Happy New Year from AllTech Restoration
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Christmas Tree Fire Turns Devastating and Deadly Within Seconds
A live Christmas tree burn shows just how quickly a dried-out Christmas tree burns, with flashover occurring in less than one minute, as compared to a well-watered tree, which burns at a much slower rate. Take care to water your tree, so that it doesn’t become a fire hazard.
This live burn was conducted by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Learn how to keep you and your family safe during the holiday season at https://www.nfpa.org/winter.
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Merry Christmas from AllTech Restoration!
Wishing You the Gift of Good Cheer this Holiday Season...
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Rossen Reports: How To Prevent A Christmas Tree Fire | TODAY
TODAY national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen takes a closer look at how your Christmas tree and holiday decorations could pose a fire hazard – and tips to keeping your house safe.
Monday, December 18, 2023
How to Keep Your Basement From Flooding | This Old House
Avoiding a soggy disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse
Friday, December 15, 2023
Water-Related Disaster? Safety First
When it comes to emergency water removal, mold removal, and flood damage restoration, leave it to the pros. Your professional disaster restoration specialist has the industry knowledge, experience, and credentials to guide you and your family through the entire process. The appropriate treatment depends on the specific nature of the damage in your home and will be tailored to meet your specific needs.
But homeowners, often feeling helpless in these situations, may ask what they can do to help during this time. The answer is simple but important: safety. Taking measures to ensure the safety of your family and your home is advice to heed. Let's take a look at some safety do's and don'ts.
Is The Home Safe?
Determine whether the house is structurally safe to enter or live in; professionals may refer to the structural integrity of the home. If you're unsure, don't enter the house and make arrangements for shelter with the help of local agencies, neighbors, and friends. Contact your insurance company, too.
If it's determined that the home is safe to enter, turn off the power by disabling the main circuit breaker; turn off the main water supply as well. A flooded basement could damage your furnace if the water reaches a dangerously high level. If you have a natural gas supply line, turn that off also; better still, leave that for a professional.
Of course, keep children and pets away from flooded areas; you don't want accidents from slippery, wet floors.
Don't operate televisions, computers, vacuums or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially concrete surfaces.
Be sure your valuables are safe. If you will not be living in the house due to the unsafe conditions, remove your valuables including documents and treasured items such as photographs and other keepsakes; store them with a trusted friend or relative. If you are able to stay in your home, move valuables to a dry, safe location.
Is There Mold?
Mold growth is often one of the ensuing problems created by flood damage. The damp conditions in your home after a flood are an ideal breeding ground for these microscopic organisms that spread by producing airborne spores. Those mix with the air inside your house and can lead to health and safety concerns for you and your family. Typical symptoms resulting from mold exposure include everything from respiratory problems and nasal and sinus congestion, to skin, eye, nose and throat irritation.
(Be on the lookout for signs of mold. They vary considerably but may include a smelly odor, a white and thread-like growth, clusters of small black spots; mold can be grayish-brown, grayish-green or white in color.)
Do treat all flood water as contaminated. The water and water-impacted surfaces may not be contaminated but until determined by a professional, don't take chances. Don't track contaminated materials and items into undamaged areas. Do keep children and pets, who are especially vulnerable, out of suspect areas. Absorbent materials such as carpeting and drywall may be unsalvageable after contaminated.
Implementing these tips will put you into action mode versus feeling helpless. More importantly, it will ensure the safety of your family and your home.
But homeowners, often feeling helpless in these situations, may ask what they can do to help during this time. The answer is simple but important: safety. Taking measures to ensure the safety of your family and your home is advice to heed. Let's take a look at some safety do's and don'ts.
Is The Home Safe?
Determine whether the house is structurally safe to enter or live in; professionals may refer to the structural integrity of the home. If you're unsure, don't enter the house and make arrangements for shelter with the help of local agencies, neighbors, and friends. Contact your insurance company, too.
If it's determined that the home is safe to enter, turn off the power by disabling the main circuit breaker; turn off the main water supply as well. A flooded basement could damage your furnace if the water reaches a dangerously high level. If you have a natural gas supply line, turn that off also; better still, leave that for a professional.
Of course, keep children and pets away from flooded areas; you don't want accidents from slippery, wet floors.
