Friday, May 29, 2015

Understanding the Water Damage Restoration Process


When moisture seeps into your home, a number of issues can occur. To minimize long-term problems and contamination, you need to undertake water damage restoration. Learn the steps involved in this process.

Responding to Initial Contact

When you realize that you have a significant moisture problem, your first step will involve calling a clean-up company for assistance. Many companies have 24-hour availability for emergency response. The representative you speak with on the phone will ask a few questions. These include your name, address, insurance information, type of damage, the problem cause, and whether electricity is available.

Inspecting the Situation

A professional will arrive to inspect the situation at the location. Expect the professional to look for the source of the dampness. If possible, the technician will try to stop the water source. The technician will then attempt to identify the type of water in your home. It may be white, gray, or black depending on the source of the moisture. The work performed to resolve the issue will depend on the type of water.

Removing and Extracting the Moisture

Removing the dampness is achieved with the use of submersible pumps and industrial vacuum units. These suck up excessive amounts of wetness in a short peroid. It's crucial to remove the water as quickly as possible to prevent mold from forming. Technicians will also use other types of equipment such as moisture detectors and meters that measure the amount of saturation in the home. Infrared cameras are also effective for detecting hidden dampness that could lurk behind ceilings and walls.

Drying and Dehumidifying

Dampness will linger long after the pumps and vacuums finish removing the standing water. Porous materials retain dampness for a lengthy time. This wetness will cause swelling, warping, and mold. To avoid these situations, the technicians will move on to drying and dehumidifying the area. Industrial dehumidifiers and air movers are effective for eliminating wetness in porous building materials. This equipment is also effective for drying carpeting and furniture. Moisture meters will enable technicians to monitor drying progress.

Sanitizing and Disinfecting

Once your home and furnishings are dry again, the work moves on to sanitizing and disinfecting an area. Excessive dampness usually leaves behind unpleasant odors. Fogging equipment and industrial air scrubbers are effective equipment for eliminating serious odor problems. The team may also use antibacterial and antimicrobial treatments such as abrasive, foam, or immersion cleaning to sanitize and disinfect your home. The technicians will also dispose of any unsalvageable items.

Final Restoration

Final restoration of your home involves the last steps of returning your house to the pre-moisture condition. Final water damage restoration includes reconstructing areas, installing new carpet, installing hardwood flooring, replacing drywall, and painting.

Because excessive moisture can lead to serious mold problems in a building, it's crucial to perform water damage restoration to repair issues.

When considering water damage restoration, Harrisburg residents visit Alex R. Szeles, Inc. Learn more about them at http://www.restorationservice.com/index.php/water-damage-restoration.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

How to Hire a Renovation Contractor


Renovations small and large usually require an expert's touch which is why many homeowners choose to hire a renovation contractor. When it comes to finding and hiring a contractor, it is important to remember that not all professionals provide the same quality and calibre of work. As such, you should take some time to research various potential candidates and hire somebody that can not only work within your budget, but one that can also provide evidence of excellent workmanship. Still, if you're a novice, you're probably asking yourself about what to look for in a renovation contractor. The following pro tips will help you distinguish the best from the rest.

Get Recommendations

Speak to family, friends, and colleagues for renovation contractor recommendations. You can even check the Better Business Bureau for contractors with high ratings. Similarly, local building inspectors probably know which contractors have the best reputations.

Conduct Interviews

Even if it's just a matter of a quick phone call, you should conduct interviews with your list of recommended contractors. You want to know if they complete projects your size and whether they have other ongoing projects at the same time. You can even ask how long they've worked with their various subcontractors to ensure they hire quality professionals. Also, ask for references. Ultimately, you want to interview contractors to learn more about their availability, reliability, and communication styles.

Check References
After your telephone interview, you've likely narrowed your list to a handful of potential contractors, and now you're ready to do some real research. Contact the contractors' references and ask about the quality of work and whether the project stayed on time and on budget. You can even ask past clients if you can come by and view the work. Similarly, ask the contractor if you can visit a current job site so you can judge the contractor's professionalism.

Ask for Quotes

Now you've probably narrowed your search even more, and you can ask your shortlisted contractors to review your blueprints and give you a bid. Always ask that the bid include a breakdown of costs related to materials, labour, profits, and other expenses. In most renovations, materials represent about 40 percent of the total cost of the project. Profit margins should range between 15 and 20 percent. Most experts recommend that you not let price be your final deciding factor. One common piece of advice is to throw out the lowest bid as these contractors tend to cut corners and this may affect the quality of the renovation. In fact, the main factor that should guide your decision is the contractor's communication style. You'll be working together for the duration of your project and you want to know you can communicate with each other.

