State Farm® Preventing Water Damage to Your Home

Water leaks can happen anywhere in the house, but they occur most frequently in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry rooms. Whether it's a slow drip or sudden burst, water leaks can cause extensive damage throughout your house.

The first signs of water leakage might seem trivial. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems. Why take a chance? Learn where your home is most likely to suffer water damage, and what you can do to help prevent it.

Water Damage Contributing to Allergies

It's imperative to be able to recognize the signs of water damage in your home. It doesn't take much water to hike the payout for restoration beyond what the average home owner can afford!

Leaving water damage issues for too long can also put you and your family in a serious health risk environment. Learn how to assess water damage and the risk it poses to you and your family.

Leak damage, when the source is not apparent, is often caused by faulty or broken plumbing/pipes. Leaving water damage unchecked, even if the problem seems small can also lead to extremely costly repairs down the road.

Any moisture can begin to create mold within the wall cavities of your home within forty-eight hours! Serious potential risks of your family being exposed to mold (especially the very young and very old) have been known to include severe lung problems such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic brochopulonary aspergillosis, allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma among others.

Major Signs of Water Damage in a Home

Dripping

One of the easiest signs of water present where it should not be is the sound of dripping that is not apparent to the naked eye. Sometimes an unpleasant odor or small stains can be associated with the dripping noise, making the source area a little easier to find.

Standing Water

A clear indicator of damage occurring, standing water requires obvious immediate attention from a professional. Clean up and any restoration needed should be done right away to avoid rot and mold from forming within your residence.

Water Bill Increase

A sudden spike in your water bill that cannot be attributed to any activity you've recently undertaken, a thorough check of the property for a water leak or broken pipe is in order.

Paint Damage

If paint in your home has begun bulging, falling or chipping off without any other explanation, this could be a sign of severe damage in advance stages and a plumber should be contacted immediately!

Stains

Stains occurring on the wall or ceiling are a very good indication of a long term water leak. Usually in this case, drywall and other building materials may need to be replaced once the source of the leak has been located and eliminated.

Bowing Ceilings

Bowing or sagging ceilings can also be attributed to water damage. This is another situation that should be looked at with utmost urgency, a compromised ceiling could collapse any time!




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7021982

Damage Restoration: Putting the Pieces Back Together Again

If you are looking for assistance cleaning up or rebuilding after a sudden disaster, a damage restoration company that has a proven record of putting things back together the right way may be the choice for you. With representatives that are well trained in fire and water mitigation as well as construction, you can get the assistance you need to put the pieces of your office or home back together.

If you have suffered through a stressful and scary disaster situation and are wondering if it is possible for your home or office to return to its previous state, call the offices of experts in damage restoration and set up a consultation. No matter the degree or the type of disaster you have experienced, these professionals have the knowledge that is necessary to get things back together efficiently. They will also assist you in the area of working with your insurance company while great efforts are made to get your home or office in order again.

The best, truly dedicated companies and professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. A disaster never occurs at a convenient time. You are also going to want to work with a company that will provide a guarantee on their work. This way, if you are not satisfied with their work for any number of reasons -- whether the work was done incorrectly or never completed -- they will make it right. Some of the services offered through a professional company may include:

Water Cleanup

Professionals in water mitigation and the construction aspects of a site will clean up any amount of destruction to walls and floors. Timely and efficient work is especially crucial for this effort.

Smoke & Fire Cleanup

Professionals will repair, remove, and replace destroyed or ravaged belongings and structures. They will also eliminate the smoke and lingering smell.

Odor Control Services

In this case, they remove severe odors as a result of smoke and fire damage using a variety of specialty equipment, systems, and professional products. Odor could also be created by mildew or other unwanted presences.

Reconstruction Services

These particular services may include building stabilization, consultation and design, project management, scheduling, and planning, controlled demolition, estimating services, and much more. This is typically the most comprehensive effort.

Trauma Cleanup

This entails fast responses to clean up violent crime and accident scenes.

You do not have to feel overwhelmed by the wreckage that was left after a sudden disaster. Let professionals in damage restoration assist you with the adversity you are facing. These professionals can be available to assist day or night, 24/7 to provide you with the help you need.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7029237

If your home or business has suffered from a sudden disaster, leave the clean up process to the professionals....call Easton Construction Group, Inc. We specialize in property and structure restoration. We are a full service restoration provider. We provide a Single Claim Solution for all property and structure damages resulting from fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, storm damage, vandalism and structure damage caused by vehicle impacts. 

We are here to help when you need it. Providing first response to your needs 24 / 7. 

925-757-6000 Corporate

510-473-5070  Alameda

209-910-5070  San Joaquin

Fire Restoration Company - Can Professionals Help After a Home Fire?