Don't operate televisions, computers, vacuums or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially concrete surfaces.
Be sure your valuables are safe. If you will not be living in the house due to the unsafe conditions, remove your valuables including documents and treasured items such as photographs and other keepsakes; store them with a trusted friend or relative. If you are able to stay in your home, move valuables to a dry, safe location.
Is There Mold?
Mold growth is often one of the ensuing problems created by flood damage. The damp conditions in your home after a flood are an ideal breeding ground for these microscopic organisms that spread by producing airborne spores. Those mix with the air inside your house and can lead to health and safety concerns for you and your family. Typical symptoms resulting from mold exposure include everything from respiratory problems and nasal and sinus congestion, to skin, eye, nose and throat irritation.
(Be on the lookout for signs of mold. They vary considerably but may include a smelly odor, a white and thread-like growth, clusters of small black spots; mold can be grayish-brown, grayish-green or white in color.)
Do treat all flood water as contaminated. The water and water-impacted surfaces may not be contaminated but until determined by a professional, don't take chances. Don't track contaminated materials and items into undamaged areas. Do keep children and pets, who are especially vulnerable, out of suspect areas. Absorbent materials such as carpeting and drywall may be unsalvageable after contaminated.
Implementing these tips will put you into action mode versus feeling helpless. More importantly, it will ensure the safety of your family and your home.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Earthquake Safety
Saturday, December 9, 2023
ASK This Old House | Preventing Plumbing Disasters
Richard explains how, where, and why plumbing systems fail.
Richard gives a deep dive on when and how plumbing pipes and connections can be repaired or replaced.
Ross explains and demonstrates how to prevent plumbing failures with new technology.
Preventing Water Damage
Kevin O’Connor and damage prevention specialist Michael Milligan toured a home to identify ways to prevent plumbing leaks and other flood damage.
How a Frozen Pipe Bursts
Richard demonstrated that pipes, when frozen, expand in volume, which exponentially increases the water pressure and forces the pipe to burst. In these circumstances, shut the water off at the main and immediately call a plumber.
To prevent the pipes from freezing in the first place, Richard recommended keeping cabinet doors open and insulating the pipes with pipe insulation. This can be found at home centers.
How to Replace Polybutylene Piping with PEX
Richard travels to Richmond, Virginia to help a homeowner replace her polybutylene piping with conventional PEX.
Where to find it?
Polybutylene pipes are no longer to code and need to be replaced by a licensed professional. Richard was assisted by Capital Mechanical. The tools and materials required to replace the pipes, including the PEX lines, fittings, and the expansion tool, can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses. The PEX piping for this project was supplied by Uponor.
Future House | Smart Automatic Water Shutoff Valves
Ross travels to Los Angeles to learn about innovations being made to automatic water shutoff valves.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
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.
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.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Why You Should Hire Professional Fire and Water Restoration Services
A fire can have a devastating effect on a family, causing several losses. We sincerely hope that the fire you might have experienced in your house did not have any casualties and it was only property that was damaged. Though even property loss can be pretty frustrating and disheartening, you should know that most fire damaged houses can be restored to their old self. Your best bet to tackle damage caused by fire and water would be to hire the services of a professional fire and water restoration company. A professional fire and water restoration contractor will have the know how that will help them assess the damage to your property and take the most appropriate steps necessary to restore it.
Unless the damage was very minimal, it is highly recommended that you seek the services of a professional fire and water restoration contractor for the following reasons.
Damage caused by fire can be made much worse by home owners who attempt to restore the damaged area without the proper knowledge. Your insurance company will also recommend that you choose a fire and water restoration contractor to carry out the repairs and no do it yourself.
The cost of services of a professional restoration company might be steep at first glance but you have to understand that they will have the best knowledge to save you money with the whole restoration process. Fixing things up on your own might seem much more economical although you will quickly blow your budget as you discover more and more problems that you have to deal with. Even if it means forking over a decent sum of money, it is highly recommended that you hire the services of an expert fire and water restoration company to carry out your restoration.
If water was used to put out the fire, you will have to be worried about water damage in addition to the damage caused by the fire. Fire and water restoration contractors deal with both types of damage on an everyday basis and will quickly begin work to minimize and restore properties affected by both types of damage.
