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Art-MZ article – Restoration – May 2021
What the EPA Says About MOLD When the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, speaks… most of us listen. And the EPA has much to say about mold, which can affect health in minor, irritating ways (slight respiratory issues) to severe life-threatening reactions, resulting in medical care and the unthinkable. Here are the edited highlights from the EPA.gov site, along with our own thoughts, that all households should consider. Of course, the EPA recommends that everyone should fix plumbing leaks, water intrusion issues, and keep all interior surfaces clean and dry at all times. If you do this, mold should not be an issue. But if it happens, here are some tips. Mold cleanup Who should do the cleanup? There are a number of factors. First, consider the size of the mold problem. If less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. However, with water damage and mold growth more than 10 feet, consult an expert. And there is no way to know 100% if even a small amount of mold could have an adverse health effect on you or those you care about. HVAC and air conveyance systems Don’t minimize the impact that mold can have in your ductwork or other air conveyance areas. Hidden mold may be out of sight, but it should be taken seriously. Slight musty odors should trigger an investigation. Get your duct work inspected immediately and have the work done by a professional. Restrooms, shower stalls and more Mold is normal in some areas, like in the corner of a shower stall. Don’t panic. Just clean it up. But if you need help, hire a pro. A very small amount of mold is no doubt fresh and can be easily removed. Hiring a pro If you decide to contact and use a disaster restoration company or a mold removal service, be a smart consumer and check their references and credentials. There are many “companies” that claim to be experts in mold removal, but they are far from qualified. Do the right thing with mold. When you know you have it, you should know how to get rid of it. The easiest, best, and safest way is to let a disaster restoration, water damage, or mold remediation company do the work. After all, it pays to call a pro. 
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Art- MZ article – Restoration – April 2021
‘Do Not Do’ Activities After a Water Damage Broken pipes, leaky roofs, plugged up drains, wind-driven rain, and other issues can strike at any time, especially during spring weather. When water intrudes, you want to clean it up, and fast. Most homeowners call their favorite disaster restoration company, but while they wait, they find it very difficult to do nothing about their unfortunate situation. Some may attempt to vacuum up the water, get out all the fans, rip out wet sheetrock, and other tasks that need to be handled — at least in the minds of those affected by a disaster. It’s really tough to sit by, wait, and do nothing in a situation like this. But often, that’s exactly what you should do. Nothing. Make the phone call to your restoration company and get their advice and wait for them. With this in mind, consider these definite “do not do” activities in the event of a water damage situation. Do not vacuum up any water with an ordinary vacuum cleaner (yes, it’s been done and not with good results) and it is best to avoid even a wet/dry vacuum. If you must do some water extraction yourself, make sure it is a professional grade piece of equipment, such as something you might rent, as there are safety considerations to keep in mind — such as avoiding electrocution. Don’t use electrical appliances, even ordinary ones that might seem harmless, when in the vicinity of flooded areas. Make sure any power cards are properly grounded in your home. Don’t go into heavily flooded rooms if you can, don’t walk on wet carpet or through flooded areas, such as a basement. Again, the electrical issue can be a factor. If the flooding is limited and you simply have a squishy carpet, you may be able to move around the home, but only after you have made certain power is turned off in affected areas and there are no safety concerns. Don’t start pulling apart building materials, such as sheetrock, or removing carpet, as you might make a bigger mess that will make more work for the restoration company that is on its way. Small injuries can quickly become infected injuries. Don’t wait! Disaster restoration companies work 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s the nature of disaster work. Do the right thing, and give your favorite restoration company a call the minute disaster strikes. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – Restoration – March 2021
Pipes that (Usually) Freeze First When pipes freeze, they create havoc that is time consuming and expensive. Your home is full of all kinds of pipes, including fresh water pipes that supply your bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and more. These fresh water pipes are under pressure, and if they freeze up, they can burst and create a huge mess that must be cleaned up quickly. You might have heard some say that hot water freezes faster than cold water. If you do a quick Google search, you will see all types of references to this topic. You might have seen videos of people throwing hot water up in freezing air and it freezes instantly, creating ice crystals. But no matter what you personally believe, one thing is accepted as true among many disaster restoration professionals: Hot water pipes freeze and break faster than cold water pipes. This statement isn’t based simply on water temperature. It’s based on the makeup of the water, and some studies show that hot water contains more dissolved gasses, and those chemical particles crystalize first. Many restoration professionals will tell you that they have been on many water damage jobs where the hot water pipe was broken and spraying water, while the cold water pipe was fine. And at the same time, many have experienced hot water spigots doing nothing while their cold water companions, just within inches of each other, work just fine. There are many articles about what is called the “Mpemba” effect, that warm water freezes faster than cold water. While it makes for interesting reading, the main takeaway for you is to make sure that no pipes in your home ever freeze. You can do this with some planning. The best solution is to make sure your pipes are wrapped with heat tape or insulation, combined with ensuring no cold drafts are allowed into walls or cavities in your home. Another preventive step to take is when the temperatures really dip into the sub-zero range, and especially if you have had pipes freeze in the past, consider allowing them to drip during extended times of not being used. Yes, this will run up your water bill a bit, but it is definitely cheaper than a devastating pipe break and resulting flooding. But if the unthinkable does occur, and a pipe breaks and damages your home, do the right thing. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – Restoration – February 2021
Prepare for Spring Flooding At the end of every winter, we might forget about the previous spring rains and subsequent flooding that might have occurred in the area. But when unrelenting rain starts to fall, one thing you don’t want to experience is regret in not being prepared, whether it is from leaks related to your roofing, windows, or the possibility of a flooded basement. While those might seem like minor issues, when they happen to you, they quickly move up to disastrous. Making sure your home is safe, secure, and devices like your sump pump (if you have a basement) are in good condition. But when heavy rains hit your area, and flooding is a possibility, the website ready.gov has some great advice for your preparedness plan. Make a plan This is important to do in advance, as when an emergency strikes you will be in panic mode. Have a discussion with family members, about what you will do, where you will go, where you might meet up if separated and mobile phones are not working. Be sure to discuss your pets as well and have a plan for them. Human life is invaluable, and we feel the same way about our pets. Have a written list of important phone numbers in case your cell phone loses charge or isn’t functioning. Build a ‘go-kit’ Have the necessities in a backpack or other easy-to-grab bag. Necessities include documents, such as birth certificates, passports, legal documents, and other papers you should not lose. Having some cash is important in the event credit cards can’t be used. Clothing, medications, and other necessities should also be in your ‘go-kit’ supplies. Basically, think about what you simply can’t go without for several days if you have to be out of your home. Check your insurance policy Now is the time to make sure you have coverage for natural disasters that might strike your home. Don’t assume. Ask your insurance agent and make sure you have it spelled out clearly in your policy. Not all natural events are covered by regular homeowner policies. But if the unthinkable does happen to your home, and it becomes damaged by any disaster event, do the right thing and get it all fixed quickly — and safely. Doing the cleanup yourself can expose you to future potential hazards. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – January 2021 – RESTORATION
Cleaning Soot from Surfaces Soot is a residue that can be on any surface in your home. It can come from sources such as your furnace system, a fireplace, candles you burn, and other combustible sources that don’t burn clean. Some soot is dangerous, such as from a fire or furnace puff-back. Skin contact with these types of soot should be avoided, as they may contain hydrocarbons that are classified as human carcinogens. Outdoor soot is even regulated by the EPA, classified as a criteria pollutant. Soot is usually handled by restoration professionals as it is often a by-product of a disaster event, although it may be minor, such as extra smoke from a fireplace. But many types of soot, such as found in your kitchen or from candles, light soot, can be handled with regular restorative cleaning. Just be smart when deciding to clean soot from surfaces. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is a must when restoration pros do it, so keep that in mind and wear protective gloves, eye protection, and anything you need to keep the soot residues off of your skin and out of your lungs. The first step with soot is with simply dry wiping. It may come off the surface easily, especially if the surface is non-permeable. You will still need to wet clean that surface for final residue. Most likely, the soot needs to be cleaned with hot water and detergent, since it is often greasy. Applying some detergent solution and allowing approximately 10 minutes of dwell time should loosen the soot and you can wipe it away. There are also special cleaning products for soot-type greasy soils. The same cleaning principles would apply. But if the soot is on a vertical surface, your approach needs to be more careful. Clean from the bottom and move up, just a few inches at a time. If you start at the top and work down, any wet residue that runs down the wall may create permanent stains. So manage the moisture and soot removal from the bottom going up, and you won’t have this issue. If, after cleaning, soot stains remain, it may be time to think of repainting. Of course, soot cleaning is really something that restoration pros can handle. Do the right thing. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art- MZ article – Restoration- December 2020
Grease Fires During the Holiday Season If there is one event to avoid at all costs, it is a grease fire in your kitchen as you prepare delicious meals during the holiday season. But it can happen. You are working feverishly around the kitchen and you have something cooking on the stovetop. The temperature reaches a critical limit, a flame pops up, and soon gets out of control. Another issue is when cooking grease or oil inadvertently escapes the pan and hits an open flame, and that flame follows the grease or oil trail back to the pan. Panic can strike and you may overreact to the event, and even cause more harm than good as you attempt to put the fire out. Preventing grease fires is fairly easy as long as you remain in the kitchen while cooking and stay alert to the level of flame on the stovetop and the temperature you are using to prepare your meals. Stir carefully and avoid spills at all costs. Monitor any excessive smoke coming from the pan as that is often an indicator of something to come. But when a grease fire does occur, keep calm and implement these practical tips. Control the heat When you detect smoke, turn off the heat source (whether gas or electric) and very carefully remove the pan from the burner if it is electric, if possible. But if you see a flame, do not move the pan. You will most likely splash grease or oil and fuel the fire even more. Never use water to put out a grease fire. This will splash and cause the fire to spread. Starve the flame If a flame is visible, very carefully put a lid on the open flame. This is the best, safest way to extinguish the flame as it will be starved of oxygen and go out. Extinguish the flame If a fire does start, and you can’t cover it with a lid to starve it of oxygen, you can pour baking soda on the flame until it is extinguished. If the flame grows, use an appropriate fire extinguisher for kitchen grease fires. Check with local fire authorities if you aren’t sure which type to purchase. If the unthinkable happens, and a grease fire does get out of control and cause damage, you will need special restoration work performed in your home. Do the right thing and reach out to your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art- MZ – Restoration – November 2020
Remediation of Smoke Odors One of the toughest odors to remove from any surface is from tobacco. While smoke odors are always pesky and challenging to remove, cigarette and cigar odors are especially tough because they have a powerful odor and they tend to linger. The particles are small, and they cling to and embed into any type of surface, especially fabrics. In automobiles, there are an issue especially when a car is being sold . One promising rule of thumb when it comes to removing tobacco odors is time. With fresh air and plenty of time, the odors dissipate on their own — for the most part. But many people don’t want to wait it out. Cleaning the surface is the first step in smoke odor removal. If you can launder an item, that’s the best way to remove odors. But some fabrics, such as rugs, furniture, and of course the interior of your car, you can’t put in the washer. Professional cleaning is always best, but there are a few tricks you can implement in the meantime. Hard surfaces If you are cleaning countertops, wood furnishings, or other non-permeable surfaces, you are in luck. Those surfaces usually are easy to clean, and smoke odor removal is often successful. Simply use an approved hard surface cleaning produce you can find at any department or grocery store, wet the surface, allow several minutes of contact time so the product can work, and then wipe away with a clean cloth or paper towel. Repeat until you see no more soil transfer. Adding a little deodorizer afterwards, and wiping it off, adds a pleasant, lingering scent. Soft surfaces Now we are getting into the real challenge, removing odors from fabrics. As said previously, laundering an item is the best way to remove odors. It may take several launderings to get the best results. While cleaning non-launderable fabrics is tough without proper equipment and experience, you can dry vacuum soils and that helps. You can also allow fresh air to do its magic. And putting a few drier sheets under cushions will help as well. You can stuff drier sheets in other areas, as well, such as in automobiles, to help with the odors over time. The real way to get rid of smoke odors from fabrics? Call a professional fabric cleaning or disaster restoration company. Restoration companies are highly skilled at the task of smoke odor removal. They have the equipment, products, and expertise to thoroughly clean and deodorize odor-causing substances. They also have special processes designed to remove tobacco odors. Do the right thing. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art- MZ – Restoration – October 2020
Electric Heater Safety Tips and Advice You may have already detected a chill in the air. For some parts of the country, wintry weather will be here soon. For others, a milder but still chilly season is coming. To help stay warm, some supplement their main home heating system with an electric space heater. While considered safer than fuel oil space heaters, they still require special care and consideration so you can stay warm and safe during colder weather. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) organization, safety should always be a top consideration when using space heaters. While being warm may be at the top of your list of creature comforts, a fire, electric shock, or personal injury must be avoided. Here is what the EFSI suggests that everyone consider when using space heaters. * Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory. * Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully. * Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater. * Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater. * Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes. * Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month. * Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs. * Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard. * Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. * Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire. * Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use. While taking all these safety precautions will protect you, accidents do occur. If anything should happen, such as a fire or smoke damage, do the right thing. Reach out to your disaster restoration professional. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MarketingZoo Restoration article – August 2020
