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2018 Restoration Articles

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2018 RESTORATION ARTICLES
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Art- MZ article – Restoration- December 2018

It’s Spring! Now, Where Is That Garden Hose?

The weather is getting nicer, the birds are chirping more and you see flowers and other signs of botanical life making their annual appearance.
 
It’s a natural urge to get outdoors and clean up around the house, raking old leaves and picking up winter clutter. You’ve been inside long enough!
 
You also want to speed things up with your grass, flowers and plants, so you go hunting for that stored garden hose. You can’t find it. You are sure you put it in the garage. But… there it is. It’s still hooked up to the faucet from last summer.
 
So you proceed to spend an hour or two happily giving everything a good soaking. The problem is… you may be giving the inside of your home or your basement a good soaking as well.
 
What happened? Why this inside flooding disaster when all you were doing was merrily watering your plants and emerging flora?
 
The problem may be leaving the hose connected to the faucet all winter. Water build-up inside the faucet can freeze and break the pipe, and the way faucets work is when you turn the knob, you release water under pressure into the area that is broken, and it naturally forces its way through the break in the pipe and spews water inside the wall, in the home and (if you have one) the basement.
 
Of course, if the winter temperatures in the area you live never dip to the freezing point, this doesn’t concern you… water away!
 
But if you do live in colder climates, be sure to check and see if you have a possible broken pipe behind your faucet. You can do this by having someone inside the home when you turn it on, or by letting pressure build up in the hose and listening carefully to rushing water inside the wall.
 
No matter what happens, though, your water damage pros are a quick phone call way!

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- November 2018

Snow Shovel Safety

Winter weather is blowing across much of the country and — unfortunately — that means out comes the snow shovel, the snow blower and the ice melt. And sweat on the foreheads of many.
 
(Editor’s Note: you might be fortunate enough not to experience snow at all. If that’s the case, then reading this will at least give you a good feeling that you chose warmer climates, or a feeling of empathy for those who did not.)
 
You’ve seen the news reports: When some overexert themselves when shoveling the white stuff, they can get hurt or even worse… so it’s smart to plan ahead and be prepared with proper information before engaging in a physical activity you aren’t used to. Snow shoveling puts stress on your back and also on your heart.
 
Choose your snow shovel carefully, one that is right for you. A curved handle keeps your back straighter when shoveling, and make sure the handle is of proper length for your height. A plastic shovel might not be as durable as a metal one, but it is lighter and easier to use, especially when dealing with a lot of snow.
 
Just as you would do before working out, stretch your muscles and warm them up. Pace yourself, take breaks.
 
When you go out to take care of a new snowfall, do more pushing of the snow, as that keeps strain on your back to a minimum.
 
When dealing with a heavy snowfall, and you can’t push it, shovel in layers, inches at a time. But never throw snow over your shoulder; toss it in front of you or to the side.
 
And never forget, what is outside comes inside, so snow, mud, ice melt and other hard-to-remove soils will end up on your carpet and other flooring. When this happens, do the right thing: Call your favorite cleaning professional.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- October 2018

Frozen… but not Broken

Most people, when they think of frozen pipes in their homes, automatically think of broken pipes, spewing a huge mess that soaks carpet, subfloors, walls and more… requiring the attention of their water damage professional.
 
But many times, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily become a broken pipe. You might have experienced this yourself: You go into a bathroom, during a really cold part of winter, turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. Or perhaps only a trickle dribbles into the sink.
 
This is a nuisance that must be dealt with quickly, before the pipe actually breaks and creates a larger problem.
 
Preventing this from ever happening is the best course of action. Here are some things you can do when temperatures dip well below freezing:

1. Take control of the temperature in your home. Some, especially when leaving for a few days, will set the temperature lower to save money. But keep your home at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Installing a thermostat that you can control remotely with your smartphone means you can monitor your home 24/7 while traveling.
2. While home, when temperatures are extremely cold, open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to flow among the pipes and, for problem sinks that have had their pipes freeze in the past, or that you feel might freeze, allow a slow trickle of water to run.
3. Keep garage doors closed if you have water supply pipes in the walls or ceiling of your garage. This occurs especially when a bathroom is next to or above a garage. When you pull your vehicles into the garage, immediately shut the garage door so the heat from the engine can help warm the garage.

