They will then use a range of equipment such as water pumps, dehumidifiers and blowers that will rid the property of potentially damaging moisture.

•Fire restoration will need the use of various EPA approved chemicals. For example, ozone and other chemicals will have to be used to treat smoke odor. Ozone has to be handled properly and safely and the affected area will have to be isolated before fire restoration with ozone is carried out.

•When it comes to water restoration, it is not enough if the water is merely removed and the area just dried up. The source of the water leak will have to be identified and stopped. In some cases, this source might be hard to find and only a contractor will be able to use an infrared camera to find a hidden broken pipe that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

In addition to the above points, hiring a water and fire restoration company is always a good idea as they can also do a very good job in assisting you with the insurance claims process.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5964616

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Flooded House Clean-up: Clean-up Process 2 (video 4 of 5)


Exterior wall need to examined, but will generally dry okay. Electrical fixtures must be replaced. Crawl spaces need to be ventilated to dry. Flush then wash the structure with detergent. Most biocides including bleach are only effective on non-porous surfaces. Make sure that disinfectants and biocides used are registered and follow the label for specifics on how to use products including bleach.
4th in a series of 5 video

Monday, August 29, 2011

Flooded House Clean-up: Clean-up Process 1 (video 3 of 5)


Remove water from a flooded basement slowly, discard all porous materials exposed to flood water and place discarded materials in sorted piles. Appliances normally need to be discarded due to contamination of motors and electronics, air ducts usually need to be discarded, drywall and insulation need to removed, plaster can be salvaged, and plywood needs to be examined for delamination.
3rd in a series of 5 videos

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Flooded House Clean-up: Structure, Utilities and Mold (video 2 of 5)


Evaluate homes for structural integrity including the floor, verify the electricity and gas are shut off and isolate clean and affected parts of a home. Mold must be removed. Killing it with a biocide is not adequate to create a healthy environment.
2nd in a series of 5 videos

Monday, August 22, 2011

Professional Fire Damage Repairs/Restoration

Disaster can occur at any moment. If you experience severe loss from fire in your home or commercial property, you will need a professional fire damage repair or restoration service.

Professional fire restoration services help you get back to normal quickly. Emergency fire damage professionals will assess your home, give you an estimate and then, once approved repair your home to the standard it was previously. They make a detailed assessment of the damage. You might have conducted your fire damage assessment first and might think that the damage caused by fire could result in a total loss. However, a professional fire damage service can help repair fire damage and restore your home or commercial building and other possessions to their original condition.

Sometimes, water used to extinguish the fire may cause more damage to your property than the fire itself. Professional fire restoration starts by cleaning up the water damages. They use special equipment to prevent further damage to your property and restore it to its original state. Some messy things, if left unattended, may cause significant damages to your building. Hence, the professionals give special attention to clean them up. They use high powered equipment to remove any standing water and moisture from furniture, wood and carpets. Removing moisture can help prevent your home or office building from mould, mildew and bacterial growth. They even help restore your expensive carpets to their original size and condition. They know that fire damage restoration and water damage restoration go hand in hand. Hence, they use appropriate techniques and tools to make the restoration process more effective.

Professional fire restoration also includes cleaning up smoke particles, as they are acidic and therefore corrosive. Smoke can leave risky chemical traces and unpleasant odours. They have great expertise in restoring both wet smoke and dry smoke damages. They use powerful cleansers to remove the smoke and soot residues easily and efficiently. The professionals analyse the area damaged by smoke and fire carefully before providing you with a full report about the damage and loss. If fire has damaged the furniture and timbers fully, they remove them cautiously.

