The Importance of Routine Plumbing Inspections

12/8/2022 (Permalink)

When drains are clogged, water can back up and flood the bathroom or kitchen.

The Importance of Routine Plumbing Inspections

When we buy a home, it’s important to keep in mind that we are responsible for having regular inspections of our plumbing system. This is because the pipes and drains can get damaged over time by all the normal wear and tear. The best way to avoid this is by scheduling regular inspections with a professional plumber who will be able to identify the problems easily before they become bigger issues.

Leaks can be hard to detect.

Leaks are hard to detect because they’re usually small. Whether it’s a small drip underneath the sink or a tiny leak in an outdoor hose, leaks can be costly if left unattended. A plumber can identify leaks that are hard to detect.

Regardless of how big or small your plumbing needs may be: you don't have time for problems like these. That's why it pays off when we hire professionals who've been trained specifically on how best deal with these issues.

When there are clogged drains, it can be hazardous to occupants.

When drains are clogged, water can back up and flood the bathroom or kitchen. The resulting mess can be time-consuming and expensive to clean up. It’s also unsafe for occupants: if there’s standing water in your home, it could cause mold growth to spread throughout your house—and nobody wants that!

It is cheaper to have frequent inspections than to do costly repairs.

You are probably thinking that having your plumbing inspected is a waste of money. This is not true. It is actually cheaper to have frequent inspections than to do costly repairs later on.

The reason for this is that an inspection will help identify potential issues before they become major problems and cause you to spend thousands of dollars fixing them. Inspections are also good for keeping your plumbing system in good shape by helping you to avoid clogs and leaks that can lead to serious damage in the future if left unattended.

How to clean the drains and pipes.

There are a variety of ways to clean the drains and pipes, but there is nothing better than having professionals do it. They have all the right tools, know how to use them, and will make sure that you don’t have any problems in the future.

With regular inspections, you are able to identify problems early, which means it will be cheaper to fix them. If you wait until something breaks or stops working, it can cost much more money in the long run.

Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your plumbing system

It is important to have regular plumbing maintenance performed on your Hollywood, FL home so you can be sure that any repairs or replacements will not be necessary at an inconvenient time or place. With regular maintenance, you may be able to extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and keep it running smoothly throughout its life cycle. 

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are great benefits of having a plumbing inspection in your home. It is important to have this done at least once every couple of years. 

Can Humidity Cause Water Damage?

11/3/2022 (Permalink)

Moisture on the window of the master bedroom.

Can Humidity Cause Water Damage?

If you've ever had a mold problem or experienced water damage in your Hollywood, FL, home, you know the devastating effects it can have on your property. You may have also wondered if high indoor humidity was the cause—and if so, what you can do about it. In this guide, I'll explain how high humidity leads to water damage and why sometimes it takes a while for damage to be visible. We'll also look at ways to fix that damage if it happens in your home.

How high humidity can lead to water damage

The dangers of humidity are not limited to the structural degradation of your home, either. As mold is a common byproduct of high humidity, it can cause problems if you are sensitive to this type of fungus.

The types of damage caused by high indoor humidity

High indoor humidity can cause several problems, including stains on walls and ceilings, mildew and mold growth, warping of wood floors, fungus growth and damage to building materials.

• Stains: High humidity increases the likelihood that water will evaporate from your home's surfaces quickly. When moisture evaporates too quickly it leaves behind salt deposits which can leave unsightly stains on walls and ceilings.
• Mildew/Mold: High indoor humidity allows mold spores to thrive. These spores can then grow silently in dark areas without being detected until they have grown into visible patches on walls or furniture surfaces.
• Warping Wood Floors: In extreme cases high indoor humidity has been known to cause solid wood floors to warp due to excessive moisture content within the air.

How high humidity causes mold to grow

Mold spores are everywhere, but they need a moist environment to grow. If you have ever seen mold growing on the edges of your bathroom tiles or in the corner of your shower, you know that it can thrive in damp places like bathrooms and kitchens. This is because these areas are warm, dark and often humid — all conditions that encourage mold growth.

The longer the mold spores are allowed to grow, the more damage they cause. As moisture levels rise throughout your house and increase humidity levels, so does the chance that those pesky little spores will multiply into full-blown molds that will make their way into every nook and cranny of your home — even if there isn't visible moisture or condensation on windows or walls!

You can take steps to keep your home from becoming too humid

For some people, humidity can be a major problem. If yours is one of those homes, you can take steps to keep your home from becoming too humid.

