Friday, March 19, 2010

Why call in a water damage professionall? Part 1 Inspection.

A water damage situation in your home can be very stress full. Worry about damage to your furniture, flooring, walls, books, and electronics is real, not to mention mold contamination. Unfortunately, you probably don't have the right tools to properly dry out your home quickly and efficiently. Property Restoration is a complex process that requires a true pro. Let me explain why.

First, you must have the right inspection tools to locate all the places the water had decided to go. Tools like a thermal imaging camera, hydrometer, and moisture meters are some of the tools we use to locate moisture intrusion in a property.

Lets separate water into two different categories, "dumb water" and "smart water". Dumb water is the standing water you can see on your floors or dripping from your ceiling and most of the time easily removed. You don't need a pro, or his inspection tools to tell you that there is water on your floor or dripping from your ceiling.

Smart water is much more difficult to locate. Smart water will hide in sub floors, drywall, insulation, structural wood, and behind cabinets to name a few places. Through training and experience, a pro can locate all hidden pockets of smart water using specialized inspection tools and then create a plan to get that water out.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

How should I care for my new carpet?

The flooring in our homes in usually the 3rd largest investment most of us make. First, it if our homes, then our cars, and then our flooring. Most are clueless when it comes to maintaining their carpet and hard surfaces. Today, we will discuss how to maintain your carpet.

First, regular vacuuming is the most important factor in longevity. 75% of the soil in carpeting is "in-soluble", which means, it cannot be broken down with water or some other cleaning solution. This "in-soluble soil" is what wears out carpet. It acts like sandpaper as we walk across the rug, shortening its useful life. So, vacuum at least 3-4 times a week.

Next, regular carpet cleaning need to be done every 12-18 months, or sometimes more depending upon the family. Selecting a carpet cleaning company can be a real challenge. However, there are some key indicators you can look for. First, do they use a hot water extraction process with a truck mount. Second, are they upfront about their pricing. Third, do they offer some type of guarantee. A great place to research finding a good carpet cleaner is http://www.iicrc.com/ .

Finally, and maybe the most important, NO SHOES! Shoes carry in dirt, mold, bacteria, dog poop, and whatever else we might step in throughout the day. Furthermore, walking around in our bear feet is not the ideal situation either. Oils from our skin can dirty our carpets as well. Clean socks are the best choice. But hey, a house is for living in, so do what you like.

For expert water damage cleanup, visit http://www.expertwaterdamage.com/