Roof leaks and flooded basements and crawl spaces are not uncommon at this time of year. The recent wind and rain storms have put our home’s roofs, gutters, and drainage systems to the test. How is your home holding up? Take advantage of breaks in the weather to take a quick walk around the outside of your home. Inspect the roof for fallen tree branches or debris, especially if you have large trees alongside your home. Make sure the gutters and downspouts are draining properly and diverting water away from the foundation. Don’t forget to do a quick visual inside as well, especially in rooms that aren’t frequently used. An unnoticed roof leak can cause considerable damage in a short amount of time. Water stains, bubbling paint or sagging drywall are all warning signs that moisture is intruding. The same is true for the basement. Inspect along the foundation walls for signs of water intrusion. If you have a crawl space, even a quick peak with a flashlight can expose a faulty sump pump or drainage problem. Being proactive and keeping an eye open for possible problems is the best way to minimize damages.
Category Archives: Homeowner’s Tips
Water & Sewer Line Repairs May Not Be Covered By Your Insurance Policy
Being prepared for a water or sewer line break can save you thousands of dollars. What you might not realize is that most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover repair and replacement costs of underground water and sewer lines. You should check both your insurance policy and your local utility to determine where your insurance coverage ends and the city picks up responsibility. Most likely where the line exits your house and meets the water meter or sewer main is not covered by either side and the homeowner is left paying for these costly repairs. For only a few dollars a month you can purchase water and sewer protection at www.nationalwatercompany.com or by calling 1-800-790-3201. We do not receive any type of compensation for recommending this company. We simply wanted to pass on what appears to be something of good value to homeowners.
Insulating Your Home Can Save You Money!
Insulating your home substantially increases it’s energy efficiency. Following is a very good article for those considering adding insulation to their home. Insulating Your Home Can Save You Money! – By Dan Chiras
December 2010/January 2011.
Home Emergency Services, Fire Damage – Post 6 of 6
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
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
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
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
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.
Hiring A Contractor Who is Not Licensed & Insured Is Risky Business
Hiring a contractor who is not licensed or insured is definitely not a good way to cut costs on your next home improvement project. The recent article Are Your Pros Insured, by This Old House brings up some very good points, including examining your own homeowner’s insurance policy. For more information on WA State contractor’s license, bond, and insurance requirements please refer to Contractor Hotline’s archived e-newsletter – Licensed, Bonded & Insured – What Does That Really Mean?