Posts Tagged ‘flood cleaning’

The Many Faces Of Water Damage

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

During the onset of Hurricane Katrina, many homes were damaged not just by the impact of the storm, but mostly by the extreme cases of water damage that resulted from the onslaught of many days of consistent rain and flooding that did not dissipate for a long time. Water can cause long term damage to homes, and the hazard levels of water content can be categorized into three main types.

Clean water is the first category of water content, wherein the potable water that comes from the main water supply of a home or office has found a way out of its usual path. When there is a leak in the pipeline, or an appliance malfunctions while it is attached to a water source, these are the causes of water damage that can be quickly contained, and cause minimal damage to a home.

The damage caused by this first category does not pose any health or safety hazards to humans, although it can be a major problem if not fixed right away. Such a leak could, however, cause significant damage in materials all around the immediate area such as propagating wood rotting or destruction of laminate in plywood. Minor damage from water spots may not be noticed right away, but can gradually get worse with time.

The second category of water is that which can pose a potential or significant health risk to humans, causing major problems from exposure. This type of water is known as grey water that has been contaminated by chemical, physical, or biological factors. This type of damage is that caused by failures of sump pumps in water tank areas, drains such as those in toilet bowls, and water discharge seeping from washing machines or dishwashers.

There are insurance policies that need to be amended to state that they have sewer and drain coverage before they will actually pay for these damages, and this means an added fee to the monthly premium. Once this is amended however, the policy holder can at least claim damages for such issues, especially since these things do happen in some homes, and it is best to get the additional coverage.

Finally, black water which is present in the third category is the most hazardous type of water that can cause serious health problems. This is a big issue for many people whose homes have been affected by flooding due to natural causes, damaged sewage systems, and overflow of rivers and seawater.

Category three or black water can also be a classification given to water that has been left to stagnate in a certain area for more than seventy two hours – causing more damage than originally anticipated. This category is given regardless of color of the water or any visible content, since it may have already developed potentially harmful organisms by being stagnant.

Health hazards do not necessarily show themselves during the time of water presence, and in fact these health issues may occur long after the damage has been done and already cleared. The dampness left behind by water is conducive to the growth of mold which may cause nasal allergies as well as airborne diseases, especially if they are left to grow inside vents. It is best to find professionals to remove mold and trace areas wherein they may grow in order to eliminate the problem while it is still in its early stages.

There are also different ways to restore property that has been ruined by water damage, however this may cost quite a lot as it requires trained experts to completely clear out the area and repair what is necessary. Many of these professionals are experts in the field of restoration for areas damaged by fire and water, and they have complete equipment which helps them do their jobs in the quickest possible time.

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Knowledge About Water Damage And Your Home

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Suppose your insurance policy for your home covers water damage you should aware as well what precisely it covers. Mold can be a matter of argument when the damage is caused by water. There is a big disparity as to what causes the actual damage. Sometimes a storm may have caused the problem and another reason could be moisture over time that will cause the trouble.

The homeowners policies do not cover the damages created by floods; you have to buy flood insurance if you want to be specially covered for damage caused by flood. The reimbursement of rain water enters into your house through hole or windows paid by insurance company if the whole is originated through powerful storm winds. But if the leaking is through pipe inside your house that created water damage over time, this would not be sheltered.

Repairing of water damages is the key factor because if you would delay or neglect the damage it can cause further damages including your health. Do not avoid the above mentioned symbols of a water problem in your house. You need to fins out the leakage as soon as you can and repair them from the main cause.

When water drips in your house, moisture builds up and mold will rise. Mold makes your structure of the building hollow and slowly causes health problems that ultimately become serious. Most of the insurance companies do not cover damages caused by mold but they cover damages caused by natural calamities like storm.

It is necessary to report your insurance agent if you have notices any water damage before it get poorer. If water gets into your house, it is important to dry entire wet areas and also take the help of air circulation to dry it, when storm appears. Water can enter into your house through roof damage or broken gutters or from a leaking basement.

To stop the additional damages, cover all areas with a sheet. In all wet areas you can minimize the risk of mold will occur from the damage water by drying and covering. The rising level of water level in river causes floods. It is understood that you should always contact your insurance agent as soon as you can so that you can start the home owners insurance or business insurance policy claim procedure.

The chances of claim is very low at when you find out water or moisture damage that appears to be from seepage existing period of time, mold have developed. In this type pf embarrassing situation, try to lean up the mold to prevent the home from additional damage and health risks.

Moisture behind the wall can be noticed through particular equipment from a certified disaster reinstatement contractor. Naturally, insurance companies to have some limits of what they are willing to reimburse towards mold removal. Contact to your home insurance company to scrutinize any of the water damage is covered with your policy and call disaster restoration specialists straight away.

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categories: home improvement,water damage,flood cleaning

How To Respond In The Event Of Water Damage

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Water damage is not an uncommon phenomenon for many people. It is experienced when there is flood brought about by typhoons. It is also caused by unaddressed problems at home such as pipe leaks. Some people just wait for damages to occur before they can take action. Poor home maintenance is usually the precipitating factor the damages.

To further prevent damages caused by water, the first step is always to address the problem. Do not allow things to be destroyed, rot, mold and decay before your very eyes. Immediately take some action to prevent further major damage if it is likely to happen.

When you’re at home or in the office, check if there are electronics around. If there any, ensure that the electronics are safely turned off. Remove the plugs from outlets or turn off the main electricity source. This is a simple precaution and a standard procedure to prevent fire from occurring. During typhoons and flood, electricity in the devastated area is cut off to prevent fire.

The next thing to address is to locate the source of the problem. If the problem is due to faulty faucets, fix it immediately. If the pipes are leaking and you know DIY steps then fix it. If you have the necessary tools at home then immediately repair the damage. If you don’t know how to fix things then call a plumbing company.

If you cannot locate the water source then start cleaning up. Get the water out of the house immediately. Once the flood of water is cleaned up let the air ventilate the area. If you have functional electric fan inside the house then ventilate everything inside the house. The wet items should be brought outside and let it dry under the sun.

Once you have already cleaned the mess, start looking for the source of problem again. You have a greater possibly of finding it because you have already cleaned everything. If the roof is the source of rain water then repair or replace it. If there are wall or floor cracks where water can enter then seal it. Do not wait for another rain and flood to damage your things again.

When you cannot do the repairs yourself then hire home repair and maintenance services. They are made up of a team of experts in home repairs. They are carpenters, plumbers, electrician, etc. That will not only ensure repairs but also safety. They can find the problems source in the house easily and immediately repair it. Be sure that you hired services from a reputable company with professional and well-trained employees.

To prevent the damages caused by flood, always be prepared. Do not wait for devastation to happen before you can act. If you can find the problem source early then address it. Protect yourself and your things always by being prepared at all times.

The devastation of water damage can be prevented by early precaution. Do not wait for your investments to go the drain just because you didn’t care. Always know how to take care of your things so you can make it last.

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