First and foremost, avoid using a humidifier in your home. Humidifiers are meant to add moisture to the air in order to make it more comfortable for people with respiratory problems like allergies or asthma. But when used improperly or too often by someone who isn't aware of their own sensitivity level (or lack thereof), they can do more harm than good by increasing water damage risk in homes with already high humidity levels due to climate conditions outside your walls. 

Instead of always using these appliances throughout the day, opt instead for dehumidifiers—this will help remove excess moisture from inside your walls so that mold won't grow as easily there either!

Water damage can be very expensive to repair and is a major cause of home insurance claims. The good news is that there are steps you can take to keep your home from becoming too humid and avoid the damage that results.

How to Prepare Your Business For A Fire.

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

Remember to have a fire extinguisher in your commercial building.

How To Prepare Your Business For A Fire.

Fires might not seem like a huge threat to your business, but it is way more common than you might think. Even the smallest fire can destroy your property, your product, and even your entire building. But if you're prepared for it, you can minimize the damage that fire causes and keep people safe from harm. This article will help you understand how a fire could affect your business and give steps to take to be prepared in case one does occur.

Make sure you are familiar with all the fire safety equipment.

In addition to regular fire drills, you should also be familiar with all the fire safety equipment in your workplace. Make sure that you know where all of the extinguishers are located and how to use them. All employees should be trained on how to use a specific type of extinguisher for different kinds of fires—this information should be posted somewhere in the building so that everyone knows what type they need and where it is located.

You should know the location of the fire exits and routes to take to exit the building.

A fire can take place in the blink of an eye, so it's important to know where the nearest exit is and how to get there.

You want to make sure that each employee knows where emergency escape routes are located; this could include any exterior doors, stairwells, or windows that don't face into another room or building.

Inform employees where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them

Not all fires can be extinguished by a simple press of a button or pull of the cord. In fact, many types of fires cannot and should not be put out in this way. To avoid accidentally starting another fire with an improperly used extinguisher or wasting precious time trying to put out a non-extinguishable blaze, it is crucial that your employees know where all the company's fire extinguishers are located and have been trained on their proper use before they begin working at your place of business.

Takeaway: The most important thing you can do is prepare for an emergency situation 

The most important thing you can do is prepare for an emergency situation like a fire by having up-to-date safety planning, and safety equipment and going through regular fire drills with your employees.

If you don't already have one, creating an evacuation plan will help you get out of the building quickly and safely if there was a fire or other dangerous situation. You should know where the exits are in your building, where they lead to outside the building, how many people will be using them at any given time, and what kind of hazards may exist in each area which could cause injuries during evacuations (such as stairs without handrails).

It's also important that everyone knows what to do when there's an evacuation order, so no one panics or gets hurt trying to escape from the building. A good rule of thumb is to always assume that if there's smoke coming from somewhere inside - it means there could be more serious problems happening inside too!

Remember, the best way to prevent fires is to plan ahead and know how you're going to handle them in case they do happen. Keep your employees safe by having up-to-date safety planning, safety equipment and going through regular fire drills with them.

How Cold Weather Can Cause Water Damage to Your Business

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Add insulation to areas that contain plumbing.

It is not surprising that many people associate flooding and water damage with warm weather storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes. However, cold weather events in localities such as Hallandale, FL, also have the capacity to produce expensive damage to a business. This could come in many forms.

Heavy snows could result in flooding during a sudden warm spell, and ice on roofs often creates pathways for water to enter. Sometimes, the plumbing pipes get too cold and freeze, often resulting in a burst pipe. Not only can this bring water into an office, but if the broken pipe is from a sewage line the situation could be even worse.

What Causes a Pipe to Freeze?

The properties of physics do not stop just because you are a conscientious business owner. When water in a pipe freezes it expands. This process is nearly unstoppable, even if the water is enclosed in a plastic or metal pipe. The result: a burst pipe and water coming into places where it probably does not belong. To be proactive, you can usually prevent pipes from freezing with these actions:

• If possible, turn off water to pipes that are exposed to the elements
• Add insulation to areas that contain plumbing, such as attics and basements
• Look into removing or relocating pipes that have frozen in the past

A little forethought is a good way to avoid standing water in your building. It will likely be less expensive than dealing with water damage.

What To Do If a Pipe Breaks

A local water remediation franchise can be on-site at your business in hours if a frozen pipe breaks. The company can assess the situation and begin drying out the affected areas with powerful fans and other specialized equipment. A fast response prevents the possibility of mold gaining a foothold. When cold weather causes a burst pipe, act quickly to minimize water damage to your company.

