Knowing What to Look For In A Water Damage Company Can Save You Money in the Long Run

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Fire and Water Damage Clean Up: How to Get Your Life Back on Track!

Fire and Water Damage Clean Up: How to Get Your Life Back on Track!

There are times when flood damage is more than just heavy rain or sewage that seeped into your basement.  If you’ve ever been the victim of a fire, you understand the type of cleaning and restoration needed to try to get your life back on track.  What’s even worse is when you are forced to deal with both fire and water damage to parts of your basement or other rooms in the house.  This is even more common with tenants of condos or apartment buildings who experience major water damage to their personal property from a neighbor’s fire.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration

Fire damage leaves some of the worst airborne toxins such as smoke and soot that will greatly affect your respiration system.  Smoke damage also affects your clothes, carpets, walls, and furniture.  Even if the damage is local to one area, it will more than likely fid it’s way into your home’s HVAC system, spreading itself throughout your home.  You’ll find that pretty much everything in the house can and will becomes contaminated after a fire.  Water damage as well can leave behind horrible toxins such as hazardous black mold and mildew which also affect the respiratory system.  Cleaning up after fire and water damage is one daunting task that requires much skill and experience.

Use a Fire and Water Damage Company

It would be in your best interest to hire a professional contractor who will have the expertise and necessary tools to tackle fire and water damage restoration and it’s best to find a professional who will be able to handle both of these emergency services.  Your fire and water damage professional should be licensed, certified and insured for the most professional experience.  It also protects you if you ever find yourself needing to take action if the behavior or experience with the contractor is undesirable.  A true professional will be able to assess the situation, offer tips on how to prevent damage in the future, and restore and clean your damaged property to its original state using advanced techniques and equipment.

These unfortunate disasters can turn your world upside down and leave you wondering what to do next.  Hiring a fire and water restoration company has many benefits, all of which are to help you return back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.  It’s their job to work quickly and efficiently to reduce the level of stress caused after such calamity.

Fixing Flood Damage – Should You Hire a Contractor or Do it Yourself?

Flood damage happens fast and, at many times, unexpectedly especially after a long period of steady and substantial rain.  You may end up asking yourself how it happened and how to fix the flood damage. What steps should you take?  What water restoration equipment to use?  Those are all legitimate questions when pondering whether to hire someone or fix water damage yourself in order to restore your home or business to its previous state.

The good news is that you have options!  Deciding to fix flood damage really depends on the amount and size of the damage.  This is definitely important when deciding to remove mold that accumulated because of a flood.  Some jobs may just be too extensive for the regular consumer to attack alone and this is when you’ll want to hire someone that provides flood restoration services.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you decide to fix flood damage alone:

• Always remove standing water before attempting to fix damage.  Basement sump pumps are great for this and kick into action without any user intervention when flooding occurs.  If frequent basement flooding is a problem at your location, consider installing a sump pump for future flooding prevention.
• You can also use a high velocity air mover to speed up the drying process.  Or sit your items outside in an area that will get plenty breezes.
• Wet items should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.  In some cases, you will want to throw out the items that were submerged in flood water like mattresses and stuffed animals.  These items soak up water as well as toxins and bacteria.  Utensils, dishes, glasses, etc. can be cleaned.
• Wood should be thoroughly dried and cleaned immediately to help prevent additional mold.
• Products like bleach are highly recommended for flood damage.  Bleach is a powerful disinfectant and can also be used on the mold that is likely to appear.
• If you prefer, use a commercial cleaner designed for flood cleaning and follow manufacturer’s directions completely.
• Use other equipment like HEPA vacuums, and air purifiers to clean any airborne toxins from the flooding.

As long as you have the proper equipment, cleaning supplies and an accurate understanding of the damage then you should have no problem fixing the damage caused by a flood yourself.  When the damage is obviously extensive, or even if you decide halfway in that it’s too much, you should hire the services of a water restoration company to handle the job for you.

Mold Spores on Wood – Do It Yourself Tips to Help You Remove Those Awful Molds

Removing mold from wood is a problem that many seek to resolve but first you must understand how mold actually comes to form on wood.

Wood is like mold’s little playground.  Wood fibers contain all the necessities that molds need to form and spread.  The protein, sugar, and other biological materials provide the necessary food for mold.  Add in other factors such as warm temperature,  oxygen and moisture and you may find yourself searching for the best mold removal tips to remedy your problem.

