basement, flooding, mold growth, water damage restoration, waterm water damage
In Uncategorized on May 1, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Dealing with water damage is not an easy task, as it can happen in a number of ways to your home. More so, it usually happens when we least expect it. It can start from a blasted pipe, a faucet that we forgot to turn off, washing machine malfunctions or the worse – from a heavy rain causing excessive flooding in your home.
Whatever the circumstances are, doing water damage restoration should be the main concern of a responsible homeowner. However, water damage restoration is not an easy task and is not a job for everyone. Having knowledge about it can definitely save your properties whether you want to do the task yourself or before a restoration team arrives.
Before starting with the water damage restoration process, be sure that the gas, water supply and the main electrical switch are turned off. This is just a precautionary procedure for the safety of the people who are going to do the restoration job and for your entire family as well.
If the damage that occurred is from a flood, remember that there is a possibility that it is already contaminated with different types of chemicals and human and animal waste. So before dealing with the water damage restoration, gear yourself with proper clothing and wear plastic boots, water resistant gloves and face mask. It is important to protect your eyes and mouth. Wear a respirator for the task.
Find the location on where the water is coming from and stop it from further entering by making temporary repairs on them.
Dealing with water damage restoration should always start from the attic down below to the basement. Get rid of water-soaked articles in the attic since they will get heavy and create more pressure on the ceilings.
After being sure that no more water will come inside, open all ventilation of the house from doors, windows and even cabinets. This is needed to help with the air circulation and to help control the humidity of the house.
Clean, scrub and disinfect all affected areas. Do not forget in this procedure to deodorize the house and make sure that all is dry before confirming that everything is okay. Remember that moist and damp can be the start of mold growth and source for bacteria and micro organisms to form. Always be cautious when doing water damage restoration. If all these simple procedure is followed, then the water damage restoration will be successful.
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Arvada, Colorado, drying, drying process, estract water, flood, Photography, wall-to-wall carpets, water, water damage, water damage restoration, Wedding
In Uncategorized on March 28, 2009 at 3:35 am
Being a victim of flood is never easy because it needs immediate attention, causes stress and requires a decent amount of money if the property damaged was not properly insured. The next best thing to do is take it upon yourself to remedy the situation as best as you can.
A water damage restoration remediation activity needs the following: removal of water, cleaning and disinfecting, drying and restoration. Each part of the process is significant to the other because if the previous step was not properly done then it also affects the effectiveness of the following procedure.
The first phase of water damage restoration calls for removing the water. You can do this by using a submersible vacuum pump or a wet vacuum pump. Make sure that the main electrical switch within the house has been turned off before tackling the water to avoid any accidents since electricity and water do not mix. Extract water from high vantage points to allow you to get to the lower areas. Continue pumping out water until you have removed most of it. This would allow you to get and bring out the necessary things and items that were likewise contaminated by the dirty flood water.
When you have cleared all the water, bring out all the equipment, appliances, furniture and fixture from the affected area. This will enable you to efficiently clean all the affected surfaces. Remove wall-to-wall carpets by rolling it and taking it outside. If mud is present then you will need shovels and a wheelbarrow to take out the mud before you can start cleaning with soap and water.
Upon being able to remove every necessary item, start the main water damage restoration process by brushing all areas and surfaces with warm soapy water. If you cannot do the whole area at once then start with the inner and upper portions first to make your cleaning more steady and easy. Then properly rinse everything by using a garden hose spray to clear out the soap and dirt residues left by the scrubbing. When everything has been completely rinsed out, dry all surfaces with clean cloth rags while using a mop for the floor. After you have done this apply a disinfectant. You could either make your own mixture out of 2 ounces of chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of water; or you could use a commercial disinfectant – just follow the directions on the label.
After disinfecting the area is the drying process of a water damage restoration procedure. All air vents, windows and air passage ways must be opened to circulate the air. Turn on fans and dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying process. Drying requires a number of days which could take up to one week or more.
Upon having finished cleaning the area affected by the flood and waiting for it to dry; the water damage restoration entails the separation of the usable items and the thoroughly damaged ones. The equipment, furniture or fixture that could still be used must be properly cleaned, disinfected and dried. It is very important to remember that the main objective of a water damage restoration procedure is to dry everything out and repair them back to their previous undamaged state. It is also suggested that before doing any water damage restoration activity, you must determined to take on the difficult task and must follow the process meticulously to achieve the results you desire.