Mold in Unlikely Places Many people have a fear of mold and what it can do to your health, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies to mold spores. When you think of mold growth and contamination in your home, you assume it would apply to dark, damp basements and what can occur after a pipe breaks or other water damage situation. And you would be right, most of the time. But there are other issues that can come up that involve mold, and it doesn’t have to be in a dark basement or after a water damage event. If you have moisture, a food source, and especially dark conditions, mold can grow. Your bedroom As scary as it may sound, it’s true. Mold can grow on and even inside your mattress. As you sleep, you perspire, and that moisture can be all that mold needs to start to grow. While you can clean visible mold from the surface of your mattress, it is very difficult to get clean what is inside the mattress. A professional cleaning company may be able to help. But prevention is what you should concentrate on, and an appropriate mattress pad/cover will help. Your bathroom Common areas that can experience mold growth are around the base of toilets, shower stalls or bathtubs, and under sinks, such as in cabinet areas. It’s no surprise when you spot some mold in those areas. However, mold can also grow on cleaning supplies that haven’t been used in a few days, and even on toothbrushes such as those left unused because of a trip away. Anything you use that involves moisture (brushes, scrub pads, buckets) and especially stored in a dark place, be sure to clean and dry them completely. Your kitchen The kitchen is a mold playground, because of all the food sources combined with potential moisture. There are so many places mold can grow they can’t all be mentioned here, but obvious ones include inside and behind the refrigerator, under the sink, and in cabinets. Mold growth inside the refrigerator goes against logic that mold requires warmth – it is obviously not always true. Frequent inspections of dark areas where mold may grow unnoticed is important, such as under sinks and where there are pipes that can leak or simply have condensation on them. If you do find mold, do the smart thing and call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – Restoration – July 2020
Air Conditioner Overheating Prevention While water damage in a home is a common issue many have faced, a fire in your home is probably the most devastating. Statistics show that the leading cause of house fires is cooking, usually spawned by open flames on the stove and also high heat from the oven, usually when unsupervised. Many of you have cooked on a stovetop using some type of oil and in an instant, you have flames dancing above the pan. Those situations can quickly escalate into a major house fire. Fires from appliances is also an issue, because of overheating, faulty power sources, and other issues. One source of house fires that many don’t think about is from your air conditioning system. And this is the time of year, as summer heats things up, when it’s time to consider some safety precautions. Overheating issues While a central air conditioning unit sits outside your home and rarely overheats, it can happen. What happens more frequently are overheating issues with what we call window units. If the properly sized unit is not used, such as a small AC unit trying to cool a large room, it can overheat as it struggles to keep up with the demand. Many who use window units will run an extension cord to it if a wall outlet isn’t nearby. This is not recommended as that can cause overheating issues as the power load can heat the cord and cause it to melt and cause a fire. A very common and easy-to-ignore issue are the condenser coils. They can become dirty and when that happens, they struggle to keep up with demand. The entire AC unit can overheat and be a possible cause of a fire. The same applies to any air filters being used — make sure they are clean and in good condition. Your AC units should be installed according to the specifications of your home and the number/sizes of the rooms. Lastly, having an annual inspection by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company will help ensure that all your air conditioning units are operating safely and effectively. But if the absolute worst thing happens, and a fire is ignited, do the right thing. Don’t attempt cleaning up a fire and smoke damage situation yourself. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MarketingZoo article – Restoration – June 2020
Battling Tobacco Product Odors For those who use tobacco products, they may not notice the lingering odors that hang around in the air and stubbornly invade porous materials such as carpet, upholstery, fabrics and more. But for non-smokers, those lingering odors are a nuisance, and many valuable hours have fruitlessly been spent on attempting to remove them. Smoke odors from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are tough to remove because microscopic smoke odor particulates embed onto and into everything. Over time, these carcinogenic residues release odors. These steps will help eliminate, and may totally eliminate, odors from tobacco products, depending on how much time and effort is spent on restoring surfaces back to pre-smoke condition. Ventilation Fresh air brought into a home or building naturally helps remove foul odors from the air. Keeping the furnace and A/C filter clean is important. Clean Thorough cleaning and washing of surfaces is an important process. If you can launder items, that will flush out residues. Using detergent helps the water you use for cleaning to penetrate surfaces, which means better cleaning. Absorb Open containers of baking soda or charcoal are known to absorb malodors, so having them in your home will help. Be sure to refresh them by mixing or replacing every few days. There are professional grade absorption products you might obtain from a cleaning and restoration supply house. Deodorize After cleaning, applying a smoke-odor deodorizer will help destroy more odor-causing residues that you might have missed. Seal For surfaces that you can paint or seal, this will lock in odors from tobacco products. Painted walls will hold residues that cleaning may not penetrate deep enough to remove. Ozone One complete and proven method for removing smoke odors from any source (once cleaned) is by using ozone. Ozone machines remove odors by chemically changing the structure of odor-causing molecules, oxidizing them and destroying them so no more odors are released. Ozone can be dangerous if used in occupied spaces, so be sure to do your research and be completely safe if you choose to use this option to remove smoke odors. Most ozone treatments are handled by professional restoration companies, although you can buy or rent small units. Get help While smoke odors from residues is tough to remove, your favorite cleaning and restoration company has professional solutions that really work. Ask them what they can do for you. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ Restoration article – May 2020
When Bathrooms Flood It happens, and not at the most opportune time. You push the flusher, and then it all happens. The toilet overflows. You panic, you might scream…that’s just one simple issue, and with bathrooms there are many issues…. A clogged toilet may overflow when flushed, or a water supply line leaks under a bathroom sink, or someone (possibly you) starts filling a bathtub and forgets—any of these can turn the water loose in the bathroom. Not a good scenario at all. When this happens, it’s may seem it is all over, and you can’t fix what’s happening. However, there are some things you can do to fix some serious issues. Control the flow It may be a simple concept, yet when you can’t find the shut-off valve, panic can attack. Don’t delay – look for the shut off values now and be ready for what’s going to happen eventually. Watch the electricity Where there is water, and electricity, there is danger. Mark your power supply so you can find the breaker that turns off the power to your bathroom. Start mopping or extracting Standing water is not a good thing. While a fresh leak is one thing, if given time that water can start to seep into areas that can create costly damage. With the first inclination of water intrusion, start extracting. Of course, the best thing is to call your favorite water damage restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – Restoration – March 2020
Dryer Vent Safety Your washing machine and clothes dryer are valuable appliances, and they need maintenance from time to time. One very important component to maintain and keep clean because of the danger of fire is the dryer vent system. The vent system is the gateway for moisture-laden air to escape from the dryer to the outside of your home. The vent hose that enables this can be very short, perhaps just a foot or two in length, to several feet, depending on the distance from the dryer to the outside wall. The longer the hose run, the more lint that can build up in the hose, increasing the possibility of a fire. Besides a visual inspection, pay attention to how long it takes your clothes to dry. If it seems it is longer than when you first purchased your washer/dryer, it may be due to lint buildup in the vent hose, restricting air flow to the outside. If you have to restart your dryer because your clothes are just not drying, that should signal an inspection and cleaning of your vent hose. Inspection and cleaning Disconnect the electricity to your dryer before doing any work and remove the lint trap and make sure it is clean. Pull your dryer away from the wall and unhook the dryer vent assembly. You will need a tool for this, most likely a screwdriver. Carefully use the hose from your vacuum cleaner, insert it as far as you can into the hose, thoroughly vacuuming. Also vacuum the section of the dryer the hose attaches to. Also inspect and clean the assembly from the end of the vent hose to the outside of the home. Go outside, if possible, and inspect the opening. You might even find a bird has tried to nest in the opening, and occasionally bees or wasps have attempted to take up residence. You will need to clear out anything that can block the air flow to the outside. If you aren’t able to clean the entire hose, such as if it is too long, it’s better to play it safe and just replace it all. Lint buildup inside the hose can overheat and catch fire, and you must avoid that at all costs. And if the unthinkable does happen, and you have a fire in your home — or smoke damage — do the right thing. Call a professional restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MarketingZoo article – RESTORATION – April 2020
Restoring Damaged Ceiling Tiles Most of our attention is on surfaces or items at eye level or lower, such as on tables, or the flooring in your home. But when your eyes go up, you might start to notice something frightful… damaged ceiling tiles, and causing you to think “Oh, no, it’s mold!” It’s probably not. Most likely what you are seeing are damaged ceiling tiles from some type of water leak or moisture intrusion. Ceiling tiles are usually made from plants, minerals, gypsum, clay, other natural materials, so are very absorbent and show stains easily. Some are made from synthetic products and might not have as many stains from water leaks or moisture intrusion. Here are a few steps you can take to restore those damaged ceiling tiles. But remember that replacement might be a final option. Remove them Take pictures of your ceiling first, just to avoid the frustration of fitting them back, especially if some tiles are of different sizes. Vacuum your tiles, removing as much dirt and debris you can, which will be concentrated on the topside of them. Wash them You have to be careful now. Over wetting is an issue. In a typical spray bottle, use warm water and a few drops of dish detergent. Mist the tiles until they are damp and use white cloths to clean the surfaces. Use more detergent on heavier deposits of soil. Allow the tiles to dry. Bleach them Set the tiles out that still have stains. What you are going to do now is bleach away those stains. Don’t use chlorine bleach. Get some household hydrogen peroxide, easily found at a grocery store or pharmacy. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe bleach that will slowly remove stains. Mist the peroxide, using it straight (no dilution) over the stained areas of the tiles, and with a soft brush, work the solution into the tiles. The remaining stains often disappear in a few hours. If you see some progress, repeat the process. Paint them Besides replacement, painting your tiles is an option, but you may lose some acoustical ability, since some tiles are designed to absorb sound. It’s a decision you will have to make. And, of course, for any restoration work, such as cleaning of items that are damaged by water intrusion, call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro 
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Art-MarketingZoo article – January 2020 – Restoration
Deadly Candles Candles might seem quite harmless and innocuous, and we use them all the time for a variety of reasons, but did you know that they can be a big problem for most homeowners? According to some reports, nearly one billion pounds of wax are used every year to make candles, all sold to homeowners just like you. Besides traditional candles, there are other uses for those waxy substances. Thinking of that huge number of waxes being used, you can imagine some of them could cause issues with the safety of your household. No matter the use you have for candles and their place in your home, here are some tips to make sure all is safe in your household. Candle usage Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. And if this happens to you, don’t think you are alone. The flickering and warming effect of a burning candle is something most can’t ignore. FEMA reports that some 15,000 candle fires every year are preventable, with half of them igniting substances close to the ignition source. What you can do Remember the burning candles should never be left unattended. That’s the most dangerous part of using a candle, that you leave it for a moment and it then causes a home fire. Never leave a candle unattended. And keep them aware from anything else that can burn. Make sure the candle you use can’t tip over or catch other substances on fire. And, of course, make sure your children and pets aren’t within reach of your burning candles. Smoke alarms Don’t forget that no matter how safe you try to be, that nothing replaces a proper alarm. Make sure your smoke and fire alarms are in good working condition. And last… No matter how careful you are, it’s always best to get expert advice. Do the right thing and protect your family and friends. Call your professional restoration company for advice. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MarketingZoo-Restoration-February 2020
The Musty Basement Fixing a musty basement is a chore that must be done quickly yet can be very frustrating. Trying to chase down a musty odor is not easy. It’s a restoration project that is crucial to you enjoying your home. A smelly basement is not just an odor problem; it usually indicates something more severe is going on. What you are smelling could be just damp materials, but it could also be mold growing, and the off-gassing of that process. This isn’t pleasant nor healthy. There are several steps you, as a homeowner, can take to help fix this issue. Step #1 Doing some simple cleaning can accomplish quite a bit. Keeping things clean – and dry – is key to curbing the smells that can come from a basement. Take the time to inspect all the materials in your basement and take out and clean those that might be damp or have an odor. A little suspicion goes a long way. Most likely, these items that could have odor issues are porous materials, such as clothing, bedding, and similar items. Have your carpet cleaned professionally, if there is carpet in the basement. Using a home carpet cleaning machine might actually do more damage than good. Hire a pro. Step #2 Look at the sources of potential musty odors. Windows that are drafty, walls the seep in water, anything that can create odors should be inspected and addressed. Remember that musty smells usually come from mold growth. Step #3 Although you may think that your basement is nice and dry, it might not be. The only way is to monitor the humidity level. You can do this with a hand-held device, the type your restoration pros use, but that may not be practical for you. Those devices can be very expensive. Better yet is to set up a dehumidifier that has that information on it with its display. This way, you can run the dehumidifier as needed to keep the humidity at the level you want it to be. The lower the humidity, the less you should experience musty odors in the basement. And the absolute best way to know if those musty smells from the basement are due to water intrusion, or other restoration issues, and what to do about them, is to consult with your favorite water damage professionals. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ article – Restoration – November 2019
Getting Ready for Weather For many across the country — and the world — changes in weather patterns, especially from warmer weather to colder weather, means preparing the home for the inevitable intrusion of wind, rain, and more. What does that involve? One would be weatherproofing, which means you are proactive in protecting your home from suffering from damage. Even a small freezing-cold draft entering a home and affecting a pipe can freeze it and cause it to burst, resulting in a water damage situation. Here are some easy time-saving tips to ensure you not only save money on your gas or electric bill but also minimize the risk of damage to your home in very cold weather. Inspection This means start looking for openings — any openings — in your home that can allow air or water intrusion. For air intrusion, check around doors and windows, and this is pretty easy if you just hold a facial tissue up around potential cracks and crevices. If there is any type of air leak, the tissue move and show that. For possible water intrusion, look for water stains in basements, around windows, any place that seems possible for water to enter your home. Plug any openings you find with quality materials. Filters and vents You want the maximum efficiency from your furnace system so change all filters on a regular basis, usually monthly. Now might be a good time for a professional inspection of your duct work and having the ducts cleaned, if they are soiled. Replace old weatherproofing All your doors and windows should have weatherproofing material. With time and weather factors, these weatherproofing strips can and will age and become brittle and fail. Purchase quality replacement weatherproofing materials and replace them if you notice they are not providing an air-tight seal. It’s not a bad idea to replace them every few years no matter how they appear. Prevent to protect With a thorough inspection and a little work on your home, you can prevent issues from arising during cold weather. Spend the time to do it right. However, if something bad does occur — it happens! — and you suffer from any type of damage to your home, do the right thing and get professional help right away. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Art-MZ- Restoration – December 2019