How to Remove Mold from Wood

Removing small amounts of mold is pretty simple and you likely have the necessary materials laying around the house.  Bleach is commonly recommended for specifically handling mold issues in wood and as always you should handle it carefully.  The water damaged wood should first be dried to remove moisture before any cleaning takes place.  Once it’s dry, make sure to wear protective gloves and eye wear while scrubbing the wood with diluted bleach.  Or if you prefer, use a commercial cleaner for mold problems and follow the same safety precautions.  Bleach also helps with the discoloration you usually see when mold and wood

One of the biggest obstacles with removing mold spores from wood is preventing the mold from going airborne while cleaning.  This can be prevented my first spraying the mold down before wiping.  Also, utilizing a hepa vacuum cleaner in the surrounding area will also help reduce the amount of spores released in the air.  A HEPA vacuum has high quality filters that remove 99% of allergens, dust, ragweed and other particulates from the air.

If the job is too large, then go ahead and hire a restoration company to handle the problems.  There are sure to be many local companies that provide the necessary services and equipment needed to address the mold problems in your home.  Otherwise it is likely that you will be able to do it yourself with just the tips mentioned above.  Whatever you decide, the most important thing is to take immediate action when mold stars to form.  Letting mold sit and continue to spread is harmful and toxic to yourself and others.

My Basement Flooded, How Do I Clean A Flooded Basement?

Solutions to handling a flooding basement

A light to moderate downpour or more–a heavy downpour– can result in a flooded basement especially if you did not take certain water damage prevention or precautions.  It could also be attributed to the location of your home and not any fault of your own.  If you live in a low-lying area your basement can become flooded with even a slight drizzle.  But whatever the case, you should set up a drainage system to counter frequent or occasional flooding in your home.

It is always recommended to get the help of a waterproofing contractor for larger problems.  But if a waterproofing contractor is not available, these initial solutions should help you fix your flooded basement and prevent further damage to property.  Just make sure that there is no structural damage that can cause accidents or injuries to you or your family.  If you’re not sure, don’t attempt to remedy the damage.

How Do I Clean Up Water in the Basement?

Open windows and doors to let fresh air in.  It is advisable that you remove water from a flooding basement as quickly as possible.  But do this if and only if, it is safe.  If the flood was caused by a ruptured pipe, shut off the water supply.  If the water is an inch or two deep, drain it out with buckets or soak it up with mops or wet and dry vacuum.

If the water in your flooded basement is too deep, you might need an expert or professionals to determine the water damage.  Deeper water caused by floods and rains must be pumped out by a plumber, a waterproofing contractor or even the fire department.   If you think you can handle fixing the flood damage yourself, consider buying a submersible water pump to have on hand.

Connect the pump to a garden hose and run the hose outdoors to a rain sewer or to a spot where it will flow away from the house and not towards it.  Then lower the pump until it touches the basement floor.  Using a heavy duty extension cord that is meant for heavy duty use, connect the pump to a neighbor’s outlet or a gas generator if you have one.  Make sure you keep away from large debris as it may get stuck in the pump.

Do take note that before doing this, request your power company to turn off the electricity to your house as water conducts electricity and might result in electrocution.  Wear proper protection such as all-weather boots and rubber gloves.

How-to Tips to Removing Mold Spores

Mold Removal Tips

Molds live all around us.  Mold spores float in the air like pollen.  So you breathe them and they may be deposited in your lungs, as well as your nose and throat.  Common sources of airborne molds include bathrooms, damp basements, carpeting, poorly ventilated closets, old upholstered furniture, humidifiers, even decaying leaves, stored fruits and vegetables, old wallpaper and home air ducts.  Some may even be found on leather, cloth, rubber, wood and paper products.  Mold and water damage go hand in hand and is definitely a huge problem for most homeowners.

If you want to control molds around you, change the settings that support their growth.  Here are some mold removal tips to eradicate and prevent molds from growing and spreading.

• Remove mold from wood floors with dry cleaning fluid; if the mold is deeply embedded in the wood, use bleach or disinfectant.  Rewax to restore the shine.  Since mold needs a damp and wet environment, keep it from coming back by making sure that the area is well ventilated.  Severe yellowing and darkening of older wood floors is most likely caused by the buildup of many years of varnish applications and may not be mold problem.  All you have to do is refinish the floor.
• Mold can also grow in home humidifiers unless it is regularly and thoroughly cleaned out.  If you see greenish slimy growth in the float chamber, it is definitely mold.  This greenish growth can cause airborne spores which could circulate around the house by the action of the blower.
• Bathrooms should also be clean at all times or they may be susceptible to mold growth if left dirty for a long time.  If you can’t get around to cleaning the bathroom every day or every other day, sponge down the bathroom areas from cleanest to dirtiest at least once a week and use a liquid disinfectant cleaner.  The ideal order would be mirror, sink, tub, toilet, wall and floor.  Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles and protective garments.
• Prevention is still the best method for eliminating molds.  Exhaust fans can do a good job of removing excess moisture in the bathroom.  If it’s dry outside, leave the window and door open to allow proper ventilation.
• Installing an UV light bulb inside closet can keep molds at bay.
• Regularly wash, air and sun mattresses, pillows and rugs to kill mold and prevent them from growing or multiplying.