Draw Up a Contract

Finally, you want to put in writing all aspects of the project from payment schedule and proof of insurance to types and cost of material and completion date. Agreeing in advance on a specific contract will help keep the renovation project moving smoothly.

So remember, when you're looking for a quality renovation contractor, you should take your time and vet several candidates. Not all contractors will provide the same quality of work, and you likely want to know that your professional is going to do the job right the first time.

Visit CANADOO Enterprises online for more information on commercial renovations services.
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Saturday, May 23, 2015

Water Damage Service to Fix Your Home Or Business


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information on water damage service, see http://waterdamage.synthasite.com/water-damage-service.php to help you fix this problem fast.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

How To Avoid These Top 10 Mistakes Homeowners Typically Make In Home Remodeling


1. Don't Hire the Wrong Guy.

The number one home remodeling mistake people make while remodeling their home's is hiring the wrong contractors. Hiring the wrong guy can make your life miserable and make you regret ever trying to improve your home in the first place. Make sure you investigate a proposed contractors credentials and get referrals. When considering a home remodeling contractor a good place to start is your local BBB. From there use common sense and ask questions. If something doesn't feel or sound right move on to the next guy until you are comfortable. Lastly, get Everything in writing, you'll be glad you did.

2. Do Your Research.

Being well informed about not only your home but the options you have and housing trends will prevent you from making big mistakes down the road. For instance even if you love pink walls and paneling its probably not a good idea to install them in your house. You may love it and if you never plan on selling or having company then great go for it, make yourself happy. But resale should always be kept in mind since you never truly know what the future will bring.

3. Honey Do, Doesn't Always Mean Honey Can.

Keep your own abilities in mind. It is better to hire a professional for a task that you are sure you do not know how to do. By the time you figure it out, you will have more money and time involved than hiring a professional from the start. Save money and build sweat equity by accomplishing tasks you are comfortable with. You will not be doing yourself any favors by doing shoddy work on your home. Poor workmanship stands out and never adds value to your home.

4. Plan for the Future.

When Home Remodeling consider how changing life styles will be accommodated by your home. If you finish your basement for a play area for your kids it would be a good idea to run wiring for media areas, or pool table lighting so that when the kids out grow the play room you can easily covert the function of the space without elaborate remodeling costs.

5. Don't Throw Good Money at Bad Money.

Make sure you take into account long term home remodeling goals. It doesn't make sense to install new flooring this spring if you plan to build a room addition in the fall. Make long term goals and follow them. Make sure that you tackle tasks in the right order to prevent double paying or getting stuck short of your goals.

6. Don't Band-Aid a Mistake.

If you put a Band-Aid on a mistake it's a mistake with a Band-Aid on it. Make sure you are not covering up problems but instead addressing them properly. For instance, if you open up a bathroom wall and you see mold and structural water damage address the new found issues before covering them up. Putting a Band-Aid on it, or covering up the issue will only prolong your problems.

7. Allocate Enough Money.

Due to the common occurrence of unforeseen issues it is always a good Idea to allocate 10--15% in addition to your proposed budget. Having the extra money available will make life a lot easier if problems occur. Not much could be worse than running out of money before completion.

8. PPPPPP.

The old six P's from college also applies to your home remodeling projects. Proper prior planning prevents poor performance. Make sure the plan is clear and your budget allocated before beginning. Making changes in the middle can jack the price through he roof. Re-designing your original plans mid-way through the remodeling phase always affects construction schedules and always increases the cost of your original plan.

9. See it Through.

When getting involved in any home remodeling project be prepared to go the distance with it. Often times unforeseen issues arise and need to be addressed accordingly. Stopping short will leave you with a half finished look.

10. Selecting the Wrong Materials.

It is a common mistake to select materials that by themselves look great, but when combined with other selections just do not work. Common examples are flooring, paint color, wall and floor tile, countertop selections and even lighting and fixtures. A good tip is when planning your project attain samples of each product so that the items can be physically placed together providing you an actual visualization of the final result. There's nothing worse than realizing after your home remodeling project is done that, the colors and designs you have chosen clash or just don't compliment each other well. Do not forget this important step.

