This site's intention is to provide information about water damage to the general public. If you need help with water, fire, smoke, or mold damage restoration, then give us a call at 1-888 252-4816.
Unsuspecting VictimsEvery year, thousands of homeowners are plagued with water damage or the side effects associated with it. Some of these homeowners know what to look out for in preventing it from occurring, but others, especially first-time homeowners, are now realizing firsthand one of the responsibilities of owning a home. There are certain steps everyone must take to help prevent the effects of water damage. As with all things, prevention is the key to save you money and your sanity in the long run. For those who live in colder climates or experience snow in the wintertime, insulating their water pipes can help prevent them from freezing and breaking. For those who live in more tropical climates, humidity and heat and seasonal hurricanes and storms are all things they need to look out for. Whatever the reason, exercising water damage prevention techniques in your home or business will prove to be beneficial. A home is one of the biggest - if not THE biggest - investments most people will make in their lifetime. Protect that investment. |  If your home has sustained any type of water damage, then please give us a call at 1-888 252-4816. Our licensed water damage restoration professionals can be at your home in as little as 30 minutes to assess the damage and give you the information you need to make an informed decision. We offer direct billing to your insurance company, so that means less paperwork and one less headache for you. Our water damage restoration company can also help you with mold remediation, fire and smoke damage repair, post-fire board up service, and document drying. |
Replacing Water Damaged Windows
For the past decade or two the attention that has been given to energy efficiency for a home has grown tremendously. With the rising cost of energy that is required to heat and cool our homes, people are becoming more and more conscious of how that energy is used and where it could be escaping from. Windows and doors are two of the most common spots where energy is lost. This is because many homes still have windows and doors that allow air leakage.
With the attention that has been paid to energy loss has came the invention of much more efficient windows and doors. The newer windows and door versions are have airtight seals that do not allow air in or out when they are closed. Many of the new window styles are will actually tilt in or out so that it makes cleaning those on second or third floors a breeze compared to the way they used to have to be cleaned by climbing a terribly tall ladder or using long extension hoses.
A person can save a great percentage on their energy bills each month just by replacing their drafty old wooden windows and doors with the new vinyl versions. Some of the new window panes will even filter out harmful sunlight rays. The cost of putting in these kinds of doors and windows can be recouped over the years as you save on your energy bills. Even though the cost of energy continues to rise, you will still be paying less than you would had you not replaced them.
If your home still has the wooden windows and doors, it could be time for you to check into new replacements. If your old windows show signs of rotting or swelling because of water damage through out the years, it would be better to replace them with new ones made from a more weather resistant material. The great thing about vinyl windows is that also never need painting unless you want to do, not because you have to.
It is wise to shop around a little before you pick a particular brand of vinyl window or door. The prices can vary a great deal and you will want to make sure that the installation is done properly and that they come with a terrific warranty just in case you were to ever have a problem with them.
Walking Through Flood Waters
When torrential rains or waterways cause flooding in areas where people live, it can be overwhelming to deal with to say the least. If they are fortunate enough to have had adequate warning, they hopefully were able to evacuate their homes before the water came, but so often this is not the case. Sometimes when nearby creeks or rivers overflow, there is not enough warning and people can easily become trapped in their homes even if the water is only a foot or two deep.
Sometimes it might not be possible for help to reach people trapped in a home that has been flooded as quickly as they would like and they might try to set out on their own in order to reach some place dry sooner. If you are young enough and able bodied this might be possible, but it also might be safer to just remain where you are until help arrives. If a person has a raft or other small boat and it is possible to travel through the water that way, it could be a safe way out providing the risk of more flooding and rainfall is over. We have all seen pictures of people dong exactly that with a raft or boat they could paddle with.
There are also people who try to brave walking through the water if it is waist high or less. This can really be a bad mistake unless you have absolutely no choice and can not wait for rescuers. There is no telling what might be in the flood water for one and you could easily get seriously hurt for two. There are usually all kinds of debris that will be floating in and under the water that you will not want to come into contact with such as raw sewage, broken glass, and in the case of Floridians who just experienced tropical storm Fay, snakes and even alligators.
The safest thing to do if you have water, food, and a place dry enough on an upper level of the home or even the roof if it safe enough to get up there, is to simply wait for rescuers. If you have a cell phone to make contact with, do it so someone knows you are there. If you do not have a phone, make a sign or white flag to hang out, anything to bring attention to yourself. You are probably going to be much safer if you just stay put, at least for a while and see if help comes.