Evidence of Water Damage When something fails, such as a high-pressure fresh water source to your toilet… or perhaps a leaky drain pipe underneath the kitchen sink… no matter what it may be, you usually know what to do. You know the drill… clean it up, get it dry, and call a professional water damage restoration company to ensure all is good and there is no possible way mold can grow. You want peace of mind, and this is the way to get it. However, sometimes you just don’t know when things happen, when things leak or when water intrusion occurs — because it can be slowly invasive and build up over time. There are several steps to determining if you have an actual water damage situation and when you must call a pro — and when you can do it yourself. Remember, you can’t be too cautious with the well-being of your loved ones. The nose knows Damp and wet areas affected by water intrusion demonstrate themselves after a day or two with a very easy to detect odor. It will just smell wet, musty, and unhealthy. If you detect anything like that, it’s time to do some serious investigating. You may not actually see the water intrusion, but no doubt it is probably there. Surface damage You can often see swelling materials, such as the particle board under a sink, providing evidence of water intrusion. When things buckle, even if you notice it after the surface has dried, there is potential of subsequent water damage, because if it leaked once… it will again! Stains You can usually see this in the ceilings and areas around water sources. Sometimes it is around windows. If you detect water marks (think of a carpet under a water fountain in a building) then you need to put your investigative hat on and figure out if it is a big deal or not — and most likely, it will be a big deal. The evidence of water damage can be easy to see, and sometimes it hides and continues to affect surfaces and your health until it becomes a serious issue. If you have any water damage issues or questions, do the right thing. Call your favorite water damage professional company today. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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When Insurance Fails
Devastating pipe breaks, failing sump pumps, a smoky kitchen fire, the roof leaking from damage from high winds… no one wants to deal with any of that. But it does happen, and when it does, you probably do what is natural – you pick up the phone and call your insurance company, most likely your insurance agent, who may direct you to anyone from a central call center to handle your claim, an insurance adjuster, or perhaps to a local disaster restoration contractor they know. And then the fun begins. You aren’t sure yet if you have coverage, because the insurance company is dragging its feet. The adjuster isn’t able to come out for a few days, something you can’t believe. You worry, fret, and wonder if the damage to your home will be covered, and if you will have to pay for some (or all?) of the damage. You know you have to cover the deductible, and that’s not cheap. The work begins. Everyone is in a hurry because if the damage isn’t fixed right away, other issues will surface. The restoration contractor does what he is trained to do, and the work progresses nicely, and eventually all is well again at home. A few days late, the adjuster shows up. And he delivers a devastating blow. While you have coverage, the cost to repair the damage is more than the insurance company feels is fair, so they will only pay a percentage of the costs. The rest? You have to pay for that yourself. What can you do? One thing is to get another opinion. Hiring an independent insurance adjuster to review the job, all the paperwork, and your insurance policy might shed light on the issue and give you more info you need. Depending on the new information you receive, you can revisit the issue with your insurance company. Taking this information to the insurance adjuster who you are battling with probably won’t do much good. It’s time to go over his head, as the saying goes. If the difference between the costs of repairs and the offer from the insurance company is high enough, you can also consider a claim to the state entity (such as the insurance commissioner) that has authority and power to help. Many claim to be subject to bad business practices. You might be advised to hire an attorney, all which will cost you more. The good news is if you hire the very best disaster restoration company, they have the experience to help you deal with all of this. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Triage Tips to Save Contents
The main goal for protecting your home from water damage situations is to prepare and anticipate what can happen. This means many things, such as keeping your sump pump in good working condition, repairing leaky pipes and dripping faucets, and ensuring that during cold weather your home is snug and tight against intruding freezing temperatures. But things do happen. Pipes break, spewing water everywhere. Flood waters can enter your home and wreak havoc while you are away. Leaky plumbing fixtures can slowly cause damage and spawn mold growth. When this occurs, it affects not only the building materials of your home, such as the walls, floors, and ceilings, but the contents as well. You know, the valuables you care so much about. These can be anything from stuffed animals to books to photographs to electronic equipment and more. Even mementos that just can’t be replaced. If any of this occurs to you and your home, use these tips for best content triage strategies. Safety first Before doing any type of work in your home after a water damage situation, make sure you are safe. This means your electricity and power sources are turned off (if appropriate and the damage warrants this), and water has been extracted or reduced to a minimum level. Document everything Before starting work, and during the work process, take pictures of everything. What you can’t dry and save yourself will no doubt be replaced with insurance dollars. But without proof, you might have a fight on your hands with your insurance company. Act fast! When contents get wet, damage is minimal — for now. Get those valuables up off wet surfaces and do what you can to dry them out and set them where they won’t cause more damage and where they can dry. Depending on the items, move them out into the sun for faster drying. Documents, pictures, and other similar valuables will need careful handling and professional care. Prioritize There are some items more valuable to you than others, and emotions can get involved. Prioritize what you are going to save. Odd are, if you don’t call a professional restoration company right away, you aren’t going to be able to save everything. Electronics and other valuables may be beyond saving. Don’t waste time on what can’t be saved. That’s what insurance is for. When you have any type of disaster situations at your home, whether from fire, smoke, floods, or water damage, do the right thing. Contact your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! 
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Garment Restoration
Storms, floods, water damage, and other issues that can impact you and your family are always a possibility. You want to be prepared as best you can. But sometimes, disaster strikes. It can be somewhat containable, such as a pipe that breaks while you are home and able to turn off the water. Other times, it can be flood waters entering your home during a storm and creating havoc with all your belongings. One important category of personal belongings that can become damaged by water (whether clean water, dirty water, or sewage) and that you would think is easy to clean up would be clothing, or garments. Just think of how many items of clothing are in your home. Can be a staggering number. The cleanup may not be as easy as you think. Consider these quick tips: The source of damage Most of your clothing can be saved, but if the damage is from sewage backup or other bio-contaminants, it is best to discard and buy new. While you want to save what you can, think of the health of your family. Anything damaged by sewage or bio-contaminants is best discarded. Separate and conquer Another step is to separate your laundry just as you would normally, but also create a category of “heavy soil” — such as clothing heavy with dried mud. Take those items outside and do your best to break off hardened mud and use a garden hose to remove as much as possible after that, and then after drying, launder them as normal. You don’t want to damage your washing machine by using it for muddy clothes. Practical steps Now it’s time to get to business with all those dirty clothes. Use quality laundry detergent and an appropriate disinfectant. Use hot water as practical. Here’s a very important tip. Don’t overuse the detergent. You might think because of the soiling that more detergent is best. It’s not. Use what manufacturers recommend and follow directions. If you need more cleaning, just rewash clothes repeatedly. A repeat washing continues to flush out soils. Be safe, be smart As you can see, tackling storm or water damaged clothing can be intensive, and we have only touched the basics here. Often, your damaged belongings are covered by insurance. Check with your insurance carrier. But for all restoration work, no matter the situation, do the smart thing. Call a water damage restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Drying out Water Damaged Papers
With the arrival and impact of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, many have given up their favorite pastime of reading paper newspapers and books. But if you look around your home, you may still find plenty of books, documents, and valuable paper products that you prefer over the electronic variety — or that you just can’t get rid of. Many of these items end up in the basement or other storage areas, and just when you least expect it, can become damaged from moisture, a broken pipe, flooding from storms, or a failure of your sump pump. Water damage can come from many sources. When that happens, it’s time to dry everything out, and that’s not always easy. The first step is to wipe off and remove as much excess water that you can, without damaging the paper. For loose papers, such as documents, lay them out individually on absorbent cloths and then carefully blot. If using paper towels, make sure they are pure white, with no color print on them. Loose papers are fairly straightforward to dry. Some air movement from a small fan can help the drying process. After drying, you can compress the papers to flatten them out. For books, very carefully open the covers of each book, and stand your books upright on a stack of several, absorbent pure white paper towels. Place several layers of absorbent towels inside the covers, and gently close them. Allow the towels to pull moisture from the pages; replace them as they get wet, checking frequently. As you progress, carefully open pages, perhaps every 20-30 pages or so, and place more towels or cloths inside those pages, closing the book, allowing moisture to transfer into the towels or cloths. Keep the book on its side as you do this. Eventually, as the book dries, you can open the pages, and put the book in front of a fan to continue drying out the pages. What if you have many books or documents, and they are valuable and must be saved and you don’t have the ability to do it yourself? That’s when it’s time to get some professional help. Put your damaged documents or books in the freezer. It’s now time to contact your favorite disaster restoration company for help. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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The Danger of Lightning
When warm weather arrives, most of us are subjected to interesting weather patterns and storms. Some of those can include dangerous lightning storms. While lightning storms can occur at any time, it is more common in warm, muggy, turbulent months, also known as summer. In the United States, some estimates indicate that there are more than 30 million lightning strikes that reach the ground. These can cause property damage, injuries, and even death for those in the path of a bolt of lightning. The first consideration for lightning storm activity is safety. Anything outside a building is subject to a lightning strike. Remember, lightning is naturally seeking a path to the ground, and if you are out in the open, you might end up being that path. Some feel that cowering under a tree or similar “protection” is going to help. Lightning is not always predictable. You may be hugging a tree and the tree is the path the lightning chooses to get to ground. That means you are in danger. It’s always best to get inside. Seek shelter in a building that can protect you. Most of the time, it’s your own home. And besides the possibility of lightning striking you, other dangers, such as wind, rain, and flooding, can be dangerous to you as well. While inside during a lightning storm, avoid contact with items that can conduct electricity: Pipes, cords, electronics such as televisions and computers, items that you use every day but should avoid when there is a chance of lightning striking your home. After the storm, it’s time to inspect and test what might have been affected. You may have electronic devices that have suffered from the burst of electricity common to lightning storms. You also may have damage to property from the high winds the storm might have generated. There could be flooding in your basement or other areas of the home. Remember, even a well-built home can have water intrude, especially if it is driven by high winds. Check your sump pump, if you have one, is still operating. If it was affected by an electric surge, it may not work properly. Any resulting damage should be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy, which means repairs should be paid for. Do the right thing. Contact your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
The Saga of Sewage
When water damage strikes your basement, or any part of the home, you panic a little. But it isn’t too bad as long as it isn’t too deep. But when sewage strikes, that’s an entirely different situation. Raw sewage can’t be as easily removed and cleaned as a typical water intrusion, such as from a storm or pipe that has broken. The first order of business is to find out whose sewage it is. Did it come from your own home because it couldn’t drain properly? Is it a simple overflow from the toilet? Or is it from the sewer system backing up from the street? There’s a big, big difference dealing with your own poo and the poo of all your neighbors. The small jobs As mentioned, sewage can occur from a simple toilet overflow. Those dirty jobs are easy to handle. Put on rubber gloves, preferably rubber boots, and other protective gear so there is no skin contact. A wet/dry vacuum is a handle tool for picking up raw sewage, since you are dealing with just one overflow and the amount is small. After removing the waste, use a powerful disinfectant on the floor to clean the last of it up. If you have carpet, that might need to be replaced. The big jobs Some sewage backups occur because of a failed sewer system, not just a simple overflow of a toilet. A common issue with sewer issues is when your sewer line is attacked by tree roots. Over time, roots can work their way into the sewer line, as they search for water. The roots grow into the line, expanding and eventually plugging up the line completely. Then your normal household use of the plumbing system backs up into the home. The worst type is a backflow from the public sewer system, where gallons — or even hundreds of gallons — of raw sewage from all types of sources can enter your home. There are various causes of this, but the bottom line is you now have contaminants that are very hazardous to your health. When this happens, it’s time to protect yourself. Don’t attempt to go into the basement and clean it yourself, even if you have face masks and skin protection. The biological hazards are too great. This is one of those times you must call a professional water damage company, one that specializes in sewage issues. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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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. |
Battling the Invasion of Particulates
Most cleaning tasks are performed based on two criteria:
When it comes to your air ducts, which handle air flow in your home from your furnace and air conditioning, there is no easy way to visually inspect for soil build-up. Professional air duct cleaners, however, do have specialized equipment for inspections, and can run cameras into your ductwork. The best way to keep everything clean and healthy is to schedule a regular cleaning of your air ducts, to battle particulates that might build up in them. However, there are particulates that are of more concern and must be addressed immediately if discovered. Preventing duct contamination To ensure healthy air ducts, keeping dust and debris out (and mold) is vital. Consulting with your HVAC company on which high-efficiency air filters is smart. Don’t buy cheap air filters. The more particulates an air filter traps at the furnace and air handling system, the less gets into the ductwork and into breathable air space. Change your filters regularly. Set an electronic reminder on your phone or computer so you never forget. Some filters can become so clogged that particulates become airborne and contaminate breathing space. Keep your home as clean as possible with regular vacuuming and sweeping. Obviously, if horizontal surfaces are clean, less dust and particulates are disturbed with normal household activity. Mold and air ducts With warm air and humidity, there is always a chance that mold can grow, and if it grows in your air ducts, there’s really no way to know it is happening without a professional inspection. And in the event of a water damage situation, especially if moisture (water) intrudes into your air ducts, the risks increase that mold can be growing. Even when dried out, mold spore particulates can become airborne and cause respiratory issues. If someone in your household develops allergies or unexplained symptoms, it could be due to mold exposure. This doesn’t mean there is “deadly” mold in your home. It means certain individuals have a specific allergic reaction to mold. Everyone is different. If there is any doubt as to whether mold exists in your duct work or not, do the right thing. Call your favorite cleaning company right away. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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How Dangerous is Mold in Your Home?
