Tips on reducing the damage from flooding disasters
March 29, 2010
Water is necessary for life but it can also be a very destructive force. Those of us who have needed to deal with flooding in the home will easily be able to understand just how destructive it can be. When flooding or water damage has occurred there is little we can do about it; what we can do is to make attempts to reduce further damage as much as possible. There is just one caveat to all of this though, you should never risk your own or anyone else’s safety in an attempt to save belongings; everything is replaceable except human life.
Tips to Reduce Flood Damage
Here are just a few tips that will hopefully help you save many of your belongings from damage.
- Turn off the water supply to your home (you should also have already cut off the electrical supply).
- Take all of your valuable items away from the flood area. It is probably a good idea to take them upstairs if possible. Take down things like curtains and move them to safety. It might be a good idea to tie your furniture together if the flooding is so high that it might cause them to float.
- Try and get your pets to a secure area of the house away from the flooding and keep them away from the area.
- Drains in your basement can lead to further flooding so it is important that you block these off. Similarly toilets in the flood are can overflow with water and add to the problem. It may be advisable to plug your toilet.
- If there are any dangerous chemical in the flood are then you need to do what you can to remove these from the area. Most cleaning supplies are in secure bottles but all of us can sometimes forget to close them properly; having all these chemicals mixed with the water would not be such a great idea.
- If you are using things like portable gas bottles then these should be secured as best you can. If you have a mains gas supply then this should be turned off.
Above are just a few of the actions you can take to prevent further damage to your belongings during a flood. Remember though, that safety should always be your first priority and never take foolish risks for possessions.
Why Hire Storm Damage Clean Up Professionals?
March 23, 2010
So a large storm has just hit and one is just not taking stock of all the damage that’s been caused. Part of the roof has caved in, the basement is flooded and the big tree in the front yard has fallen over. How does one manage all of this? It can be overwhelming, especially when one has just been through a traumatic event. Even those who live in area which experience frequent storm activity can be put out when a big one hits. That’s where the storm damage clean up professional comes in.
One of the biggest problems a homeowner faces after a storm is water damage. It is essential that water damage be treated properly because any lingering moisture can encourage the growth of black mold, and that’s a whole other problem right there. Homeowners might be tempted to drag what they can out into the sun and try to dry the rest using mops and fans. This may work but, if the water damage is extensive, is likely to just get rid of the surface water. Storm damage professionals are equipped with industrial strength fans and dehumidifiers which can remove all the water.
Fires can also pose a problem. It may seem odd that a large storm which is associated with heavy rainfall could cause fires, but everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix. Should the water be able to make its way into electrical sockets or appliances there could be sparking, leading to a fire. Not only will soot need to be removed but also smoke odors. Most homeowners don’t have the expertise to tackle this properly.
No one wants to think about it but the reality is that large storms can cause loss of life. One doesn’t need to be outside for this to happen. The strong winds which accompany these storms can tear off roofs or cause walls to cave in. Apart from flooding, falling debris is the major cause of death in a storm. Should this occur in one’s home, one will not want any physical reminders of the tragic events. Storm damage clean up professionals will have the necessary equipment and expertise to properly and safely clean the area in which the accident occurred.
Will it cost more to hire a cleaning crew as opposed to tackling the job oneself? The initial cost will undoubtedly seem higher but keep this in mind. Large storms cause a great deal of damage and it may be impossible for one or two people to deal with it. Often specialized knowledge is needed if the structure of the home has been compromised. Doing a halfway job will only result in more expense later on, so it’s better to just bite the bullet up front.
What causes a wet basement?
March 18, 2010
A lot of homes have a basement for many different reasons. For those in tornado-prone areas it can be a godsend when it comes to sheltering from strong winds. For many others, it’s a good way of saving space and getting some extra storage. The problem is, unless one has converted the basement into an entertainment room and practically lives in it, it’s unlikely that any moisture build up is going to be noticed. There are a ton of reasons why a wet basement might occur.
• It’s a good idea to waterproof basements, but some people ignore this step. That’s bad, especially when there has been heavy rain and the ground becomes saturated. What happens is that the water is under pressure and it has nowhere to go. Any fault in the basement walls, no matter how tiny, can cause the water to seep in. This is also the case if the walls are made of highly porous material.
• It’s not just ground water that one needs to worry about. Surface water has a way of getting into basements as well, especially if it happens to have any foundation structures running into it. The water can run along this as well and get into the basement.
• Sewer systems have a habit of backing up at the worst possible times, although there really is no good time for this. Should this happen it can result in a wet basement either through water seepage from the surrounding soil or through a back up in low lying sinks.
• Sometimes a wet basement can result from the simplest of things. How many people have their washing machines in their basements? Some even hang wet clothes down there. All of these can cause a buildup of moisture, not to mention the possibility of any leaking pipes.
Having a wet basement can be a huge problem. Not only is one looking at having musky, foul odors permeating the rest of the home, but all sorts of nasty things can grow in moisture laden areas. The last thing than anyone wants to do is pick up a box and get one’s hand covered in black mold. It’s best to prevent a problem before it shows up so have the basement waterproofed and keep it as free of clutter as possible to any leaks can be quickly located. It may be necessary to call in a professional to deal with the problem, but it’s better than the alternative.
Fire Outbreak Prevention Tips
March 12, 2010
All it takes is a spark for fire to destroy lives and property. The United States Fire Administration states that fire is responsible for killing nearly 4000 people every year, injuring 20,000 people and destroying millions worth in property. An important thing to note is that fire can be prevented and all it takes is a simple step to prevent a problem of immense magnitude.
