Learn All About Water Damage Restoration Here

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Water damage restoration is something that not many people are familiar with unless they have had to have it in the past. We wanted to share this article with you so that you have more information.

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From the article:

Water damage restoration is the process of restoring a property back to pre-loss condition after sustaining any level of water damage. While there are currently no government regulations in the United States dictating procedures, two large certifying bodies, the IICRC and the RIA, do recommend standards of care. Most companies use the IICRC procedural standard, which is the S500. It is based on reliable restoration principles, research and practical experience with extensive consultation and information gathered from numerous sources. These include the scientific community, the international, national and regional trade associations serving the disaster restoration industry, chemical formulators and equipment manufacturers, cleaning and restoration schools, restoration service companies, the insurance industry, allied trades persons and others with specialized experience. The S500 water damage guide is subject to further revision as developments occur in technology, testing and processing procedures.

Loss assessment and evaluation
A professional water damage restoration service will document the materials which were affected by the water damage and refer to industry standard pricing guides such as The Blue Book in order to determine the proper value of the residence’s materials lost and their service.
Water damage services include the inspection of the affected area(s) with water sensing equipment such as probes and other infrared tools in order to determine the source of the damage, and possible extent of area affected. Restoration services would then be rendered to the residence in order to dry the structure, sanitize any affected or cross contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. After the labor is completed, water damage equipment including, but not limited to, air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and sub floor drying equipment is left in the residence. After a period of two to three days are the labor is completed, a reevaluation of the residence is taken to monitor the drying process, and any equipment not further needed is removed as to keep the charges under control.

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Wondering how your insurance will respond to a water damage claim? Checkout this article and find out how your insurance company will respond to a claim that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_damage_restoration

Drywall Have Water Damage? Start Here!

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Water damage can affect many different areas in your home but one of the most common places it affects is drywall. Most people not sure how to start so we found this article that we hope will help.

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From the article:

If you have water damage on a part of your drywall–say, from a leaky roof over that spot or a plumbing problem–you don’t need to replace the whole wall. If the damaged area isn’t more than few square feet, you can cut it out and set in a replacement piece of drywall. It’s important to work off studs so the new section is solid, and you’ll need to plan on taping and sanding the seams over a few consecutive days.

Things You’ll Need

Electronic studfinder

Tape measure

Pencil

Long level

Razor knife

Drywall saw

Screwgun

Drywall screws

Piece of drywall the same thickness as the existing drywall

Mesh drywalling tape

Bucket of pre-mixed drywall compound

Drywall application knife (looks like a very wide putty knife)

Drywall sandpaper

Use your studfinder to locate the nearest studs on both sides of the damaged area. With your level, make two vertical pencil lines at the centers of each of the studs, with the lines running high enough and low enough to span the damaged area.

Use the level again to mark two level horizontal lines between the vertical lines, one above the damage, the other below it. You should now have a perfect square perimeter around the damaged area, with the vertical lines of the square centered on studs.

Use your screwgun to sink drywall screws along the vertical lines, half an inch outside the square and every 6 inches along the line.

With your drywall saw and razor knife, cut out the square at your pencil line. You should end up with a square hole in the wall, with half the widths of the studs visible on either vertical side, leaving the screws just outside the vertical sides to secure the nondamaged parts of the wall to the studs.

Cut your new piece of drywall an 1/8 inch smaller than the dimensions of the square. Set your level along your marks, running your razor knife along the edge of the level, then snapping the drywall at the line and cutting it away from behind.

Set the new piece of drywall in place in the hole. Use your screwgun to put screws along the vertical edges of the piece, into the studs.

Lay mesh drywalling tape over all four seams and spread drywall compound over the seams with your drywalling knife. Let it dry for a day, then hand-sand the drywall compound and apply a second, lighter coat of it along the seams. Repeat the process a third time, with the lightest coat, then give a final sanding and paint it.

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Interested in avoiding a flood? Checkout this article about avoiding a flood by maintaining your washer.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.ehow.com/how_5164670_replace-drywall-water-damage.html

Learn What to Do After a Fire From the U.S. Fire Administration

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Fires can be devastating. It can be difficult to pick up the pieces and move forward. We found this article that we hope will help if the need ever arises.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs apartments vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process.

When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.

