Category: TCI Restoration - page 2

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.

When we were searching for our first home we were very naïve as I assume many first home buyers are. We fell head over heels with a home that sits ten feet from a river. We weren’t thinking about floods and flood damage. We were thinking about how beautiful the water was. How soothing it would be to lie on a hammock underneath the fifty foot trees that lined the river bank. Most importantly we were thinking about how the kids could spend their summer days fishing and swimming in the clear beautiful depths of the river. We were ecstatic to know this could be ours and it was our first home purchase!

Upon signing on the dotted line for the home to become ours the bank where we were obtaining our mortgage from informed us that we would need flood insurance. We never really thought to long or hard about this because things like flood damage and water damage don’t happen to people like us. They only happen to unprepared people and that was never going to be us. That was until we went on a mini vacation and the worst thing that could have happened did.
I know what you are thinking. No, the river did not flood. I don’t know if what happened to our home was worse or better but thankfully we had flood insurance that covered the inside contents and exterior of our home.

While we were away a comedy of errors happened. In what order they happened we are unsure but boy did they create water damage like I have ever seen before. I am assuming that the washer was the first thing to start the disaster in motion. I started a small load of towels and pajamas before we left. I knew my father would be over the next day and would throw them into the dryer so I was not worried about mold. The washer flooded the laundry room. We think something got lodged in the drainage pipe and the pressure causes a leak that eventually just burst. This alone would have been manageable but within that same period of time the hot water tank sprung a leak too.

Needless to say the flood did not stop in the laundry room it seeped out into the hall down into our kitchen and living room areas. It was very upsetting and unexpected. Personal artifacts were ruined but we were lucky because my dad came to our house the next day and found the water damage we could take steps to prevent further damage such as mold.
He was able to call our insurance company who recommended a company that provided disaster relief and was able to extract the water from our home before more damage occurred. This helped to shorten the time it took to dry out our home. The company brought with them industrial fans to circulate the air and also help create the best environment for drying out our belongings. Without them we could have been in for major troubles down the road. If mold sets in homeowners like us could be put through the process of mold removal and mold remediation. Although there are professional companies out there that would have taken care of us I am glad we did not need their services this time.

Our wet carpets were dry within 48 hours which is the recommended time to eliminate the mold process from starting and from the carpets to start smelling. We were able to minimize the expense with a quick response time on the part of the water extraction team and the whole house was almost back to normal days later. The humidity was managed through the scientific drying process that the team used to prevent mold damage in our home later on.

Homes are affected by water damage by many various sources. Hurricanes, tornados and floods are becoming all too common inflicting millions of dollars worth the water damage to homes each year. On top of natural disasters water damage can happen from various extenuating circumstances within the home. Pipes leak or worse yet burst, washers overflow, sump pumps stop working all of these unexpected sources can lead to extensive water damage in homes today. Homes affected by water damage should be handled with extreme care. Professionals should be called to access the damage and help home owners properly care for the areas affected.

There are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to properly cleaning up any disaster within your home. Water is no exception. Unlike fire damage, water damage leaves the pieces of your life intact but damaged. It is hard for many victims of flooding to understand that the best option for cleanup is to call a professional. Many people assume that they can remove the water and that will be that. However this does not take into consideration contaminates and bacteria within the standing water. This also leaves room for error which could allow mold to be produced. The best option in any home disaster is to contact a professional and have them assist you in the cleaning process.

