Happy New Year!

Wishing you healthy, peaceful and joyful New Year full of fun!

Refreshing a Pillow in 3 Easy Steps | Consumer Reports

Freshening up a tired pillow is simple to do. Just follow these tips from Consumer Reports' experts.

Merry Christmas!

May songs of joy fill your home with warmth and your heart with happiness this holiday season

How to be a Savvy Consumer

Learn some of the ways you can be a savvy consumer in this video

How to Avoid the Biggest Remodeling Mistakes | Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 300 general contractors to find the missteps they see homeowners make. Here's their list, and some tips to help you sidestep those errors.

Home Restoration Services - Different Types, Services and Precautions

Restoration can be defined according to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (1975) as a process that is 'a bringing back to a former position or condition.' Restoration is a necessity for antique lovers, when it comes to preserve the beautiful framework, historical importance and aesthetics. Yet sometimes it is just an unavoidable process due to natural calamities or other damages. At times there can be some sentimental or traditional memories to be taken care of. But regardless the reason behind restoration, it is always the highest concern of both the restorer and the client to return back into the home's original shape and design.

Types of restoration services:

Three major types of damages affecting the homes can be mentioned, for which home restoration services are needed:

1. Water Damage restoration services

Water damages can range from natural catastrophe to simple faults in household contents, like floods, heavy rains, toilet overflow, plumbing leaks, dishwasher leakage etc. Whatever the reason is, it causes a great damage to homes and is often followed by molds.

2. Fire and Smoke Damage restoration services

Fire damages can take place due to heavy lightning strikes to simple candle fire, even smoking. It also includes faulty wires or electrical equipments, natural gases and fireworks. It is the most dangerous form of damages, as it can spread out so easily and frequently destroying even a whole city.

3. Mold Damage restoration services

Due to poor ventilation, high humidity and darkness molds start to grow at homes. Molds are also side-effects of water damages. And sometimes it occurs in a greater extent because of not taking it seriously at the very initial stage.

Steps in restoration services:

Whatsoever the damage type is, at first the restoration team will monitor the place thoroughly and after analyzing they will make a plan to execute. Then they will take necessary steps according to the damage type. Generally the steps include limiting the damage, draining out excessive water (if any), evaporating contents, helping family members in disinfection, odor treatment, cleaning up the residues and lastly decontaminating everything.

Precautions to be taken:

Both a huge amount of expenses and effort can be saved, if several precautions can be maintained. Using waterproof materials for household contents and raising the electrical systems' level can prevent the severe water damage. Incorrect cleaning and using defective electrical appliances should be avoided. Smoke alarms and fire exit doors should be planned for each and every house. Using organic materials and controlling moisture at home can prevent molds to grow.

Health hazards:

There are possibilities of being highly infected by these damages, especially molds. It can be allergic reactions, fungal infections, asthma problems and also inflammatory infections. So molds must be taken care of at the early stages.

Time plays a vital role in affecting the walls, roof tops, furniture, electronic appliances and everything else as a result of these damages. So it should be treated with high priority as soon as possible, as it spreads out fast with time. Also the right procedure and appropriate materials usage count regarding this. It is highly recommended to contact with home restoration professionals in all above cases. At the time of restoration process, some factors should be kept in mind with high priority, such as: using cheaper painting, mixing different types of materials, lack of knowledge etc. can even lower the durability.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Md._Mahmud_Ul_Haque/1727285

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9189026

Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips from NFPA

Did you know, between 2007-2011 U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 230 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year? NFPA's Lisa Braxton has a few simple safety tips to consider this holiday to keep you and your family safe and sound.

Dealing With Disaster and Planning Restoration

Disaster can strike any commercial building or residence at anytime. Whether it is a storm that strikes or a fire that engulfs the building, disaster in any form is often severely damaging to the property, as well as to the people who live or reside inside it. However, for a quick and efficient recovery, restoration needs to be taken up in a professional manner, at the earliest possible time.

All across the US, there are thousands of commercial and residential buildings that fall prey to unforeseen disaster, like fire or water that infiltrates walls and floors, and floods the entire facility. If your home or office has suffered from mishaps like these, then you are at the receiving end of emotional trauma and financial loss. A water or fire disaster may lead to destruction of interior structural materials, furnishings, and electrical equipment and in the worst case, precious metals, jewels and cash. That is why, in the case of any sort of disaster, you need to gather your wits and focus on restoring as much as you can.

You need to act immediately to stabilize the loss and mitigate damage. Only then can you achieve the maximum recovery of items like furniture, carpeting, electronics, machinery and documents. Rapid action is needed to minimize replacement costs, as well as prevent the facility or home from getting exposed to further damage like mold. In most cases, restoration is best handled by professionals. They can carry out the entire task speedily and effectively. Add to that their trained crew who use the latest equipment, and you will see the logic behind hiring a restoration company as soon as damage occurs on your property.

However, when one does need to look up a disaster restoration company, they are often quite shaken up, even more so in the case of residential disasters. However, choosing a restoration company needs to be done very carefully as it is probably the one chance you get to fix whatever you can, post disaster. That is why we've listed below a few essential services that you must expect from a damage restoration and maintenance company.

• Providing The Solutions: The company must have skilled staff that can judge the amount of damage and determine what can be saved. They must also be able to recommend the equipment required for restoration, the process and the expected results of the same.

•Managing The Operation: The damage control company must be able to have a dedicated team that will be able to handle your case. They must also define a time period within which the restoration work will be completed with guaranteed results.

• Using The Latest Techniques: Whether it is to remove soot and clean the smoke laden walls after a fire,or dehumidification and drying of a facility post a flood or seepage, they must be able to limit indoor air quality problems and make the room/office/facility habitable quickly.

• Comprehensive Cleaning and Disinfecting: Post disaster, there are chances of allergies and infections due to remnants left behind. The company must sanitize, disinfect interior surfaces, and also eliminate contamination from mold, bacteria, mildew, and other potential biological hazards.

• Efficient Disposal and Minimal Demolition: The company must try to save as many items as it can. If however, certain portions have to be demolished, then that needs to be done in a cautious manner.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mike_Ulwe/1190208

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6668048

Why Choose a Diamond Certified Company?

The mission of the Diamond Certified Resource is to define excellence and identify for consumers the highest quality companies in the Greater Bay Area. Only local companies independently rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise earn Diamond Certified.

Tips for Rebuilding After the Recent Wildfires

CSLB is giving tips for those affected by the recent wildfires. It is important to take your time and do not rush into repairs.

Unscrupulous, unlicensed contractors often prey on victims of natural disasters. It is a felony to contract without a license in a declared disaster area. Consumers can protect themselves by using CSLB's resources to check a contractor's license status and history.

Santa Rosa Coffey Park Residents Form Group To Rebuild After Fire Devastation

A group of homeowners who lost everything in the wine country wildfires are forming a pseudo homeowners association to rebuild their Santa Rosa neighborhood. Emily Turner reports.