Restoration companies will advice you on what is salvageable and what can be restored. If you didn't consult with experts, you could be throwing away furniture and furnishings that can be easily restored at a fraction of the cost that it would take to replace them.
The odors from a fire can easily penetrate the structure of the house and only a professional fire and water Restoration contractor will be able to use deodorizers and ozone to completely remove the odor of fire and smoke from a property.
Last but not the least, a professional restoration company will allow you to carry on with your life without having to leave your job or business unattended which is exactly what you would have to do if you were trying to restore your house on your own.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5764207
Thursday, November 30, 2023
How to Prevent Water Damage From Household Fixtures | This Old House
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows ways to detect and stop common plumbing leaks. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse
Shopping List for Preventing Water Damage From Household Fixtures:
- battery-operated sensor, sounds alarm when it comes in contact with water
- wireless moisture sensor, detects leak and shuts off water flow
- water-heater pan, placed beneath water heater and piped to drain
- water-heater shut-off valve with moisture sensor, shuts off water supply when leak is detected
- water dam, is wrapped around base of water heater to corral water leak
- washing-machine pan, placed beneath washing machine and piped to drain
- washing machine shut-off valve with moisture sensor, shuts off water supply when leak is detected
- in-line shut-off for water supply lines, shuts off water flow should the supply line burst
Tools for Preventing Water Damage From Household Fixtures:
- screwdriver
- adjustable wrench
- pipe wrench
About This Old House TV:
This Old House is the No. 1 multimedia home enthusiast brand, offering trusted information and expert advice through award-winning television, a highly regarded magazine, and an information-driven website. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WETA Washington, DC.
Monday, November 27, 2023
Why Alltek Restoration?
Choosing the right contractor is crucial for any project to be successful. We specialize in Emergency Services, Contents, Restoration, and Reconstruction. You can rest knowing that your project's interest is at the top of our concerns. Alltek is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality work and exceptional customer service while assuring you of a well executed plan to complete your project. You and everyone involved in your project will feel confident we are leading the way.
OUR ESTIMATES
Xactware® is recognized in the claims industry and used by many insurance providers. All of our restoration scopes and reconstruction estimates are generated using the Xactimate estimating software or Xactcontents for personal property. With our estimating staff's knowledge, combined with the power of Xactimate, our estimates indicate exact quantities and materials & labor. This is accompanied with a clear description of work to be performed and graphical reference providing you with a clear concise scope of work that Alltek will perform on your project.
PROPERTY RESTORATION | STRUCTURE RECONSTRUCTION
There are many aspects to your claim, that our trained and expert staff will guide you through the process. We provide you with a single claim solution from start to finish. Once you choose Alltek Restoration, Inc. you will have one point of contact for your entire claim. No call centers. You will never be a claim number. Alltek performs both residential and commercial restoration for insurance claim repairs for both small and large loss. For all properties we provide complete restoration services for the following loss categories: Fire Damage, Water Damage, Smoke Damage, Storm Damage, Vandalism, Vehicle and more.
BOARD UP SERVICES
Are very common requirements after storm or fire losses. The damages caused by the actual fire and tactics use to extinguish can leave your property with broken or blown out windows, burnt doors or broken doors, ventilation holes in roofs, and structural deficiencies all of which leaves the property open to accessible, in distress, and insecure. We will secure all loss related openings with temporary measures securing the property and temporary structural repairs to help prevent further damages.
Learn more at: https://alltekrestoration.net/services
Contact our office in Pittsburg, CA, at 925-732-7200 to speak with one of our construction designers about your needs.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
How to Prevent Laundry Room Flooding | Ask This Old House
Saturday, November 18, 2023
What To Do After A Fire: Think Straight And Sort It Out
Experiencing a fire at one's residence is very frightening, disturbing and upsetting. However, once the fire is out, there are a few very important things one needs to do. Recovering from the fire may take some time and many of the things that need doing are probably new to the home-owners. The damage caused to the property is not only from the fire itself but also the secondary damage from the smoke and the water and chemicals that are used to put out the fire. Here is a short guideline on what to do after a fire.
The first thing that is to be taken care of is protecting oneself from further losses. You will want the site protected from further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. The site left unsecured, could result in further damage. If the house has been left unsafe by the fire and one has to stay elsewhere, then the local police is notified before you leave, so that they can keep an eye on the property. Also, you will want to remove all valuables from the house.