Here is a list of the major dos and don’ts involved in the process of restoring your home when water wreaks havoc.
1) Start by finding out where the water is coming from. Of course if your home is inflicted with a natural disaster the source will be obvious. However, more subtle leaks in your pipes or appliances can leave home owners searching for the source of the water issue. Turning the water off will alleviate any further damage.
2) Call an insured reputable restoration company in your area. Many times your insurance carrier will have approved companies to go through so check with them first.
3) The main concept is to remove as much of the water and humidity in your home as possible. If you have damage during the cooler months you may need to run the heat in your home more frequently to help with drying where as in the summer you would want the air conditioning to run. Both processes remove the humidity and help with drying. Fans are also useful to help keep the air circulating. Of course make sure it is safe to run these appliances before using them. Water often causes major damage within your electrical systems.
4) Remove as much water as possible. Sponge mops are helpful during this process. You may also want to employ a siphon technique to detour the water into a proper drain.
5) Furniture should be handled with great care. Remove cushions and pillows. Prop them up so that even and thorough drying happens.
6) Rugs, floor coverings and curtains should be removed. They need to be properly treated to make sure bacteria are dealt with and mold is not allowed to grow.
7) All personal items such as paintings, photos, books, fabrics, luggage and items to a dry location with even heat. This will prevent further damage.
8) Don’t let pets or children come into contact with the affected areas. Make sure that protective gear is worn at all times when dealing with the contaminated areas. The last thing needed is to be exposed to bacteria that could harm your health.
9) Don’t turn the heat up. Keep all areas at a consistent 70 degrees. Turning the heat any higher than this will promote the growth of mildew and bacteria.
10) Household vacuums and shop-vacs should not be used. They do not provide thorough water extraction. You will need to have a professional restoration company out to do a thorough job in this area.
11) Do not enter rooms where electricity is still on and standing water is still present.
12) Carpet that is tacked down should be left for professionals to deal with. If lifted incorrectly the carpet could become damaged not allowing it to be salvaged.

My top tip to anyone suffering with any amount of flood damage is to call restoration professionals within twenty four hours of the damage occurring. This will help prevent further damage including but not limited to mold, mildew, bacteria growth or a myriad of other tragedies.

“Hello 911.” the operator answers cool and calm. “My house is engulfed in flames. Please hurry!” the homeowner explains frantically. “Help is on their way.” the operator replies.

This phone call is one that all of us think about at one time or another. We hope that we are prepared if a fire ever strikes our home. Do you know what you would do? Of course we would all like to feel that we are prepared but can you ever truly be prepared for an accident or natural disaster? Whether you are in a flood or a fire surviving the event is monumental. How do you proceed to get your life back in order back to some resemblance of what it was before the fire?

Most of us realize that we will need to find away to begin the process of restoring our home and the items that belong to us. This process will take time. Not only will your belongings have been damages by fire but water damage will also be an issue. Who or where do you turn to first? Did you have the proper insurance? Are your ducks all aligned and how fast can you get back on your feet? If this situation ever happens to you be prepared.

Here is a list of the major dos and don’ts involved in the process of restoring your home when fire wreaks havoc.
1) First things first call the insurance agent immediately. As you are watching the fire fighters fighting to save your home call and let your agent know what is going on. They will be able to get the ball rolling for fire restoration professionals to assess the damage. Fire damage will be unavoidable. It will also be necessary for them to help you find a place to stay in the mean time.
2) Don’t reenter the home until you are sure it is safe structurally and that ventilation has been established. Windows and doors with fans blowing are a good start for evacuating smoke from the environment.
3) Electricity to the area should be shut off and not turned on until a professional is out to evaluate the environment.
4) Start by removing anything that you notice is visibly damaged beyond repair. All food should be disposed of. Do not eat anything that has been exposed to fire. The chemicals that certain materials give off when on fire could be hazardous to your health if ingested.
5) The urge will strike to wash walls and the contents of your home. Do not attempt to do this on your own. More damage could be done. It is best to have a professional service in to survey the area and give advice before cleaning is attempted.
6) Make sure as the restoration process is attempted that you change the filters on all heating and cooling systems.
7) Pets should not be removed from the premises. Do not allow pets to roam amongst the damage. It is not safe for their health and could be dangerous in the unstable conditions the fire has caused.

It is so important that fire alarms are installed throughout your home. A quick response by a homeowner coupled with a responsive fire team will yield the best overall result in saving your home and family. Be as prepared as possible. Make sure you go over fire safety often and that you are in regular contact with your insurances agent. Being prepared for accidents and natural disasters will help in the long run if something does happen to your family and home.

If your home has been affected by a flood you know that cleanup efforts are long a tedious. Flood damage causes major expense to homeowners and insurance companies. On top of all of it is the hassle and inconvenience flood damage causes to the lives of those affected by them. The aftermath of a flood can leave homes susceptible to mold, mildew and other hazardous bacteria. What is a homeowner to do if they find themselves in that situation? Here they have taken all the time necessary to remedy the flood situation only to find themselves knee deep in another problem.

