Archive December 8, 2020

Tips for Water Damage Repair

Water damage is a common problem homeowner face which can occur anywhere such as the kitchen, laundry room, basement, and even the walls of your home. Here are a few tips you should know to take action when you need water damage repair.

Water damage in home

 

  1. Disconnect Outlets

 

Natural occurrences like bad weather, leaks, and accidents sometimes happen which can cause water damage in your home. If it happens, make sure to unplug all electronics from outlets immediately. You should also be very careful when going near appliances or gas lines because you do not know the extent of the water damage. Dangerous situations can happen like fire, shocks, or explosions when using equipment in this type of situation.

 

  1. Dry and Eliminate All Moisture

 

If possible, try to eliminate all water and make sure everything is dried out before any water damage can occur. If the wet area is made of a material like wood, carpet, or tile, you can use a room fan or other air-circulating appliances like a dehumidifier. You want to make sure to keep the air circulating and dry out any wet materials.

 

  1. Inspect for Mold

 

You should always inspect for mold in any area that has experienced water damage. Certain types of mold pose serious health risks and are known to be toxic to humans. Mold can appear inside the building structures especially the floors and walls. Once it becomes an infestation, it can spread very quickly.

 

Small infestations can be cut out, bagged, and disposed of immediately. Larger, more serious infestations require shutting down all airflow to stop the contamination. A mold specialist will also be required to treat the problem.

 

  1. Remove All Damaged Materials

 

Any materials that easily soak up water like carpet or insulation have to be removed immediately once they are damaged by water. Any porous material that is not disposed of immediately will begin to grow mildew.

 

Concentration should be maintained on the ceilings and floors. Special attention should be paid to any damaged wood, drywall, or unsealed cement. Any of these materials that were damaged by water needs to be replaced right away.

 

  1. Sanitize and Disinfect Remaining Areas

 

It is important to disinfect any water damaged area immediately. Some types of water can be unsafe and have other hazardous organisms which can become a major health concern in your home. After removing all of the damaged materials, disinfect the entire area by spraying and wiping down all areas and surfaces with a bleach spray solution. By doing so, the mold spores will not be able to grow. It is necessary to sanitize the entire area for mold before beginning any restoration.

 

Treat Water Damage Right Away

 

Water damage is something that must be taken very seriously. Oftentimes, water can go deep where it will not actually be visible to the eye. Undetected leaks are something that homeowners should be wary of because they are not only physically destructive to your home but even worse, can lead to health problems and other very dangerous and hazardous situations.

You can learn more at https://chiefrestorationswmo.com/.

Cleaning Hacks for Pet Lovers

How to Ensure Pet Cleanliness

As much as owning a pet is awesome, it comes with some responsibilities. Cleanliness is essential because pets can get messy. If left unchecked, the pet fur and dirt they carry can invade your home, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. However, this does not need to be the case. Here are a few pet cleaning tips that will help. Use detergents and shampoos that are safe to use with pets.

cat in a litter box

Brush Pets

Hair is one of the most recurring cleaning issues revolving around pets. Some pets shed more hair than usual. Brushing the pet’s fur is advisable. Consult on the right tools to use in brushing pets. In addition to ensuring your home is clean from fur, brushing has added advantages. It has some health benefits.

 

Clean the Pet After a Walk

After taking your pet for a walk, they may have stepped on mud or other kinds of dirt. Especially dogs that tend to step on muddy pools. It is good to be prepared with a clean towel and some water at the door. Clean the paws and wipe them. It will prevent dirt from entering your home through your pet. It prevents constipation.

 

Have a Lint Roller

Lint rollers can trap hair left lying around by your pets. After a vacuum of the surfaces that have hair on them, use a lint roller to trap any remaining hair on those surfaces. Also, it can clean pet beds.

 

Use Baking Soda to Wash Pet Beddings

Baking soda is known to eliminate persistent odors. Using it to clean the beddings together with detergent will help do away with any smells while ensuring a good and clean environment for you and your pet.

 

Clean Pet Toys and Collars

These are often overlooked. They may get dirty and smelly with time making you and your pet uncomfortable. It is advisable to wash with pet shampoos which leave a good fragrance on them. Also, a dishwasher can be used to clean the toys.

 

Urine in the carpet!

This is almost every pet owner’s nightmare. This can leave a stench on your carpet that will make your home uncomfortable. White Vinegar and baking sodas are easy solutions. They do away with any foul odors. Spray on the stained area and let the vinegar do its job. A professional cleaner such as a carpet cleaning service in Frisco, TX, might be your best option for permanently remove odors caused by pets.

 

Clean the Litter Box

Litter boxes should be emptied and cleaned often to avoid foul smells and maintain a conducive environment for your pet. It is advisable to change it after a couple of months of use.

 

Use Room Deodorizers

These are essential because pets can leave foul smells as they go about their business. These ensure your home has fresh air. Allow fresh air in your home.

Smart Security Tips For Your Home

security tips

Need to leave your home for a while? No matter how long or short your travel is, be it because of business or pleasure; one should be wary whenever leaving their houses unattended. With all the bad things that can happen to a home unmanned by its settlers like robberies, burglaries, and even accidents, one must be prepared to make sure none of these horrific incidents will happen while you’re out.

1.    Take advantage of smart technologies

There are lots of innovations nowadays that can help secure your home. Install burglar alarms, as researchers have already proven that these devices can significantly help in stopping criminals from breaking in. A home security audit can help ease your worries when it comes to keeping your home secure.

Place motion detector lights outside of the house, as any movement can trigger them to turn on, and no robber would want that. Use lights and smart appliances that turn on and off on schedule to make it seem the house is not empty, even if it is.

2.    Ask for help from people you trust

Mails, newspapers, and other deliveries should either be put on hold, scheduled or delivered to family, friends or a neighbor you trust. A house where these things are left alone in the garage or by the door is a quick giveaway that no one has been home for quite some time. Ask someone to take out the trash during trash collecting day and someone you can leave a house key to and your alarm password and settings so as not to accidentally trigger your alarms.

Also, have someone park a car in the driveway, to create an illusion that someone is inside the house. If you are out for a bit longer, a house sitter is your best bet. To keep your lawns clean and make it seem like someone is always home taking care of it, hire lawn care.

3.    Check before lockdown.

Before leaving the house, make sure to secure everything – doors and windows are locked, alarms are appropriately turned on, electric nothing can cause fire or flooding, and house keys are not left outside. Call an emergency locksmith if your locks have problems. If your car is staying at the airport, avoid going and leaving your mobile GPS as this can lead strangers or bad guys to your home.

As for answering machines, say can’t come to the phone right now, but that you’ll get back to them the soonest time you can. Don’t leave a clue as to how long you’ll be gone, as you’ll never know who’s been calling and keeping an eye on your property.

4.    Tip the police, not the public

You don’t have to post everything on social media, most especially your current location. Wait for your return before posting pics and updating your whereabouts. Let the police know you’ll be out of town, and provide your number and your house sitter’s number if any just in case an emergency comes in.

Like most events, it is better safe than sorry, so make sure the property you call home is sound and safe. It is, after all, one of your most prized possession.

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