Following these tips above will save you frustration, time, money and perhaps your marriage. Ohio Home Doctor is a full service home remodeling and home improvement contractor in the Dayton, Ohio area. Our website at http://www.ohiohomedoctorremodeling.com offers a wealth of information about all aspects of home remodeling and home improvement. If you have any questions that you would like answered about any aspect of home remodeling you can contact us our website or, if you prefer, just pick up the phone right now and give Matt a call at (937) 605-6882 and he will be happy to assist you.
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Sunday, May 17, 2015

Best Renovations for Your Home


Are you ready to sell your current home, but want the biggest bang from your investment? Fortunately, there are a number of renovations that homeowners can make to raise the value of their home. Some of these renovations are quick fixes like replacing the paint on a peeling door, replacing windows, siding, and doors. Even landscaping fixes, like trimming shrubbery, pulling weeds, and cutting grass are fast solutions to raise the value of your home. Beyond curb appeal, there are certain projects that aren't as quick to finish but will give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Kitchens

The kitchen is a major socializing area for American families. In fact, some home experts believe it is the most important room in the house. As a result, one of the first things that many home purchasers look at is the kitchen. A kitchen remodel has a 66 percent return on average. A nice kitchen can persuade many home seekers to buy. Likewise, a horrible kitchen can drastically decrease the chances that a nice house will sell.

The cost of major kitchen remodels vary depending on the extent of the job and the region. Determine how much money to spend on your kitchen renovation by matching how much others in the surrounding area are spending on their renovations. For example, if the average kitchen remodel in your market area is $30,000, then stay close to this figure.

Bathrooms

Comfortable and modern bathrooms are important to today's home buyers. Most professional remodelers say that you will recoup 62 percent of your investment if you do it right. Many homebuyers are looking for larger bathrooms in the master suite. Spend on space and finishes, as high end bathrooms are fast ways to impress the pickiest of buyers. Also consider adding an extra bathroom or half bath if possible. Most homebuyers seeking a three bedroom home want at least two bathrooms.

Attic Bedroom Conversions

If you have a functioning attic, converting the attic into another bedroom will give you on average a 73 percent return. However, this renovation can be quite expensive, averaging $50,148. But realtors note that if homeowners are able to make the investment, it will help your home sell quickly and drive up the price.

Home Offices

More homebuyers are seeking nice sized home offices, because a growing number of workers are either bringing their work home with them, or choose to work from home. If you do convert a room into an office, avoid adding built in furniture. Home offices recoup 43 percent on average, but before investing in this renovation make sure there is a demand for it in your market.

Sunrooms

Homeowners can get a good return on investment with a sunroom if they live in a warm region. On average, sunrooms provide a 46 percent return on investment. But can be a nice bonus to a home.
Renovations can increase the selling price of your home. But not all renovations make sense for every homeowner. Consult a professional design-builder to discuss the best option for you.

Kathryn McDowell is a homeowner and recommends remodeling and renovation before you put your home on the market. The design build features of a home can greatly increase its market value.
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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Where Can You Find the Best Restoration Service Around?


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

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

1. Look at the professional credentials.

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

2. Make sure they handle your problem.

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

3. See how they handle your initial conversation.

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

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

When considering restoration services, Harrisburg, PA residents visit Alex R. Szeles, Inc. Learn more about this service at http://www.restorationservice.com/index.php/aboutus.
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Monday, May 11, 2015

Fire and Water Damage? Leave It to the Hands of Disaster Restoration Companies


During heart attack, time is muscle. But during fire and flood, time is your home. That is why it is very important to act upon the damage as soon as the fire is put out or the flood has subsided. The wisest and most practical thing that you could do to successfully restore your home is to choose the right disaster restoration companies one as soon as possible.

About Fire and Water Damage

Fire and water damage is not only a form of structural damage. It is also a potential threat to your health, not only for the accidents that you and your family might encounter, but also for the diseases that you might acquire along the way. Before you re-enter your home and assess the damage on your personal belongings, check out your home first and see if the walls, roof, stairs, ceiling, electrical wiring, pipes, sewage, and floor are damaged. If you want to play safe, hire disaster restoration companies. After all, they know more than you do when it comes to assessing your home and in taking measures that will restore back to its normal state.

Hiring Disaster Restoration Companies

Fire and water damage does not only affect your home's structural integrity, it also makes it filthy and a breeding ground for molds and mildew that cause airborne toxins. Getting exposed to these harmful particles can cause respiratory illnesses and even if the fire or water damage is only concentrated on a certain part of you house, the bacteria could still spread through your home's HVAC system, which could put your home under jeopardy in no time. That is why it is very important to contact a disaster restoration company 24 hours after the damage has occurred.

Benefits of Hiring Disaster Restoration Companies

Tapping the services of efficient and reliable disaster restoration companies is always the best and wisest decision that you could do to restore your house after a serious fire or water damage.
Specifically, hiring the services of an expert will help you assess the actual extent of the damage, thereby giving you the accurate condition of your home. A professional restoration expert will also be generous in telling you the steps that need to be done not only to restore your home back to its former glory but also to prevent damages in the future.

Using the most up-to-date techniques and equipment, disaster restoration companies can do job quickly and efficiently. This greatly reduces the burden of restoring your home as well as the stress that comes after this job.