Mold restoration most likely will require professional services. Although small amounts of mold can be treated by homeowners it is best to evaluate each situation to determine the proper course of action. Mold is common to outdoor environments but when mold affects your home it becomes a whole different story. Not only does mold create an unpleasant environment visually it is harmful to the health of the people and animals within the home as well.

Here is a list of the major dos and don’ts involved in the process of restoring your home when mold wreaks havoc.
1) The fungus that is mold needs water to grow and spread. You must first eliminate the source of water and humidity to halt the spore’s growth. If you do not you will be wasting your time removing the mold because it will just reoccur given the environment has not changes. Eliminating the source of water will ultimately eliminate the environment the spores thrive in.
2) Protective gear must be worn at all times when dealing with mold growth. Health issues can arise from the mycotoxins released in spores that are disturbed. Issues from the inhalation and skin contact are common when dealing with mold.
3) Determine the size of your mold invasion. If the size of the issue is relatively small the average homeowner can handle it with proper care. For mold issues greater than a space of 3 feet by 3 feet it is best to call in the professionals.
4) If you are dealing with the issue on your own you will want to take proper care in removing the affected area. All trash related to the infestation should be placed in a heavy duty black garbage bag, sealed and placed outside.
5) The area should then be treated using anti-microbial chemicals. Of course remembering to wear protective gear throughout the process. Sanding all wood surfaces and removing drywall should be sufficient for most minor mold infestation. Scrub any area with a combination of soap and water to clean the area and continue the cleaning process by drying the area thoroughly. Seal any and all wood with primer and sealer to prevent further infestations before completing repairs.
6) If the area affected by mold is of substantial size it is best to call in the professionals. Do not touch or disturb the spores for they release chemicals in the area that can spread the population throughout your home environment.
7) Do not use bleach on the mold. Bleach is hazardous because it does not effectively kill viable spores and colonies before evaporating into the air around you.

The best advice anyone can truly give you is to call a professional. They have been educated in proper mold remediation techniques and can therefore properly treat the area without causing further issues to you and your family.

Buying a home is such an adventure. It is so exciting to walk in to a world of complete possibility. Most homes that are purchased need tweaking. You buy a house that you like and turn it into a home by the improvements you invest in. For instance, when we purchased our home we loved the open air feel, cozy kitchen and layout of the bedrooms in relation to the other rooms in the house. However there were things cosmetically that we were unhappy about. We needed paint, stain, cleaner and carpet. The only thing that mechanically was needed was a water softener and insulation was needed but that wasn’t too major. We thought we were getting off pretty cheap. That was until we priced out carpet for a 1400 square foot home.

Carpet is pricey. It is one of the largest investments that you can cosmetically make that doesn’t involve a renovation. We ended up with a beautiful frieze carpet that will hopefully stand the test of time, two kids and three cats. There were so many things we learned during the installation process that made us aware of how fragile this investment we were making was. If we did not properly care for our purchase with proper cleaning techniques we would end up making this investment more often than we would like too. I am not only talking about vacuuming and spot removal but also the cleaning that will need to be done by a professional.

Professional carpet cleaners are not all the same. We learned this right away. There are many different types of cleaning methods and many types of professional carpet cleaners. Researching the different techniques made us realize that without a professional who knew our carpet and knew what cleaning method would work best we could end up with a big mess. The most important factor, we found out, is the professionals method of water extraction. Without proper water extraction and drying water sits beneath the carpet and soaks into the padding leaving room for mold, mildew and carpet delimitation.

There are five major methods professional carpet cleaners use to clean carpets. A carpet professional should come out to your home, inspect your carpet and then suggest a cleaning method that would best suit your need.

The hot/cold water extraction method is what most people relate to when speaking about carpet cleaning. This method involves using a carpet cleaning machine along with detergent to “steam clean” the carpet. As the machine shoots out the water solution there is a vacuum inside the machine pulling out the dirt, water and detergent. The major drawback to this method is if done incorrectly the carpet and padding can become saturated. Also if all the detergent is not pulled from the carpet you run the risk of the detergent becoming a dirt magnet. Your carpet professional must make sure to completely dry all the areas cleaned. This is a top priority in making sure that your carpet stays as good as new. No one wants to deal with mold and mildew removal especially when carpet is involved.