Everyone wants the safest, healthiest home environment for their families. You would do anything to protect your loved ones from exposure to any substance that could cause them harm. One of those feared substances is “mold” and with what you have seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or “toxic” mold has affected the health of countless people — folks just like you. This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes? That’s a tricky question, because there are many types of mold and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little bit in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air. When you step outside, you are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing you can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out. Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities. The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding,” according to the CDC government website. The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean it up or have it cleaned up, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do your research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is, no doubt, getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal or remediation company. Keep your family safe. Call the experts. |
Keep 'Em Fresh!
Fresh is always best, right? And that’s especially true of something special and valuable in your home — fresh, cut flowers. Flowers make a great gift and everyone enjoys them. What’s frustrating is how quickly they begin to wilt and look tired and… then they look more like weeds than flowers. There are a lot of tips and tricks you can try to keep flowers fresh longer. No scientific evidence, but easy things you can try at home. You know those little packets of powder that comes with fresh cut flowers? The little packet your florist includes for free? It’s basically sugar – so if you don’t have some of those packets, just dump in a tablespoon or so of white sugar. The powdered sugar variety might be best since it will dissolve easier in water. Even cut flowers need a little nourishment, and who doesn’t like sugar? Keeping the water acidic is also a tip some pros endorse. Acidity is vital to plant growth, so adding an ounce or two of white vinegar might make those flowers look their best longer. The Clorox company recommends ¼ teaspoon of bleach for each vase of flowers, saying the bleach disinfects and keeps the water clear and free of that smelly slime we all experience after a few days on the counter. Another way to make flowers look better longer is kind of cheating. Some florists say to use hairspray on the underside of the petals and leaves. Obviously, this keeps them from drooping too much. No matter which tip, trick or urban legend you use for your flowers, the best advice is simple: Change the water in the vase daily, and enjoy those fresh, cut flowers as long as you can! |
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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. |
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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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. |
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:
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. |
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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. |
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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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. |
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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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. |
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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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! |
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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The Awesome Power of Flood Waters
DID YOU KNOW that just a little bit of water can become a huge headache? This is true for water that might get into your basement, such as from a pipe break or a sump pump failure. When this happens, you should quickly call your water damage pro because you know that it is really tough to clean it up yourself, plus you don’t want the added headache of dealing with mold. But another type of water you should be aware of isn’t one that always comes into your home from a broken pipe or a failed sump pump. It’s one that you can encounter while traveling, and you might not realize the danger. That’s right. We are speaking of flood waters. When you see the stories on television, you know how dangerous they can be. We’ve all seen the clips and photos. But… did you know that it doesn’t take much water at all to put you and your family in danger? Beware! It can happen to you… The amount of water you can wade in safely at the beach doesn’t mean it is safe on the road. It only takes a tiny amount of water, maybe just an inch or two, to cause hydroplaning and loss of control of your vehicle. And if you encounter six inches of flood waters, you can be in big trouble. You not only can hydroplane and lose control, but when you stop, your car can stall, leaving you stranded. Add in another six inches of water and now your car can float away, with you inside of it! You think big trucks are safe? Normally, they are, but it only takes two feet of surging flood waters to float away a big truck. So play it safe. Stay in when there are reports of flooding. And when you must travel when there is heavy rain, stick to designated (and safe) driving routes. While your water damage pro can handle anything that happens in your home, such as a flooded basement, he won’t be much help if you are in your car and you are floating away! |
Preventing Water Damage
DID YOU KNOW that a nice vacation is one of the most coveted, relaxing events you can experience? That’s right… a relaxing time in a beautiful location, enjoying time with family and friends… it can’t be beat. But that nice vacation becomes a disaster with all kinds of regrets if the family arrives home to a flooded house! It is one of the absolute worst events in life. You didn’t want to come home. You wanted to extend your vacation, but you know you have to go to work on Monday. So you arrive home late Sunday night, and when you walk in the door, instead of nice, plush carpet awaiting your footsteps, you discover a squishy experience, and the first thing you hear is the sound of a pipe spewing water all over the place in another room. Oh, if only you had been home when that pipe broke! If you had been home, you could have quickly shut off the main water supply and cleaned up the small mess. But Murphy’s Law dictates that if the worst can happen, it will. Pipes seem to break when no one is home. Sump pumps seem to fail when no one is home. The list goes on and on. What can you do? Here are some tips homeowners can use to ensure water damage does not occur: 1. Secure all windows and doors. Remember that a storm can drive water into your home if there is any type of opening, even a small one at a window. 2. Don’t turn off the heat! Keep the thermostat set at a level that ensures nothing inside will freeze. In winter months, you never know how cold it may get when you are on vacation. 3. Some hot water heaters have a vacation setting. Play it safe and take advantage of it. 4. This one is really important! Shut off all water supply sources to anything that might leak, like the washing machine. Even better? If appropriate, shut off the main water supply to the home, but leave instructions if anyone is going to visit or stay at your home while you are away. 5. Make sure your sump pump is in good working order. A failed sump pump means ground water is going to intrude and create havoc in your home. So enjoy your next vacation, but don’t let coming home be a disaster. Follow these tips to make sure you don’t suffer from a water damage disaster. (But if you do, call a water damage pro. They can fix it!) |
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These Are Dangerous Waters
DID YOU KNOW that even a little bit of water in the wrong place can be downright dangerous? That’s right. You want your home to be clean and dry, but once in a while, it happens… a pipe breaks, a basement floods, or a roof doesn’t do its job and the water comes right in. While a small amount of water can be cleaned up easily, large amounts require a professional service. And the “categories” of water damage should be considered, no matter how much water is involved. Category 1: Normal, “clean” water from a clean source like a leaky pipe, a sink, etc. This type of water is not considered dangerous, but if left unattended, it can quickly become harmful. Category 2: This is “grey” water and may contain contaminants and bacteria that could be harmful to your health. At this point, it’s best to call a professional water damage company. Category 3: This is “black” water and always considered dangerous to health of occupants. Do not attempt to clean this type of water, which consists of contaminants from sewage, toilet back-ups and flood waters. Always call a pro! While it may be tempting to grab the wet-dry vacuum and clean up water on your own, consider the risks to your health and to your family. It doesn’t take long at all for a small amount of water to become a big problem, such as mold. Be smart — call a water damage pro! |
Water, Water Everywhere!
DID YOU KNOW that water is the most essential element of life? That’s right. We all need water. We need it to bathe, to drink, to water plants and the grass, and even to enjoy recreationally, such as in a swimming pool. But are there times when you may wish water was scarce? Yes, such as when some water ends up where it shouldn’t be, like on your valuable wood floor. When that happens, you must clean it up quickly. If you don’t, permanent damage can occur. Any remaining water in your valuable wood floor means there is the potential of the floor warping and then requiring expensive sanding and refinishing. Worst case scenario? You may have to replace areas of the wood floor that can’t be fixed. Ouch! That’s expensive. Here’s the problem, though, the real challenge. When water does intrude, you can dry the wood floor with mops, towels and even that old box fan you have in the attic, but did you get it all? Is the water totally gone? You touch the floor; it seems dry, but is it really dry? It would be nice if there was a way to determine if all moisture was removed after your home suffered from water damage. Wait a second… is there a way? There is! There are specialized companies that have some really cool equipment that can detect even the smallest amount of moisture. Like in carpet, in walls, in your wood floors, for example. And that’s why calling a company specializing in moisture detection is a smart decision. Do it right. Call a water damage restoration pro. |
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Hiding in the Shadows
DID YOU KNOW that mold can develop in your home and all it takes are three common things? 1. Moisture: Mold needs moisture to grow, which is why you see it all the time in showers and baths… and, unfortunately, in basements. You can clean up the mold in a shower or bath, but when you see it in other parts of the home, it’s best to call a pro. 2. Food: Mold is alive, and needs to eat. So usually you won’t see mold growing on plastic surfaces in your home. It will grow on wood and other organic surfaces. However, dirt in the carpet or on the floor can be a food source, so keeping your house super clean is smart. 3. Darkness: Mold likes the shadows of your home, and grows quickly in the dark. That’s why basements are often the first place mold is discovered. Do-it yourself mold removal? If you are going to clean up some mold in your house, it’s important to protect yourself. A mold removal specialist knows the dangers of mold, and if you hire a pro, you will see him all suited up and protected against possible contamination. For cleaning up very small amounts of mold, like you might find in a shower stall, be sure to wear rubber gloves, the type that come up to your elbows. And wear a good mask, the type the EPA recommends (like an N-95 from your hardware store) so that you don’t inhale mold spores. Spores are actually the dangerous part of mold, and they are very tiny and float in the air, which means you can breathe them in. Eye protection goggles are also smart, but avoid goggles that have holes in them. Remember, do-it-yourself mold removal is only for those common molds like in showers and baths. Anything else? Call a pro! |
Protect Yourself
There aren’t many events that are more disturbing or more tragic than a flood or fire in your home. Your home is a place to raise your family. It’s a place to feel safe and secure. So when an event occurs that takes it all away from you — even temporarily — it’s normal for a feeling of helplessness to overwhelm those in the family. You need help. You need reassurance. You want everything to be back to normal and you can’t do it alone. So you turn to your insurance company and your agent you have been paying faithfully for many years. All you want is for your valuable items lost in the disaster to be replaced. That’s what insurance is for, right? But then you discover the hassle of proving what you had in the home and the condition of the items. Sure, you may eventually get replacements for all your lost belongings, but it can take a lot of time as you haggle with the insurance adjuster. How to avoid this Now is the time to prepare. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure that if the unthinkable does occur — even if it is just your basement flooding from rain waters — you are prepared. Step 1: Ask your insurance agent if he or she has a worksheet available so you can create an inventory of all your belongings. There are also online sites that have resources to document your belongings. Step 2: Create the list of all your valuables, even those just valuable to you, and take video or photographs of everything. Be sure to scan all your paper receipts. If you don’t have a scanner, take close-up photographs of your receipts. Step 3: You need to protect you documentation. Your lists, your photos, your scanned documents… all need to be put in a safe location. Most use the “cloud,” an online file system that can be accessed from any computer. Of course, you have the username and password, so all your data is safe. Protect yourself. Have the proof you need in the event of a disaster. |
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It's Not 'Just the Carpet'
Many water damage pros have been called by good people just like you who need help “just sucking up the water from the carpet.” This can be water from an overflowing sink, toilet, maybe a washing machine that got a little ambitious during the spin cycle… or it could be from something more serious, like a broken water pipe or roof damage from a storm. No matter what, some homeowners only see and think about the squishy carpet and don’t know about all those other areas in the home where water has affected it. That kind of thinking can get you into a lot of trouble. While water can just damage the carpet, it usually goes other places as well… such as down the register vents into floors below, behind baseboards and then under the walls and then up the drywall, into other rooms, under furniture that you never move, and into all kinds of other areas. It can also get into wood floors you thought were watertight, creating all kinds of very expensive problems if you don’t get it all dried out quick. Sucking up the water is just part of the job. Detecting where the moisture really went is important, as well as using professional tools and drying equipment to reach those areas and get them like they were before — bone dry, and safe for your family. Calling your water damage pro immediately and then listening to his expert advice is something smart consumers (just like you) must do when water causes damage to your home. If you wait too long, you invite a host of difficulties, such as mold and odors that are challenging to remove. Remember, it’s not “just the carpet” — it can be other areas of your home as well. Don’t take a chance. Call your water damage pro. |
When a Pipe Breaks
DID YOU KNOW that every home and business has water pipes, sewer pipes and lots of other pipes? Of course you do, and you also know that they can leak and break and create quite a mess. One thing that you need when this happens is a company to come to your aid — fast! When a flood happens in a home, there are many causes, such as a broken pipe, or maybe the hot water tank breaks, or sometimes the sump pump fails and the basement fills up with water. A flooded basement is not fun to come home to after a weekend away. Isn’t that when it seems things happen? Have you ever thought of turning off your water source when you leave for a long vacation? You might consider it, doing so if you don’t have someone staying at your home. Even though water damage companies can quickly put things back in order for you, it’s best you don’t go through the experience at all! But accidents happen. When you do have the unfortunate luck of a broken pipe or water coming into your home, you can, of course, clean it up yourself. But a professional water damage restoration company specializing in flood cleanup jobs has the professional equipment to quickly remove the water and then dry out your house so you don’t have to worry about mold or mildew starting to grow. Have you heard the horror stories about mold growing after a pipe breaks, a roof leaks or some other catastrophe? Some of these stories are true. Don’t let this happen to you. When disaster strikes, you need quick, professional and capable help. |
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Electricity Exposed!