Damages from soot can be frustrating and hard to clean up. Professional fire damage restorations helps you remove damages caused by soot carefully. The professionals use effective chemicals that remove soot, without causing any damage to painted walls and wallpapers. Fire restoration experts can also help restore and refurbish your damaged residential or commercial property, including curtains, furniture, electronic items and other valuable things. They are dedicated to restore as much of your property as possible.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Raper

Friday, August 19, 2011

Flooded House Clean-up: Protection from Hazards (video 1 of 5)


Flood water contains sewage, pathogens and other chemicals which are health hazards and mold infestation, which is normally present in flooded homes, is a proven health hazard. Therefore, it is imperative to wear a respirator/mask, goggles, gloves and other protective equipment. Air cleaners, including units that produce ozone, and hydroxyl and ultraviolet units are not effective at controlling mold in flooded homes.

1st in a series of 5 videos

Monday, August 15, 2011

Water Damage Restoration Do's and Don'ts 101

Water Damage Restoration

You come in and find the place looks like Niagara Falls and you are thrust into the water damage restoration process. You now find yourself in a position in which you need to assess the value as well as the importance of each and every item effected by the water damage. When the majority, if not all, of your belongings have been destroyed, it may be emotionally difficult to determine which items you want to salvage. Intellectually you know that keeping water damaged things that are beyond repair or things that may not have any further use is impractical and will just cost you a lot of storage space and money but the personal value of family heirlooms is priceless. Still you should strive to be extremely practical throughout the water damage restoration process so as you will be able to quickly and effectively reorganize your life back to its pre-water damage normalcy.

Foods And Perishables

Water damaged foods and other perishables that have been soiled via direct water contact, in most cases, should not be consumed and must be disposed of properly. Broken tableware including cups, glasses, and other kitchen tools that have come into contact with black water should be discarded as the affected item is, most likely, not fit or sanitary enough to be used.

Avoid These Items

Do not operate any of your electrical appliances when dealing with water damage. It can be extremely dangerous to operate any of your electrical appliances while standing on a wet carpet or water damaged floors! Your Blu-ray and HD television(s), DVR, TiVo, Google or Apple TV, Microsoft Windows and Apple computer(s), iPad(s), AT&T or Verizon iPhone(s), iPod(s), Amazon Kindle, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft X-Box, Kinect, Sony Playstation, recent E-Bay purchases, and the rest of your electrical appliances need to be checked first by a professional technician before you are able to determine which still function and can be kept and which items need to be replaced. Likewise, you should check your annual passes to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR, and Busch Gardens and your advance or one day tickets to the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil to ensure these items did not succumb to the water damage else you may have to call their customer service lines for replacements.

Don't Clean Anything

Do not try to dry your house or building with a blower or any heat inducing item. Rather than eliminating or removing the standing water or excessive moisture that originated from the water damage, this do-it-yourself method will be the catalyst for the uncontrolled growth of mildew and mold and can spread the water further into the building which can result in even more moisture damage and a more entailed restoration process.

All product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. Emergency Response Restoration is not, in any way, affiliated with any of these products or companies and Emergency Response Restoration does not receive any materiel benefit or compensation from any company or product mentioned herein. These marks and their use are, thereby, duly governed by the respective owners and any and all rights in connection with the same are entirely reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Kay

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Flooded House Clean-up: Drying (video 5 of 5)


The structure must be adequately dried to prevent mold growth and deterioration of building materials. Open enclosed area such as wall cavities, ventilate the house, measure the humidity level, dry the wood to less than 15 percent moisture, expect moisture to enter the basement in vapor form for months.
Last in a series of 5 videos.

Monday, August 8, 2011

About Easton Construction Group

Andrew Easton, our company founder, brings over 20 years of building experience to ECG. His experience covers all aspects of residential and commercial construction. With a family history of entrepreneurs and contractors, Andrew is a third generation contractor. He brings a solid foundation and commitment to our customers. Being a California, Bay Area native, born in Walnut Creek and raised in Diablo, Andrew is passionate about his home and about Northern California development.

ECG has established successful working relationships with qualified and competent professionals, and subcontractors who share our customer oriented philosophy. ECG will guarantee all the work performed by ECG staff and our subcontractors.

http://www.eastoncg.com/

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Welcome To Our Blog

Welcome to our new blog. We intend to provide interesting and valuable information here for a long time to come. Thank you for stopping by and we hope to see you again soon.