 
But if a frozen pipe does happen, your only recourse is to thaw it. This might take some time. Warm up your house, and use safe heat, such as a hair dryer, to warm the area where the pipe is frozen. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or other heat source fired by fuel, and don’t use open flames. If you can’t determine where the frozen pipe is, a local plumbing company can help.
 
And, of course, if the worst happens and a pipe does break, call your water damage professional.

Art- MZ article – Restoration- September 2018

So Your Carpet Is Smelly…

There are many reasons why a carpet can become smelly, from pet odors to heavy soiling and other causes. However, what some don’t realize is a little water intrusion can cause a big problem with the condition of their carpet, even after it seems the carpet has dried.
 
Water intrusions can be from many sources. If it is from a toilet (raw sewage), it’s almost always best to discard the carpet and pad and get something new. While doing that, be sure the subfloor is also cleaned and disinfected appropriately, and sealed if necessary. If it is from an overflowing sink or a leaky pipe, the damage can usually be limited so purchasing new flooring isn’t always necessary.
 
But one of the biggest problems is waiting too long no matter the cause of the water damage in your home.
 
When you discover a wet carpet or rug, it’s time to get to work. Remove the water with extraction, and get some air movement and ventilation started on removing moisture.
 
However, here’s the problem. If the carpet isn’t dried really fast, like how professional water damage experts can dry carpet using their specialized tools and equipment, a persistent musty smell can develop. There’s not much a homeowner can do to fix that issue. In the winter months, when humidity is low, you may not notice the odor that much. But when summer arrives, with the higher humidity, those odors will come back with a vengeance.
 
Even worse, mold can begin to grow. No one wants potentially dangerous mold in their homes!
 
What’s the best solution? Call your water damage pros right away, before real damage sets it. They’ll be right over to save the day.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- August 2018

Discarding Moldy Stuff

Do you know what the EPA says about discarding moldy materials?

It’s not as easy as just tossing them into the trash can, which is what some homeowners might be tempted to do when they try out some “do-it-yourself” mold work.

Building materials and furnishings that are contaminated with mold growth and are not salvageable should be double-bagged using 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, the EPA states. These materials can then usually be discarded as ordinary construction waste.

It is important to package mold-contaminated materials in sealed bags before removal from the containment area to minimize the dispersion of mold spores throughout the building.

Large items that have heavy mold growth should be covered with polyethylene sheeting and sealed with duct tape before they are removed from the containment area.

Doesn’t sound like fun, right? As a homeowner, you can get confused following all these mold removal rules and regulations, and these here are just the tip of the iceberg.

Do yourself a favor. When you see some mold, keep yourself and your family safe: Call a mold pro. He knows all the rules.   — Source: EPA

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- July 2018

Hidden Leaks

When a pipe breaks, you know it. Water spewing everywhere, making all kinds of noise and a huge mess that leads to all kinds of expensive damage.
 
When a pipe leaks, that’s a different story as you may not discover it until expensive damage occurs.
 
Under every sink in your home, you have two types of pipes: Supply and drain. Either type can leak and cause all kinds of damage, often at a slow but steady rate, and not only to the floor directly under the pipes. Water can run down into the subfloor, into floor cavities and even into rooms underneath.
 
Adding insult to injury, you don’t know this is happening because, usually, it’s all out of sight.
 
The worse part of looking for leaks under sinks is there is usually a bunch of stuff down there, and you will have to move it around or — better yet — remove it all completely so you can do a thorough inspection.
 
Look for warped wood, boards or other signs of water damage. Use a tissue paper to wipe each pipe connection, both supply and drain. Any type of moisture will be detectable using tissue paper. If a supply pipe is leaking, that’s dangerous because there is pressure that can cause it to steadily increase the rate of the leak. For the drain pipe, gently shake it to see if it is loose. Drain pipes can loosen on their own and begin leaking.
 
If you have pipes that are leaking, don’t delay. Fix them yourself if you are handy. If not, call your favorite plumber.
 
Any type of water damage you discover should be inspected and remediated by a qualified water damage restoration company. Play it safe and when you find you have a leaky pipe, call your water damage pros. They’ll be right over.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- June 2018

How to Prep Your House for Bad Weather – Part 2

Previously, we provided some practical tips on inspecting windows, roofs and gutters — and making sure they were all in good shape. Why? Because winter and bad weather is coming!
 