Electricity. It’s an amazing force of nature and used by virtually everyone in the world, in some form or other. For most homeowners, and even those working in commercial buildings, the number of appliances that use electricity is mind-boggling. With that comes the issue of safety. After all, if you have a dozen (or more!) items all humming with power in your home, odds are that eventually there could be an issue with electrical safety. Don’t let that happen to you. Give these practical, household appliance tips some consideration to keep your family and loved ones safe while enjoying the benefits of anything powered by electricity. Although electricity can become exposed, you don’t want that! Smoke, fire, and other damage can occur. Appliance safety An “appliance” doesn’t have to be a stove or refrigerator. The term can refer to smaller items, such as space heaters. All appliances that use electricity generate some type of heat and can become unsafe if electrical connections become loose or damaged. That can happen with normal wear and tear and age of the appliance. Even gas appliances, such as an oven or stove, most likely use electricity to ignite the flame, or even keep track of the time of day. The job of certain types of appliances is to generate heat, and a lot of it, which automatically elevates the safety concern in the home. These can be toasters, toaster ovens, regular ovens and stovetops, space heaters, clothes and hair curling irons, hair dryers and more. The list can be extensive. Make sure, when applicable, there is plenty of space from anything that generates heat and anything that can ignite. Many homes have suffered fire and smoke damage because someone set down a clothes iron on something ignitable or the toaster was too close to the side of the refrigerator and papers attached to it caught on fire. We all know this, as well: When there is electricity and water, shock hazards can occur, along with possible fire ignition. Analyze each appliance and make sure they aren’t too close to any water source. Next month, we’ll discuss another appliance safety feature that you might be wondering about… power cords! And remember, if anything does happen in your home, whether it is a fire and smoke damage situation or flooded basement, do the best thing to bring conditions back to normal. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
How Dangerous is Mold in Your Home?
Everyone wants the safest, healthiest home environment for their families. You would do anything to protect your loved ones from exposure to any substance that could cause them harm. One of those feared substances is “mold” and with what you have seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or “toxic” mold has affected the health of countless people — folks just like you. This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes? That’s a tricky question, because there are many types of mold and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little bit in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air. When you step outside, you are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing you can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out. Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities. The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding,” according to the CDC government website. The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean it up or have it cleaned up, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do your research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is, no doubt, getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal or remediation company. Keep your family safe. Call the experts. |
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Keep Mold at Bay: Take Away its Food
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes how water damage situations (such as from a flood, leaky or broken pipe, sewage backup, etc) can be potentially hazardous… not just initially, but over time as well. Why? Because of the potential of mold and how it affects human health. Exposure to damp and moldy environments and materials can be especially harmful to those sensitive to irritants common to mold contamination. Some find that even being outside near plant life in the process of decomposition is a problem. Mold and mildew can run rampant under certain conditions, causing allergic reactions. So when a water damage does happen in your home, don’t take chances. Mold needs moisture. It needs to be fed. It will grow on organic materials that are wet. If you take away its “food” you inhibit the ability of mold to grow. Important reminders Remember that mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, anywhere there is a leak. This can be around windows, behind walls where water has intruded, from leaky roofs, and especially from leaky pipes – especially those that are leaking and you didn’t know about it! Many homeowners are tempted to clean up water that comes into their home, such as when a sump pump might fail or when a toilet might overflow. Good intentions for sure. But if you don’t get it really dry, really fast, there can be problems. Here’s a scary thought: Some professional water damage experts won’t even do a water removal job if they can’t get to it within 24 hours. They know mold could have started to grow and that means more work than simply extracting water and drying the home could be required. You don’t want all that headache. When any water intrudes into your home, remember it’s more than water. It’s breeding ground for mold. Do what’s best. Call your water damage pro! |
Until Help Arrives
There are many steps you can take as a responsible homeowner when flooding occurs in your home, whether from an overflowing toilet or a failed sump pump. First of all, keep it safe. Do not do anything that can cause physical harm to yourself or your family, which can mean working in areas with electricity that have water damage issues. Pick things up. When water intrudes, picking up smaller items and placing them out of harm’s way is important. For objects you value, normally smaller items, and can get to without danger to yourself, start wiping them off and getting them dry. Although your water damage pro will handle the final cleaning and restoring of valuable objects, you can do much to help the process. Some materials are sensitive, and need special attention. These can include wood furniture, fabrics, upholstery, rugs, art and other valuable items. If you can remove these from flooded areas and wipe them off and allow them to dry, you might assist the drying and restoration process. Especially pick up and allow to hang in a safe place items such as valuable rugs. As a general rule, get things up off the floor. These would be especially larger, more valuable items, such as sofas, chairs, tables, etc. Most water damage situations are just a few inches deep, so putting these items up could be possible and very helpful to preserve their value. But if not, don’t worry… your water damage pro (who is no doubt now on the way) can handle it. He has special wood or foam blocks or other items to do the job to protect your furniture and larger items. But no matter what, don’t delay in doing what is best: Calling your water damage pro! |
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3 Ways to Avoid Water Damage
What is a water damage? It’s anything that happens in your home that causes problems for you and your family. It can be a simple over-flowing of a sink onto the kitchen floor. Or perhaps a toilet didn’t flush properly and it sloshed out a bit onto the bathroom floor. Then again it can be a little more serious such as from a broken pipe that spewed water everywhere in the basement when it was time for spring watering of the flowers. No matter what, a water damage in your home is bad news. Even the tiniest bit of water can cause all kinds of problems, from the worse (mold damage) to the least (pesky odors). There are three things you can do to help prevent water damage in your home.
While there are other ways water damage situations an occur in your home, these are the common ones. Don’t make a mistake… prepare now and avoid problems in the future. But when the worst thing happens, such as a water damage in your home, don’t delay. Call your water damage pro today! |
What Can FEMA Do for You?
A flood, fire and other disasters are devastating to families. Thankfully, there is assistance you can take advantage of. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides help to many of those in need; homeowners and others that need special aid when a disaster strikes. What do you have to do to get assistance? Just ask for it. Here’s how. Although the government and its workers are not always quick to respond, you can get the process started by visiting this link. You can also call the FEMA helpline at (800)621-3362. You will enjoy an automated voice service but be patient and you should have your questions answered. What’s next? After you apply for disaster assistance, FEMA will mail you a copy of your application and a copy of a document entitled “Help After a Disaster.” This is especially helpful if you don’t have insurance coverage for the disaster event your family is facing. This happens more than you think. Here is what FEMA says they will do for you, in part, according to the government website:
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Stressed-Out Lawns
Remember how lush and green your lawn was in the spring and early summer? You loved it. Then August hit and things started to go downhill from there (unless you carefully and regularly watered your lawn, that is!) Now that summer is quickly fading away, it’s time to start thinking of what you can do to keep your lawn in good condition and prepare it not only for the rest of the year, but also for the next growing season. The first thing to remember is not to cut grass too low. You have mowed your lawn a dozen times or more, and you are tired of it, right? That’s normal. So your inclination might be, “Well, the lawn is almost done so I’ll just cut it shorter and cut it less frequently.” Don’t forget that taller grass is able to withstand the elements better, not just less rainfall but also fighting off invading weeds. This is a good time to aerate your lawn. You can hire a professional lawn company to do this for you, or rent a machine for do-it-yourself lawn care enthusiasts. This opens up the soil so moisture can penetrate and help roots to draw moisture and nutrients into the visible grass blades. This helps the lawn continue to grow through the fall and even prepares it for the next spring. Lastly, consult your local home improvement center and determine, according to where you live and winter weather conditions, the type of fertilizer treatment you can use in the fall to prepare your lawn for winter. Studies show that fall fertilization practices is really good for the health of your lawn. Hurry up, before the snow flies! |
Protecting Important Documents
It’s natural. It’s human nature. You don’t really think about this very often. What are we talking about? Water, fire and smoke damage. When you do think about what may happen to your home, and then take action to prepare, what you do is usually minor and easy to do… such as turning off your outside water supply when winter approaches and testing smoke alarms and replacing fire extinguishers on a regular basis. Yet there is one very important action you should take right now in preparation for the unthinkable. That’s right, protecting your important documents, such as your birth certificates, marriage license, financial papers, insurance policies and similar documents. Most homeowners keep all their important papers and documents in what they consider a safe place, such as in an organized folder in a home office or secure location where they know exactly where everything is. Unfortunately, that’s not really very safe when there is flooding or fire and smoke. Others might utilize a water and fire proof safe, which is a great idea. Yet there is something additional you can do to 100% guarantee your important documents are safe no matter what happens. Scan them and put them on the “cloud.” You may already do this, and if so, congratulations. No matter what happens to your home, your documents are safe and can be accessed from any device connected to the internet. But if you don’t, get a cloud-based storage account that has plenty of storage space for your needs and start scanning those documents. Keep them organized in online folders, and make sure those in your family who should have access to them have username and passwords they can use in an emergency. You should still keep the originals as safe as you can, of course. And when the unthinkable happens, when you do have a fire, flood or mold damage, don’t forget there is professional assistance for you: Call your disaster restoration pro for help. |
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Water Damaged Electronics
It’s a terrible sinking feeling (pun intended) you get when you drop your iPhone, iPad or Android — or other expensive hand-held electronic device — into water, such as a sink, bathtub or (gross) toilet. When that happens, you respond quickly. You dip your hand into the offending reservoir, grab the device and shake it vigorously, hoping against all odds that you can force all moisture out before permanent damage occurs. You may even dunk your device into a bag of rice, hoping that online tip you read about rice pulling moisture from electronic devices is true. You may submit it mercilessly to the business end of a hairdryer until it is too hot to hold. What’s the best thing to do when electronic devices suffer from water damage? Some devices are water-resistant or water-proof. If that’s the case, quickly removing the device from the water and drying it might be all you need to do, along with hoping the manufacturer wasn’t overselling this benefit. Replacement might be the only option. Check your warranty. It may cover this type of accident. If your device is the victim of a direct spray of water, quickly wiping it down, removing the battery (if possible) and cleaning as much of the interior as possible may solve the problem. With the power off, put the device under a heat lamp or even in direct sunlight — but not for too long. Too much direct heat can cause damage. The rice trick mentioned earlier only works for that last little bit of residual moisture. Remove as much moisture as you can before using rice or other absorbent compounds. If your device, once dried, seems to work… that’s good. But don’t be surprised if you notice a decrease in performance over time. Residues can cause future problems, even resulting in total loss of power or performance. Before any of this happens, you should protect your data, which is often more valuable than the device itself. Use a good online storage program. The best bet, however, with water damaged electronics is to call your water damage professionals right away. Odds are, they have a contents restoration specialist on staff who can give you the guidance and help you need. |
Fire Prevention Safety Tips
While a water damage occurring in your home from a rain or windstorm, a broken pipe or perhaps an overflowing sink or toilet is a terrible event to experience, virtually nothing is as devastating as a fire. And while statistics indicate a downward trend in house fires, mainly because of better, modern safety protocols, it is still a huge issue that must be addressed. For example, in 2013 there were more than 1,200,000 home fires, nearly 3,500 deaths and 16,000 injuries reported by the National Fire Protection Association. More than half of home fires start in one of your favorite places: The kitchen. That’s right. Cooking is an everyday occurrence and it is the number one cause of fires. Usually on the stove. Other causes include candles, Christmas trees, overburdened electrical cords/outlets, appliance malfunctions and cigarettes or cigars, to name just a few. What can you do to make things safe in your home and protect your family? Safety protocols The following list of fire safety tips will protect your home and family.