A home fire is one of the most traumatic experiences you and your family can go through. After the initial shock, there are countless things to do, decisions and phone calls to be made. One of those phone calls should be to a fire restoration company. Why? Because a fire restoration company can help guide you through the difficult process of restoring your damaged belongings, furniture, carpets, floors and walls suffered from the actual fire, smoke or water.

Once your home has been cleared safe to re-enter by the fire department, you will need to go in and make a list of everything that has been damaged, and the type of damage i.e. fire, smoke, or water (or all 3.) If possible, try to find receipts and warranties for the various items like furniture, jewelry, carpets, etc.

Next, you will need to call your insurance company and let them know what's happened. They will likely send out an adjuster to your home to survey the damage. You can supply them with the list you've made, and any receipts you've found. This will help things go smoother when you are submitting your claim. If you rent your home, you will need to also contact the owners.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to find another place to live until your home is fully restored. Your insurance company should be able to help find you a temporary place, or you may choose to stay with relatives.

You will need to contact a fire restoration company as soon as possible to start salvaging your belongings and furniture. Again, your insurance company should be able to refer you to a reputable company (that's what you pay premiums for, right?) They will come and survey the damage, and decipher what needs to be done, and how long it will take.

Each situation is different, and each type of damage is restored differently. For example, smoke damaged walls will need a different treatment than scorched walls. Water damaged furniture will be treated differently than smoke damaged furniture, etc. Trying to do the restoration yourself can sometimes cause even more damage. The clean-up is best left to the professionals.

The fire restoration company will explain to you exactly what needs to be done, and will treat your belongings with the respect and care that they deserve. They know you have been through a harrowing experience and their job is to lessen your stress as much as possible.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2522965

Fire Damage Can Be Prevented

Surviving a conflagration is cause for celebration. The risk of smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and disorientation are bad enough without even considering the danger of burning from flames and heat. Even after the immediate danger has passed and the home is safe to return to there is still a serious risk of illness from accumulated chemicals and residual gases. Basically, in order to reduce one's risk to life and limb it is best to prevent these blazes entirely. Fortunately, it is easy to know the ways that fire damage typically occurs and to do what is possible to reduce the risk.

The first and most common way that fire damage happens is through accidents. Combustion is a fairly simple chemical reaction. It is simply the interaction between oxygen and a fuel source. Now, the fuel source can be many different things. Sometimes it is carpeting or furniture, but occasionally it is things that one would not think of like appliances and cabinetry. Usually what happens is that there is a heat source that inadvertently ignites the fuel. This could be a candle that falls on a tablecloth or the floor. Other times it is unpredictable problems like a lampshade catching flame and igniting a drape. Whatever the case, an accident occurs from failure to pay close attention to potentially incendiary situations. The simple solution to this problem is to blow out candles when you leave a room or go to sleep and to turn off lams when they are not in use. Also, pay attention to items near the stove and to cigarette ashes. It is impossible to predict all the possible sources of ignition, but diligence will go a long way toward preventing most of them.

The next most common source of fire damage is equipment failure or malfunctions of appliances. This can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes care is not taken to be sure that electrical cords are not frayed or damaged. Other times an outlet will be improperly grounded and will short and cause a spark. In some situations poor maintenance can cause an appliance to work overly hard to operate at normal capacity and force it to heat up and cause a potential risk situation. In order to prevent these problems it is necessary to periodically inspect and clean all electrical outlets and appliances to remove dust and debris and make sure they are not in need of repair.

Simply put the best way to prevent fire damage is by preventing things from catching flame in the first place. A little prevention and some regular attention and maintenance can protect not only one's property but also their lives and the lives of their loved ones.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7029078

Categories and Classes of Water Damage Mitigation

Water damage mitigation means to control or contain / make smaller. It's to control the cost of the loss and prevent further damage from occurring by taking reasonable and prudent steps to secure and protect the property from on-going damage.

Water damage is generally arranged in 3 different categories. Scope of work and remediation process depends on category of loss. There are 3 categories of water damage restoration.

Category 1: "Clean Water" water source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Example of category 1 includes water damage caused by a pipe, washer machine, etc.

Category 2: "Gray Water" water containing some degree of contamination. Has the potential to cause substantial discomfort or sickness.

Category 3: "Black Water" grossly unsanitary. Contains pathogenic (disease causing) agents.

Example of category 3 include water from the outside (flood damage), sewage, etc.

In addition to the water damage category, there are also different classes of water damage.

Class 1 is considered as "Slow rate of evaporation" which affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials.

Class 2 is considered as "fast rate of evaporation" which means that water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches.

Class 3 generally is the "fastest rate of evaporation" water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc.