The U.S. Fire Administration has gathered the following information to assist you in this time of need. Action on some of the suggestions will need to be taken immediately. Some actions may be needed in the future while others will be on going. The purpose of this information is to give you the assistance needed to assist you as you begin rebuilding your life.

Contact your insurance company or agent right away.

Ask your agent:

What to do about the immediate needs of your home. This includes pumping out water and covering doors, windows, and other openings.

What you should do first. Some companies may ask you to make a list of everything that was damaged by the fire. They will ask you to describe these in detail and say how much you paid for the items.

Be careful when you return home.

If your home had a home fire sprinkler system, you will find little damage from flames, heat, smoke, and water. If not, and you plan to rebuild your home, now is the time to think about installing sprinklers into your home! Talk with the owner about it if you are a renter. You can find more information at the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition???s website: www.hfsc.org

Cleaning and restoring personal items.

There are companies that are experts in cleaning and/or restoring your personal items. Whether you or your insurer buys this type of service, be clear on who will pay for it. Be sure to ask for an estimate of cost for the work and agree to it in writing. Ask your insurance company for names of companies you can trust to do a good job at a fair price. These companies provide services that include some or all of the following:

securing your home against more damage;

estimating damage;

repairing damage;

estimating the cost to repair or renew items of personal property;

storing household items;

hiring cleaning or repair subcontractors; and

storing repaired items until needed.

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Did you know that your dryer could catch on fire? Checkout this article and learn why it’s important to maintain your dryer that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/atf/

Increase the Value of Your Home With These Ideas!

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

This article lists things you should focus on if you want to increase the value of your home. It also includes areas not to improve upon to increase the value of your home. It is filled with great information that we’re sure will help you in planning the next phase of your home!

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Baton Rouge condos dryer vent services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Some home improvement projects that add value to a home include:

1. Remodeling the Kitchen
Most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, and because of this, updates in this room pay off. According to HGTV, you can expect to recoup 60%-120% of your investment on a kitchen remodel, as long as you don???t go overboard. You should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the neighborhood.

A Little Paint Goes a Long Way
When it comes to how much you spend on a kitchen remodel, prices can run the gamut, from $5,000 to $75,000, or more. Get the biggest bang for your buck on a kitchen remodel by looking at color. Fresh paint, in modern colors, can go a long way towards updating the look of your kitchen. Plus, paint is relatively cheap.

Energy-Efficient Appliances
Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Energy Star-rated appliances are better for the environment, and they also help you save money, because they use less energy. Potential buyers often look for ways to save money when shopping for a new home.

2. Bathroom Addition
If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. HGTV estimates that you can recoup 80%-130% of whatever you spend adding a bathroom.

3. Reinventing a Room
Adding more square footage to your home with a new room can be an incredibly expensive project. Although you can recoup some of your investment, anywhere from 50%-83%, this project???s costs can quickly spin wildly out of control. Just turn on any of those home remodeling TV shows; projects that start off with a $15,000 budget quickly turn into $30,000 or more when homeowners and contractors run into unexpected problems.

Reinvent the existing space in your home to save money. Finish a basement, or convert the attic to a bedroom. Many homeowners can also add small apartments in, or over, their garages ??? which they can then rent out as a room.

4. Adding Energy-Efficient Windows
These days, buyers shop for homes with energy efficiency in mind. Old, drafty single-pane windows are a major turn off. Energy Star claims that adding Energy Star-rated windows can save you up to $500 a year in heating and cooling costs by making your home more energy efficient.

According to HGTV, you can expect to recoup 60%-90% of your costs when you invest in energy-efficient windows. You can also receive a green energy tax credit of 10% for this upgrade, as long as you install Energy Star-rated windows. You might also qualify for additional credits from your state, or even your utility company.

5. Deck Addition
Adding a deck increases the value of your home. Outdoor living spaces have become more desirable, especially since more people stay home for vacation (i.e. referred to as a staycation). If you make your deck and your backyard more appealing, your house will be more appealing to prospective buyers when you decide to sell. HGTV claims that homeowners recoup 65%-90% of their investment by adding a deck.

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Interested in more tips to increase the value of your home? Checkout this article for homeowners with more home improvement tips that could be of interest to you.
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To view the entire article click here: http://www.moneycrashers.com/7-home-improvements-to-increase-its-value/#ixzz2Sor0bGaR