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Restoration From Floods and Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common disasters that any home can face. Whether it be from a leaking roof, backed up plumbing, broken pipes, or any other form of a natural disaster, water damage can cause problems with flooring, walls, upholstery, and even the structural integrity of a home. Unfortunately once water damage occurs, you basically have only two options. You can either grab a bucket and start scooping out the water yourself, or you can hire a professional restoration company to come out and pump all of the water out as soon as possible.

There are many factors that affect the expediency of any restoration job. The type of water is one of the most important. Water quality is usually evaluated in three tiers of classification, clean water that will not cause illness or disease being the first. This water strictly damages by being where it shouldn't be, i.e, on your floors and walls. Most water will not stay this way for long, however, depending on where and how long it lingers. The second category is for water that can cause illness or disease, including water that may have been contaminated with urine and dishwasher or washing machine overflow. As with clean water, this condition can devolve if left untreated. Category three is water that can cause severe illness or death and includes water contaminated with feces, sewage, river runoff, and water with bacterial growth. This is obviously a very serious condition and though possible potentially anytime, can most often be seen after natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. Fortunately, most restoration companies work on an emergency 24-hour basis to assist in issues such as these.

Flooring can also be an issue with the severity of damage depending on whether it is a carpet or any other type of flooring that can get damaged easily with excess water issues. That it why it is a great idea to hire a restoration company that also works as a carpet cleaning company because they utilize most of the same equipment, however, a carpet cleaning company also carries the supplies with them that will deodorize and sanitize the carpet as well.

Floods or leaks are a major concern in any home, and should be taken very seriously. If left untreated, the damage can take a home from comfortable to unlivable. Mildew and mold spores that can grow make even breathing the air dangerous, and water damage can erode floors and walls to the point of collapse. If this level of damage were to accumulate, the costs, in time, effort, and money can increase exponentially over getting it dried, cleaned and restored immediately. Be sure to hire the right crew for the job and make sure that they are equipped with the right tools necessary to get the job done correctly.

Properly equipped companies utilize their truck mounted equipment to vacuum out all of the water and dirt and drain it out properly in a disposal facility. They also cut out all of the affected dry wall and even check the structural wood behind the walls to ensure that they are not rotten or damaged, replacing as necessary. Air movers, industrial driers, and dehumidifiers are used to get the moisture out of a space as quickly as possible.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6901046
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Why is Mold Removal Important?

When you have a black mold problem, the time to start a thorough mold removal program is now. If not, you're risking both the integrity of your home and the health of your family.

Here's a brief description of the problems you'll run into if you don't enact a mold removal program as soon as possible:

Your Family's Health. If a mold problem gets too intense, it can pose health risks to both humans and pets. In mild cases, people living with black mold might experience allergy symptoms and headaches. But severe cases can cause intense coughing fits, which often cause respiratory passageways to bleed.

Your Home's Structural Integrity. More commonly, homeowners might see structural damage from mold infestation. The most damaging type of household mold, Stachybotrys, can usually be found in the parts of the building you don't see every day: Structural supports, load-bearing beams, or basement corners. If the mold gets into a porous surface like wood or concrete, it can bore itself in until there's nothing left.

There's a Solution. These problems are scary, to be sure. But they generally only occur in the most advanced stages of a mold infestation - the stage you reach without a thorough mold removal effort. If the mold is confined to a flat-nonporous surface, like a tile floor or shower wall, you're in luck - mold removal is simply a matter of getting a strong cleanser and rough sponge. But if you think the problem might be worse, call a certified mold inspector. If he or she deems the problem is severe enough, you'll need a professional team of mold removal experts. Here's what they'll do:

Identify. Your mold removal team's first order of business is to find out where the mold is, and what caused the conditions that allow it to thrive.

Marginalize. The second step is to cordon off the affected area, often with plastic sheeting and tape. This way, the cleanup effort - which involves much blowing of spores and dust -- won't spread mold debris to other parts of the house, where they can potentially take root.

Remove. The final step is the actual removal. Your mold removal team will use high-pressure hoses to clear the entire area of mold - and they'll vacuum up the particles that escape into the air.
In advanced cases, mold removal is a job best left to the professionals. It's a serious problem that many homeowners face - but only the smart ones tackle it head-on.

 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1605105
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Mold Remediation In Homes and Buildings

Mold remediation is the process of removing mold from a home or building. Mold remediation should only be conducted by trained professionals, as mold can cause health problems in individuals. If you suspect mold growth in your home in places such as in between walls on in areas that are inaccessible, call a professional to give you a mold assessment.

Everyone has seen mold, usually in the bathroom when tiles haven't been cleaned in a long time, but mold can grow in many different places, for example wet or damp clothes that have been left where they can't dry for several days or in homes where a water pipe has been leaking or pipes have burst. Flooding is another cause of mold growth. Even something as simple as building over damp concrete can cause mold to thrive.

