If you have ever witnessed floods before, or are well-informed about the condition, you will know that the real work begins when the time comes to recover your house from all the water damage. When the water is continuously entering your premises, there’s less you can do about it except deploying measures to stop excess water from collecting inside the home and moving your personal property out of harm’s way.
When the water damage restoration begins, it is not only tiresome but can turn out to be dangerous as well, if not done properly. So, if you are plunging into it all by yourself, there are some safety measures you need to follow. Let’s have a look at the most important of them: Electricity isn’t always a boon! It’s one of the most emphasized measures and yet one often ignored. Dealing with electric connections in a flooded area/house is a dangerous task. When you are starting with water damage restoration, ensure that you have switched off the main electricity supply of your house. Once it’s safe, remove all electronic appliances from their sockets and if the appliances came in contact of water in any form, get it inspected before they are used again. Wear rubber slippers and be vigilant while restoring your house as any unexpected sockets or wires might lay unprotected. Equip yourself against contaminations Flood water enters your house after passing many places and sewers. They carry biological and chemical contaminations on the way. While going into the water to restore your house, wear muck boots, gloves, and clothes that doesn’t seep water, rain coats will do. Take care of any fungal infections which might be the result of continuous exposure to water. Inspect building structure carefully In case of high intensity floods, the building structure can also be adversely affected. If your house ceiling has caved in because of flood water, proceed very carefully. Certain building materials can release hazardous elements into the air after coming in contact with continuous water. Your building structure can also be weak and collapse from places due to flooding. It’s best to vacate the house in a situation like that. Take help from professionals to renovate your house and disinfect it to prevent further health hazards from fungal or mold formations. Water damage recovery mainly involves getting the place dry along with all your belongings. If the flooding had been bad, it might require high-end equipments and techniques to clean up the house properly. If you aren’t able to do it yourself, don’t leave your belonging to dry with the course of time as it might lead to serious health damages in the future because of certain infections that gets infused into the air. To ensure a healthy and cost-effective cleanup, take help from professional companies providing water damage restoration.
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You might have come across the word “fire damage restoration”. It is a process through which professionals reverse the damage caused by fire in your home so that you can get back to your normal ways of living. The companies that offer fire damage restoration services also provide several other services including water damage restoration, carpet cleaning, duct cleaning, mold removal etc.
Through this blog, we will acquaint you with the standard fire damage restoration process followed by professionals so that you are not clueless as to what to do in case of fire. Take a look at the steps given below. 1. Get in touch After the fire has been taken care of by the fire department, the first thing to do is to get in touch with the nearest restoration company. This is usually done to prevent damage from spreading further through your property. While trying to find the right company, make sure that are open 24/7, easy to approach and come of help at the earliest. Fire damage can also come with other ramifications. For example, if the fire has burnt holes in your roof and ceilings, water might seep in from these places causing more damage. Now if you leave your property in this situation for a long time, the damage is likely to increase. So it is better not to wait and get in touch with one of these companies at the earliest. 2. Property Assessment Next, in the process is fire damage assessment. As a part of it, the professionals will assess the extent of damage caused to your property. They will try to find out the how far the smoke and soot have travelled and the intensity of damage they have caused to your furniture and other areas of your home. By doing so, they will be able to come up with a plan of action as to how to restore your house back to what it was. The professionals will also provide you with a quote and give you with an estimated timeline during which the restoration process will be undertaken. 3. Tarp and sealing process The first motive of any fire damage restoration company is to stop the damage getting worse. So if there is water leakage due to the burned hole in your roof, the damage restoration will take care of that first. Also, fire damage restoration goes hand in hand with water damage restoration. For eg, if the fire has bursted your water pipes, the source of water has to be curbed first so that water doesn’t enter in different areas of your house. 4. Clean up and repair After the sealing process has been taken care of, clean and repair begins. As a part of it, smoke, soot and dust are cleaned up from different corners of your house and unnecessary items are disposed off. Water puddles are cleared with the help of submersible pumps so that the areas can be dried and sanitized. In the next stage, restoration and repair begins. If your furniture has been destroyed, the professionals will repair the damaged cabinets or replace them with new ones. New carpets are installed, walls are repainted and frames and wallpapers are put back to their places. Restoration companies walk a mile further by not just offering you with restoration but also renovation. A renovated house and new design will make your house look new and is sure to cheer you up. If your property has been ruined due to fire, getting in touch with a fire restoration company is the best step you can take! The word “restoration service” is often associated with the words “damage” or “destruction”. However, it is not necessary that you need a restoration service only during the incidents of fire, flood or major storms. A water or flood restoration company can help with many other instances and small situations which can stop the further damage.