Molds can cause all sorts of respiratory problems including severe allergies, headaches, sore throat, runny nose and asthma.  If your house has been contaminated with mold and water damage, these mold removal tips may help.  But if the problem has gotten so big for you to handle on your own, it may be wise to hire a knowledgeable mold remediation person or company to take a look at your home and see if he can recommend structural changes that can prevent moisture or suggest ways to reduce mold growth.

Prevent flooding basements and leaks with these simple tips

Repair Water Damage with this guide

If left unchecked, water damage as a result of leaks, dampness, seepage and similar problems can cause major home damage.  That’s why water damage cleanup done at once is recommended to prevent further problems that may cause you more money and require professional services in the future.  Water damage often occurs where we don’t see them like behind walls or under the floors.  So it’s best to check these areas regularly before damage gets too big.  Most homeowners can handle simple and quick clog fixes and repair of basic toilet trouble but nothing can prepare an amateur or a first-time homeowner for some of these water damage problems.  This guide can help you do minor fixes and repairs:

Plumbing: Before making any plumbing repair, shut off the water supply at either the main valve or the valve nearest the fixture.  Because dripping water can cause damage and create electrical hazards, even minor leaks must be repaired by a professional plumber.  But minor repairs like sealing a small crack or puncture in a waste pipe can be remedied by using an electrical tape around the pipe.  A rubber pad and a hose clamp can also be used to cover the leak.  Secure it with a C-clamp and two same size blocks of wood for larger leaks.

Damp Basement: Waterproofing the interior walls can almost always prevent moisture build-up in the basement.  Installing a window exhaust fan can also control humidity inside the room.  Clearing any clogged drains and roof gutters can also prevent leaks and seepage in the basement.  If flooding is a problem during rainy months, installing a drainage system can combat heavy flooding.  You may also regrade areas around the house so that water will flow away from the foundation.

Clogged Toilet: Place the cone of your plunger securely over the bowl’s drain hole and pump the plunger up and down vigorously.  If this does not dislodge the obstruction, wait for an hour and try it again.  If plunging fails, crank the auger’s handle clockwise to feed its snake into the hole until it meets the obstruction.  Continue cranking clockwise until the auger’s handle meets the obstruction.  If this method does not work, the problem may be the main drain.  Call a plumber if this happens.

Clogged Drain: Before using a commercial drain cleaner, try clearing a sluggish drain with a plunger.  If that fails, but there is some flow of water, you can try the drain cleaner.  Just be careful in using these chemical drain cleaners as they are caustic and poisonous.

Flooded Basement: Excess water needs to be taken out and have the room dry out completely.  Sometimes the use of water damage restoration equipment such as dehumidifiers, air machines and blowers, scrubbers for cleaning and even deodorizers are needed to clean and dry the basement properly.  Oftentimes, it is best to call a water damage cleanup and restoration company to do the job and can even be less expensive than doing the cleanup yourself.

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Does my homeowner’s insurance cover floods?

Floods are one of the most common natural occurrences in the United States and your home does not necessarily have to be in a high risk area to be affected by flooding. According to statistics by the National Flood Insurance Program, there is a 26% likelihood of a flood occurring during a 30 year mortgage term vs. only a 9% chance of a house fire. Your typical homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage from floods. This is a fact that many homeowners are unaware of until the flood and damage has occurred.  You will have to obtain a separate flood insurance policy offered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

This type of insurance is usually referred to as “single peril” policy. If you reside in a designated flood prone area, then you are required by law to obtain flood insurance. Flood hazard maps are available to determine an area’s risk. Do not think you won’t be affected by not living in high risk areas. Almost 25 % of the NFIP’s claims for flood insurance are filed in areas with only a low to medium flood risk. If a storm drain or sewer overflows, unexpected floods can occur in any area, whether high risk or low risk.

A homeowner’s insurance policy only covers damage such as sudden burst in water pipes; not flood damage. If you experience flood damage with no insurance, then you will definitely incur colossal losses.