If a house fire does happen, we hope your loves ones are perfectly safe and healthy. But odds are, your home and belongings will need professional attention. Call your fire and smoke damage professional right away. |
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Kitchen Health Hazards
It’s that time of year when you start planning for family and friends to visit and, since you are hospitable, you start thinking of all the delicious meals, snacks and beverages you will serve them when they arrive. Despite the very best attempts of you and your guests to keep things on the plate, in the bowl, in the glass and on the spoon or fork, the inevitable happens: Food or drinks spill, and for some reason they always spill on the carpet. Usually white carpet. There is no need to panic, but there is a need to gather your thoughts, keep your cool and not overreact to the situation. That is difficult when you witness a full glass of merlot splashing onto your white, wool rug in the middle of the living room. Your first reaction might be to grab a random cleaning product from the collection underneath the kitchen sink. This can be a mistake. Some consumers have been known to use window cleaner, bathroom tile cleaners and other products on carpet. Instead, keep things simple. Use these three, easy-to-remember procedures: 1. Scrape and Blot: If the spill is food related, scrape up as much as you can. Then, using white, disposable paper towels or white, washable cotton towels, start blotting up the spill. Keep at it until the area you are working on is fairly dry and you have removed as much of the spot as you can. Then… 2. Add product: Using a flip-top or trigger sprayer application, apply small amounts of a product manufactured specifically for carpet fibers. The best products for this can be obtained from your carpet and furniture cleaning company. Blot in between applications, and when the spot is gone, use a little warm water to help remove the cleaning residue, blotting as you do so. Then… 3. Blot some more: When the job is complete, and you are happy with the results, blot until all moisture seems to be removed and then leave a white, absorbent towel on the spot with a weight on the towel, so any remaining moisture wicks up into the towel. Leave the towel in place for several hours. But when the occasion occurs (and it will) and the spot just won’t come out, stop your work to avoid damage to the color texture of the carpet and “setting” of the spot or stain. Quickly call your carpet and furniture cleaning specialist. |
Mysterious Mustiness
It’s easy to know where musty or moldy odors are coming from after you have suffered from a water damage, which happens from a broken pipe, overflowing toilet or flooding from rainwater, to mention a few. But what do you do when you notice a mysterious “musty” odor in your home? Nothing is broken. There was no big storm. The sump pump is chugging away like normal. Mysterious musty odors can be caused by a variety of situations. Figuring out where they are coming from and remediating them is the challenge. What are some common causes? Ice dams are the bane of winter. Ice dams are created on roofs in cold climates. They develop when snow accumulates on a roof with a slope, the snow starts to melt and the water slowly moves down the slope to the eaves or gutters. The water can’t drain because of the amount of debris in the gutters, such as from leaves. It then refreezes, creating an ice dam, which means during the next thaw water can’t drain through the obstruction. This then causes leaks through the roofing material, and into your home. If the water intrusion is minimal, you might not even know it is happening, until your nose knows… detecting that mysterious musty odor. Leaky drains are another cause of musty odors. If the leak is very slow, water can drip, drip, drip… and over time cause damage under sinks. You don’t notice it because it’s hidden, and the amount of water is contained in a small area. But you start to notice the smell, that mysterious mustiness that you are determined to eradicate. Severe condensation on windows is easy to see but often homeowners don’t appreciate the damage potential. This odor-causing issue is caused by excessive moisture in the home, especially in the winter when windows draw the moisture onto cold surfaces. The moisture itself isn’t the problem. The problem is when the moisture moves down into the window sills and any natural woodwork or even wall interiors get wet and create that mysterious musty odor. What can you do? Do an inspection. Look at all areas in your home that water can intrude or accumulate. Your restoration pros have the equipment to do it right, with moisture meters and special cameras that detect moisture. Be smart. Give them a call. |
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Candles and Scents
There’s nothing more inviting than the smell of delicious cookies, cakes or other tasty foods being prepared in the kitchen. Your nose can’t help but lead you to the source. There are other smells in many homes that are inviting as well… those nice fragrances from scented candles. There are hundreds of scents available, from favorites such as vanilla, citrus, lavender, and more. Some scents smell just like cookies or cakes in the oven. Of course, you don’t get the benefit of eating them! Yet, as inviting as those scents may be, there are some concerns you should consider as you burn them. Pollution issues It’s been noted by various environmental groups and indoor air quality specialists that burning candles can produce pollutants such as acetone, toluene, benzene and others. It’s what is found in soot, considered a hazard all on its own. More and more people — perhaps just like yourself — love the smell of these scented candles. Yet are they putting off smoke, even invisible smoke, that can be leaving an unhealthy residue in your home? It could be. Remember, soot is the product of material that didn’t totally go through the combustion process of burning. If the flame of your candle isn’t totally blue, no doubt there is soot being produced. What can you do? Choose your scents wisely. Opt for natural wax materials, such as beeswax or soy candles, both of which are better choices than wax made from petroleum products. Natural materials may cost more, but is a better, safer and healthier choice. Make sure your wick is burning adequately. The wick should burn evening with the melting wax, and curl as it burns. Ensuring the wick is less than ½ inch long when you light it will help. Keep your candles burning where there is limited or no draft. Air movement can cause the flame to burn erratically possibly create more soot or pollution. Don’t burn your candles all the time. Make it a treat. Burn them when you are in the mood for a nice scent in the home. And when you do have issues with your candles, such as a residue on surfaces in your home, call your restoration pro. They can help determine if your candle burning habits are safe! |
Dripping Your Way to Trouble
Drip… Drip… Drip… a leaky pipe or drain may not seem to be that big of a deal, but it could be the first indicator of big trouble coming your way. Most people — just like you — think of water damage situations as a broken pipe spewing water all over the place, or perhaps a failing sump pump resulting in a basement that imitates a swimming pool you did not want. Other water damages can occur from an overflowing toilet or — even worse — sewage backup that can mean replacement of surfaces and belongings in your home. Catastrophic water damage situations, such as from a storm, flood waters and similar water intrusions, are about impossible to predict and prepare for. But when it comes to smaller issues, you can do quite a bit to keep your home nice and dry and free of musty, moldy odors. The first step is prevention. If you have a faucet dripping, you may think the only loss would be pennies a day. But what if your drain plugged up and you were gone for an extended period of time? Drips can quickly add up and create an overflow that can cause expensive water damage. And a leaky pipe under a cabinet or toilet is really bad news as that can quickly get worse and flood your home. So be sure to either fix these issues yourself or hire a plumber. The second step is to dry out any existing moisture that may exist in areas that can be damp from either dripping water supply pipes and hoses to drains. Wipe up as much water as you can and get some air movement onto the surfaces affected. The third step is to get professional help. Call your water damage pro not only when emergencies strike, but to receive valuable advice in advance. Do what’s right. Call your water damage pro! |
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The True Value of a Restoration Company
When a fire, flood, water leak, mold growth or other issue that makes your home either inhabitable or just an inconvenience to deal with, you must decide “Will I clean this up myself, or hire a pro?” While some small, minor “disasters” can be tackled by a do-it-yourselfer, most restoration projects are best left to the pros. Here’s why. Safety Obviously, keeping your family and loved ones safe is important to you. When dealing with disaster issues, what might seem like a minor issue may actually be a dangerous situation. Water damage, even from the smallest leaks, can result in mold growth. Wet materials that might seem to be drying out could hold moisture in hidden areas. Smoke from a fire can be dangerous as well. Back to normal Anyone that has never suffered from a loss might not understand the emotions, frustrations and feeling of hopelessness that are common during a restoration project. Using a professional company means things move along quickly, and you are back in your home or able to use damaged rooms as soon as possible. Doing it yourself can make the project drag on for days longer than necessary, often with undesirable results. Insurance coverage Water, fire, smoke, wind, mold… what’s covered? And what’s not? Insurance policies are difficult to interpret, yet a professional disaster restoration company works with insurance companies every day, so they are best equipped to help you through the process of dealing with insurance agents and adjusters. You want to be treated fairly and receive fair coverage from your insurance company. Having a qualified, reputable restoration contractor in your corner helps with the entire process. Do what’s right. Call your disaster restoration company when you suffer any type of loss. |
Three Steps for Drying Out
There are many causes of water damage to homes and buildings, ranging from heavy rains, leaky roofs, broken pipes, failure hot water heaters, sewage back-ups and more. The cause of the damage must be considered when drying out a home or building. If it is “fresh” water, such as a broken pipe or leaky roof, the drying process is a little simpler than a sewage back-up. Small water damages that are concentrated to an area, such as under a kitchen sink, can quickly be cleaned up. Large water damages can take days to clean and dry out, often resulting in pesky odors that then must be dealt with. It’s that pesky odor that tells you not all is well, and more work needs to be done. Remove, Clean, Dry Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces quickly means less microbial growth, which can lead to potentially dangerous mold. Some people are highly sensitive to mold spores, while others show no physical reaction at all. Don’t take the chance in learning the hard way how you might react to mold. Prevention is best. To ensure the safety of your family, there are three basic steps:
Remember, water damage can be potentially dangerous even after you think surfaces are dry. If it feels dry, it just might be… but it might not. Professional water damage removal pros have meters and devices to determine when surfaces are totally dry. And they have the products and equipment necessary to do the job right — items you can’t buy at your local grocery or hardware store. Play it safe. Protect your family. Call your restoration pros for any type of water damage to your home. |
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The Dangers of Soot
It doesn’t seem that dangerous. It’s just the byproduct of a fire… maybe from a chimney, a furnace puff-back, even an over-zealous gas grill. When the fire is out, you should be able to clean up the soot residue easily, right? Not so fast! Soot has some characteristics that everyone should consider before attempting to clean. Those who perform fire damage work understand the dangers of soot. So do emergency personnel like firemen. In fact, outdoor soot is regulated by the EPA, classified as a criteria pollutant. Consider these facts about soot. Soot is made up of very fine carbon particles that become airborne and can remain airborne for quite some time. You must consider this if any type of fire occurs. When it is in your breathing space, it can end up in your lungs. You may not realize it is happening, but it is, and it can cause damage to your mouth, nose, throat and, of course, where it ends up… in your lungs. And did you know that “harmless” wood smoke has many chemical similarities to cigarette smoke? Skin contact can be dangerous. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says the specific type of hydrocarbons in soot are classified as a “known human carcinogen.” So if you do attempt any cleaning, remember that simple contact, not even breathing in residues, can be potentially harmful to you. Ventilation of affected spaces is required. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is a must for the professionals, and so it should be for you if you do any of the work yourself. Qualified respiratory, skin and eye protection should be purchased. So when you do have the unthinkable happen, such as from a fire, furnace puff-back or other source that produces soot, think carefully before proceeding. It’s best to leave the tough work to your disaster restoration pros! |
Create Your ‘Go Bag’
Floods, fires, high wind and other damaging events caused by inclement weather can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone. Thinking and planning ahead can give you peace of mind. One great way to plan ahead is to create an emergency preparedness kit, or as some call it, a go bag, which is a backpack, small suitcase or other type of container packed with essential items you might need in the event of an emergency, especially if you are evacuated from your home. While it is true odds are in your favor that you may never have to evacuate your home or relocate on a temporary basis, when it does happen, your basic needs will be cared for if you have a go bag ready to… go. When you build your own go bag, remember that one size does not fit all. In other words, there is no perfect list for you or your family, just suggestions. You must base your own go bag contents on what you need. What should your go bag include? Several essential items, such as:
Don’t forget other items that may not be considered if you are in a rush, such as cell phone chargers for your mobile phones, extra keys to your home When you compile your food items, think protein… such as in protein bars, nuts, beef jerky, just to list a few. When you visit your local grocery store you will be surprised how many options you have available to you. Some people even include battery-operated radios, whistles, pocket knives and multi-tools, butane lighters, dust masks, maps, notebook and pen or pencil, extra eyeglasses and more. When disaster strikes, don’t forget you have some expert help and advice from your disaster restoration pros. They will be there to help you restore or rebuild what you have lost. Give them a call. |
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Toilet Tragedies
There’s not much that can cause a panic and loud screaming than when the handle of the toilet is pushed and — instead of everything swirling down into the sewer line — it all comes rushing back out. You know what the “everything” is... and you surely do not wish to be the offending flusher who must clean it up. But someone needs to do the dirty work. Yes, when a toilet overflows, it’s time to put on your best game face and get ready for action. Put this nightmare behind you. But before you start work, you might wish to reach for good shoes, like rubber boots, along with gloves and other protective gear. A nose clip might not be a bad idea, either. The first order of business is to stop this exciting event from happening again. Be sure the toilet is unplugged, draining, and working properly. If you clean everything up and it all happens again, your nightmare just repeats itself. Scrape up any (ick) solids and soak up any liquids with disposable towels. Remove as much excess contamination as possible. Then liberally apply a strong disinfectant cleaner, something appropriate for this type of work. Your local hardware or grocery store will have a selection of products, and you may have something under your kitchen sink that will work. Wipe down everything, even if in doubt if a surface was affected. Better safe than sorry. After doing all of this, do it one more time, just to be sure. Follow this with cleaning the same surfaces with a typical bathroom cleaning product, to remove any remaining residues. Although this is a common occurrence and it is a safe bet that every home has a vengeful toilet that has belched up offending olfactory gunk, be sure to do a thorough job with your cleanup process. Bacteria can grow and affect the health of your family. To keep your home clean and healthy, there’s something else you can do. Reach out to your restoration pros. They know how to handle not only floods, mold, fire and smoke damage… but sewage backup as well. Let them handle the icky stuff. |
The Leaky Hot Water Tank
What a mess! What are we going to do! Have you ever said something like that? If you have experienced a leaky hot water tank… you probably have. When it happened, hopefully it was in an unfinished basement and not in an area of the house that suffered severe damage. Leaks can happen anytime there is contained water, in any pipe, hose, or appliance. For hot water heaters, you add the element of pressure and heat. A leak can quickly turn into a spray of water, and a bad flood. To add insult to injury, when you discover a hot water tank is leaking or flooding your home and you turn off the water, chances are those remaining 50, 60, 70, 80 or more gallons are still going to come out to haunt you. Some water tanks are big. Good for multiple occupants in your home… bad for flooding. Adding insult to injury, when your hot water tank fails, you not only have to clean up the mess, but now you don’t have… hot water. It’s a cold shower for everyone until you get it fixed. Of course, if a leaking hot water tank ruins your day, it’s time to bring in the water damage professionals. But there are some steps you can take so this never (hopefully!) happens to you. An aging issue Like any appliance, the older it gets, the more likely it may have issues. Some experts say a tank should last between 8-12 years. How long have you had your tank? If much longer than that, you may be living on borrowed time! Replacement may be necessary. Healthy checkups You can keep an eye on things yourself. Once a month, look over your hot water tank, inspecting for evidence of water seepage. Often, this comes from underneath the tank. If any moisture is noticeable, call a plumber and get it fixed ASAP. An annual inspection by a plumbing company is a good idea as well. These visits are not that expensive and can really save you in the long run. Flush away troubles When you don’t see it, you don’t think about it. But inside your water tank, sediment and residues are building up. These can cause all kinds of issues. You can flush out your tank by (after reducing the temperature, of course) attaching a garden hose to the connection at the bottom of the tank and removing all the gunk and goo down there. It will have to drain somewhere, which could be a challenge. Of course, if you don’t want to mess with this, have your plumber do it for you. When the unthinkable happens, though, and you are facing inches (hopefully not feet!) of water to clean up, and damaged belongings in your home as well, it’s time to call your water damage experts. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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Appliance Adversities
Water damage issues in your home can really ruin a good day… week… or month. You want to do all you can to avoid any type of flooding because damage can be quite extensive and expensive. One thing you can do to avoid future issues is to ensure your appliances are in good working order and that they don’t spring a leak that can damage your home. Obviously, the biggest threat in your home is the toilet. Or toilets, if you have more than one bathroom. They can plug up, overflowing when you flush them. They can also leak at the seal, where the toilet sits on the floor. And, of course, the supply line can leak, sometimes slowly but occasionally with a strong spray of water. This normally happens when you replace the parts inside the toilet tank. Make sure you do a good job when you work on your toilet! You don’t want any surprises popping up. Second on the list is your washing machine. Its job is to fill up with hot, soapy water, do some shaking, and clean your clothes, and then drain into the sewage system. However, sometimes the drain can become plugged and water can come spewing out, causing all kinds of damage. A hot or cold supply hose can also break, and if you aren’t home when that happens, the damage can be devastating. Be sure to inspect your drain and the condition of your hoses regularly. The seals on the door need to be inspected as well, if it is a front-loading machine. Third in this lineup of appliances is your dishwasher. It’s like your washing machine but doesn’t fill up with water quite as much, but if it springs a leak, whether from the drain or from the door, you will have a big mess. Using too much dishwashing detergent can also be a cause of a machine overflowing. Inspect the supply and drain hoses and use the appropriate amount of detergent. The seals on the door, like your front-loading washing machine, need some attention from time to time. When the worst happens, and your home suffers from any type of flooding, do the right thing. The safest thing. Call your water damage restoration experts. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Cold Weather Comfort
It’s coming. You can probably feel it right now. That’s right. Winter! Brrr! For some across the country, this means trying to keep warm and snug in the home. Some find comfort from their fireplaces. Others might use electric blankets. And others rely on space heaters, either gas powered or electric, to boost the comfort level their regular heating system can’t always provide, especially in sub-zero temperatures. Space heater safety is very important, as many suffer from accidental fires and burns annually from these necessary devices. The first consideration is which type of space heater you will choose. Electric models are considered safer than those which use fuel, which can be overturned and quickly cause a fire difficult to extinguish. So be smart when shopping and consider how the heater will be used and if there are children or pets (or clumsy adults) that might tip it over. Safety features
Safety tips
But if anything does happen, such as a fire or smoke damage, then it’s time to get some professional help. Call your disaster restoration experts. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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It’s Bib Time!