So what are the situations wherein you might have to get in touch with fire/water damage service providers? Let us take a look. Moving into a new house If you have moved into a new house which was previously occupied by a family, you might come across a musky smell which is difficult to get rid of. Sometimes, you also might find outdated carpets, electronic equipment and other objects which might be a matter of concern. During such times, you can get in touch with a water damage restoration company whose professionals can inspect the nooks and corners of your house for mold, water or weather damage. The professionals of these firms have all equipment necessary for cleaning the leftover objects and conditions which can create a potential damage to your house. Mold Growth Mold growth is something which definitely shouldn’t be ignored. It starts slowly but goes on to create a major damage to the house. This happens especially after some major weather events like blizzard, flood or hurricane. If you find moist surroundings or mold growth in your house, you should not think twice about getting in touch with a restoration contractor. They will inspect different areas of your house for potential mold growth and give the right treatment to prevent it from occurring it further. Leaky pipes Water dripping from pipes is a common sight in many homes. Now people often think that they can resolve such issues on their own. But even after going through an extensive repair, such problems reoccur. So it is better to call a licensed restoration company. Once the team comes and checks the source of leakage, they can tell you how it needs to be fixed. Thereafter, you can decide an appropriate course of action according to your budget and the intensity of the leakage. Sewer damage cleanup If there has been a rainstorm, your sewer can be severely damaged. During such times, damage restoration professionals can help you to get rid of the damaged items, sanitizing the area and helping you with the installation of new infrastructure so that there are no issues in the future. It isn’t necessary for big disasters to happen in order to seek such services. Whether the damage caused due to fire/water is small or big, it should definitely not be ignored. There are companies that provide 24/7 restoration services at cost-effective prices and can come of help during emergency situations. So conduct your research about these companies, find out the best damage restoration company in your area and strike a deal with the one that can take care of your requirements. Better be safe than sorry! As summer approaches, you start heading towards your vacation home to unwind and make the most of your weekends. You probably have plans to visit a beach nearby and enjoy sunbathing. But as you enter your vacation home, you smell the dampness in the air and observe mold growth on the walls. This breaks your heart with disgust and you probably take up cleaning tasks instead of enjoying your summertime.
Such things are likely to happen particularly when any place is left unattended for few months. Mold growth can easily happen on wallpapers, wood products, carpets, fabric, ceiling tiles, cardboard, drywall and insulation. In order to ward off the last minute disappointments due to mold, you must take certain steps to prevent it. Here’s what you should do. 1. Remove unnecessary items Removing clutter and unnecessary items out of the house is the first step that you should take. This is because if your house is dumped with several unnecessary items, it becomes difficult for your HVAC system to circulate air. Moreover, the supply grilles get blocked and condensation is caused causing mold growth on the walls. Also make sure that you get rid of all the items that have mold on them so that it doesn’t spread any further. 2. Get rid of stranded water Find out if there are small water puddles in and around the house. Check around places like sump pumps, freezers, basement doors, water tanks etc. There is also a possibility of foundation leaks and ground water dampness. If you aren’t an expert in checking these things, consider hiring water damage restoration professionals.. Remember that stranded water can cause a lot of moisture leading to mold growth and you will definitely not like the results. 3. Check the size of AC unit Even if you rarely use the air conditioner at your vacation home, you must ensure that it is of the right size. A small unit can prove to be quite expensive and a big one will start and stop incessantly which wastes a lot of energy. This can cause temperature fluctuations. Try installing HVAC unit of the right size. It will definitely make a difference. 