How Freezing Works
It’s winter. And it’s cold out — in many parts of the country, anyway. With winter comes freezing. It’s a phenomenon that occurs routinely. The science of freezing is a fascinating process governed by physical and biological factors that profoundly impact the environment. And freezing can really make a bad situation for your home if the temperature drops low enough. Just like in your kitchen freezer, water plays a central role in the freezing process in nature. Water freezes at its familiar temperature of 0°C (32°F) under normal atmospheric pressure. However, in essence, variables like altitude, salinity, and the presence of impurities can affect this freezing point, resulting in unique and diverse freezing scenarios. What it does to your home 1. Burst pipes: Burst pipes are the most common problem associated with freezing. As water freezes inside a pipe, the pressure builds up between the ice blockage and the closed faucet downstream. Eventually, this pressure can cause the pipe to rupture. 2. Cracked fixtures: Plumbing fixtures like faucets, valves, and even the toilet tank can crack when water freezes and expands. These cracks can lead to leaks, reduced water pressure, and the need for costly repairs or replacements. 3. Blockages: Ice can also create blockages within pipes. Even if a pipe doesn't burst, a partial or complete blockage can occur, causing reduced or no water flow through the affected pipe. This can disrupt water supply and drainage systems in your home. 4. Damage to outdoor plumbing: Exterior plumbing components, such as outdoor faucets, hoses, and sprinkler systems, are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Water left inside these fixtures or pipes during the winter can freeze and cause them to crack or burst when the ice expands. 5. Weakening of pipe material: Repeated freezing and thawing cycles can weaken the structural integrity of pipes over time. This can increase the risk of future leaks and plumbing failures, even if the lines don't burst immediately. To prevent freezing-related plumbing problems, it's essential to take proactive measures during cold weather, such as insulating pipes, keeping a trickle of water flowing when it is really cold, sealing gaps and cracks, and more. But if something does happen and you have water damage from frozen pipes or other disastrous issues, do the right thing. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! How Adjusters Work
When a storm wreaks havoc on your property, assessing the damage and beginning the recovery process can be overwhelming. You may not know where to start. And you certainly wonder who will pay for it all, either your insurance company or you. You have insurance for your home, so you hope everything is covered. Much of that comes down to the adjuster and the details of your insurance policy. All things being equal, though, what plays out is often based on people. And the decisions they make. Understanding what an insurance adjuster is and how one operates will help you in the event of the unimaginable happening to your home, whether fire, flood, or other damage. You want a smooth transition from damage assessment all the way to repair and getting back to normal. What are ‘adjusters’? Property insurance adjusters, or claims adjusters, evaluate property damage to determine how much an insurance company should compensate the policyholder and even scarier … IF they should. They inspect the damaged property, review policy details, and determine the validity and worth of a claim. In the past, adjusters visited all sites. Now, they may do it remotely. But odds are a visit to your home for the inspection and evaluation is what you can expect. The process Once a claim is filed, the insurance adjuster will contact the policyholder to discuss the details of the damage. The adjuster visits the damaged property to assess the extent and cause of the damage. They will take photos, measurements, and notes. The adjuster should review the insurance policy to see what is covered, any exclusions, and the policy limits. Based on the policy details and the assessment, the adjuster will either approve or deny the claim. If approved, they will provide an estimate of the repair costs. Once an agreement is reached, the insurance company will pay the claim directly to the policyholder or the repair contractors. If you are paid, you are responsible for paying the contractors. Each state has unique laws regulating payment. In the process, be sure to document everything. Take as many pictures as you fee you need, then take more. Use video. Protect yourself. The more information you have documented, especially photos and videos, will help your case if you have any issues with coverage. You have an ace in the hole, as well. That would be your favorite disaster restoration firm. Call them if you ever have damage to your home. They will walk you through the process and be there for you, and do the cleanup and repair work, and most likely bill your insurance company. After all, it pays to call a pro! How Dehumidifiers Work
When storms strike, and heavy rains fall, humidity increases, and the ground can become swollen with water. And that means the humidity in your home can go up, especially in the basement. Add a lack of light, and you have a perfect scenario for mold growth. Having a water-tight home to fight this would be best, but that’s virtually impossible. But there are ways to waterproof your home — to some degree — but you can always work to reduce the humidity. That’s where dehumidifiers come into play. They are small appliances (the pros use large commercial units) designed to reduce humidity in the air by removing excess moisture. They are invaluable units to have on hand. Using them improves comfort and prevents serious issues such as mold growth, musty odors, and possible damage to surfaces caused by increased humidity. How they work The first is the air intake. Dehumidifiers draw in air with a fan and pass that moisture-laden air through a filter to remove dust and particulates. Then once the air is inside the unit, it meets cooling coils that are colder than the dew point temperature of the ambient air. When this happens, the moisture in the air condenses into water droplets on the waves. From there, these droplets end up in a drip pan or tank at the bottom of the dehumidifier. Some of these are small, others larger. Some fill up and must be drained regularly, while others have a hose that allows the water to drain out, such as into a sump pump basin. More expensive options include a pump draining into a floor drain, sink, or other receptacle. As all this happens, heat is lost in the condensation process while the air passes through the cooling coils, and the now dry and cooler air is put back into the room. The cycle continues, and most units have a monitor to tell you the humidity level, but if not, you can use a simple gauge to see the progress. And some can be set to a specific humidity control setting. There are different types of dehumidifiers, with the refrigerant type being the most common. But even with all your moisture control efforts, the unthinkable sometimes happens. Water intrudes, musty odors occur, and mold can grow. Be sure to contact your favorite restoration company with any questions or concerns. They are there for you. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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March 2024
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