Important Tips to Consider Prior to Any Renovation

It's a well-known fact that any kind of home renovation can greatly appreciate the value of your property. But initiating a renovation can often be a tricky task. Even if you do start it, it can prove to be full of hassles and obstacles if you do not plan it well. The best case scenario in such a case will be to plan well beforehand about what kind of an improvement you want in your house and then hire a professional who can do the job effectively. There's no point in stopping midway through a renovation and start the process altogether. It will cost you an unnecessary load of money and energy which obviously wouldn't be profitable for anyone.

Here are some of the things that you should take into consideration

• Cost: One of the most important aspects to consider before undertaking tasks of such magnitude will be the cost. Many people due to inadequate planning tend to overspend on their budget allocated. Decide what you want to do and then finalize the amount of money you are willing to spend. This will help a lot in keeping the total cost in check and avoid any overspending.

• Focus: There is a difference between renovating and remodeling. You should decide which part of your house you want to improve and which ones completely replace. Like, for instance, if you are renovating your bathroom, you need to decide whether you want to completely replace everything like sinks and showers. If those are working in optimum condition, any replacement will be unnecessary.

• Designing: Probably the most vital ad also difficult task will be to choose a particular design for your house. The internet is an extremely helpful platform that you can browse through prior to deciding on one. You will find hundreds and thousands of designs online from which you can select one and base your home renovation on it.

• Assistance: If you are not equipped to perform an excavation yourself, it's best to hire a professional. It has become a norm nowadays to seek the assistance of experts who possess all the relevant knowledge about the modern trends of remodeling. It will save you a lot of time and energy in return for a little price.

• Time: When a house undergoes renovation, it becomes very difficult for people to live in it until the work is finished completely. So, whoever you are hiring, ask for a deadline for the work to be finished within time.

If you follow these bits of advice and hire a dedicated expert, you will have no problems in renovating your house quite smoothly.

This article is written by Dylan Flint, who recently acquired the services of some of the best architects in New Zealand and was pleasantly surprised that their service are free of charge.

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Celebrating 20 Years | What Is It? | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada stumps the guys with a contraption they’ve never seen before—even after celebrating 20 years of “What Is It?” But, what is it?

Understanding the Dangers of Home Fires | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits Underwriters Laboratories outside of Chicago to see first hand how dangerous fires can be.

Disaster Preparation Tips for Your Home

With many people at home more often now, prepping your home is a perfect task to do that you may have not had time for before.

Fire Insurance and Additional Perils Policy - A Mandatory Safety Measure for Your Business

Insurance is required to protect your business properties which might fall prey to extensive damages for a number of calamities. Such calamities which can damage your property include typhoon, landslides, fire, riot or lighting. Many insurance companies offer cover for your property against all these dangers so that you do not have to worry about the outcomes of unforeseen circumstances. A typical fire insurance policy protects your business and provides financial assistance so that you can recover the losses and start your business once again. This plan considers all properties that can be damaged by fire or other natural calamities. Additional reimbursement is provided for earthquake and terrorism related harms. There are several options for including stocks which consists of floater policy, policy related to declaration and both floater and declaration policy.

The fire insurance policy usually protects your assets against fire, implosion, explosion, lightning, strike, riot, aircraft damage, storms like cyclone, typhoon, hurricane and tornado, inundation and flood, landslides, damage due to bursting of pipes, water tanks and other apparatus, operations involving missile testing, leakage resulting from sprinkler installation and bush fire. With a small amount of extra premium you can avail any of the added facilities likes payment of architect, surveyor and consulting engineers, removal of debris, deteriorated cold storage stocks, forest fire, damages caused by the insurer's roads or rails, earthquake including shock and fire, contamination and leakage.

Fire insurance policy does not cover certain aspects of damages such as fire caused by spontaneous combustion, natural heating or fermentation, burning by public authority, implosion or explosion in one's own property causing bursting of boilers and other machines producing steam, cessation of services dues to riots or strikes, theft or burglary, normal cracking due to land, river or sea erosion, defects in design or building materials, loss caused by war or pollution or any other hazard that is not mentioned in the insurance policy or damage of the same apparatus which is the cause of fire or any other losses as a consequence of the initial damage. Fire insurance policy is usually valid for a span of one year. Policies can be subjected to an extension and attractive discounts are available on the premium for extending the fire insurance policy. Such a policy is very useful for the safeguard of your business assets against natural hazards.

The fact is that any fire accident is unexpected, but can have devastating impact not only on your business or home, but also on your life. And, having fire insurance can help you take a step closer to a safer future.

For more information visit: Fire Insurance and Industrial all Risk Policy.

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How to Salvage Your Valuables After Serious Flooding

Saving family keepsakes after a storm can be painstaking, but it's worth it

Heavy rain and severe weather can upend your life. And if you're faced with mucking out your house and tearing out saturated drywall, recovering keepsakes and family treasures might seem like a task for a later day.

But saving your valuables can be a race against the clock—mold can form within 48 hours. To help, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, cosponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, has developed guidelines for how to salvage what you want and dispose of what can’t be saved.

The first step is to determine what type of water you’re dealing with—salty, dirty, or contaminated by sewage or chemicals. If your valuables have come in contact with toxic water during flooding, you might have to call a professional conservator because trying to clean them yourself can be a health risk. If the water was untainted, then take steps to reduce the humidity around your items as you work to clean and dry them. Here’s how from FEMA’s checklist:

Save Your Valuables

Prioritize. You may not be able to save everything after flooding, so focus on what’s most important to you, whether for sentimental or monetary reasons.

"We always hear about dollar-amount damages, but often the losses that affect us the most are the ones to which a dollar amount cannot be assigned," says Lori Foley, administrator of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. "What do you own that you’d miss terribly if you lost it? Photographs of loved ones in frames, albums, or shoeboxes? Books and paintings passed down through generations? Grandma’s recipe box?"