Next, watch out for the electric wiring, gas or fuel, and any structural damages such as weakening of walls, roofs, etc. because of the fire. Power should only be turned back on after seeking professional advice. Edibles and medicines were probably damaged by the fire, and so check them and discard if needed in the proper way.
If you have insurance, collect all the receipts for the money spent on the fire loss and keep them for the perusal of the insurance company. You should keep all the damaged goods as well, until after they are shown to the insurance people. The sooner you contact the insurance company, the quicker they can process the claims as the damage is more easily investigated. If one has to leave home, one should leave the alternate contact options with the insurance professionals. You could also ask the insurance people to recommend the best fire damage restoration companies according to them.
Depending on the type of fire damage that occurred, the type of restoration done is also different. The restoration work could be done by property management teams, building maintenance staff or the homeowners themselves, if the damage is minimal, however, it is best to ask for professional help. This is because they are trained on fire damage restoration, not to mention their extensive experience.
To sum up, one shouldn't lose one's head after a fire. You want to take action to secure the site and the necessary precautions are taken care of. The insurance company and the police should be notified at once. In case one has to leave the premises, one should take identification, vital medicines and valuables along, and tell the important people of the new contact details. Let's not lose our heads over what to do after a fire.
The first thing that is to be taken care of is protecting oneself from further losses. You will want the site protected from further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. The site left unsecured, could result in further damage. If the house has been left unsafe by the fire and one has to stay elsewhere, then the local police is notified before you leave, so that they can keep an eye on the property. Also, you will want to remove all valuables from the house.
Next, watch out for the electric wiring, gas or fuel, and any structural damages such as weakening of walls, roofs, etc. because of the fire. Power should only be turned back on after seeking professional advice. Edibles and medicines were probably damaged by the fire, and so check them and discard if needed in the proper way.
If you have insurance, collect all the receipts for the money spent on the fire loss and keep them for the perusal of the insurance company. You should keep all the damaged goods as well, until after they are shown to the insurance people. The sooner you contact the insurance company, the quicker they can process the claims as the damage is more easily investigated. If one has to leave home, one should leave the alternate contact options with the insurance professionals. You could also ask the insurance people to recommend the best fire damage restoration companies according to them.
Depending on the type of fire damage that occurred, the type of restoration done is also different. The restoration work could be done by property management teams, building maintenance staff or the homeowners themselves, if the damage is minimal, however, it is best to ask for professional help. This is because they are trained on fire damage restoration, not to mention their extensive experience.
To sum up, one shouldn't lose one's head after a fire. You want to take action to secure the site and the necessary precautions are taken care of. The insurance company and the police should be notified at once. In case one has to leave the premises, one should take identification, vital medicines and valuables along, and tell the important people of the new contact details. Let's not lose our heads over what to do after a fire.
We all hope to never be there, but when a disaster happens to your home you want to be sure that you have the right coverage on your insurance to help you through those tough times. You don't want to have to think about all of the details like what to do after a fire, damage repair assessments, and insurance claims. Finding a great company online to handle all of this for you would be the best option for you and your family.
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Why You Need an Emergency Preparedness Plan
Having an emergency preparedness plan can make all the difference during times of crisis. And no matter where you live, the Red Cross can help. Watch as James A. Judge II, Emergency Management Director Department of Public Protection, talks about how our emergency preparedness apps, kits and Red Cross personnel can help you stay informed and stay safe during a disaster.
Learn more at: https://www.redcross.org/store
Thursday, November 9, 2023
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.
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.
Monday, November 6, 2023
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.
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.
Friday, November 3, 2023
Everything You Wanted To Know About Water Damage Restoration & Mitigation
Has your home or business experienced a serious water event that caused flooding, leaking, or any other type of water damage? In this video, the United Water Restoration Group team discusses the causes of water damage, some of the dangers that come along with having damaged property, as well as the water damage restoration process that’s used to help put your life back on track after a water damage disaster has occurred.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Man Turns $5000 Abandoned House Into a High-End Home | by @Korytan
Experience the incredible transformation of an abandoned house as it undergoes a meticulous restoration. Follow the journey from neglect to revival, witnessing the challenges, innovations, and craftsmanship that bring new life to the forgotten space. Enjoy!