The next method is a dry extraction method. This method involves taking detergent and brushing it into the carpet with a machine especially designed for this. The soil and dirt adheres to the chemicals and then is removed by vacuuming the detergent and dirt away. The problem is that this method is not always effective for areas that are heavily soiled. The foam extraction method is similar but instead of a dry detergent you use foam. The foam is vacuumed out while it is still damp.

Another method is the rotary foam method. A machine pushes a foam solution into your carpet and gently works it deep into the fibers. Then a second process takes the dirty foam and wet vacuums it out. This method also involves making sure that the carpet is thoroughly dry before resuming regular activity. Water extraction will be the key in keeping your carpets clean.

Finally the last method in carpet cleaning is the absorbent-pad technique. Make sure if you choose this technique that your carpet professional is trained. It is easy to ruin carpet if you are not skilled at this technique. The absorbent pad method involves spraying cleaners into the fibers of your carpet and letting them set. During this time it is said that the chemicals will pull the dirt from within the carpet fibers out. A machine with a large spinning absorbent pad will then pick up the chemical and dirt. If you have a carpet with a deep pile this might not be the best technique for your carpets. If not done properly you can end up with a mess.

Properly caring for one of the biggest investment in cosmetic repairs to your new home is a must. Make sure you ask for referrals and that you discuss why the technique that they choose is the correct method for your carpet. It is best to ask for the opinion of at least three carpet professionals. Remember this is only for the first time you have your carpets cleaned. If you find someone who you are happy than each year you will be able to call them up and have them back out. Remember that this investment in your home is upwards of five thousand dollars don’t trust it to just anyone do the research.

No one wants to ever enlist the help of fire restoration professionals. The only way to do this is to prevent a fire from starting in the first place. The process of fire restoration is long and tedious and will consume your life for months. Follow these quick tips to prevent a fire in your home so that you can avoid that time lost in your life.

First and most important have and test fire alarms in your home. This will prevent a fire from going unnoticed and hopefully prevent major damage if one does occur. Most professionals that deal with fire and fire safety insist on checking alarms at least twice a year. Do a practice a drill with your family to ensure that everyone in your home knows where they should be and what they should do in the event of a fire. Change the batteries twice a year also. It will alleviate the future 1AM wake up call of the alarm chirping for batteries and the search for them that follows.

Do not allow people to smoke in your home and don’t do it yourself. Many fires start from a smoker who has carelessly disposed of ashes and cigarettes improperly. If you do smoke and allow people to smoke in your home use common sense. Never leave a cigarette unattended. Properly dispose of the leftover ashes outside of your home in a container that is kept at a distance from your home.

Fireplaces are another area that is on the list of fire starters. Have a professional out to inspect your chimney and fireplace before the start of the fall season. Debris left in the flu can ignite causing a small fire to smolder and eventually cause a disaster. When removing the ash from the chimney ensure it has cooled. Never put a warm bucket of ashes on your deck thinking it will cool and be fine. My neighbor did this and came home to see smoke billowing out from all of their vents and the deck engulfed in flames. The bucket did nothing but conduct the heat causing the wood deck to catch on fire. Be careful with fireplaces and keep all matches high where children aren’t tempted to start a fire on their own.

Candles are another bid deal in preventing your home from catching fire. You should never leave candles unattended. Not even the ones inside glass containers. Be vigilant in extinguishing all lit flames in your home before you leave the room or go to bed. If you make this habit it is less likely you will ever accidently forget to blow a candle out before you leave you home.

Lint from your dryer vents needs to be regularly checked, cleaned and vacuumed out. It is recommended that the lint be removed after each load is finished and that you vacuum the dryer vent area out once a month to prevent a build up of lint.

When you are having a fire outside of your home it is important to make sure to keep the fire a safe distance from your home. When burning leaves or having a campfire it is important to make sure that the area is semi moist to alleviate the spreading of fire. It is important to keep brush and dry leaves cleared for your home. Dry brush will only help spread a fire if one happened to start. They are a perfect igniter.

Another biggie is that you never should leave the stove top unattended. Not only is it a fire hazard but it is also a safety hazard to children. When food is boiling it is easy for the pot to boil over. If anything in the pot is flammable and it boils over it will ignite a fire in your kitchen.