Each year, just about November, homeowners living in colder climates must think about a simple winterizing job. And if you don’t live in colder climates, read on… because this will help you feel better about where you choose to hang your hat! When winter comes along, most think about what they can do to keep their house warm and draft-free. They make sure any weather stripping is in good shape; they have the furnace and/or fireplace inspected; and perhaps have the ductwork cleaned. What many don’t consider is what’s outside, such as the hose attached to the hose bib on the side of the home. You know, what you used nearly every day to water the lawn, garden, and flowers. Remember, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and while that may not feel so cold to you as you wear a light sweater or jacket, it’s enough for ice to form and pressure to build up in the hose bib. When that happens, the pressure that builds up can damage the hose bib and break it. You might be saying, “I have a frost-free hose bib” — and while that is good and even better than a traditional hose bib, don’t trust it too much. They have been known to fail and cause flooding in homes. Now, you might be wondering why all the fuss. The hose bib might freeze and break and… it might not. If it does break, nothing really happens all winter and you just might think all is well. The problem is in the spring. When that hose bib is turned on, the break from the frozen water is back in the wall, not outside the wall where you hook up the hose. So as you are merrily watering away during a nice, spring day, you are also watering the inside of your home, perhaps flooding your basement with water. You can test your hose bib easily in the spring. Hook up your hose, crimp it, and turn on your hose bib. Listen carefully. If you hear water running in the wall, quickly turn it off. You have a break and probably need the services of a plumber. But if the worst happens, and you do have any type of flooding in your home — no matter the source — do the smart thing. Call your water damage company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
We’ve all heard Smokey the Bear give his famous, sage advice: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” While Smokey was right on the mark with his advice and, no doubt, saved millions of trees and countless lives with his message, the same applies to the affect you can have on your home and those you care about most: Your family. How can you protect what means the most to you? By using quality smoke alarms and ensuring they are kept in good working order, maintained and tested regularly. Here are some points to consider when choosing, installing and maintaining smoke alarms. Choosing the best When roaming the aisles at your favorite home improvement store or searching online, you quickly discover there are many options available and your initial thought of just buying one is dispelled. The most important consideration is one that uses two types of detection: Ionization and photoelectric. Using a dual-sensor alarm system adds a layer of protection for your family. The ionization detector option sounds the alarm faster when a fire is a fast-flame type. Photoelectric detectors sound the alarm best when a fire is slow and smoldering. Installing them properly This isn’t about just buying one fire alarm and putting it in the living room or kitchen. No, you need one smoke alarm outside each bedroom and another one in the hallway or central area of each level in the home. The alarms should be mounted on the ceiling, since heat and smoke rises. Keep them several inches from the wall, and away from both cold air return and fresh air supply vents. Maintenance and testing Most fire alarms come with a simple button for testing purposes. Once each month, safely climb up on a chair or ladder and push the button. A loud, very irritating screeching sound will emanate, indicating it is ready for action. Pushing the button again usually turns it off. While you are up there testing, use a blast of compressed air to clear away dust, cobwebs, and anything else that could interfere with the operation of the smoke alarm. Do this for all alarms in your home. Don’t forget to change the batteries on an annual basis. Set a reminder on your electronic device, such as your phone or tablet, or pencil it in on a paper calendar. And if the unthinkable happens, and a fire does occur in your home, don’t forget your disaster restoration professionals are ready for action. They can restore your home and belongings. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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How (and Where) Is Your Fire Extinguisher?
Protecting family and loved ones from danger that can occur in the home is a top concern and a priority for all. Besides ensuring your home has an adequate number of fire alarms and smoke detectors, that they are placed in appropriate locations, and are in proper working order, there’s another factor involved with protecting members of a household. It’s fire. A house fire is an unthinkable event, yet one that occurs more often than you might think. Some of the more common house fires start in the kitchen, often from cooking. A small grease fire can quickly grow and become devastating. Others can ignite from faulty wiring or over-loaded or overworked appliances. Still others are accidents, such as from turning over a kerosene-fired heater or a burning candle. There are many others. When any of those events occur, being ready for action is vital. Calling the fire department is at the top of the list. Battling even the smallest of fires without help on the way can be deadly. When a fire does occur, it’s natural to grab the fire extinguisher. But… where is it? Why not do a simple test. As you read this, ask those in the home right now if they know where the fire extinguisher is located. You might be surprised by the responses. But don’t get mad at anyone. Being unfamiliar with the location of the fire extinguisher is common. Then there are various types of fire extinguishers. Which one should you have? That’s a question you should ask of your fire-fighting professionals. Not having the proper extinguisher can be as deadly as not having one at all. So far, this discussion has been about one fire extinguisher. Yet you should have them placed strategically throughout the home, especially areas prone to fire. This could be several extinguishers of various types for a single dwelling. Finally, everyone in the household needs to know how to operate the extinguisher. According to FEMA, there are four basic steps, that could be remembered with the acronym PASS: 1.Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher away from you and release the locking mechanism. 2.Aim low and point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. 3.Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. 4.Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side. Of upmost importance is listening to the experts. Contact your local authorities for the absolute best fire prevention advice. And if the unthinkable happens, and a fire does occur in your home, don’t forget your disaster restoration professionals are ready for action. They can restore your home and belongings. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Power Cord Safety
We all need power. Especially of the electrical variety. Without it, nothing works. Your appliances that run on batteries might work for a little while, but without a charge, they die. Anything that is plugged into an outlet is worthless without that spark of energy we rely on virtually every minute of every day. And… when your power goes out… you panic! One aspect of power and electricity that is often ignored or forgotten is what carries it to various devices in your home. That’s right… the power cord plays an integral part of using electricity and should also be a concern when it comes to safety issues. In addition to the installed power cord, extension cords are frequently used to increase the range or reach of electrical outlets. No matter which type of cord you are using and the length, consider these safety tips to protect your home and family. Check for damage Make sure your power cords don’t have any cracks or breaks and aren’t frayed in any way. Replace rather than repair. A good fit When you plug a cord into a wall outlet, it should be snug, not loose and falling out of the socket. The third prong It may be tempting, but some outlets, such as in older homes, may not have the third hole. It’s an important safety component of modern outlets, as it grounds the electrical current. Never remove the third prong from cords. Match cords to usage Choose cords that are of proper weight and length and can carry the electrical load appropriate for the device being powered. Ask your electrician for details, if needed. Place them carefully Make sure cords are placed where they won’t be a tripping hazard, and never put them under rugs or other furniture, especially heavy items, which can crimp and break the cords. If the unthinkable occurs and you do experience a fire of any kind, and related smoke damage, do the right thing. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. It pays to call a pro! |
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Sump Pump Misery
Your home may be nice and warm — and dry — but if you have a basement and a sump pump, anything can happen if there is a failure of your trusty remover of ground water. Sump pumps work to keep basements dry in certain geographic locations, and we trust our own pump will continue as a reliable sentinel of protection. Yet, as is the case with any mechanical device, failure will eventually happen. How long should your sump pump work? It depends on several factors, including how hard it works and the mineral content of the groundwater it is pumping out. Anything can happen. The experts say that a sump pump should last an average of 10 years, so do the math. How old is your sump pump? It might be a good idea to consult a plumber (or do it yourself) and replace it before it fails. How they work Sump pumps work on demand. When the ground is dry, they obviously don’t do anything. But when it begins to rain, or groundwater begins to rise naturally, the float switch rises and the pump starts up, removing water to the outside, usually to a storm drain. When the water level lowers, the float switch follows and turns off the pump. Sometimes, the float switch can become stuck in the “up” position, which means the pump will run continuously. Most people can hear their pump and if you notice it is running continuously, go look and check the float. If the float is down, and the pump is running, it is time to consider replacement. Over time you will get to know the normal sound of your pump and anything out of the ordinary will get your attention. Don’t ignore an abnormal sound. A flooded basement is no fun. Replacement The cost of a sump pump can be as low as $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on the model you choose. Larger capacity pumps cost more, obviously. Installing a sump pump can be straightforward, simple. When you purchase a new pump, such as at your favorite hardware store, ask for instructions. Some of them come with the pump, but the experts who sell you the pump also know what to do. You can also call a plumber. That shouldn’t be too expensive as a professional will make quick work of the task. And you have the peace of mind that the pump is installed correctly and working as it is designed. Of course, if your pump ever fails you and your basement floods, you need professional help to clean up the mess. Call your favorite water damage restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Seasonal Mold Removal
There are many types of mold, and you never want to put yourself or your family at risk when you see some in your house. When it is in your home, it’s time to call a mold professional. Fast! But outside the house? That’s a different matter altogether. One fact people don’t always appreciate is mold is everywhere. It’s a product of nature, and found inside and outside. When you find it inside, the mold spores can become concentrated, and depending on the severity of allergic reactions, can even be dangerous. That’s why mold contamination in a structure must be remediated by a mold professional. Mold that is outside your home is especially noticeable when it is on your home, such as the wood, vinyl or brick siding, or horizontal areas such as decking. When that happens, don’t panic… this mold is where it should be and isn’t much of a danger, unless you or those in your household are prone to allergen exposure associated with mold spores. If you don’t have allergen issues, then a regular cleaning of the exterior of your home should be a simple task. You have several options you can utilize to accomplish this. Clean and scrub The oldest, tried-and-true method of cleaning the exterior of your home from soil, debris, and mold, involves a bucket, brush, sudsing detergent, ladders, and hoses. Using a pump-up sprayer to wet down the exterior means you can get better contact and soak time, and your scrubbing and “elbow grease” efforts are minimized. Choose a small section at a time. If your cleaning solution dries out, you must re-apply solution and start over. Wash the section, rinse it thoroughly, and allow to dry and then inspect. It may take a couple of cleanings to get the results you want. Any moldy soils that you wash away, make sure you don’t get them on your clothing and bring them inside. Power washing This is the most effective, time-saving method of cleaning the exterior of your home and removing mold growth. You can purchase power washing equipment inexpensively, and you can spend hundreds of dollars as well. The inexpensive version will be electric, and the expensive version powered by gasoline. Either way works well; gas powered versions will be more powerful and faster to use. As with any surface, apply your detergent and allow it to soak. Then power wash the exterior, washing off soil and mold away from you. Always be safe. Any contact you have with mold, be sure to wash off completely and don’t track it into your home. Use a pro Your favorite cleaning and restoration company knows how to tackle this type of chore best. Do the smart thing and save some time and even some money. And headaches as well. Call them up. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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Categories of Water Damage
Even the smallest amount of water that intrudes into your home can quickly gravitate from a nuisance to a significant issue. And a water intrusion that involves hundreds or thousands of gallons of water may mean you become homeless for a short time, while the repair is performed Did you know that water losses are given classifications? One water loss isn’t always like the next. There are differences. Many water damage situations involve a basement, and often a sump pump failure. Others are from leaky pipes or even broken pipes. When this occurs, along with other types of water loss situations, did you know the water type is classified by professional water damage restoration experts as “clean?” That’s right. Even if it looks dirty, because of a lower amount of potentially hazardous contaminants in the water, it is given a “Category 1” classification. However, this type of water loss can quickly escalate into a more dangerous situation, if not removed and affected materials dried out quickly. Then we have water damage situations that may contain potentially hazardous contaminants and bacteria that could be harmful to your health. An example would be a toilet that overflows, that doesn’t involve raw sewage. This would be a “Category 2” classification. A Category 1 can become a Category 2 if left unattended, because of bacteria and microbial growth occurring over time. And it gets worse from here. A “Category 3” water damage situation is “black” water and is always considered dangerous to the health of occupants in a home or building. An example would be a raw sewage backup and contamination. Another would be flood waters, since you aren’t sure of the source of the water or where it has been. The contamination involved would dictate wearing personal protective equipment and even respirators. Never risk your health. For Category 1 and Category 2, there is a chance you could extract and dry the area yourself. Often, it ends up in frustration and even mold growth. But for Category 3, never attempt this on your own. In fact, play it safe. Always call a professional water damage company when you have any type of flooding situation in your home. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Categories of Mold Contamination
