Category Archives: Home Care & Safety

Home Emergency Services, Fire Damage – Post 6 of 6

Winter Storm Damages

Winter Storm Damages

House fires can be a devastating tragedy. It is important to work with professionals who are properly trained for this type emergency. They will secure the area and your valuables, eliminate safety hazards to you and the neighborhood, assess damages, and quickly restore your property to pre-loss conditions.

Fire prevention and preparedness is paramount to your safety. Taking precaution and having a plan in place will help prevent fires and greatly increase your chances of surviving a fire.

  • Make sure you have properly working smoke alarms installed, check batteries monthly, and replace batteries annually or sooner if needed.
  • Check for damage to electrical cords and avoid overloading electrical outlets or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs or across high traffic areas.
  • Immediately shut off appliances that spark or emit an unusual smell.
  • Have your chimney cleaned regularly. The chimney should be cleaned after every two cords of seasoned, dry wood is burned.
  • Take care to burn candles away from combustible materials and out of reach of children and pets.
  • Portable heaters should be placed on a level, non-flammable surface at least three feet away from any combustible materials. Turn off and unplug heaters when unattended. Do not use portable gas heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
  • Purchase a fire extinguisher and keep it accessible and fully charged.
  • Prepare and rehearse an emergency evacuation plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never open doors that are hot. Have a safe location where everyone can meet after escaping the house.
  • Prepare an emergency kit consisting of at least a three-day supply of food, water, medications, pet supplies, flashlight, battery-powered radio, spare batteries, and a first aid kit. This kit will be helpful even during temporary power outages.

Home Emergency Services, Mold Remediation – Post 5 of 6

Winter Storm Damages

Winter Storm Damages

Mold can cause health problems and deteriorate building materials. Water leaks in attics, crawl spaces, and basements are not always noticeable until mold is present. If you discover mold, or believe you have a mold problem, it is important to have the area inspected and any toxic mold removed by a certified professional. Our full service mold remediation professionals are trained to detect if mold is present, eliminate the source of the mold growth, and follow a specialized and highly effective mold removal process.

Home Emergency Services, Sewage Damage – Post 4 of 6

Winter Storm Damages

Winter Storm Damages

Sewage damage can be a serious health hazard. Immediate action should be taken to first identify the source of the problem. Once identified, necessary measures should be taken to stop the growth and further spread of sewage related contamination by cleaning and disinfecting, followed by thoroughly drying the area with proper air filtration. 

The service professionals we recommend are equipped to provide 24 hour emergency flood and sewage damage clean-up and restoration work, including any necessary repairs or reconstruction.

Home Emergency Services, Water Damage – Post 3 of 6

Winter Storm Damages

Winter Storm Damages

Water leaks in the home can result in costly repairs. In the unfortunate event your basement is flooded, a pipe bursts, or the hot water tank springs a leak, it is important to act quickly to minimize costly, secondary damages. Water should be extracted immediately and the area dried thoroughly to avoid mold and the possibility of having to replace wallboard, insulation, and flooring.

The service professionals we recommend are equipped to provide 24 hour emergency flood and sewage damage clean-up and restoration work, including any necessary repairs or reconstruction.

 

Home Emergency Services, Roof and Structural Damage – Post 2 of 6

Winter Storm Damages

Winter Storm Damages

Roof and structural damages are common occurrences during winter storms. Those of us who live in the northwest are all too familiar with power outages during windstorms. Damage to power lines and property from fallen trees or limbs is a common occurrence. If you find yourself in the middle of this crisis, you definitely don’t want to have to take time to figure out who best to call. If power lines are involved, immediately contact your utility company. For damages to the roof or other areas of your home the contractors in our network will respond without delay, working efficiently to ensure your home is protected from the elements and repairs are quickly completed.

Home Emergency Services, Gutters & Storm Drains – Post 1 of 6

High tides, wind, and a failed drainage system flooded this West Seattle home

The first day of winter is nearing and with it comes wind, rain, and snow storms. Are you and your home ready for winter? Having a contingency plan and knowing who to call can save valuable time and money when reacting to an unexpected home emergency.

You must act quickly to minimize damages when faced with an unexpected home emergency. We can assist in getting you the right help, right away. You will have plenty to do on your own securing personal items and possibly even safely relocating children, seniors, and pets. Immediately contacting a professional who specializes in home emergencies will help minimize property loss, reduce costly repairs, and help keep your family safe and healthy. Once the emergency is controlled, they can provide a scope of repairs and detailed proposal to submit on your behalf to your insurance company.

We and our team of talented emergency service providers have your back when you least expect it. Over the next week we will post tips to prepare for winter, and if you need them, emergency services we have available to get you through those unexpected moments.

Gutters & Storm Drains

The first step to avoid water getting into your home and causing damage involves some simple maintenance procedures. Keeping gutters, downspouts, and storm drains clear allows water to be properly diverted away from the home. When full of debris or improperly positioned, gutters and downspouts can overflow or divert water to unwanted places, such as along the foundation and into the basement. Some leaks are slow and difficult to detect until they become a bigger problem. Other times, extensive flooding and damage can occur in just a matter of hours during a hard rain.

Cleaning gutters and keeping drains clear is a simple and inexpensive task that can save thousands of dollars in costly repairs. The do-it-yourself type can usually complete the job with no problem. You can also hire someone to help, often for as little as a couple hundred dollars. A small price compared to what repairs could cost by neglecting this basic home maintenance item.

If after taking these steps you discover water intrusion problems it is best to consult with someone who specializes and understands how the drainage system works around your home. Sometimes these systems fail below the surface of the ground and around the foundation and can be difficult to detect without proper investigation.

 

Prepare For A Weather Emergency

Be prepared for a weather emergency, especially if you have children or seniors in your care. Take steps now to put a plan in place of where to re-group and put together an emergency kit (and don’t forget about your pets!). The article, National Preparedness Month, by Earth Gauge is full of helpful ideas and links.

 

 

First Day Of Fall

Seasonal Checklist

Today marks the first day of fall, and what a wet, blustery, fall day it is! I have already had to rescue two plants that were blown off their stands on the deck.  If you haven’t completed your fall to-do list, today is a good time to reflect on those projects that still need attention. Attached is our Seasonal Checklist to help you along.

Chimney Cleaning Services Are In High Demand

Does your chimney need cleaned?

Do you need your chimney cleaned before the heating season kicks in? It won’t be much longer before you want to start a cozy fire to take the cold chill of fall out of the room. The rule of thumb is you should have your chimney cleaned after every two cords of wood are burned. For some this may be annually and for others it may only be every few years. With fall now upon us, most chimney sweeps are already booked 3-4 weeks out for cleaning and inspection services. If you are due to have your chimney cleaned this season, don’t delay. Call your local service and get on the list today. If you don’t have a service you use regularly, please give us a call at 425-775-9085 and we can refer someone to you. We also provide masonry services if your chimney is in need of repair.

 

Is Your Home Underwater?

This sure brings new meaning to the term ‘underwater’! This beach front home in West Seattle had to be completely refurbished after last winter’s King Tides flooded the property, along with many neighboring homes. Our contractors quickly sprang into action. Once they resolved the drainage issues they had the messy job of gutting the entire lower level unit, hauling away multiple loads of waterlogged debris. Then the real fun began as they worked diligently to restore the home back to an adorable, beach front hideaway.

Lower Unit Flooded

Entire Interior Gutted

Inside - After Repairs

Before

After