Tips on Hiring a Contractor After a Flood Disaster

What type of contractor do I need to repair my flooded home?

If your home has been damaged by a flood, you may need to hire the services of professionals to mitigate the damages, handle any damaged personal property, or perform repairs. Typically, contractors who specialize in flood mitigation and repair are most familiar with the techniques and processes that this type of work requires. Contractors who specialize in flood damage remediation or "flood restoration contractors" understand the proper procedures necessary to restore and/or dry out a home or building and its contents. Some of the specialized equipment they may include: truck mounted and portable vacuums or water extractors, high-velocity air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters to monitor the drying process.

Residential home re-modelers or custom home builders may not have the experience that flood restoration contractors have in this field and may not have the expertise to properly mitigate the damage and/or prevent increased levels of microbial growth (mold). If mold becomes a concern, you may need to hire a certified industrial hygienist to test for mold and provide a restoration protocol or guidelines to mitigate any mold issues. Keep in mind that if you have insurance, your homeowners' insurance policy may have very little or no coverage for mold remediation, so contact your insurance company to find out if you have coverage and what your limits are. Mold remediation can be very expensive!

Usually, after a flood, the restoration process will have three main components:

1. The first is the structural drying phase. This is where the water and moisture are removed along with any materials that cannot be saved such as warped or damaged flooring, baseboard, wet drywall, etc.
2. The second component is the handling of any personal property. This may entail packing up all of the contents of the home including clothing, furniture, or other items and storing and/or restoring them offsite until the structural repairs are completed. This phase also may require the creation of an inventory to document or list any personal property that may have been damaged beyond repair and that needs to be replaced.
3. The third phase in the restoration project is the structural repair. This entails the restoration of building elements that need to be repaired or replaced, including insulation, drywall, baseboards, cabinetry, flooring, painting, etc. In some cases, a single restoration contractor may offer to perform all three phases or you may want to choose one company to handle the drying while other companies handle the contents and structural repair.

Before you sign a contract for flood remediation services, consider the following:
 

• Read every word of the contract and be sure you understand the terms and conditions.
• Review any fee schedule that details what the charges will be for labor and equipment.
• Get an estimate of what the drying process may cost before any work begins. Any costs or charges that your insurance company does not cover or pay for, you may be held personally responsible to pay.
• Obtain copies of certificates of general liability and workers compensation insurance and be sure the policies are current and in force.
• Obtain copies of any Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if the contractor intends to use any chemicals, anti-microbial agents, or other substances in your home that could cause adverse health effects.
• Check references and affiliations with trade organizations and the Better Business Bureau.
• Photograph and document your home, its contents, and the extent of any damages prior to anything being done or moved.

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Top 3 Reasons to Get Help From Restoration Companies

Almost everywhere in America has some kind of natural disaster to deal with. Blizzards, occasional tornadoes, flooding and other bad weather events are inevitable depending on which region you are living in. Restoration companies can help if your home is damaged by these natural disasters. Fires, flood and even vandalism are also top causes of damage to private homes and commercial properties. Whether you need your own house fixed, or are a landlord who needs repair of a rental property, calling in professional services just makes good sense.

Top 3 Reasons to Get Help from Restoration Companies

While you could call a general contractor or builder after your property is damaged, hiring restoration companies is often the better option. There are lots of reasons to bring in the professionals who specialize in restoration after damage happens, but here are the top three reasons why you should always trust the experts:

1. Fixing damage can require both demolition and repairs. It is very different to rebuild after a disaster than to simply build from scratch or even to remodel. Fires, floods, and other natural disasters that cause damage can affect the foundation and stability of the building in unexpected ways. Problems can develop when things are destroyed by nature, rather than by an ordered demolition. Companies that specialize in restoration understand how to deal with the process of dealing with a destroyed home or property and fixing it to be as good as new. In many cases, your home or property will be even better than before after the rehab is done.