You can prevent fire from happening in your place. There is usually a small but significant thing that leads to this scalding issue. For instance, faulty electrical wiring and misuse of fire can lead to fire. Here are some ways you can prevent the spread of fire into disastrous proportions:
1. Install Fire Safety Devices: You can avert fires that are either small or of medium intensity into becoming catastrophic by using good quality fire extinguishers. You should install fire extinguishers in your home, office, public places like cinema houses, schools, colleges etc. You should ideally buy a multi-rated fire extinguisher (ABC) that is capable of putting off fire of different kinds. Incidentally,’ A’ rated fire extinguishers are for wood or paper fires, “B’ for flammable liquid and grease fires and “C for electrical fires.
2. Ensure that the smoke alarms are fully functional: You should make sure that every area of your home or office has fire alarms or smoke detectors. They should be interconnected in such a way that when one alarm goes off, it should alert the others and they should go off, as well. Buy a fire alarm that has a back-up power. Avoid going for pure battery operated or purely electric ones, though.
3. Practice basic safety measures: Do not allow smoking or any fire play in the office premises or within its radius. You can install a special zone for smoking if you wish to. If someone smokes in your home, ask them to do so outside the house. Make sure that cigarettes are disposed off in ashtrays. Keep lighters, matchsticks and other inflammatory devices away from the reach of children. You can also keep a fire extinguisher in your home. If you have flammable liquid, make sure it is kept safe and out of reach of people.
4. Cook safely: Though it is a tendency for people to feel bored and leave the kitchen, while cooking, refrain from doing so. Cook in low to moderate flame if you are deep-frying. Set it to low, if you have to answer the phone. If you are grilling outdoors, ensure that you cover the grill, if you have to go inside the house for some reason. Make sure you place the grill away from lawn area, garden and wood. Also remember to shut off the stove or gas if you are not using it. Microwave ovens and other cooking appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet. Never ever use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, because it can break the circuit and cause fire
5. Use electrical devices safely: Turn off electrical devices if you are not using them. If you overload it, it could result in home fires. If you find sparks coming from the wiring of a device, stop using the device. Get the wire replaced; this augurs same for smoke coming out an appliance.
How to Protect Your Home from a Hurricane
March 7, 2010
It doesn’t matter where in the world one lives or whether one calls it a hurricane or a cyclone. The damage that it can do is equally as devastating. A hurricane doesn’t just attack a home in one way. It has a variety of weapons in its arsenal, from extremely high winds to a deluge of rain. This translates in a lot of chances to do damage to one’s home. If one lives in an area that is affected by frequent hurricanes then one needs to do what is necessary to protect one’s home. It might seem like a hopeless task, given the force that one is up against, but there are some things that can be done.
Securing windows:
Hurricanes are known for their high winds. They can pick up a variety of materials and essentially transform them into missiles. If even one of these is allowed to break through a window then the security of one’s home has been breached and all that swirling wind and rain will be let in. Not only that but flying glass can be yet another danger. It’s a wise idea to invest in hurricane shutters for all the windows in the house. Some people may not want to bear the expense, and plywood is a cheaper option, but it’s best to just fork out the money if one can afford it.
Removing Projectiles:
Sure one has protected the windows from projectiles, but there’s no need to have any more damage done to the home than necessary. It’s obvious to see the logic in trimming trees since falling braches can be a real hazard. One should also clean up the yard and remove anything that could be picked up by high winds. If one can move it then it’s a sure bet that the hurricane will be able to as well.
Fasten The Roof:
There’s no point to making sure that windows and doors don’t blow in when the roof gets ripped off anyway. It’s not enough to nail down galvanize and hope for the best. There are hurricane straps which can be used to securely attach the roof to the walls of the home, giving them some extra support. Don’t let the name be deceiving. These straps are actually made of metal and are quite strong. One may have to hire a contractor to install them though.
It’s not impossible to protect one’s home from a hurricane. At the very least one can ensure that no major damage is done. It’s easy to hire a restoration company to deal with the rest.
Carpet Cleaning Following a Flood
March 4, 2010
Water damage caused by a heavy storm or a flood, or even from a plumbing problem can be a difficult thing to face, leaving behind conditions that must be dealt with in order to get things back to normal. If your home has recently been subjected to a flood, time is a key factor that will determine the amount of damage that has been done to both your home and your belongings.
You need to be sure to quickly remove any standing water with a pump or call in a flood restoration team who will get the water out of your house as fast as possible. If a large amount of carpeting was involved, the wise thing to do is to let the pros assess the damage and handle it from there. Professional carpet cleaning companies that come to your home bring with them heavy duty carpet cleaning equipment that will remove dirt, mud, bacteria and other pollutants that have infiltrated your carpeting. The carpet cleaning machines used are high-powered, deep cleaning machines that make use of a hot water extraction method that will leave your carpeting slightly damp once cleaned. You will then have to give your carpeting up to eight hours to completely dry.
In some cases, water soaked carpeting is not salvageable. For instance, if flood water is discovered late and carpeting has been fully submerged for several days, it is best to have it removed and disposed of. If the affected carpeting is old and not worth much monetarily, it makes little sense to pay someone to clean it and much more sense to have it torn up and replaced with new carpeting.
If only one room in your home was flooded and there was carpeting in that room, you could clean the carpet yourself by renting a steam cleaner from a local store. These machines are portable, easy to use and do a great job of removing deeply embedded dirt and grime from carpeting. The cost to rent a machine is far lower than what it would cost you to replace the carpeting, and it only requires a strong back and about a $50 investment on your part.
Failure to properly clean a flood soaked carpeting can result in extensive damage to underlying wooden floors and can also lead to health hazards as mold and mildew thrives in this type of environment. Mold damage can be so serious that people living in structures where mold is thriving often have to vacate the premises while the harmful substance is eradicated.