Air-dry. Gentle air-drying indoors is best. Weather permitting, open your windows to increase indoor airflow. If it’s too hot and humid, use fans, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers. Avoid using hair dryers, irons, ovens, and prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can do irreversible damage.

Handle with care. Delicate items can be especially fragile when wet, so be careful when you handle them. Separate sodden materials by removing photographs from damp albums and taking paintings and prints out of their frames. Place white paper towels between every few pages of wet books.

Clean gently. Loosen dirt and debris on fragile objects carefully with soft cloths and brushes. Avoid rubbing, which can grind in dirt.

Salvage photos. Clean photographs by rinsing them carefully in clean water. Air-dry photos on a plastic screen or paper towel, or by hanging them by the corners with plastic clothespins. Don’t let the image come into contact with other surfaces as it dries.

Cold storage. Damp objects and items that cannot be dealt with immediately should be put in open, unsealed boxes or bags. If you can’t attend to items within 48 hours, you can put photos, papers, books, and textiles in the freezer and clean them later.

"In general, you can freeze many items that cannot be dried out in 48 hours – photos, books, documents, textiles," says Foley. "Freezing stops mold from growing, ink from running, and dyes from transferring. Freezing items allows you to buy some time to devote to other activities. When you are able, you can return to the frozen items and recover them on your own time."

Dispose of the Debris

Once the waters recede, residents will be able to go back into their homes and start cleaning up, and piles of ruined household belongings will be put on the curb. Cleanup can take months if not years.

Because mold creates a serious health risk, it’s important to remove wet items from your home as soon as possible. FEMA recommends not waiting for your insurance adjuster before cleaning up. Instead, document the flooding damage on your cell phone or camera. Before dragging debris to the curb, check with your municipality on how it wants you to separate items for the garbage haulers. FEMA recommends sorting items into the following six categories:

• Bagged household garbage such as food, packaging, and paper.
• Building materials and furniture, including drywall, carpeting, and mattresses.
• Vegetation debris such as tree branches, plants, and leaves.
• Hazardous household waste, including batteries, paints, and cleaning supplies.
• Large appliances such as refrigerators, water heaters, and air conditioners.
• Electronics such as TVs, computers, and stereo equipment.

For more information and resources, see FEMA’s After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures.

Article Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/cleaning/how-to-salvage-valuables-after-flooding/

What Are the Steps Involved in Water or Flood Damage Restoration Work?

When it comes to water damage, the major issue is that you usually can't see the full extent of the problem with the naked eye. This is where a professional water or flood disaster restoration team comes in. With their specialized tools, equipment, and knowledge, these experts will be able to properly assess the situation, fully dry and restore your home, and check in afterward to make sure the restoration is complete. That means that you don't have to worry about lingering dampness, mold, or bacteria growth. Instead, you can get back to enjoying your home in comfort.

If you've experienced water damage in your home and you call on a water and flood restoration service for assistance, the first thing they will do is to perform a moisture assessment. Your restoration company will determine the location or source of the moisture and the extent of the area affected. This part of the process ensures that all the damage is taken into account--even the parts not visible--before the restoration process begins. Once the assessment has been made, your restoration professionals will use specialized equipment to remove standing water, complete drying with air movement, and clean any carpeting thoroughly. With these different steps, your restoration professionals will be able to totally dry your home and sanitize the area.

After the core drying out work comes the most important part of the water damage restoration process: the follow-up. Water damage is a very difficult problem to deal with because it can be so hidden. Even if you get the most thorough flood or water damage remediation company in to take care of the problem, it's possible that there will be a lingering issue or dampness somewhere. However, most restoration professionals offer follow-up services because they know of this potential. After completing the restoration and drying work, and depending on the severity of the damage, they will either come back for a post-job assessment, or you can call them if you notice any issues. This crucial stage in the restoration process should not be skipped. If there's any chance that some dampness may have gone untreated, get it taken care of immediately so that it doesn't lead to more serious issues down the line.

Experiencing flood or water damage in your home is unpleasant, but it does not have to be an impossible situation. With assessment, restoration, and follow-up services provided by a professional water restoration company, you can get your home back to normal in no time.

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Candle Safety Tips

Candle Safety Tips

Most home fires result from five general causes

It may be hard to believe, but NFPA's latest report on Home Structure Fires shows that during the years 2014-2018, five general fire causes accounted for 86% of reported home fires, 95% of home fire deaths, and 83% of home fire injuries.

Cooking was, by far, the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, and was the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Because cooking is such a routine part of our lives, it’s easy to forget the high temperatures and dangers involved.

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Creosote build-up in chimneys was the most common cause of these fires, while fires involving fixed and portable space heaters caused most of the heating fire deaths.

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was the third leading cause of home fires and the fourth leading cause of home fire deaths. Conditions that make these fires possible can occur long before a fire presents – largely as a result of wiring being installed or repaired incorrectly, or when receptacles, power strips or cords are overloaded, etc.

Intentional fire-setting was the fourth leading cause of home fires and the fifth highest reason for home fire deaths. According to death certificate data from all intentional fire deaths (not just home fires), nearly two-thirds of intentional fire deaths were suicides.

Although smoking materials ranked fifth in terms of home fires, they caused the most amount of home fire deaths during this time period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 17 percent of adults smoked combustible tobacco products in 2017.

Learn more: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2020/12/17/Most-home-fires-result-from-five-general-causes

By: NFPA TODAY - DECEMBER 17, 2020

How to Prevent Laundry Room Flooding | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how and why to install an automatic shutoff valve for the washing machine supply hoses.

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 preserving 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 of 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 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 equipment, 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 to 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 the 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 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, rooftops, 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.

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