VITALII KORYTAN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.o.r.y.t.a.n/
Youtube: 
/ @korytan
/ @korytan 
Saturday, October 28, 2023
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9189026
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
This Old House | Demo Time (S39 E18) | FULL EPISODE
Kevin is at one of Charleston's architectural gems, a house called Sword Gate. The wrought iron gates out front have swords welded into them.
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Kevin and Tom meet the builder, Lindsay Nevin, whose company is up for the challenge. Lindsay discusses some of the strict rules to follow when it comes to renovating old houses in historic Charleston. Heat, humidity and water are usually the major issues of these old wooden houses, and the only way to assess the damage is to start a careful demo.
At the Single House project, Kevin finds Tommy and general contractor Mark in the kitchen house. Mark explains his plan to dig out and pour a concrete slab, and they get to work pulling up floorboards.
When it comes to educating the next generation of tradespeople, the American College of the Building Arts, is the only school in the country with a four-year college program which focuses on the building trades.
Meanwhile, demolition is in full swing and Judith's backyard is filling up with debris.
Judith wants to improve the landscaping as well as the house, and she has some favorite shrubs and trees she'd like to use as green screening. Roger meets her to discuss planting options, and then he travels to a southern nursery to find out what plants will work in the sub-tropics. The nursery can ship out the plants as soon as the yard is ready.
Over at the Single House, it's time to privy dive. Richard discusses the history of the outhouse in Charleston and what's buried beneath the surface.
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Products and Services from this episode
General Contractor – Charleston Single House
Category: Contractors & Services, Building Resources
Contractor
Renew Urban
http://www.renewurban.net/
General Contractor – Elliotborough House
Category: Contractors & Services
Contractor
Flyway Construction
http://www.flywaysc.com/construction/
Landscape design – Elliotborough House
Category: Landscaping, Design
Contractor
ADC Engineering
http://adcengineering.com
Local Trade School
Category: Building Resources, Miscellaneous, Generation NEXT
Side Trip
American College of the Building Arts
http://americancollegeofthebuildingar...
nursery visit
Category: Landscaping
Side Trip
Fast-Growing-Trees
https://www.fast-growing-trees.com
About This Old House TV: This Old House is America’s first and most trusted home improvement show. Each season, we renovate two different historic homes—one step at a time—featuring quality craftsmanship and the latest in modern technology. We demystify home improvement and provide ideas and information so, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out contractors, you’ll know the right way to do things or the questions to ask. Our experts including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor give you the tools you need to protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
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Sunday, October 22, 2023
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.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
AllTek Restoration Repair Services
You can only expect a professional staff when working with Alltek Restoration, Inc. We value and expect quality, efficiency, punctuality, cleanliness, and courtesy. Our team believes in our commitment and dedication to each client’s satisfaction is second to none.
- Quality work, Integrity, and Commitment
- Prompt completion and timeline.
- Detailed estimates upon invitation to bid.
- Explanation of contract and specification
Alltek has established successful working relationships with qualified and competent professionals, and subcontractors who share our customer-oriented philosophy.
Our Guarantee: We warranty all work that is done with your project whether we ourselves do the work or our subcontractors do the work.
Contact our office in Pittsburg, CA, at 925-732-7200 to speak with one of our construction designers about your upcoming project.
Monday, October 16, 2023
Emergency Preparedness | How Ready Are You, Really?
Friday, October 13, 2023
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:
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/
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/
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Ask This Old House | Tool Box, Smoke Detector, Valve
Tom teaches a young fan how to build a tool box; in Charlotte, Scott installs smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; Richard diagnoses a leaking temperature and pressure relief valve and installs an expansion tank to fix it.
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Saturday, October 7, 2023
What Type Of Smoke Alarm Is Best For Your Home?
WCCO's Jennifer Mayerle put smoke alarms to the test, and what she found prompted a Minnesota fire marshal to change what he has in his own home.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
How to Fix and Flip a Fire Damaged Home
Don't be scared of a burnout property! This video will show you how to renovate a fire-damaged home in 5 easy steps. I know house flipping fire and smoke damage can seem intimidating, but if you take a deep breath, sometimes the repairs are easier than you think.
What's your experience been flipping a fire-damaged home?
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