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Safety Tips

Safety Tips, Water damage remediation

What to Do When the Sump Pump Isn’t Working

The increase in rainfall in the spring and early summer has already been felt throughout the U.S.  Some areas have been dealing with wet conditions for weeks while others have experienced flooding conditions due to excess rain. If you live in one of these areas affected by rain, then you know that one of the most effective ways to protect your home from flooding is to have a sump pump installed.  If your home does have a sump pump, then you also know the importance of maintaining the sump pump so that it is functional when needed. Cause of Sump Pump Failures: Rain Sump pump failure is one of the worst things that can happen if you live somewhere that experiences consistent rain.  According to a study by the American Society of Home Inspectors, over 60 percent of American homes are...
13 Kitchen Fire Safety Tips
Safety Tips

13 Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

As the most frequented space in the home, the kitchen is the ideal spot to catch a quick bite, cook a three-course meal and gather with friends and family. The kitchen, with its innumerable appealing features that cater to daily living, is also where 40 percent of home fires start. Causes of Kitchen Fires Careless meal prep and misused or faulty appliances can lead to kitchen fires. Small appliances, like microwaves and toasters, are known to spark flames. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission recorded, over a recent 7-year span, over 2,000 fires ignited by microwaves, more than 1,000 fires sparked by toasters and toaster ovens and over 44,000 fires caused by ranges. Large kitchen appliances also can be a source of combustion; refrigerators were responsible for over 1,500 fires. Ty...
Safety Tips, Water damage remediation

How to Fix a Leaking Roof

Commercial buildings require maintenance to continue offering prime functionality. An important part of building upkeep is maintaining the roof, which typically starts to show signs of deterioration 15-20 years after the initial installation. When unforeseeable situations cause a roof to spring a leak, property managers are advised to act quickly. Extensive water damage can spread rapidly due to the excess moisture. The hazards of a leaky roof are numerous, as are the causes. However, there are steps a property owner can take to repair the roof when an unexpected leak appears. Dangers of Leaking Roofs The dangers of leaking roofs include all of the following: Ceiling water damage. A leaking roof will saturate interior ceilings, causing structural damage. Expanding ceiling plaster th...
Safety Tips, Water damage restoration

Most Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage can occur anywhere at any time, but you may be surprised that many floods and excessive damage are caused by the same source. This blog will discuss the most common causes of water damage, how to prevent it, and the professionals to call to have it cleaned up. The most common causes of water damage include the following: Leaking or Burst Pipes Plumbing problems Areas with high moisture content (crawlspace, attics, and basements) Broken appliances (refrigerators, hot water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) HVAC units Rainstorms and flash floods 1. Frozen and Burst Pipes Especially in the winter, burst pipes are the most common cause of water damage. But for the most part, any pipe that is left to freeze in extremely low temperatures wi...
Safety Tips, Water damage restoration

8 Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damage

1. What causes water damage? Unlike wind damage, water damage comes from a wide variety of sources. Heavy rain in a short amount of time, a broken pipe, a backed-up sewage line, and a leaking appliance are all common sources of water damage. No matter how excess water gets into your home or business, the most important thing to remember is that it must be removed as soon as possible. 2. Why can’t I let the water evaporate on its own? Excess water doesn’t evaporate; more likely it’s absorbed by porous materials like furniture, textiles, drywall, and insulation. This helps spread the water, and the damage, further through the building. As more items become damp, they’re at risk for developing mold and experiencing further damage. Mold spores are everywhere in the air, even if you u...
How to Prevent Fires in Apartments
Safety Tips

How to Prevent Fires in Apartments

Of course an apartment has the same fire hazards that a house would, but when a fire breaks out in one home in a building, all tenants at risk. There are also fewer options to evacuate when these situations occur as many apartment doors are inside the building. This makes it even more crucial to not only be aware of the fire risks, but to exercise even more caution to protect the safety of everyone on the property. On the fortunate side, there are only a few hazards to avoid in the apartment – compared to a house - that can significantly reduce the chances of a fire breaking out. Here are 10 apartment fire safety tips to keep in mind. 1. Keep a Smoke Alarm in Every Room Even with small apartments, a smoke alarm in every room will let you know when there is a fire at the earlies...
Safety Tips, Water damage remediation

9 Spring Flooding Prevention Tips

After that long and unusually cold winter, it can be a huge relief to finally go outside without wearing 10 pounds of layers. But spring does have its drawbacks as snow doesn’t just disappear with warm temperatures. There’s nowhere for snow to go except underground and into foundations, not to mention the excess rain that’s soon to follow. Not only does this open the risk for water damage, but severe flooding in basements and crawlspaces can pose major problems for all home and business owners. Check out these tips on how to prevent spring flooding on your property: Move the Snow. If the snow is already melted, there’s not much you can do. But if it hasn’t, try to move it away from your property as soon as possible to prevent it from seeping into your foundation; a 3 to 5-fo...
Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Commercial Roofers

Roof workers are vulnerable to a host of safety concerns when they perform roofing responsibilities high on a commercial roof. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a part of the United States Department of Labor, which sets clear guidelines and rules to help protect employees, like roof workers. OSHA offers a level of protection to aid roofers from work-related falls, injuries and death. The following are precautions employers and roofers must heed to ensure their careers are long and safe. OSHA Safety Standards for Commercial Roofers Personal fall protection equipment is an OSHA standard and a required safety measurement for all roofing workers. OSHA’s rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems estimates that it prevents 29 deaths...
Cleaning and restoration tips, Safety Tips

Tips to Declutter the Kitchen

The kitchen is a significant part of every home. Whether it’s where families and friends gather to dine, cook, or simply hang out, a kitchen best suits the needs of everyone when it’s organized. In order to systematize this invaluable space, the kitchen must be decluttered of all inessential items. Organizing the Kitchen Purge your kitchen of extra items and make room for structured storage compartments for a neat, clean, and decluttered kitchen. You’ll discover that your forks don’t need to lay with the cooking ladles. Plus, that unopened jar of spaghetti sauce—unless you’re adept with tomato sauce and spices and make your own—should sit reliably in the pantry. The next time you prepare dinner for friends at 5:00 pm and you struggle to find eating utensils by 4:59 pm, you’ll know it...
Cleaning and restoration tips, Safety Tips

8 Fire Safety Tips During Spring Cleaning

There’s nothing like getting a home in order just in time for spring. But there are more things to consider than just a clean home. When it comes to personal safety, ensuring all appliances and electronics are working properly is crucial; therefore, spring cleaning is the perfect time to do just that. Check out all of the fire safety tips to keep in mind during spring cleaning to keep you and your family safe: Clothes Dryers. Remember to always remove the lint from the dryer filter after each use. This is the number one cause of dryer fires because the air is not able to flow freely throughout the unit. It would also be a good idea to keep larger items away from the dryer while it’s running to prevent them from becoming overheated. Kitchen. Minimize the amount of items on the ...