Being prepared for cold, windy, rainy and snowy weather is important. Preparation means you will — hopefully — avoid water, mold, wind, fire and smoke damage to your home.
 
Don’t neglect to disconnect
 
Those beautiful spring, summer and fall days mean you are gardening, watering and taking care of the outside. But winter is a different story. Before the grip of cold weather sets in, take a few minutes to walk around outside the home and disconnect any hoses connected to faucets. If you are able to, turn off the outside faucets from inside the home just in case a pipe were to freeze and break. A broken faucet or pipe means water can flood the interior of your home.
 
Inspect the HVAC
 
It doesn’t cost that much to have a professional heating, ventilation and air conditioning company inspect your heating and cooling system. Be sure to have a company inspect and clean any chimneys you use. A puff-back of smoke is expensive to clean up, and the unthinkable event of a fire can be avoided with preventative maintenance.
 
Keep them charged
 
Your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are your silent sentinels, diligently protecting your family. Test your detectors monthly and change the batteries, even if they still seem to be working fine, every six months. Perhaps do this when you change the clocks for daylight savings time in the spring and fall.
 
Being prepared is smart. But if something does happen to your home, be sure to reach out to your disaster restoration pro!

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- May 2018

Prepping the House – Part 1

When the weather turns bad, it’s time to turn against the weather.
 
Prepping your home for storms that are either predicted or that can occur at any time is the best defense against wind, water and related storm damages.
 
Without proper winter preparation of your home, you may end up inviting wind, rain and snow inside and then calling a restoration pro to clean it all up.
 
Tip #1: Inspect the windows
 
No, not in the glass itself (you can see that easily and would have already replaced broken windows.) Check the weather stripping, the caulking and edges of the glass. Ensure no air is getting in or out. This is easier to check on a windy day. Hold a tissue paper up to the areas you are inspecting to see if there is any movement. If so, repair that area. Replace the caulking or weather stripping if necessary.
 
 
Tip #2: Get climbing…
 
… up on the roof, that is. But keep it safe! Hire someone if you aren’t able to physically do this yourself or if there is any danger of falling. You (or someone) needs to inspect your roofing materials, areas around chimneys and vents… anywhere that water can intrude and cause problems. Be sure to repair any damage before the weather turns bad.
 
Tip #3: Clean the gutters
 
Dirty, cluttered gutters don’t do their job very well. Rain can easily turn into snow and ice, and debris in the gutters means they clog up and can cause all kinds of problems for your home. When the leaves stop falling, get out the ladder or hire a pro to ensure your gutters are ready for winter.
 
No matter what you do, occasionally water, wind and ice can damage your home. Do the right thing: Call your disaster restoration pro when his services are needed.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- April 2018

Leaks Happen – Be Ready!

You know the normal sounds your home makes.

The air conditioner kicking on as the dog days of summer begin. The heating system starting up on a cold, winter evening. The creak of a loose floorboard as someone rises early in the morning.

What you don’t normally hear — and you do not want to hear — are the sounds of spraying water from a broken pipe or hose, or a malfunctioning hot water tank or water filter system. Even worse is when this happens when you aren’t home and upon arrival you wade through inches of water on the floor, or duck from the dripping water from an upstairs leak.

When water damage occurs (and statistics say water damage claims are among the highest with insurance companies) you need to act quickly. The #1 concern is to think “safety first.” Before entering into any areas of the home that are damage from flood waters, be sure that the power is turned off. Nothing is worth getting an electrical shock!

Next, find the water turn-off valve and stop the flooding. Many homeowners aren’t sure where the water turn-off valve is located. Now is the time to figure that out, and even put a tag on it so it is easy to find, especially in the dark or in the beam of a flashlight. Don’t delay… find that valve and mark it!

It’s always best to be prepared. Contact your water damage restoration contractor and get the info you need to be safe… just in case.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- March 2018

Who Lives in a Flood Zone? You Do!

There’s some surprising news from the experts at the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Everyone lives in a flood zone. Yes, you read that right.

Of course, if your home is at the top of a mountain, you are probably at low risk from flooding. But most homes are at lower elevations, bringing higher risks.