Mold grows when spores attach to a suitable surface such as a damp one. Here mold is able to proliferate and if unchecked, can cause problems similar to allergy reactions in humans and pets. Minor symptoms include things like itchy throat and eyes, sneezing and coughing. Respiratory problems are also a concern. Mycotoxins are types of mold that produce toxins. While the CDC says there is currently no conclusive evidence of harmful human effects, some people believe that neurological problems can occur or even death.

Home sickness was a popular term several years ago and can occur when mold begins to grow in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems). Newer homes are built with air-tight footprints, meaning that unlike older homes that 'breathe' naturally through cracks in windows and doors, new homes get no outside ventilation other than opening and closing doors or windows. If mold grows in these HVAC systems, the spores are then blown into the home and can cause skin and respiratory irritations.

Mold can also be caused by pipes bursting in apartments or buildings that share walls. If there is a leak in a home or apartment, be sure to have the walls inspected to ensure no mold is growing in between the walls in unseen areas. Flooding and leaking roofs can also be a source of dampness and mold growth.

How does one deal with mold problems? The best resolution for any problem is prevention. If a pipe has burst and been left unattended for more than 48 hours there is a good chance that mold has started growing. Carpet will need to be pulled out and replaced. Drywall should be tested for mold, often by cutting out a piece of the wall to ensure mold isn't growing behind the wall. Check for damp warping or water stains to indicate areas that may be problematic. Mold can grow under tiles if they aren't properly grouted. If the leak is caught as it is happening, dry the air thoroughly with professional grade fans and dryers.

If you see a small amount of mold, often it can be cleaned with a bleach solution, but if you see extensive mold, call in a professional. Mold remediation requires wearing a full face respirator, protective clothing and gloves. HVAC systems should be thoroughly inspected and if needed, removed. Those removing mold will properly dispose of items contaminated with mold like carpets, wallpaper and upholstery.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, dampness can also cause dust mites and microorganisms such as bacteria to proliferate. Roaches and rodents tend to thrive in damp areas as well as mosquitoes.

Be sure to call a professional if you find mold before there are any health repercussions. Mold remediation should only be undertaken by a trained and licensed professional.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7502955
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SERVPRO of Faifield Move Outs

When a customer’s home or business requires extensive, specialized cleaning, SERVPRO of Fairfield Professionals can conduct an organized, efficient move-out.

By itemizing, recording and relocating your contents to a secure location, the move-out will provide several benefits, including:
  • A quicker remodeling process.
  • Protecting items from potential damage.
  • Provide extensive restoration to contents.
  • Protecting contents from further on-site damage.
The move-out process usually consists of six steps:
  1. Video the job site.
  2. Perform an initial scope & job estimate.
  3. Pack, tag, inventory, and additional sorting of clean and claim items.
  4. Move to a warehouse, clean and deodorize, and repack.
  5. Claim list suggestions from the customer.
  6. Move items back to the customer.
When restoration is completed, SERVPRO of Fairfield will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.
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Making Waterless Work


The 30-plus buildings on the three campuses of the University of South Maine contain about 2 million square feet. In the view of many maintenance and engineering managers, such buildings also contain a large number of cost-saving opportunities - urinals. Increasingly, these building components represent a chance for managers to maximize investments in facility investments while paying attention to the bottom line.

But managers and their organizations must specify products and equipment that also deliver both efficiency and long performance life. 

"We're trying to build 100-year buildings, but we only have so much money," says John Rasmussen, building construction engineer with the university's facilities management department. Over the last four years, the university has specified, installed and maintained a growing number of waterless urinals in its facilities in an effort to address evolving issues related to costs and environmental friendliness.

Faced with similar challenges, institutional and commercial organizations nationwide have explored the benefits and drawbacks of waterless urinals. The university's experiences offer insights into the decision process, as well as assessing the post-installation performance.
 
Challenges and a Solution
 The driving forces behind the university's investigation of waterless urinals mirror those that have prompted interest among other facilities - primarily, concerns over the rising costs of water and sewer utilities, and second, the awareness of all facilities' impact on the environment.

Once restricted largely to the Western United States, concerns over heavier demand on clean water sources now have reached all parts of the country. Manufacturers of plumbing systems have responded by introducing new product options that use less or no water.

Before 1993, the standard flush rate was 3 gallons per flush (gpf). After that date, however, any urinal manufactured for use in the United States must use 1 gallon per flush or less.

Because of this change, any urinals more than 10 years old offer managers the opportunity to generate substantial savings in water, sewer, installation and maintenance costs by replacing them with waterless units.