4. Set up a dehumidifier As the name suggests, a dehumidifier removes excessive moisture from the air. And needless to say, the chances of mold growth will lessen if it is installed at the right place. There are whole house humidifiers available in the market. These can be attached to the furnace and have the capacity to take care of air circulation in the entire house. As it can be connected to a drain, you don’t even have to empty your tank. If your house is around humid areas or a beach, a dehumidifier is all you need. 5. Get in touch with professionals If you observe a lot of mold growth, there is no need to get upset or distressed. As such, mold inspection and removal can be taken care of in a better way by professionals. They also have all the necessary equipment to eliminate mold from your surroundings. Find out about the nearest water restoration company in your area and ask for a quote. As these companies work 24/7, you can call them anytime and they will provide you with all the mold remediation and restoration help you need. Your vacation home is your second home. So make sure you take the above steps and deal with mold growth at the earliest! With announced emergencies and expected natural disasters, you can probably keep yourself prepared with evacuation plans and emergency kits. But when it comes to fire accidents, no one is prepared. If anyone in your neighborhood has experienced a fire, you must lend a helping hand in a genuine manner. Sometimes, we are also willing to help but we are reluctant and don’t know what exactly should be done.
If you think that they are struggling too much, you should take advice them to get in touch with a reliable fire damage restoration services provider. But there are a few things that you can also do. We have come up with certain ways in which you can provide help to your neighbors. 1. Visit them oftenYou might not have been to your neighbor’s place before or they might have come across to you as unapproachable. However, you shouldn’t back out during the times of need. Don’t be hesitant to knock at their door and express your concerns over whatever happened. Keep checking in and try to know if they need your help with anything. Showing up during the times of need will make them feel that they have supportive people around them. 2. Don’t just say it, do itPeople are often heard saying things like “Sorry to know about it. Let me know if I can help you in anyway.” But try not to stop at these formalities. Sometimes, the person may be reluctant to ask for help and may feel awkward to ask what they need. Encourage them to speak up and be more open and communicative. Run errands for them, offer to drop and pick up or make phone calls to fire restoration companies for them. It will prove to be a huge relief for them. 3. Offer financial support“A friend in need is a friend indeed” they say. If you believe in being there for someone in need, don’t refrain from helping in every way. Even if your neighbors have insurance, it can take a while until it gets processed and approved. See if you can offer financial support or write a check for them so that it can take the financial pressure off their shoulders. 4. Donate furnitureFire can cause irreparable damage and everything can burn to ashes. There might be a possibility that your neighbor’s beds and sofas have burned and they sleep on the floor. During such times, you can give away the extra furniture you have and render some help. Lamps, chairs, school supplies etc can also be given so that the bare necessities can be taken care of. 5. Provide with groceriesAfter fire damage, your neighbors can get really busy with restoration and cleaning. During such times, they cannot prioritize grocery shopping or having meals on time. Ask them if you can do grocery shopping for them or invite them over for dinner. It will also help them get over their exhaustion. Carry out the above mentioned steps with no sense of obliging and you will definitely bring a smile on the face of your neighbors. We hope you do the needful. Keep safe! Water Damage is not a pleasant experience for any homeowner. There can be several reasons responsible behind the occurrence of water damage. These include natural disasters, roof leaks, poor drainage systems, septic tank overflows, pipe bursts, foundation leaks etc. Knowing about the causes, consequences as well as the methods to handle water damage can help you to take care of such situations easily. Through this article, we intend to answer some of the commonly asked questions on water damage. Though you should always hire professional water damage restoration services when faced with any critical situation.