How common are floods? In the past five years, according to the NFIP, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.

And bad news for homeowners is their homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage. You need special flood insurance for that.

To protect yourself, you need some flood facts so you realize the danger and can purchase the proper flood insurance program for your home and risk level.

Flood facts from the NFIP

·      Just a few inches of water in your home can cost many thousands of dollars to repair. This comes out of your pocket if your insurance doesn’t cover it.

·      Flash floods can bring walls of water 10-15 feet high. Imagine that hitting your home!

·      A vehicle can easily be carried away by just two feet of rushing water. You don’t want to think about what can happen if you are in the car…

·      New land development can increase flood risk.

·      Floods can be caused by different sources, such as hurricanes, winter storms, snow melt and other events.

·      In a high-risk area, your home is more likely to be damaged by flood than by fire.

·      Since 1978, The NFIP has paid nearly $50 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs (as of 2/17/15).

There are many more flood facts, but these can get you researching what you need to protect what’s important to you: Your home and your family.

And remember, if any type of flooding happens to you, keep your water damage pro on speed dial! He’ll be right over to save the day.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- February 2018

Sensitive to Mold and Other Allergens?

DID YOU KNOW that even the healthiest of individuals can still feel negative effects in the presence of some common things around the house?

It’s not something that necessarily has to start growing in the basement of your house after a flood. It’s something that can “just happen” and it’s not good news. But it can be easily fixed.

First of all, what are we talking about?

Old stuff brought in
There are some items that can come into your home that can trigger your allergies or other sensitivities. These can include cardboard boxes, packages and other items sent or brought to you. The worse of these would be old stuff, things that have been around a while, gathering allergens.

Old ‘normal’ stuff
We’ve all been to a library and sniffed old books. OK, maybe not all of us, but those that remember books and libraries can relate. These old books and documents can be allergen triggers, so be sure to remember this before checking them out or taking them into your home.

Old decorations
Sure, the holidays are a time when you use ornaments and stuff, and this is just a few times a year… but you have to store them, right? Remember that they can bring in allergens. It might be best to give them at least a wipe-down, if not a complete cleaning, before putting them into the attic.

Old mattresses
Ick. This is a tough one, and sometimes a sensitive issue. Sure, it’s OK to pass on mattresses from one generation to another (what is family for?), but what are you getting when you inherit an old mattress or other bedding from someone not close to you? And don’t be tempted by that new-looking mattress at your neighbor’s garage sale. You just don’t know what you are getting into. Did you know that every mattress has dust mites?

Old rugs and carpet
Rugs and carpet are very important to you, but be sure to have them inspected by your carpet cleaning pro before bringing them into your home. These are items that can collect all types of allergens and other contaminants that can affect you and your family.

Don’t be afraid to throw old stuff out. Remember, it’s your home and your family’s health. Protect it!

Just make sure that what you bring into your home is safe and sound — and safe for any allergy or asthma issues you or your family may have.

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Art- MZ article – Restoration- January 2018

Safe or Not Safe?

Have you ever walked or drove down a road and came across a sign that declared, “Floodplain Zone!”

If it was near your home, you might have panicked. But if it was somewhere far from your home, you felt safe.

A floodplain can be dangerous because any home in or near one is subject to flooding. If you have a basement, you have more to worry about.

But did you know that even if you live outside a floodplain, there are flooding issues that you must be aware of?

That’s right. According to some expert sources, up to 1/3 of flood damage occurs outside designated flood areas. A flood in your home can occur from outside sources… or even inside sources.

What can you do right now to be safe?

1.    Ensure that your basement is moisture free. Ask for an inspection from an honest and reputable basement waterproofing company.

2.    Talk to your plumber about sewer backflow valves. These can really protect your home in the event of a sewer flooding event in your neighborhood.

3.    And while talking to your plumber, have him take a look at your sump pump. If that fails, you are in trouble!

4.    When you travel, consider turning off the main water supply to your entire home. But even if you don’t do that, be sure to turn off both hot and cold water supplies to your washing machine. For some reason, those break first!

Play it safe. Talk to the experts about how safe you really are and how healthy your current insurance plan is.

And keep your water damage professional on speed dial — just in case!