These units require no water to flush and no flush valves or other control hardware to operate. Instead, they use replaceable cartridges that contain a liquid sealant. The difference in specific gravity between the trap solution and urine create a liquid seal. The lighter specific gravity of the seal enables liquid to float to the top of the urine while sealing the discharge line and preventing sewer odors from backing up into the restroom.  read more
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Protect Your Home and Finances from Spring Storms


By Kimberly Lankford
Find out which damages are covered under your homeowners insurance policy -- and how to fill the gaps.
My area had a lot of big storms last spring, and I’m hoping to be more prepared this year. What should I do to protect my home from storm damage, and are these damages covered under homeowners insurance?
Spring rains and the hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1, increase the chances for expensive home damage from rain, flooding, sewer back-ups and fallen trees. But many of these damages aren’t automatically covered under your homeowners insurance. Here are several steps to take to protect your home and your finances from storm losses.
Buy a rider to cover sewer backup. ”Water backup through sewers and drains from rain is an underappreciated threat,” says Bob Welther, assistant vice-president of loss prevention for ACE Insurance, a global property and casualty insurance company. Heavy rains can overburden the storm water system, causing water or sewage to back up into your house. Not only is the backup unpleasant but it also can be very expensive if it ruins your finished basement or storage space. Most homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for sewage backup, but you can often add $10,000 to $20,000 in coverage for as little as $50 per year; the coverage pays out if a sewer line backs up or your sump pump stops working. Contact your homeowners insurance company to check on coverage and add a sewage-backup rider. You might also consider getting a battery-powered back-up sump pump, which can provide an extra layer of protection if your electricity goes out or your sump pump ends up with more water than it can handle. See the Insurance Information Institute’s Insure Against the Risk of Sewer Backup fact sheet for more information.
Add flood insurance. Homeowners insurance covers wind-driven rain -- generally rain that comes into your house from the roof, windows, doors or holes in the walls -- but not flooding, which is water that comes into your home from the bottom up. You can buy that coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (and some mortgage companies require it). The maximum $250,000 of coverage costs $365 per year in a low-risk area ($405 if you have a basement) and can run $2,500 or more per year in a high-risk area. For price quotes and an assessment of flood risk for your address, see the NFIP’s FloodSmart.gov. There’s a 30-day waiting period before the coverage takes effect, so buy the insurance before May 1 to ensure you have coverage in time for the start of hurricane season.
Storm-proof your house, save on premiums. Most homeowners insurance companies offer discounts if you take measures to protect your home from storm damage. Chubb Insurance, for instance, gives a discount of up to 25% off its homeowners insurance coverage if you add storm-proof shutters. Install an automatic back-up generator, which can help power a sump pump, and the company gives a discount of up to 5%. Welther also recommends getting a lightening rod with surge protection to help prevent damage during an electrical storm. That may also get you a discount.
Do home maintenance. Before storm season, clean gutters and ground-level drains, and be sure the ground is graded and the landscaping designed so the water flows away from the foundation, not toward it. Also, trim trees and remove dead branches, which can cause expensive damage during storms. Homeowners insurance usually limits coverage for tree damage to $500 or $1,000 -- far less than the cost of hauling away a tree or a large limb. . For more information, see When Your Tree Falls in Your Neighbor’s Yard. Finally, move electronics, papers and other valuable items so they are off the floor in your basement.

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Tips for Success: How Good Agents Become Great


As an insurance agent, you are responsible for helping individuals, families and businesses find appropriate protection for their health, property—even their lives.
Accordingly, a good insurance agent will have a firm grasp on the financial products consumers are interested in, the technology to stay relevant and the customer service to build a reputable name.
Product Knowledge and Financial Services
Along with the basic insurance products, an increasing number of insurance agents are offering comprehensive financial services—creating a one-stop-shop where clients can satisfy their needs for insurance and financial planning.??
As an agent, you can also continue your education by keeping up with changes in tax and insurance law that may affect your clients, as well as attending conferences and seminars sponsored by insurance organizations.
The bottom line: A good insurance agent is also a good student.
Technological Advancement
The Internet has greatly affected the insurance world, giving agents a new forum in which to compete with opponents and attract new clients.
In recent years, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising—a process that marries ad text with search results—has been particularly effective for insurance agents. With a PPC campaign, you can sponsor search terms such as "affordable insurance" which, for a fee, appear next to the search results whenever that keyword is searched.
Thousands of agents have also turned to InsureMe to receive hot, timely leads sent directly to their email or fax machine—allowing agents to connect with consumers who are serious about finding insurance.
The bottom line: Agents who incorporate new technology into their business practices will remain competitive.
Competitive Customer Service
While more and more consumers are going to the Internet to shop for insurance, the majority of them still prefer to purchase a policy by sitting down with an agent rather than online—reinforcing the importance of superior customer service. The best agents are flexible, enthusiastic, and reliable—inspiring client confidence through effective communication.
To help address the needs of their clients, many insurance agents are hiring customer service representatives to handle client questions, make changes to policies and process claims—allowing the agent to work on finding new clients and preserving relationships with old clients.
The bottom line: Good customer service will build a satisfied clientele and lead to referrals.
Better Your Business Today.
With the rising competition in the insurance industry, it's important to learn how the top insurance agents stay on top. These tips, coupled with InsureMe's state-of-the-art referral service, will help you achieve the success you've always dreamed of!

This information was provided by InsureMe, the leader in online insurance leads for the insurance industry. Since 1993, InsureMe has helped thousands of insurance agents succeed in the insurance business by providing top quality leads that are both detailed and affordable. For more information on InsureMe leads, please visit our agent Web site at agent.insureme.com.
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