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Broomfield, Colorado, flooding, floodwater, foreclosure, foreclosures, Longmont, real estate, water damage, water damage restoration, watere
In Uncategorized on March 16, 2009 at 3:31 pm
People have been well-informed of the dangers of flooding. Whenever a major storm occurs, warnings are issued over the news to tell the residents of a potentially affected area to brace themselves. At some point, every person will hear of a story about the loss of life and property because of a deluge.
But aside from those that happen naturally, some floods are caused by reasons more mundane, although no less devastating. Sewers can get clogged and release noxious materials inside your home. Pipes can also burst at any time and soak your belongings. These manmade floods carry with them their own set of dangers. Usually, they are associated with diseases and illnesses because of the germs and parasites the floodwater contains.
The good news is that most people are aware of these dangers and thus know that they should approach the problem carefully. However, did you know that there are other dangers, which are not at the forefront of your mind, out there? To find out more about water damage restoration and the dangers it brings, read on.
There is a danger of being zapped.
One of the little known hazards of water damage restoration is that you can actually get electrocuted while conducting it. Even children know that water and electricity should not be in close proximity with each other. Thus, you should be aware that any kind of water damage restoration will have that problem. This is precisely because of what you are repairing. The idea is that you endure the service because there is water inside your home. It is thus logical to assume that some electrical outlets or appliances got wet. It is this fact which makes electrocution a danger to those conducting the water damage restoration.
There is a danger of hiring the wrong professional.
There are some situations when you would have to avail of the services of a professional. Calling in a crew to conduct the water damage restoration is certainly a convenience for you. However, there are some things that you would have to watch out for when calling in an outsider into your home. Because you will be giving them access to your personal space, there is a higher standard of safety that should be applied. Make sure that you only call in a licensed, reputable professional to conduct the repairs. That way, you can be sure that the project will be handled in the way that it was supposed to and without endangering the safety of you and the other occupants.
The danger of paying too much is prevalent.
Water damage restoration is not a cheap service to obtain. That being said, it is not also supposed to be impossibly high priced. Water damage restoration companies usually charge the same way in a particular area. Avoid paying a higher price by making a couple of inquiries before signing a dotted line. The way for you to know about whether or not you are getting a fair deal is to conduct your own sleuthing. Ask other water damage restoration companies and check their prices before settling down with one.
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water, water damage, water damage repair
In Uncategorized on February 5, 2009 at 3:03 am
People are mostly aware of the dangers that can threaten a household. They know that many wrong things can happen that could risk the safety of the people in the household or damage the property therein. A lot of people think that they have everything covered and that they know what they need to look out for when it comes to household hazards.
The problem is some people only focus on the obvious possible problems and overlook the common yet silent danger that works within. There are many problems that can happen and one very real danger is water damage. Water damage is caused by anything that is connected with water. It can be caused by direct contact to water or even just the presence of water in the vicinity. Water damage repair is therefore a priority as the damage that water can bring can increase every single day.
There are basically three types of water that one must look out for. Each one involves a different degree of water damage repair and each one has different elements in it.
The first is clean water and this is water that is basically uncontaminated and running in the water pipes. While the water itself is clean, it can still pose a threat as when the pipes burst. Water damage repair would then be needed in order for the water to not cause more damage than it already has. Despite its being clean, water damage repair is still needed.
People think that just because the water is basically clean that water damage repair is unnecessary or not as important. It is important to be reminded that water damage is basically caused by the water itself and not the contents of the water. While the latter may have an additional danger to it, this does not mean that clean water is harmless. It can still be damaging to a lot of things in your house. Moreover, clean water does not stay clean forever. It can easily be contaminated and bacteria can breed on it making it basically unclean water.
The second type of water is brown water. This is basically contaminated water that may be full of bacteria and other microorganisms that are harmful on its own. Since this type of water is dangerous, it is important that water damage repair is applied as soon as possible. In fact, one should be aware as to where in the household this type of water passes. It must be known where the water goes through and it must be checked frequently for any possible leaks that it may have. Water damage repair should be done in order to prevent this health hazard.