Keep space heaters away from curtains and at least three feet away from walls and other flammable materials. Make sure to turn off all space heaters when you leave the room or house. It is like a candle but instead of a flame you have a coil. I would recommend that space heaters not be used at all but if you have to use them be careful and use caution.

Last but not least I will leave you with this one final tip in preventing fires from destroying your home and your pocketbook. Use common sense whenever fire, flame and ashes are involved. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home just in case and be cautious at all times. Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make and fire can destroy it in minutes.

Mold is one of those words that send shivers down my spine. Mold isn’t a plant or an animal it is a fungi. In the proper environment mold will damage all types of materials. Prevention is the key aspect in getting mold in your home. Mold is hazardous in the home environment and is not easily removed. If it is too late for prevention you will need to take steps in proper removal. Be diligent not only about removing the mold but ensuring you have taken the proper steps for further mold infestations.

Molds are hazardous because they reproduce quickly. Spores get into the air and are hard to remove. When inhaled many mold spores can cause people to have respiratory issues. Other issues that mold causes are skin rashes and immune issues if exposed to for long periods of time. It is so important to remove and prevent mold in your home.

Preventing mold is fairly easy. It can be included in the regular maintenance of your home. Be on high alert for conditions that would lend themselves to the growth of mold. These situations can be as simple as a leaky faucet or as complicated as high humidity and condensation build up. Look for areas where mold is visible such as showers and tile for instance. Those are areas that attract mold. Keep areas clean with cleaner that is specially formulated to kill mold.

To properly clean mold that has made its way into your home the following tips are advised.

1) Eliminate Moisture: Clean and soak up as much of the water as you can. Hire a professional to come in with high powered fans and dehumidifiers.

2) Fix the Problem: Some issues are easier to spot than others. If you see mold growing in your attic it might take some research to find out how the moisture is getting in. You also need to find out why it is not being expelled correctly. However if the toilet leaks it is pretty obvious.

3) Clean Up: Start by wearing protective gear. Gloves, a face mask, long pants and a long shirt should keep you protected from minor mold cleanup. Make sure to use old clothing because you will want to throw it out after you are finished. Bring in the professionals if the area is too large. You may want to use a respirator.

4) Ventilate: Use a fan to circulate area outside. Make sure to open all windows and doors.

5) Cover and Turn Off: Turn off all air conditioners and heat sources. It would be best to close and cover all vents and ducts. Close the doors throughout the house to keep the airborne mold spores contained as much as possible.

6) Removal: All items that are porous should be removed and gotten rid of. Anything without a porous surface can be cleaned and kept.

7) Sanitize: Using a solution of 1 ½ cups of bleach to 1 gallon of boiling water to clean all areas. Let the solution set for about 15 minutes before wiping clean and rinsing.

8) Dry the Area: In order to make sure that the mold does not grow back you must make sure the entire area is thoroughly dried. Also, it is important to keep the area completely dry.

Prevention is the key to avoid having to remove mold in the first place. Maintenance and a watchful eye should avoid you from having to worry about major mold removal.

Picture everything you own floating in a sea of grimy, muddy water. This is what happens when your home floods. Flooding doesn’t occur neatly. The water is never chlorinated. There is not time to adjust your most prized possessions. It just occurs fast and without warning. The water comes in the house like a rocket and leaves it in disarray. Not only are your belongings destroyed but you are left with bacteria growing like nobodies business and a very unstable home. The systems in your home such as heating & cooling will also be affected. Where do you go after your home floods? This article will guide you in the direction you need to begin after your home has been hit by a flood in regards to water restoration.

Your insurance company is where you should begin when anything happens to your home especially flooding and fire damage. Many times your home owners insurance will have a special policy included for flooding. Call your insurance provider to see what is covered and what is not. Water restoration is something most insurance companies are very familiar with. If you live in an area known to flood make sure you purchase special flood insurance through FEMA. If your policy does cover such disasters they will send an adjuster out. The adjuster will take pictures and note the damage and most likely assist you with a contact that will help you restore your home.

