Frequently Asked Questions: Water Damage Remediation

You come home and you find your floor is full of water. You identify the source and stop the leak. Then you grab your wet/dry vacuum cleaner and suck up all the excess water. There are still a few damp area and it smells kind of musty so you open the window and will nature take its course. In your mind your Do-it-Yourself attitude just saved you a ton of money. Case closed.

The Do-it-Yourself attitude is admirable and the laudable hallmark of American culture but such attitude can prove to be, as in this case, misguided and have potential long term health and financial consequences.

Issue 1: Using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to extract the water

Problem 1: This extraction usually does not extract all the moisture from the affected area

Why this matters to you1: The remaining water can promote structural decay and be a catalyst for mold.

Issue 2: Opening widow to dry naturally

Problem 2: In hot, humid regions, such as FL, the sweltering heat can actually prevent evaporation

Why this matters to you2: This prevents drying and is an IDEAL condition for accelerated mold growth.

Issue 3: Employing Do-it-Yourself to save money

Problem 3: In many cases, the honorable and honest Do-it-Yourself attempt ends up costing more money

Why this matters to you3: Losing money is bad no matter how you look at it. The potential savings can be offset by having to redo the work and the need for special equipment that is used one time.

Why should I care about Mold?

It is well established that exposure to certain types of mold are well known to have serious health effects in humans. It is certainly not in the interest of anyone to be exposed to mold.

OK, so I'll hire a carpet cleaning company to get rid of my water.

This is a logical step as the typical carpet cleaner will have access to better commercial vacuum equipment than the homeowner but this logic fails in two main areas, cost and ability. Trying to save money by hiring a carpet cleaner can have negative budgetary impact depending on the company used and time involved. While many carpet cleaners are exceptional at their trade and are, usually, worth every penny, carpet cleaners do not know how to remove water from walls, monitor and control ambient moisture, and other such concerns of a professional water damage remediation company.

So how can I get rid of this water and save money?

The best way of getting rid of water damage, preventing or eliminating exposure to mold, and saving money is by hiring a professional water damage restoration company. An independent, professional water damage restoration company is professionally trained and intra-industry certified to thoroughly and professionally handle all aspects of structural drying, odor control, mold handling and removal, and other relevant water damage restoration considerations. More importantly, in many cases, such services can be done at NO or little cost to the property owner using methods including direct insurance billing.

So why pay out of pocket and do the work yourself when the professionals can do the work for you at little to no cost? It's a no brainer.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K.

Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118.

Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

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4 Huge Risks When It Comes to Water Damage in Crawlspaces

Flood damage to a basement or crawl space can be a potential nightmare to cleanup as it poses several different risks. Most homeowners never enter their basement for even several years at a time and are often clueless about how to go about doing water restoration work in a basement or crawlspace. While water extraction or water removal can be somehow managed by a homeowner in their basement, water restoration to crawlspaces will be very difficult.

In either case, it is highly recommended that homeowners seek the help of a professional water damage company to carry out the restoration work in their basement or crawlspace as self restoration work in the basement poses several safety and technical challenges.

Risk of electrocution and natural gas poisoning - Many a home will have the electrical wiring and natural gas pipes routed through the basement. Extensive flood damage in the basement can pose a risk of electrocution or gas poisoning. Only a contractor will know what precautions to take before actually carrying out water extraction work in the basement or crawlspace.Risk of mold and potential damage to the structure of the building - Humidity levels are very high in basements and crawlspaces which will mean that water damage can easily result in extensive mold damage. Mold is a very serious problem that can pose both health risks to the people living in a property as well as physical damage to the construction materials of a property. Only a professional water damage company will be able to fully analyze the moisture levels and potential mold problems in your basement and take preventative or reactionary measures accordingly.Risk of being bitten in the basement - The basement is often home to poisonous spiders, snakes and scorpions. A seasoned contractor will often wear protective clothing to protect himself from potentially fatal bites. In addition to the creepy crawlies in the basement, there is also a risk of exposure to accumulated radon gas which the contractor will tackle by wearing a gas mask.Risk of improper water extraction in the basement or crawlspace - One would have to be very careful about the water removal techniques when pumping out water from a basement space. This is because the walls of a basement can collapse if the water is pumped out too quickly. This will happen because of dramatic change in pressure on the walls.In conclusion, it is best that you seek the services of a good, reputable water damage company to carry out restoration work in your basement or crawlspace.