How To Prevent Mold in Your Business

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can grow around fixtures in restrooms

How To Prevent Mold in Your Business

Mold spores are everywhere, and when they find an area that is moist for long enough, they can start to grow. If you see signs of water damage at your business in Hollywood, FL, there's a good chance you have mold. The most common areas you may find mold growth around your business are:

• Around fixtures in restrooms
• Under ceiling tiles where the roof leaks
• Under sinks in the break area
• Around pipe leaks in walls or floors

How To Prevent Mold

Mold is a threat to the structural integrity of your building because it feeds on the natural materials used in its construction, including wood, fabrics, and drywall. Taking preventative measures can dramatically decrease your chances of developing a mold problem.

The best way to avoid mold is to make repairs as soon as they become necessary. The longer you wait to fix a leaking faucet or pipe, the more likely it is that you're going to experience water damage, along with the secondary damage that is mold.

Have good ventilation throughout your building. This helps prevent moisture. In an environment in which the air is consistently moist, mold can make a home.

Another key to mold prevention is purchasing mold-resistant products, such as drywall, sheetrock, and paint. Any building materials that utilize paper in their manufacture provide a good surface for mold.

What To Do When You Find Mold

If you notice areas in your building that are consistently moist, have them inspected. If you experience a disaster that involves water, have it cleaned quickly.

Because mold could be present, don't attempt the cleanup yourself. Mold presents a hazard and should be handled by remediation experts who have the right training and equipment.

Having good ventilation and providing proper maintenance of the roof and water fixtures in your building is your best defense against mold. Being proactive today to avoid water damage can help you avoid any expensive cleanups later.

Who's Handling the Water Damage on Your Property?

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage cleanup services

Who's Handling the Water Damage on Your Property?

Some minor plumbing issues can be handled internally, but most of the problems that cause water damage should be turned over to professionals. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to hire a plumber or certified water damage repair professional if the water clean-up and repairs would require you to cut into any walls or dig down to piping. There are other signs that you need the help of a professional:

• You don't know where the leak is.
• You believe there may be mold contamination.
• Blackwater is or could be involved.
• Water and electricity are both present.
  
  

It's always better to err on the side of safety when it comes to plumbing and water damage.

Why Is Water Damage So Serious?
Flooding, a broken pipe, and slowly developing water damage can all cause a lot of harm to your business property. Not only does water cause visible damage, but also leads to weakness and damage below the surface and in corners that are tucked away. A certified water damage professional has been trained to recognize damage you may overlook. These professionals know what to look for and the most common places to look for hidden damage.

What Is a Commercial Drying Specialist?
Professionals with certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification have completed courses and received credentials in the water cleanup and repair industry. An IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist is trained in advance drying concepts and is prepared to appropriately handle this type of work for your commercial property. These professionals have proficiency in areas such as the proper inspection techniques for commercial structures and familiarity with the anatomy of commercial properties.

Who's Handling Your Cleanup and Repairs?
Are you familiar with IICRC-certified Commercial Drying Specialists in Aventura, FL? Make sure you know that the water clean up efforts in your commercial properties are being carried out by technicians with the right training and qualifications.

3 Damage Mitigation Tips for Commercial Roof Leaks

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Leave storm response to the professionals.

Storm Restoration Process

When you experience a flood, overflowing sinks, or leaky plumbing, your business needs storm and flood damage services — and it needs them fast. Here is what you should do in the aftermath of an emergency situation:

1. Keep an Emergency Plan on File
You should have an emergency plan in place for your business that contains your insurance coverage, emergency contacts and other important documents. That way if you find yourself in an emergency situation, you won't have to scramble to find your preferred storm restoration provider and begin the restoration process

2. Call a Professional
While there are some things you can do on your own, it's best to leave storm response to the professionals. A SERVPRO Franchise Professional in Aventura, FL, can quickly assess the damage and get your business up and running in no time.

The restoration process typically includes:

• An initial assessment
• Water removal
• Drying and dehumidifying
• Cleaning and sanitizing
  
  

3. Safely Do What You Can Before a Professional Arrives

Your top priority after an emergency is safety. Electrical hazards should be one of your main concerns. If it is safe to do so, you can perform a few storm restoration tasks, such as:

• Removing antiques, books, art and other valuables from the area
• Mopping up excess water
• Moving furniture from wet carpeting
• Blotting wood furniture
  
  

4. Know Your Limits
Exercise common sense as you do what you can to begin the cleanup. Remember that wet materials are heavy, for example. Most household vacuums are not equipped to handle water, so don't attempt to remove water that way.

You can turn on air conditioning in the summer months to aid drying, but don't turn on ceiling fans or light fixtures if the ceiling is wet. Generally speaking, if the area feels unsafe, it's best to leave it to the professionals.