Starting the clean up process will be the next step. This process will be long and tedious but necessary for the long term health and safety of your family and home. First things first, clear as much debris as you can and throw it away. Consider renting a dumpster unit. Clear the dirt residue, loose building materials and things that can not be fixed in general. Don’t hold on to questionable items, replace them.

Disinfecting is the next step after you have cleared all the loose debris that can not be salvaged. Get a pair of rubber gloves that are heat resistant and boil some water. Add a ¼ cup of chlorine bleach to each gallon of boiling water. The mixture you will have will disinfect anything and everything. Make sure kids and pets are a safe distance away from this mixture and make sure to label it poisonous. Spray and disinfect every surface whether it was involved directly in the flood or not. The bacteria will find its way through your home so be thorough.

Go room by room through your home. Start in with all the major furniture and items that consume the most space in your home. All clothes, furniture, bedding and throw rugs should be placed in an area that they will be able to dry without humidity and weather getting to them. Furniture with cushions needs special attention. If mold sets in you will have even bigger an issue so being thorough is key, hire a professional cleaner.

Kitchens are a bit easier to take care of. Disinfection with the combination of hot water and bleach should be effective for dishes and glassware. Metal should be boiled in hot water for 15-20 minutes. The bleach mixture will ruin the finish. Clean and rinse all surface areas, such as cupboards, shelves and countertops.

Walls, electrical systems, heating & cooling systems and appliances are all areas that it is better to have a professional come out and handle. There are all types of issues that could go haywire so why have a firs on top of a flood. Leave these major repairs to a professional. Have everything with an electrical end checked out. Walls will have soaked up all sorts of moisture and most likely will need to be replaced to prevent mold from infesting your home. There just isn’t a good way to dry drywall and it isn’t that moisture resistant.

Floors are tricky. Most of the time the recommendation would be to remove and replace all flooring. It is difficult to completely and thoroughly clean and disinfect carpet, linoleum, wood or tile floors. The subfloor will often become so saturated that drying it without removal of the floor material on top would be nearly impossible.

Flooding allows bacteria, mold and mildew a perfect entrance into your home. If you take precautions and follow these tips you should avoid anymore issues than you already have with the flood alone. Hopefully, you will not experience flooding as it is one of the hardest jobs to clean up. If you do be prepared with thorough water restoration it will yield the best results.

After you experience a disaster of any magnitude involving water the last things you want to do is walk into your home and smell that distinct mildew, mold, wet odor. Water restoration might just be the most important part in the clean up process following a flood or water damage of any kind. The process of water restoration allows you to breathe in fresh air and eliminates nasty molds that can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. If you are looking to eliminate any future issues and to repair the damages made by water you should read and follow the following in regard to water restoration.

1) Hire an experienced water restoration company after any type of water damage has occurred. This will ensure a complete cleanup is done. Water restoration companies will come out and do a procedure such as ozone restoration. This method of water restoration eliminates odor and is also effective in removing odors caused by mildew and mold.

2) To be safe before you or any person does any type of water restoration turn off all electricity to the area affected by the water damage. Also, gear up in appropriate attire rubber gloves, boots, air masks, and protective eye wear should be worn.

3) While preparing for the water restoration company to come is to act fast removing water. Water removal is a vital step in the beginning process of water restoration. You can use a sump pump if one is available or even start with a vacuum cleaner, made for water, to begin the process of removing the water.

4) Disinfect the area and deodorize odors to make the area livable before a water restoration company is available. Crystal deodorizers are available that help mask odors until the restoration company can come out and do a wet or dry fog of the area.

5) It is imperative to dehumidify and dry the affected area. Use oscillating fans and home dehumidifiers to remove all moisture from the air. Water restoration companies will have industrial equipment to use but until they are available home appliances will make a difference.

6) Remove and dispose of any articles that are beyond restoration. Sound wave treatment will be provided by a water restoration company to ensure everything that can be saved and is not already contaminated is restored. Curtains, clothes, furniture, and carpet can be restored after water damage if restoration services are sought promptly.

Quality water restoration services will ensure your possessions are cared for in the best possible manner. It will also guarantee that the air quality meets and exceeds what you expect for yourself and your family. Just because water damage has reeked havoc on your life doesn’t mean that the quality you expect from your belongings and environment can’t be restored. Water restoration makes this all possible.

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