Daniel Camara is the owner of PuroClean Home Rescue, a restoration and mitigiation company that specializes in Water Damage, Fire Damage, Mold and Odor Removal. Puroclean is one of the largest property mitigation and restoration professional service firms in the country. With nearly 300 offices across the U.S., we respond to all emergencies immediately.

If you need any helpful advice on property restoration please visit us on our website at waterdamageout.com or contact us from the contact page.

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Emergency Water Damage Cleanup - Here's What You Need to Know

Your home can be damaged by water seepage from a number of different causes. Some of the most common causes of water damage to homes are builder and contractor negligence. Leaky pipes and blocked drains can make water seep indoors and cause damage to the interiors. Sometimes, natural disasters like floods, storms or hurricanes can also cause a lot of damage.

If you want to arrest and minimize the damage done to your home, you need to hire the services of emergency water damage cleanup experts. The sooner the problem is attended to, the lesser the damage to your home. The cost of cleanup would also be less if the problem is dealt with as early as possible. Water damage is not a pretty sight. It could be an eye sore to see your beautiful home marred by leaking water and floating debris. Even if the water leaks from a pure water source like a faucet, it can often get mixed with dirt and grime embedded inside joints and under carpets. This can soil the walls and other furnishings, making it more difficult to clean up the mess.

Water seeping through the walls or ceiling could also be dangerous as it can come in contact with electrical wiring. You might receive an electrical shock just by touching the walls. It is wise to turn off the power first and ensure that the rooms are safe enough to enter into. You then need to locate the source of leakage and arrest it as quickly as possible. Damp walls can also become a breeding ground for mold. This can damage the walls even further. Mold can make the cleanup process more difficult and complicated. It is therefore necessary to attend to the problem at the very earliest.When you contact your local emergency cleanup service, you should ensure that they provide 24/7 emergency service. Unless they are accessible round the clock, you may not be able to get in touch with them in an emergency.

Water damage most often gives rise to other problems like soiled carpets, dampness of walls and a lot of mess, especially if the sewer was the source of leakage. The water cleanup agency should also be able to offer all other related damage restoration services like carpet cleaning, carpet repair, carpet re-stretching, rug cleaning, dehumidifying, disinfecting, drying and sewer cleanup. Look for a service that can provide a free estimate. They should send fully certified technicians to your premises within 60 minutes or less. It would help if they also work with insurance companies to help you with claims.

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Protecting Your Home Against the Losses Involved With Flood Damage

When buying a home within a flood zone you are required to purchase flood insurance through FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency. This coverage protects homeowners and mortgage companies. It protects from the losses that occur from water damage to your homes structure and contents when flood damage wreaks havoc to your home. If you live in an area that is prone to flash floods it is advisable to go ahead and protect your assets with the additional insurance that cover flood damage.

It can also be useful to have if your home is in an area with a high water table and you have a home with a basement. Basements are often the storage compartments for all memorabilia that has been collected for holidays, camping gear, tools, out of season clothes etc. If your basement flooded would you be able to financially replace all of the items damaged beyond repair? This is where flood insurance would be useful. It protects your belongings from the unexpected. Heck, none knows when the electricity is going to go out rendering the sump pump useless and water damage to occur in a basement.

Excess flood insurance is the term used when flood insurance is purchased to not only protect your swelling but also the contents within your home. This insurance is not provided through FEMA but instead is often obtained through your insurance provider. Your insurance company will act as the middle man for you in all dealings with FEMA. It is important to have excess flood insurance especially when you live in an area prone to floods. Most flood zones, even 100 year flood zones, require the purchase of additional insurance to cover your dwelling.

Many events can cause flooding. Flood damage can be caused by excess rainfall within a short period of time, snow and ice melting too fast, a leak from a pool or a clogged storm drain which in a sub division can cause massive issue for home owners.

It is important to research the area in which you are interested in purchasing a home. It is important that you add flood insurance to your budget when planning for a home purchase within a flood zone. The cost of flood insurance will depend on several factors; the size of your home, its value and the risk associated with the area in which your home is built. The expense can add hundreds of dollars to your insurance policy so it is something to really look into before signing on the dotted line. Most mortgage companies are upfront when offering a mortgage about the type of homeowner and flood insurance the purchaser will need. It is so important to be covered in the event of a disaster accidental or natural.

If you have enjoyed this article from Kevin Germain at CPS please visit http://www.tcirestoration.com/ today where you will find useful information on flood damage.

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