When things get damp, humid, musty, smelly… there could be trouble brewing, even if you can’t see the source of the issue. When your nose senses suspicious odors, especially in areas such as dark, enclosed basements, as one example, thoughts often go to, “Do I have mold?” It’s a concern everyone should have, because specific types of mold, depending on an individual’s sensitives, can be hazardous to health. While this topic and potential issues aren’t meant to alarm you, being informed is important and a protection to yourself and to your family. And one way to be informed is to know the various types of mold, at least a few of the common ones found in homes. Alternaria This type of mold is common as well, and normally shows up in damp areas, such as a shower, sink, under cabinets, and dark areas that may be humid. This type of mold usually, to those sensitive to it, causes asthma attacks and other allergic reactions. Aspergillus One common mold found indoors is aspergillus. It isn’t considered a substantial health threat, but it can cause issues with those who are sensitive to molds. Some severe reactions can include inflammation of the lungs, infection of the respiratory system, and other symptomatic reactions to exposure to this mold spore. Aureobasidium This mold grows best on wooden surfaces, such as natural wood furnishings, and also in paint and wallpaper, to name a few. It often exhibits a black/pink color. Over time, this mold can cause severe allergic reactions to sensitive individuals. Chaetomium The last mold we will cover here is often caused by some type of water damage situation. It can usually be found in drywall, especially when wet from water damage or other moisture intrusion. You usually identify this type of mold by its musty or “old” odor in the home. Cladosporium Often found in soil, cellulose and plant debris, in both cool and warm areas, on various surfaces such as carpet, wood floors, and fabrics. Exposure can cause breathing challenges and respiratory issues. These are just a few types of mold common to homes. Do your research and you will find a very long list of potential mold threats; some of them sound extremely risky to be around. Remember, if you have any questions about water damage, mold contamination, mold spores, musty odors, and potential health threats to your family and home, call your disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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How to Avoid a Moldy Basement
There are many types of mold that can be found in a home, whether the problem is caused by faulty construction, water damage, leaky plumbing, or other issues. But what some people report is, despite no evident water damage or plumbing situations, no heavy rains, to name a few issues, they still get mold in their basements, often on the inside of their exterior block walls. Nobody wants that. Mold can be dangerous to people who have exposure sensitivities to it. What can you do to avoid a moldy basement problem? There are several simple steps and procedures… Know your numbers It’s important to understand humidity and monitor those moisture levels in your home. A simple hygrometer you can buy online or in a retail store gives you this information, as easy as a thermometer tells you the temperature. Use a dehumidifier Basements are known to be humid and damp, even with no evident moisture intrusion issues. A dehumidifier can remove many pints of water from the air each day. You can choose one that you have to dump the water from on a schedule, or have it drain automatically into a floor drain or sump pump. You will be amazed how much water you can remove and keep mold at bay with a dehumidifier. Use exhaust fans Simple fans can be installed that move moisture-laden air from the inside to the outside, like you would do with a bathroom exhaust fan. This might be a chore for the pros, so have them take a look at your home and see what options they might offer. Inspect outside drainage One issue that is common is moisture building up on the outside of block walls, and this moisture can seep into the interior walls of those blocks, adding too much humidity in the basement. Ensure all ground water flows away from your home and doesn’t puddle up against the walls. This advice is for common issues. But if the worst happens, such as a broken pipe or water flooding into your home, now you are into a serious issue. Do the right thing and call your water damage restoration company today. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
The Imminent Arrival of Old Man Winter
It may just be the fall season right now, but that’s about to change soon, into… winter. And getting ready for winter is important, with several aspects regarding your home and protecting what’s most valuable to you. Obviously, winter is outside, but it will want to get inside, and that can cause damage you don’t want. Window Awareness If your home is typical, you have a lot of glass — windows, that is. Take a tour, inside and out, and look for areas where the weather stripping is damaged, where there are cracks in the caulking, and gaps where gaps should not be. When the wind blows, do you hear it coming in the windows, or from around the windows? That’s not so bad right now, but when nasty weather strikes, that’s a different story. Get your windows in shape now, before winter arrives. Roof Woes You can see some of your roof from the ground, but if you get up and take a close look, you may see shingles that need replaced, areas around the chimney or vents that could use some plugging, or other general repairs that are much, much easier now than when it is zero degrees and icy. But be safe. If you aren’t an expert and able to inspect, hire someone to do it for you! Gutter Grit Grit, debris, leaves, and obstacles tossed up there from a windy day can build up. When they do that, and winter strikes with cold, snowy bluster, a plugged up gutter can create really expensive restoration work, because if a gutter can’t drain, this might force melting ice into your home. Get a ladder, take a look. But just like with your roof, only do that if you are an expert. Hire it done if you aren’t. No matter what you do, occasionally water, wind and ice can damage your home. Do the right thing: Call your disaster restoration pro. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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Winter Prep Tips
It’s coming. For some, it may already be here. The looming arrival of winter, for many in colder climates, means it is time to think of preparing the home for the invasion of frigid temperatures, gripping winds, icy rains, heavy snows, and all the other issues that come with the harshest season of the year. Getting your home in shape so it can battle the winter elements does take some time, planning, and preparation, but the payoff is worth it. A number of issues — from frozen water pipes to ice dams in your gutters to water intrusion in the basement — can arise that can damage your home that often require either much of your valuable time and resources to repair, or the services of a disaster restoration company. At minimum, handle these winter preparedness tasks. Outside Get a ladder and get to work, or hire a professional to handle it, but you must make sure your gutters are clean of all debris. Disconnect all your garden hoses, and if you can, turn off the water to those faucets. Inspect any trees and remove branches that may get heavy with ice and fall onto your home. Look at the caulking and trim around your windows and doors, and make them as air tight as possible. Inside Have your heating system inspected, and don’t forget the fireplace or insert, if you have them. The wrong time for a heating system to go bad is when it is needed. An honest, reputable HVAC company may be able to prevent the unthinkable — your house losing heat and freezing up, with all kinds of damage occurring as pipes freeze and break, among other issues. If you have any other heat sources, such as portable heaters, kerosene heaters, etc, inspect them and especially the cords. They are cheaper to replace now than when everyone is running to the store to buy them. As you did on the outside, inspect the interiors of your windows and doors, and repair them to keep out cold wind. On a windy day, do your inspection with a butane lighter, as any air activity will show up in a flickering flame. If you have sump pump system, determine how old it is and check with the manufacturer on recommended replacement frequencies. A failure of a sump pump is a guaranteed way to come home to inches — or feet — of water in the basement. If the unthinkable does happen, don’t panic. Call your favorite disaster restoration company right away. After all, it pays to call a pro. |
Evidence of Water Damage
When something fails, such as a high-pressure fresh water source to your toilet… or perhaps a leaky drain pipe underneath the kitchen sink… no matter what it may be, you usually know what to do. You know the drill… clean it up, get it dry, and call a professional water damage restoration company to ensure all is good and there is no possible way mold can grow. You want peace of mind, and this is the way to get it. However, sometimes you just don’t know when things happen, when things leak or when water intrusion occurs — because it can be slowly invasive and build up over time. There are several steps to determining if you have an actual water damage situation and when you must call a pro — and when you can do it yourself. Remember, you can’t be too cautious with the well-being of your loved ones. The nose knows Damp and wet areas affected by water intrusion demonstrate themselves after a day or two with a very easy to detect odor. It will just smell wet, musty, and unhealthy. If you detect anything like that, it’s time to do some serious investigating. You may not actually see the water intrusion, but no doubt it is probably there. Surface damage You can often see swelling materials, such as the particle board under a sink, providing evidence of water intrusion. When things buckle, even if you notice it after the surface has dried, there is potential of subsequent water damage, because if it leaked once… it will again! Stains You can usually see this in the ceilings and areas around water sources. Sometimes it is around windows. If you detect water marks (think of a carpet under a water fountain in a building) then you need to put your investigative hat on and figure out if it is a big deal or not — and most likely, it will be a big deal. The evidence of water damage can be easy to see, and sometimes it hides and continues to affect surfaces and your health until it becomes a serious issue. If you have any water damage issues or questions, do the right thing. Call your favorite water damage professional company today. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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Mold Facts For Everyone
Mold is everywhere and is necessary for life. But too much of it — and especially if what is considered by many a harmful variety — can be hazardous to the health of many. Not everyone is sensitive to exposure to mold. Some people can be around it and have no side effects at all. Others have allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and various respiratory issues. The absolute best defense to mold exposure is to keep as much of it out of the home in the first place. There is no way to eliminate all molds, but some practical mold prevention steps are necessary to a healthy home. Controlling moisture is the primary goal to minimizing mold growth. Mold is a live organism and needs moisture to grow and spread. If you reduce moisture in the home, you take away the food source of mold. For many homes, this means concentrating on the basement. Water seepage into basements is a common cause of mold growth. From expensive steps such as hiring a company to seal off basement walls, to inexpensive steps such as running a household dehumidifier — whatever you decide to do is going to help any moisture situation. Venting bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other moisture-generating areas of the home is also smart. Physically removing air laden with moisture means mold growth is limited. Running the air conditioner during humid periods of the year keeps the humidity content lower in the entire home. Yes, it costs to run the AC, but it will cost you more if you have a mold problem and need professional remediation. Keep an eye on areas that suffer from condensation, such as windows, doors, even pipes under sinks. Condensation is an excellent source of moisture that mold will use to grow. Remember, mold can be found almost anywhere, and can grow on virtually any surface, such as wood, paper, and dirty carpet (mold usually does not grow on clean carpet). If you discover moisture intrusion issues, such as from a leaky pipe, drain, toilet, or in the basement — anywhere in the home — take steps to fix the issue. And be sure to inspect for mold growth. If you see any evidence at all, do the right thing. Call your professional water damage company right away. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Disaster Assistance
When something happens to your home, something that damages it, you have one thought in mind: What you can do to fix it and repair it so you can get on with your lives. That damage can come from many sources. It can be a tree falling onto your roof. It can be water seeping into the basement. It can be water gushing from a broken pipe. It can be from a failed sump pump. It can even be more catastrophic, such as from high winds or even a hurricane, if you live in parts of the country that are subject to those types of storms. When any of these issues occur, someone has to pay for the repairs. That’s where professional disaster restoration companies come to the rescue. They have the know-how and expert skills to fix any issues that arise from disaster restoration situations. But again… someone has to pay… You might be thinking that your homeowner’s insurance plan will cover any disasters that might occur. The typical insurance plan does cover most issues — but not all. Some of them do not cover specific types of flooding situations. If a pipe outside your home, such as an outside spigot, were to break and flood your home, that may not be covered. Every policy is somewhat different. It’s smart — in advance — to discuss with your insurance agent about what is covered and what is not, and to get a handle on your deductible, as you are responsible for that in the event of a loss. When insurance fails… Unless you have a pretty healthy balance in your checking account, you may be looking for some assistance if your homeowner’s policy comes up short. Besides the obvious use of credit cards to pay for work on your home, there is government assistance you can use for help. The U.S. Small Business Administration is the answer for many people. And not just those who own businesses. The SBA has money to loan to homeowners as well, those who find themselves in a situation where they need money to do necessary and significant repairs to their homes. The SBA has disaster loan application forms online that you can find with a simple online search. As with all disaster restoration situations, it’s always smart to get the best help available. Do the right thing and call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
Jeff Cross: Editorial Director of ISSA MEDIA and creator of Totally Booked University. Nationally recognized cleaning and restoration trainer. Scuba diver extraordinaire.
(740) 973-4236 |
Gary Arndts: Award winning copywriter. Cleaning and restoration SEO expert, DIY website trainer, author and creator of the Internet marketing service firm, BlueRaptor.
(765) 935-1127 |