Class 4 is "specialty drying situations". This involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

What to do when you do have water damage? Thorough extraction along with contents protection is necessary in order to decrease overall drying time and reduce the possibility of rust and furniture stains. Do make sure that the water damage source have been stopped and repairs have been made. Turn off electrical power to affected areas - Only if safe to do so. Wash hands after handling any wet items. Remove all small furnishings out of the affected area, making ready for the restoration technicians. Remove any paper products off the floor; books, wrapping paper, etc. to prevent damage both to the flooring materials and to the paper products. Check everywhere a remote chance of water may exist somewhere. Check all adjoining areas to the obvious affected areas, behind baseboards, under and behind cabinets, vanities and built-ins, crawl spaces - most often missed. Remove a portion of the floor insulation under the affected area and check for moisture. You will probably be surprised what you find.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6736698

After water damage has occurred, leave the clean up process to the professionals....call Easton Construction Group, Inc. We specialize in property and structure restoration. ECG INC is a full service restoration provider. We provide a Single Claim Solution (SCS) for all property and structure damages resulting from fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, storm damage, vandalism and structure damage caused by vehicle impacts. 

We are here to help when you need it. Providing first response to your needs 24 / 7. 

925-757-6000 Corporate

510-473-5070  Alameda

209-910-5070  San Joaquin

Water Damage Restoration - What Are Your Options?

If you have been confronted by water damage in your house or commercial property, you will be best advised to hire the services of a professional fire and water restoration company. Though the restoration is something that you can achieve on your own, there is too much at risk to take it up as a do it yourself project. Here are some highlights about the services that a well established fire and water restoration company will be able to provide.

• Available 24/7 - The best fire and water restoration companies will operate throughout the day and night. Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage restoration and lost time will often result in dramatically increased losses and additional restoration expenses. Shut off the water supply that caused the flooding and call a professional water damage repair company as soon as you can


• Expert help with insurance claims - The fire and water control and clean-up company is more than just a professional service to restore your home. The restoration company will often award you an insurance specialist who will help you with the insurance claims process along the way. Ideally, claiming insurance should be easy for homeowners who have suffered property damage although the reality is that the insurance company will do anything to give you a check with a lower amount than required. Having professional help in the form of an insurance specialist will save you a lot of stress and effort and will also get you that check that will cover all the restoration expenses.


• Professional equipment - restoration companies will have several commercial grade machines such as dehumidifiers, blowers, truck mounted water extraction units, portable water extraction units, moisture gauges, humidity gauges and so on that will help them remove the water and restore your property in the fastest way possible. If you approached the process on your own, it will take you a very long time as you will generally have just one dehumidifier or just one blower which might not even be powerful enough to do the job in the first place.


• Technical know how - This is where water damage control and clean-up companies offers the most value. It will take you several hours of research and learning to figure out the best restoration plan for you house while a professional restoration company will often have years of experience on their hands. Their experience and their expertise will allow them to immediately go to work on restoring your property in the most time efficient and cost efficient manner. They will also be able to advise you about potential problems with the construction of your house that might lead to future water damage problems.

Thus, in conclusion, it is advised that you call for the services of a water damage restoration company if you haven't done so already. The sooner your call, the lesser your losses will be. Water damage restoration companies will also guarantee you that their repair estimates will be accepted by the insurance company which means that you have almost nothing to lose by hiring professionals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5771078

Preventing Water Damage In The Home

Prevention is the key for many of the failures we see in our lives. With a little bit of maintenance and upkeep household problems can be prevented. Water damage is one culprit that can be avoided with regular care. How do you know when that little puddle in front of the refrigerator is more than just one of the kids spilling water on the floor? Here is a checklist to follow in your home to prevent the need for water restoration.

Utility Spaces

Supply Lines: Regularly check the lines coming and going from washing machines. Hoses should be checked every six months and replaced when wear is evident. Most often hoses have a life expectancy of about three to five years.

Water Heater: They are a big culprit for water damage in homes. All water heaters should be installed in the lowest level of your home. This will help to minimize damage if it should develop a leak. Also look for rust and wear. Around the time you start to see this occur is also around the time you should replace the water heater.

Sump Pumps: The last thing you want is for a sump pump to fail in your home. Regular maintenance and a backup power supply can help eliminate the worry surrounding yours.

Bathrooms

Tubs: A big culprit for leaks around a tub is inefficient caulk. Caulk is something that needs to be replaced at the first signs of visible wear. Another area within the tub that can be an issue is broken supply lines and pipes. If the floor or wall becomes soft a leaking pipe can be to blame. Have a plumber out to evaluate your situation. It might not be a bad time to have them replace the supply lines into the tub/shower, toilet and sinks.

Sinks: Not only can supply lines start to leak overtime so can the connector pipes. If you spot a small leak it is probably time to look at the drain pipes and resealing them.

Toilets: Supply lines and wax seals are the biggest issues to perform routine maintenance on to prevent the need for water restoration. Leaks from the toilets caused major issues in our foreclosed home. So much so that we had to replace the tile and carpet in the rooms adjoining the bathroom.