The last would be black water. Water damage repair in this type of water is an absolute imperative since black water is basically sewage water. It is full of feces, dirt and other dangerous chemicals and microorganisms that can possible kill people who are exposed to it. Water damage repair must always and immediately be applied to areas that may be affected by black water.
cleanup, flood, flood damage, flood damage cleanup, mold
In Uncategorized on January 14, 2009 at 5:01 pm
One of the things you should be on the look out for even after you have cleaned and sanitized your home after a flood is the growth of molds and mildew. Molds grow in areas where there is moisture so a home that has been flooded recently has a high risk of getting mold damage.
This is why it is very important to do the flood damage cleanup properly. If the process was not performed the right way, certain areas of the home may still be wet when the furniture pieces are packed back into the home, resulting in mold growth in the areas where there is hidden moisture. Mold growth may be hidden from plain sight under wall boards and floor boards and you won’t even discover them until the damage is already severe.
To prevent mold growth make sure that all parts of your home and all your belongings are completely dry after you are done with the flood damage cleanup. Inspect all areas of the home to ensure that everything is dry.
During and after the flood damage cleanup, you also need to make sure that the air is not humid. You may leave all windows and doors open to let air circulate or you may use a dehumidifier if there is too much moisture in the air. High humidity usually leads to condensation which leads to wet surfaces. Because there are mold spores in the air even in the cleanest homes, it is possible for mold to grow from these small moist areas.
If you hire a professional to do the flood damage cleanup then they have special equipment to detect moisture in the air and they are also trained and well-experienced in terms of searching for hidden packets of water or moisture. This is another reason why it is always better to hire a professional water restoration company to do the flood damage cleanup.
When after the flood you see mold growth on clothes, mattresses and other porous or absorbent items, discard the items right away. Place all damaged items carefully in heavy duty plastic bags to prevent mold spores from spreading. Take the garbage bags out of your home. Mattresses and other absorbent things that have been severely damaged by flood and are already developing molds on them are almost always impossible to clean. This is why you should just get rid of them instead of holding on to them.
You should also clean and sanitize surfaces such as glass and other smooth surfaces as soon as you discover the mold growth on them. The best way to deal with flood damage cleanup and mold remediation is to react quickly. The longer you let mold sit, the bigger mold problem you will experience. Remember to clean and sanitize all moldy areas/items before painting over them or restoring them. Painting over mold will just result in the paint peeling off.
If the moldy surface covers over 100 square feet then you should definitely hire a professional instead of trying to deal with the problem yourself.
carpet, water, water removal
In Uncategorized on January 14, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Being on the floor, the carpet is always the first to get soaked when flood waters get in the home. If your home has been flooded then you may want to call in a water removal company to get the water out of your home and to clean everything. However, you may want to save some money and choose to do the water removal yourself.
If your carpet was ruthlessly damaged, you may not have any other option but to discard it. You will also have to discard a carpet that has been soaked in sewage water for over 24 hours. If the carpet can still be saved however, here are some useful tips that you can do to do water removal and restoration of your carpets and rugs.
The first thing you must do is to roll up your carpet and to get it out of your home so that you can clean it thoroughly and so that you can let it dry under the sun. You may rent a steam machine so that you can clean the carpet properly. If you can’t rent out a machine, you can clean the carpet with the regular garden hose and a good carpet shampoo. If you also can’t find carpet shampoo, regular commercial disinfectant such as Lysol will do. Just make sure you read the label of the cleaner so that you’re sure that the cleaner will work with the material of your carpet. Some commercial cleaners may cause damage to your carpet.
Wash the top and the bottom surfaces of the carpet and rinse it completely with water. To make the whole process of water removal and cleaning the carpet easier, work on a small section of the carpet before moving on to the next section. You can apply the carpet shampoo or the cleaner using a sponge. Make sure that when you apply the shampoo, you rub it in gently with the sponge to avoid causing damage to it. You can use a wet vacuum to suck out the excess water before leaving it out on the pavement to dry.
If you can not take out the carpet because it is glued to the floor, you will need a wet vacuum for the water removal process. A wet vacuum is the equipment that will suck out the water from the carpet. You can also use fans to dry out the carpet.
You need to make sure the carpet is completely dry before you can put it back in the house. If you put your wet carpet back in and just leave it alone, chances are your carpet will be ruined by mold growth.
Remember, you need to be able to remove the carpet from water within 24 hours of flooding otherwise you can expect some serious damage on it and you may have a hard time doing water removal and restoration. It is also best to just throw away the carpet padding instead of trying to save it because carpet padding is usually cheap and it is easier to clean and dry a carpet without padding.
