Many home and business owners don’t realize the time factor when dealing with water damage. After the initial damage, water invades and creeps into the home structure as time progresses. With each minute that passes, the water may affect carpet padding, the walls, hardwood floors, and even grout lines in tiles. Unattended water damage in the ceiling is even more damaging because this can lead to the collapse of the ceiling.
You’ve probably heard it many times before while looking for a cleaning or restoration company: “we are IICRC certified“. While the average consumer may find comfort in this phrase, what exactly does being IICRC certified mean? Does it contribute to the safety of your home or the efficiency of the work being done when you have a flooded room? Let’s delve a bit deeper into the myriad aspects that being certified entails to find out exactly what value it brings to the table.
Frozen pipes are one of the most common and costliest property damage events during the cold winter months. In fact, a burst pipe can result in tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Fortunately, frozen pipes can be prevented quite easily and inexpensively.
Water is the most abundant compound on Earth’s surface, covering 70 percent of the planet. Roughly 70 percent of an adult’s body is made up of water and at birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant’s body weight. Water is a necessity in life, but it can also cause great problems.
Large loss insurance claims that require the services of both an insurance restoration company and a general contractor can be a nightmare for many insurance agents and adjusters, as well as their claimants. This is primarily due to lapses in coordination, cooperation, and communication between the two companies and the insurer.
Contrary to popular belief, pipes do not typically burst where the ice blockage is located. The expansion of the ice against the wall of the pipe does not cause it to break. Rather, after a complete ice blockage in a pipe occurs, the continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe causes water pressure to increase downstream, between the ice blockage and a closed faucet at the end. This increase in water pressure is what causes the pipe to fail. Usually the pipe bursts where little or no ice has formed. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can always flow back towards its source, so there is no pressure build-up to cause a break. Water has to freeze for ice blockages to occur. Pipes that are adequately insulated along their entire length are usually safe from freezing.
Experiencing property loss due to a flood, fire or other disaster can be a very stressful and confusing event for the building owner. For that reason alone, it is very important that you choose a qualified restoration contractor who can answer any questions you have about the restoration process, to help alleviate your concerns. The project manager should listen closely to you and offer an open line of communication to guide you through the entire restoration process, without making you feel uncomfortable. This will ensure the project runs smoothly and gets completed on time, and to your satisfaction.
When cold weather restricts us from outdoor activities, we should make the best of the time we spend indoors. Besides pursuing your hobbies, here are some maintenance tasks you should do this winter to make your home safer and better prepared for cold temperatures:
Fire or water damage? Dealing with Mold or Asbestos Problems? We can help. We’re an experience local company servicing Boulder, Longmont, and the surrounding areas. We’re your advocate, hand-picked to fix your immediate problems and long term issues.
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