Fear the Storms


The numbers are amazing, and at times they can be scary.


When you think of your worst storm fears, tornadoes may come to mind, with some $2.5 million loss per storm as a common occurrence. And then we have hailstorms, with some 5,382 major hailstorms in 2020. Hurricanes in 2018-2019 hit some $136 billion in damages. Are you afraid of lightning? Yearly ground strikes in the United States is close to 200,000,000, with Australia following at almost 150,000,000 and Canada at 18,000,000.


Those are amazing, and devastating, numbers.


But most often, flooding is the biggest fear. And the price is going up, with some predicting an increase in damage of some 60% in the next 30 years.


What’s the point? Storm damage is on the increase, with the average cost of a flooded basement between $15,000 and $20,000, and more, depending on estimates. A flooded house can be devastating to your pocketbook.


There is a lot that can happen to your home! And when that happens, what do you need to do? You want to get things back to normal, of course. Here are some tips to do that, according to the experts.

1. Take care of yourself first. If you are ill or injured, get immediate medical attention.
   
2. Give your home first aid. Get organized and make sure your home is safe and sound.
   
3. Dry out your home. Make sure you can turn on the power, be safe. Listen to the authorities.
   
4. Dig into the financial assistance you may need. Not many of us have spare cash but we all have government help.
   
5. Look at your insurance policy and coverages. Make sure you know what is covered and what is not.
   
6. Just be smart. Know your insurance policy and coverage and what you are expected to pay out of pocket.
   

Know your rights, know your coverage, and take care of what matters to you the most.


Of course, your favorite restoration company knows all of this. They are on your side. Talk to them and get their help. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Measuring Moisture After a Flood


When the unthinkable happens and your house suffers from any type of flood, you want to know how extensive the damage is. There is the obvious squishy carpet to tell you part of the story, and the visible standing water such as you might have in a basement. But do you really know how far water has intruded?


Water intrusion can go into all types of areas, such as under hard floors, in walls, filling the ductwork, wicking up surfaces and going places not even close to the original flooded area. It can destroy HVAC systems and valuable furnishings and belongings.


When that happens, some of the items damaged are discarded and replaced, hopefully by your insurance company. But even when things seem dry, are they? If you don’t take care of all the moisture, you could have a buildup of malodors, musty smells, and even mold growth that can be extremely costly to remediate. If you wait too long and then see a little mold, there can be much more behind the surface that you will have to remediate.


All this means it’s important to have the “right stuff” to find moisture.


Restoration professionals have the equipment needed to detect and pinpoint moisture. Moisture hunting should never be a guessing game. After there has been a water damage or leak, it is critical to be able to gauge how much moisture remains in walls, floors, and ceilings, and any other affected areas. Bacteria and mold growth is no joking matter. It can even damage the actual structure of your home.


Moisture meters help detect this moisture. The pros use different types. One is the pin moisture meter that has two metal probes that penetrate the surface to take a moisture reading. When activated, an electrical current will flow from one pin to the other and measures the resistance. Another type is the pinless moisture meter. These work by an electromagnetic sensor pad put on the surface, and it takes a moisture reading, measuring down as far as 1.5 inches in some cases, depending on the meter.


Using a professional restoration company helps with many aspects of repairing a flooded home, one of them with your own stress level. When something as devastating as a flood occurs, it can have a devastating effect on you and your family.


Do the right thing when you have water damage. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Restoration Mistakes… Exposed!


The word “restoration” has many meanings. If you Google “water damage restoration” you might come up with topics such as “iPhone dropped in toilet” and similar unthinkable tragedies. But for the purpose of today’s topic, we are going to concentrate on what the pros call “disaster” restoration, such as from water flooding your basement, pipes breaking, a kitchen fire, mold, and similar restoration projects for your home.


When you have water damage


The mistakes begin when you think you can simply use your wet/dry vacuum and such up the water and put a fan on it. It’s not going to dry out what you can’t see, such as in the walls, the carpet cushion, and other areas where the water has affected. When things are wet, it takes real effort to get it dry, clean, and odor-free. Be smart and make sure you know where the water went, and how wet it really is. Sounds like a job for the pros, right? It is! They have the moisture sensors, meters, and equipment necessary for the job.


When you have a kitchen fire


A house fire is one of the most devastating disasters that can happen to you. But there are some fires that are relatively small and manageable, such as the common kitchen fire, which happens when cooking goes wrong, and flames pop up.


One of the worst mistakes is not having a proper fire extinguisher, one that hasn’t reached its expiration date. Make sure the expiration date is still in the future, and that the class of extinguisher is for kitchen and grease fires and can be used on electrical fires. This means no water extinguishers of any type. Most multi-purpose extinguishers are acceptable, but make sure you have what you need.


When you find mold


Some people are sensitive to mold spores, and others aren’t. The main thing is to get a professional to inspect and give you the advice you need. While cleaning mold from a shower is one thing, finding it in the basement or on a wall is another. Be smart and have a healthy fear of mold contamination. Mold exposure can lead to all types of health issues for some people.


No matter the disaster you face, though, restoration pros are ready to help. Do the right thing and consult with your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!