For more information, visit http://www.warriorrestoration.net and find more ways to keep your home free from mold and damage and hazards that might prove dangerous to your home and to your health.
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Friday, May 8, 2015

House Fire Damage - What to do Before & After



There is no such thing, though, as being too prepared in the event of any sort of unexpected loss.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

A Quick Guide to Water Damage Restoration


When you find that your house has been damaged by the elements, it can be difficult to keep a clear head. Your first response may be to get angry or frustrated at the situation. Instead, you need to focus on ways to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. This starts by finding the right water damage restoration company in your area.

Like any other specialized service, it is important that you make sure the experts you bring in for this project are really up to the task. You want them in and out as quickly as possible, but you still want the job done right. This ensures you can get back into your residence as soon as possible without having to incur additional costs like a hotel stay. Naturally, it will not be easy to transition while the repairs are in order, but once they are finished you will be able to return as if nothing ever happened.

The first thing to consider with your water damage restoration company is how much experience they have dealing with your sort of damage. Are they trained to check and make sure that mold has not begun to grow? Do they know how to restore any of the specific construction materials that are around? The last thing you want is to pay someone to do a job only to find that they cannot adequately complete it.

Next, you want to make sure that the company you consider has all of the proper licensing in order. They should also have an insurance policy that covers any additional damage that might happen while they are working. Even the best company will make mistakes from time to time, so it is important to keep this in mind and look for someone with a track record of success. If the unexpected does occur, at least by confirming their licensing and insurance you can be assured it will not come out of your pocket.

Finally, consider how quickly the water damage restoration company responds to your inquiries and can provide an estimate. The initial communication is essential to the selection process, as this will help you determine how they will behave once the job is underway. You never want to work with someone who is going to delay getting back to you, as this could mean the job will take much longer than it should.

Remember, just because your house has been damaged by an unexpected disaster does not mean that you have to sit around and feel sorry for yourself. Instead, you can use the tools available and get back on track quickly. This all starts by turning to the right specialist when the need arises.

When in need of water damage restoration Grand Rapids, MI residents visit VanDam & Krusinga Building and Restoration. Learn more at http://www.vk1call.com/property-damage-restoration/water/.
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Saturday, May 2, 2015

Benefits Of Hiring A Restoration Professional


When a disaster has struck your home and family the last thing you want is people entering into your space disturbing it even more. In these moments after fires, floods, weather related damage home owners and business owners are distressed and worried about how long until life is back to normal again. They are usually concerned about finances and the costs of a cleanup effort verse insurance coverage. The loss is burdensome and often home owners believe if they begin the restoration process on their own they will somehow relieve some of the burden they are feeling.

This could never be further from the reality of the situation. It is never recommended that any restoration including fire restoration, flood restoration or mold restoration be attempted by anyone other than an emergency disaster restoration service professional. It may seem as though money could be saved by attempting the disaster cleanup on one's own this in not the case. Many times home owners find half way through the project that it is more than they can handle and abandon the effort and call in the professionals. Often damage that is irreversible has already occurred and will in turn cost the home owner more that calling the disaster professionals in the first place.

A professional fire and water restoration company will have several years of experience with disaster clean ups of all kinds. This will have given them valuable knowledge to know the exact techniques to use on your homes clean up. The learning curb you will have tackling your own homes restoration will be costly in terms of time and finances. The most effective way in which homes are restored is if work is begun immediately and carried out by professionals with in the restoration business. Most restoration companies have many crews meaning one will be available to help with your homes restoration immediately.

Another advantage to hiring a professional company verse carrying out the restoration project on your own is the limited resources in equipment you will have in comparison to a restoration firm. Crews will come in many sizes from anywhere between two to six people working on your homes restoration. Man power in unison with proper equipment makes for a quick clean up.

Restoration companies also help home and business owners in working with their insurance company. No matter how large or small the damage was to the home most insurance companies will be involved in some manner. Filing a claim with most insurance companies is a long impersonal process. The last thing you are prepared for after an emergency has taken everything familiar and misplaced it. Many times insurance companies will try to undercut the value of the restoration and property destroyed. With the help of an emergency disaster restoration team you will have professional on your side helping you with the fairness of any and all claims and offers by the insurance company.

To me the most important aspect in hiring a company to provide the cleanup effort in your fire or water restoration is the fact that you will be able to focus on getting on with the basics of life. You can continue on with as much of a daily routine as allowed during any difficult time while they are busy restoring your peace of mind.

If you have enjoyed this article on emergency disaster restoration services from Kevin Germain visit http://www.gomaher.com today where you will find useful information on water restoration.
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