What makes water damage dangerous? When there are floods or flood like situations, water gets into the house from outside and sewage backups. This water contains contaminants like bacteria and viruses. If you do not get rid of this water within 48 hours, it can lead to mold growth and cause structural damage to the house. The mold growth should also be curbed to prevent it from spreading further. These post flood symptoms make water damage quite dangerous. What should be done after water leak or flood? The first and the most important step to take after flood or water leak is to get in touch with the nearest water damage restoration services. It is better not to wait for long during such situations as it can cause irreparable damage to the walls, wood and carpets of your house. You must also shut down all the electronic utilities to keep away from the hazards. In case of structural damage, it is better not to enter the house unless it is repaired. How do certified professionals help? Professionals working in the field of restoration services have several years of experience in handling water damage. As a part of the procedure, they either get rid of the damaged materials or restore them. These materials can include anything right from upholstery, carpets and baseboards to fragile woods and drywall. Once these items are gotten rid of, they start drying out water from the waterlogged places and sanitize all the affected areas. Mold-infected areas are disinfected so that it doesn’t spread further. Dehumidifiers and air movers are used to implement these procedures. Does the Homeowner Insurance cover water damage? Homeowners insurance offers coverage when the damage is accidental. For eg, pipe bursts or water heater ruptures. Flood damage, irrespective of the source of water is not covered by standard insurance policies. Several reasons can be responsible for flooding including storms, overflowing rivers as well as sewer backup. However, you can always purchase flood insurance through National Flood Insurance Program. Water damage caused by lack of maintenance is not covered by insurance agencies. The best way to stop water damage from happening is to take preventive measures. In case of naturally occurring floods, you must follow the guidelines laid by the government so that there is lesser harm to life and property. We hope that answers to the above questions must have given you insights on dealing with water disasters. Keep safe! When there is a fire in the house, it is often assumed that it started from the kitchen. However there are many other places and resources that can be responsible for causing fire. Through this article, we will acquaint you with these unknown stimuli and rarely known fire hazards. Here’s a brief about each one of them.
1. Laptops There are times when you work for hours together on your laptop. And sometimes, you leave it switched on and get busy with other things. It is possible that heat from the laptop gets underneath the materials it has been put upon (Bed, pillow or couch) and starts a fire. To prevent this from happening, you should ideally mount your laptop on a stand or put a fan table below it. Also, when you are not around, switch it off or put it on a non-flammable material. 2. Dishwasher A fire causing from dishwasher is quite a rarity. But it isn’t impossible either. If your dishwasher is faulty, water can drip into the internal wires of a machine. Make sure you maintain your dishwasher and get it serviced at regular intervals so there are no water leaks or fire hazards because of it. 3. Glassware It may sound to you like a myth, but fish bowls, glass door knobs and jam jars have also been responsible for reflecting sun rays enough to cause a fire. So it’s not just a magnifying glass that can start a fire. When light is refracted by a glass on objects like curtains, paper or any other flammable item, fire can start over the time. Make sure you keep the glassware away from the areas where they are likely to cause a fire. 4. Dust Dust particles under beds and furniture can be a cause of fire if they come in contact with electrical sockets, electronics and heating appliances. Such situations can occur if sparks fly towards the dust particles and spread the fire gradually. To eliminate this possibility, make sure that you vacuum under the bed and couch regularly. 5. Batteries Inappropriate disposal of 9-volt batteries in the garage and basements has often been responsible for causing huge fire accidents. If these batteries come in contact with any kind of metal and the metal touches other flammable object like paper or dust particles, fire can start in no time. So make sure you keep these batteries away from metal objects. Information about safely disposing them can be easily found on the internet. Although these are little known factors responsible behind a home fire, you must know about them to be able to prevent such situations from happening. However, if there is a fire and you are not able to put it off, you must get in touch with your nearest fire station. After the fire has been put off, you can avail of professional fire damage restoration services which will help you recover important objects and make sure that minimal damage is caused. Fire, be it a small or huge one, can prove to be dangerous and deadly. According to National Fire Protection Association, there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States in the year 2015 and they caused 3,280 civilian deaths. It goes without saying that you must call 911 whenever there is an accidental fire and it puts the lives of you and your loved ones at risk. After the fire has been extinguished, you can also consider hiring fire damage restoration professionals to lessen the amount of damage caused due to fire.