2. Damaged properties can have special hazards. When a property is destroyed or severely damaged, there may be many problems. Health risks can include exposure to asbestos if your building is older. The special hazards associated with rehabilitating and repairing a damaged building are not issues that every builder or contractor has the capacity to deal with. You want to make sure you trust a company that knows how to handle the issues that are unique to doing the repair work after a disaster.

3. Restoration companies are used to damaged spaces. You may want to rebuild your home or property exactly the way it was before the damage occurred, especially if you have an older home or a historic home. In other cases, you may want to go in a new direction and create something beautiful out of the damage that was done. Regardless of which option you choose, you need to work with professionals who can see the potential even in a damaged space. Professionals that specialize in restoration will be able to look around and help you to formulate a plan to get your space back the way you or your tenants prefer it to look.

These are three of many reasons why choosing to hire restoration companies is often the best choice. If your home or property has been damaged or destroyed, you need to rebuild as quickly as possible so you can move on with your life. Call in the professionals today to get your project underway.

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Restore Your Home - Fire Or Flood Damage

Having a home damaged by fire or water (or both) is a stressful and confusing experience for the homeowner to go through. After the initial shock of the situation and securing the safety of your family and personal belongings, you can assess the damage and start to figure out your restoration options. Your home is one of the most important investments you'll make in your life, so it is imperative to begin the restoration process as soon as possible to prevent other potential damages (such as mold growth, etc.) from occurring.

Water damage can happen in many different ways. A basement can flood after a storm or a pipe under your kitchen sink could be burst. Even a small amount of water damage from a leaky pipe can develop into a major problem if not dealt with at the start. Even if you dry the area yourself using a space heater to speed the process, or even use bleach to clean the area, mold will grow under the surface of the carpet or inside the walls. Mold growth can begin within hours of being wet, so water damage needs to be addressed immediately to keep the damage from growing. Find a restoration company who will work quickly to rid your home of excess water and thoroughly dry all affected surfaces. Make sure all new construction is inspected to prevent mold growth and the restoration team is licensed in Mold Remediation.

A fire can devastate you and your family and take a toll on your emotions as you deal with insurance adjustors and insurance companies. Fire damage restoration and smoke damage restoration may not be an easy task, due to the uniqueness of each fire situation and in part due to the toxic gases that are released from the burning of construction materials, such as glues and solvents. Having an experienced fire restoration company quickly assess the damage is important, as they can detect and neutralize these chemicals and help secure the building, safeguarding and protecting valuable personal belongings. They can work with you insurance company to get the work done quickly and professionally, helping you concentrate on the security of your family. There are may aspects of restoring your home and possessions to pre-loss conditions, including air duct cleaning, deodorization, wall & floor cleaning, carpet repair and reinstallation of cleaned items.

Finding a restoration company can be a daunting and discouraging chore, especially when dealing with all the emotions that come along with the devastation and loss from a fire or flood. You need to make the decision on what company you'll contract to restore your house quickly, but you also need to be sure you're making the right choice. Choosing an inexperienced contractor can have serious negative personal property effects and can actually make the damage worse as time goes on.

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Things to Consider If You Need a Restoration Service

When you find yourself the victim of a natural disaster or fire and water damage, it is only natural to feel as if you have lost everything. Don't despair and lose hope. When disaster strikes, don't assume that all is lost. Simply contact a restoration service and let them take care of everything. Keep in mind that at first, you may be shocked about what has happened to your home, but with the right team of professionals on your side, you can and will get through this ordeal.

You are going to need to do some things before the restoration service can get started. One of those things is to file a police report so that your insurance company will cover the cost to fix any damaged components of your home. A reputable restoration service can get things back to normal the fastest way possible. If some part of your home needs to be rebuilt because of extensive damage or if some part just needs to be remodeled, you don't have to go out looking around for a company that would be willing to take on your home with the type of damage it has sustained.

There are several reasons why you should hire a professional company. One is because emergencies and disasters can happen any time of day or night. You don't want to have to wait for assistance if it is after hours. By hiring a professional team, you have assistance available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They are there at your beck and call to help.