It is imperative to be equipped with protection from floods that occur with storms, hurricanes and heavy rains. Homeowners should not assume that if their home is not in a high risk area, then they will not be affected by floods. You can obtain proper flood damage insurance by visiting http://www.floodsmart.gov. Being equipped with the right type of policy will help you pay for repairing damage done by flooding.

Overview of Water Damage Companies

Overview Of Water Damage Companies

Restoring your home after water damage can be quite a tedious job. Here is a listing of water damage companies that will help to you reverse water damage.  Information provided here can also be located at the website for that company.

Cleanflood

Cleanflood.com is a 24 hour company that specializes in water damage restoration.  According to their website, they have a response time of 30 minutes.   Upon arrival, they will mitigate water damage with their state-of –the- art dehumidification and drying equipment, emergency debris removal and disposal and sanitization process. Their experienced technicians asses the extent of the damage and set to work by restoring the walls, furniture and carpets to its original condition. They are open the whole year and their top priority is to bring back your life to normal.

WaterDamageLocal.com

WaterDamageLocal is a certified company that has been approved by all insurance companies. They provide free estimates upon request and all of their technicians are certified and licensed. They are available 24/7 and will get to your home within 60 minutes of making a call to them. They work quickly to reduce restorative costs relating to water damage and also minimize the chance of mold formation.  WaterDamageLocal also offers phone consultations. They can be reached at 877-236-8221 or by visiting http://www.waterdamagelocal.com/.

Right Way Restoration Services LLC

Right Way Restoration Services provides 24 hours emergency services and are always ready to address water issues. They are a fully bonded, licensed and insured company. Right Way will assess and provide you with an evaluation of the cost for water damage clean up.   Extracting water from the floor, removing contaminated flooring, and preventing the formation of mold and mildew are some of their top priorities.  Give them a ring at 866-775-7386 or visit http://www.rightwayrestoration.com/

Water Damage Pro

Water-damage-Pro.com deem themselves as experts in assessing water damage and water extraction from residences. Their services include preventing moisture damage, odor and mildew control, content and structure restoration, disinfecting and deodorizing, sanitation work, drywall and painting, general carpentry.

PuroClean

PuroClean Water damage experts specialize in emergency water extraction, dehumidification, structural dry out and odor control. Call 877-567-7876 or visit http://www.puroclean.com/.

1-800 Water Damage

1-800-Damage is a nation wide company and their services include Crawl space drying, debris removal, emergency board ups,structural drying, water damage restoration , odor control and much more.

Listed above are some of the popular companies that clean water damage and will save you time and finish the work with excellent results.

DIY Water Damage Cleaning

Water Damage Cleanup

Water damage cleaning after a flood can be a frustrating experience. Water is capable of doing a lot of damage within a short period of time making it necessary to quickly start cleaning once it is safe.  It also needs to be done quickly to avoid health concerns like poor air quality with mold growth. You also need to remember that flood water will be contaminated with sewage water which is a fertile breeding place for disease carrying insects and termites. Choosing to delay action on repairing water damage can cause your property value to decrease.

You need not always call a professional for repairing water damage in your home. You can undertake water damage cleaning yourself by following a few basic steps.  We’ve outlined some of those below:

1. The first and foremost thing you need to do is turn off the electricity in order to avoid possible electrocution. Never step on to the wet floor without turning off the circuit brakes.
2. Try to assess the level of damage to your house. You need to see how extensive the water damage is and which areas of the house have been affected severely in order to determine what type of water restoration equipment you will need.
3. Run a dehumidifier as soon as possible in order to prevent mold formation and to take the moisture out of the air . Remember to empty the tank. You can also use high velocity fans or blowers to dry out the air and also carpets and drywall.
4. Open the windows and let fresh air come in.
5. Invest in high quality water restoration equipment.  Tools like a water extraction pump or vacuum to fix the damage to the upholstery and carpeting.  Alternately you can decide to discard carpets, drapes, upholstered furniture if you cannot entirely dry them out.
6. If you detect drywall damage, you need to inspect the drywall for any instances. You can generally dry it with a fan as long as there isn’t any swelling. If there is any swelling, you may have to replace the damaged drywall.
7. Discard mattresses and pillows.
8. Check the walls and insulation for damage.
9. Move as many valuable things as possible to higher parts of the house.
10. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to ask them to assess your damage
11. Wear protective clothing.
12. Soak and wash utensils and dishes with water and bleach.

Every minute is valuable during water damage clean up and the steps taken will depend on the severity of the damage. You need to keep safety measures in mind before embarking on cleaning after a flood and know when it may be necessary to call a professional company to repair water damage.

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