Kitchens

Dishwashers: You will need to periodically check underneath the sink for leaks. This is where the water supply connects the dishwasher to the water supply. Also you can look for leaks around the dishwasher that could be coming from the seals on the dishwasher. Other ways that leaks can be noticed besides visually seeing the water is to look for discoloration around the cabinets and floor surrounding the area.

Refrigerator: Most of the time refrigerators are fine. If you have an ice maker or water dispenser hooked to the refrigerator you will have to be more diligent in checking hoses and connections in and out of the refrigerator.

Sinks: The kitchen sink needs to be periodically caulked and pipes checked. Slow leaks can be caught early and prevent bigger messes for homeowners.

If you do find a leak occurring in your home the best option is to first shut the water supply off to the house. This will give you time to look into and resolve the issue without further water damage being done within you home. If the damage is overwhelming call your insurance company for advice on professionals you can turn to for your water restoration needs. Prevention is the key in helping to eliminate large problems from happening but of course nothing is ever fool proof. Being prepared encase of an issue is the smartest way homeowners can deal with any water damage issues.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6565958

Various Causes of Water Damage

You can't hope to prevent water damage in your home or office unless you first know about the causes. Some are obvious, while other causes are hidden, and difficult to detect with simple inspections performed by homeowners. Many are unpredictable, and the best way to prevent them is by repeated maintenance. 

• Old plumbing equipment (hot water heaters, for example) can develop failures in joints or hose connections. 
• Plumbing lines (pipes) can do this as well. If the pipe is behind a wall, it's particularly hard to find, and could cause serious damage. Other pipes may become blocked. 
• Toilets and drains (especially kitchen drains) are commonly blocked by material that is too big for the line. Sewer drain lines sometimes get blocked by roots. You have to call a rooter service to unblock the lines. Periodically pouring Drain-o, or similar product, down the drains will help to keep the traps clear.
• In seasonal homes, if water pipes that run through exterior walls are not properly drained, they will freeze in winter, and then cause water damage when the water is turned back on in the spring.
• An obvious cause of water damage is the weather. Summer storms, floods, and similar disasters (like hurricanes) are notorious creators of major water damage.
• Not maintaining your air conditioning system leads to water issues. Moist cooling ducts drip condensation, promoting mold and other water-borne bacteria. If this is happening in your basement, open windows or doors periodically to get fresh air through the space. Also put a dehumidifier to work - set it at 45 to 50.
• Appliance hoses can crack after a while. Check those on your washing machine and dishwasher. Seals also deteriorate around the doors. And in some cases, the housing of the appliance can crack due to many years of vibrations. This will start as a small leak, and grow. So look for it often and catch it early.
• Lastly, your concrete basement walls can allow seepage from outside storm water or rising water tables. Those walls can also cause condensation because there is moisture in the concrete, or if humidity comes in contact with cold concrete. There should be a vapor barrier or waterproofing material applied to the interior surface of the wall to prevent this from happening.

A good understanding of the subject will not only provide you with ways to prevent water damage, but also will help you keep your house in good shape. This will both save you money and preserve the value of your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2542923

Preventing Fire Damage in your Office

Many damage hazards in your office can be prevented easily if you pay attention to the details and prevent them beforehand. Preventing fire in the office is important and can save a lot of time and money as recovering burned files and data can be very expensive. Even if your budget does not allow you to hire a professional to fire-proof your office, there are still some simple routines and techniques that will allow you increase office safety. Preparedness is a key feature so it is recommended to learn all possible fire escape routes and how to activate the fire alarm, become familiar with stairway exits, and practice fire drills often.

Electrical Safety

Many of the office fires often start as a result of an electricity malfunction or misuse. Keeping your electrical system and maintaining them to provide maximum safety is an important step in preventing office fires. Do not overload electricity outlets. Simply make sure you have a sufficient number of outlets. By having a sufficient number of power outlets, you will also minimize the use if extension cords and reduce the chance for fire. If you must use an extension cord, never run it across walkways. Is it very unsafe to use poor quality, non-approved office appliances such as coffee makers, copiers, and even computers as defective appliances have a bigger chance of causing electrical shorts

Gas

Gas is very dangerous as it can be easily ignited. If you smell gas or even just suspect a gas leak call a gas technician to investigate. Other flammable materials are also a hazard and should not be stored in the office. However, if you must store them in your office, be sure to seal them properly to prevent vaporizing.

Fire Safety

Purchase and maintain fire defenses such as: smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Smoke detectors are an important line of defense, install and maintain them frequently. Be sure to test detectors and replace batteries as required. It is recommended to install sprinklers to fight fire immediately as it starts. For smaller offices, extinguishers are another important tool for fire fighting. Purchase and maintain a sufficient number of extinguishers and make sure that everybody who works in your office knows where the extinguishers are installed and how to operate them.


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