Because there is so much urgency in times of dire need, it may not be possible for you to properly screen all contractors that offer a restoration service. That is why you should hire a restoration service that has employees. A reputable company will be certified by several government agencies, in addition to having all of the required credentials and insurances for your protection. When you are faced with this type of situation, it is best to get started right away to reduce the severity of your loss or damage. The right company will get your property secured and cleaned up in no time.

You want to hire a company that will work with your insurer so you don't have any unexpected or out of pocket expenses. They can fill out the necessary paperwork and speed up the processing time for your claim. This will help you to get back on your feet.

Keep in mind that you need to hire a restoration service that is available around the clock. They need to have workmen's compensation insurance and liability insurance on all of their workers. The longer they have been in business shows how well they cater to the needs of their customers. Ultimately, you want a company that can take care of all of your needs from start to finish, which will make the whole process less stressful and easier to deal with.

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Drop, Cover, Hold On! What to do When an Earthquake Strikes

With recent earthquake activity in California, Cal OES wants to remind residents to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill. Seismic Hazards Branch Chief Ryan Arba explains the proper way of learning this technique, along with the do’s and don’ts for earthquake safety once shaking commences.

Disaster Restoration Services Provide Shelter from the Storm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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After The Wildfires What You Need To Know About Your Insurance

Cal OES gives tips on what you need to know about your insurance after a wildfire

Fire Damage Cleanup - 4 Reasons the Professionals Should Handle It

Fire damage cleanup is never an easy job to get completed and a lot of people like to attempt it themselves. This shouldn't be done if you don't know how to do it right, but instead should be left up to the professionals that know what they are doing.

There are many reasons why cleanup should be left to the professionals. Knowing what the reasons are will allow you to see why the professionals are the ones that should do the cleanup.

Here are the main reasons you must understand.

One: Fire cleanup can be dangerous - Most people don't realize that after the fire has been put out, there is still danger in your home. Most times the fire will cause damage you can see, but it can also cause damage that you can't see.

This could include foundation damage to your house. If you make one wrong step in your home without understanding the remaining dangers, then you can end up with your home falling down and you getting hurt or worse.

The professionals know what danger and damage signs to look for because they have experience with cleaning up after fires. They also know how to avoid the fumes and smoke that linger in your home after a fire that you may not know to avoid.

Two: Run the risk of causing further damage - If you are inexperienced with fire cleanup, then you have a very real risk of causing further damage. This can do you and your home more harm than good.

The professionals have the knowledge to prevent further damage and will get the job done right in a timely manner so you can resume your life as quickly as you can.

Three: Physical and emotional instability - Fire in your house can be very physically and emotionally hard for anyone to deal with.

Cleanup on your own house and belongings is more than some people can handle because it is very hard to deal with the mess left behind.

You can easily avoid this by letting the professionals handle the cleanup for you. They will do the job right so that the fire can become a part of your past as fast as possible.

Four: The professionals have the equipment to restore your property instead of having to replace everything. This will allow you to save some money and make sure that any traces from the fire are gotten rid of.

Now that you understand why fire damage cleanup is best left to the professionals, you need to decide for yourself if this is the right thing for your cleanup. Just remember that anyone that doesn't have experience with this will have to learn how to do it before it can be done, so if you want it done right and without delay, then hire the professionals for it.

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Returning To Your Flood Damage Home

Returning home after a natural disaster. This video will discuss how to return to your home for the first time after a natural disaster. This phase normally follows the immediate aftermath and clearances from authorities.

The video goes through a checklist of things to do and look for to ensure the safety of you and your family. The video will highlight things like: what to do if you smell gas, protecting yourself from electrical injuries, wearing waterproof boots to avoid floodwater touching your skin, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping fuel burning devices outdoors and away from windows, only eat and drink food and water that you know is safe, etc.

Happy 4th of July!

"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." 

Peter Marshall