There are different types of fires that erupt in your surroundings and different ways to extinguish them. Let us acquaint ourselves with each one of them and know how to deal with them as and when they occur. Cooking fires This is the most common kind of fire that erupts in any house. Whenever there is a cooking fire, consider shutting the oven off, cover the pan with lid or use Type B extinguisher. Try not to move the pan as it can spatter oil and spread the fire further. Also, turning the exhaust fan on is the last thing you should do as it can add oxygen to the fire. If there is a fire in the oven, try to cool it off by keeping the door closed. This is because if the fire comes in contact with the air, it can grow worse. You can also sprinkle a lot of baking soda on the food. Fire caused due to electrical equipment As people are quite used to extinguishing fire with water, they make a huge mistake of pouring water over the fire caused by electrical equipment. This leads to further accidents as water is a good conductor of electricity. So avoid committing such mistakes any cost. During electrical fire, pull the plug out from the socket (if possible) or switch off the appliance. You can also control the fire by covering it with blanket or Type C extinguisher. Television You may have never imagined a Television being caught on fire. However, there is a possibility of it being on fire when the air around it doesn’t have enough space to circulate causing a lot of heat in the area around it. Even when there are other objects close to it like candles, curtains or knickknacks, the heat from the TV can ignite these objects causing a fire. When a TV catches fire, the best thing to do is to unplug the cord and try to put the flames down with a fire extinguisher. Refrain from using the blanket as it can spread the fire further. Fireplace wood stoves If you use fireplace stove, there might be chances of it catching fire. To avoid this, use dried wood and refrain from using flammable liquid. Once the cooking task is over, dispose the cool ashes in a metal container. Also when the cooking process is on, don’t leave the fire unattended. Don’t keep flammable materials near it and keep the glass screen closed. These fires might start small but can turn into an unimaginable tragedy if not controlled in a right way. We hope that the above guide will be of great help in controlling small fires. Be it a small crack or a huge one, water always finds its way. And there are several reasons as to why water enters your basement. Flash floods, drainage problems, and appliance failures are some of them. When water accumulates in the basement, it becomes a ground for mold and termites to grow. If you want to avoid this from happening, you can get in touch with one of the water damage restoration companies. You can also indulge into some DIY steps for preventing water getting into your basement. Here’s what you can do to keep the water out.
Seal those gaps As mentioned above, water has a tendency to leak through cracks. If there are gaps around plumbing pipes or concrete walls, water can enter into a basement. Make use of polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement to seal those gaps. Check if the water still enters after sealing. If it still does, you might have to resolve the groundwater problem as mere sealing won’t work. Keep downspouts away The downspouts that help you to get rid of excess water should be kept five feet away from the house. You can do so by adding metal or plastic extensions to the downspouts. You can also install an underground drain pipe so that the gutter runoff remains far from your house. Waterproof the basement walls Moisture and condensation often form on the basement walls. Apply sealant on the walls to avoid this from happening. Apart from this, you can also waterproof the basement walls with silicate based concrete sealers, concrete coatings, plastic sheets or waterproofing paint. Also consider waterproofing the outside walls of the basements so that you can fill the gaps in the foundation if there are any. This process might prove too expensive as you will need to excavate around the house. Invest in a sump pump When you install a sump pump, it will protect your basement during floods by pumping the water out. If the level of water in the basement goes up, the sump pump is smart enough to discharge the water outside the house. But before installing one of these for your house, conduct research on how to find the right sump pump and use it. Get the rain gutters cleaned When the gutters are blocked, it results into the water pouring in your home’s foundation creating the risk of basement flooding. Hence, make sure that you get rid of leaves or branches, debris etc and check if there are any loose particles from the asphalt roofing in the gutters. If there are any loose gutter straps, you must tighten them. In case of any gunk in downspouts, you can get rid of them by pouring a lot of water with the help of garden hose. If your basement is already flooded, you must get in touch with the water restoration service provider so that you do not have to deal directly with floodwater. If not, you can take the steps mentioned above and protect your basement. Basement of the house is used for multiple purposes. It’s a place where you store heaters, coolers and other utility controllers. It is okay to use basement for storage purposes, but you must have a good understanding about the placement of things around it. For eg, If you keep a flammable object near furnace, it will definitely catch fire.
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