One of the most important aspects of an emergency situation is your quick response. Having a provider that's there for you at any time will help speed up the storm restoration process.

You Might Be Able To Deduct Storm Damage From Your Taxes

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

In many situations, damages and expenses caused by storms are tax-deductible

You May Be Able To Deduct Storm-Related Expenses From Your Taxes.

When a storm hits your commercial property in Royal Poinciana, FL, you have a lot to think about. At first, your actions will center on making sure everyone in your company is safe. Once that is accomplished you will want to concentrate on recovering from the impacts of storm damage. If the damage to your building is significant, hiring a professional storm mitigation company makes a lot of sense. A team of highly-trained technicians will arrive on-site and begin the process of recovery. Certified workers will remove standing water and repair damages caused by wind, rain, and hail. The goal is to get your company back on its feet as quickly as possible.

The High Cost of Storm Damage

At some point, your thoughts will turn to expenses. This is the time to take the following actions:

• Contact your insurance company
• Look into strategies to limit expenses
• Consider ways to recoup losses

Look into special loans or grants

In many situations, damages and expenses caused by storms are tax-deductible. Tax laws change frequently so it is always a good idea to check with your accountant or tax specialist. In general, expenses that exceed the limits of your insurance coverage qualify for a write-off.

The Process of Recovery
A storm recovery franchise follows a proven process to restore your facility to its original condition. While each storm presents a unique challenge, the initial stage typically begins with an assessment and inspection of the building. Once the scope of the storm damage is known, the technicians will develop a plan to remove water and dry out impacted areas of the property. They will use specialized equipment to restore your property as the situation demands. They will investigate the building to make certain mold has not begun to grow in affected areas. If mold is present, they will employ advanced techniques to control mold. On average, the recovery process takes a few days.

3 Flood Preparation Tips for Business

7/9/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded business in Hollywood Lakes, FL

Flood Preparation Tips

Businesses in coastal areas or high-risk flood zones are at particularly high risk for flooding; however, any business can experience damage from flash floods, plumbing leaks and other sources. It is important to have a flood preparation plan in place to reduce potential damages. These three flood preparation tips can help get your business ready.

1. Know Your Flood Risk
The steps you need to take to prepare your business for floods depend upon your business' flood risk. Begin by locating your business on a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood map. The map will indicate the level of flood risk for your geographic region.

You should also take into consideration whether there are nearby water sources, such as rivers and streams, whether your property has any drainage issues, the condition of your plumbing systems and any factors that put you at high risk for flood damage, such as having electrical components located near ground-level.

2. Move Vulnerable Property
If your property is at high risk for flooding, it can be a good idea to move any valuable property to a higher floor in your building. Anything that could be a fire risk, such as wet electrical equipment, or easily destroyed by water, such as computer equipment or documents, should be stored in an area that is unlikely to be flooded.

3. Have a Cleanup Plan
Wet property and standing water can lead to additional damage from mold and rot. Also, black water may contain contaminants that need to be professionally cleaned. It is a good idea to maintain contact information for a professional flood remediation company in Hollywood Lakes, FL, that can assist you with promptly drying out your property.

Flooding can strike any business, causing severe damage to property and interrupting operations. A flood preparation plan can help you mitigate damages and get back to business as quickly as possible.

Emergency Response After Storms

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

FEMA and private insurers exist to alleviate the burden and get homeowners the professional cleanup services they require.

Emergency Response Following Storms

Many homeowners in Golden Beach, FL, are inadequately prepared for a life-threatening storm situation. Understand the role of FEMA and other agencies in responding to a natural disaster and assessing the damage.

1. The Aftermath

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will typically send an inspector or other government official directly to the site of a flood or other disaster in order to ascertain the amount of damage and the needs of the populace. At this stage, it is helpful to be present to expedite the process. If the home is safe to enter, you can assist the FEMA official in getting a rough tally of what belongings and parts of your home structure are inundated, wind-damaged, or contaminated. Some homeowners may choose to have a complete inventory of the home as a matter of course.

2. Proof of Ownership

In a disaster situation, the federal government needs to determine the owner of the damaged property. Ensure that during a disaster or evacuation you have access to the various deeds and titles that can prove legal ownership of your home, land, and vehicles. This will greatly expedite the process of disbursing federal aid and getting your life back on track.

3. Adjusters

After the danger of flooding is over, your insurance agency will send an adjuster to ascertain the validity of your damage claims and take a general inventory. This process is different from the type of inspection that FEMA performs to determine the severity of the disaster for the purposes of federal aid. Homeowners should be aware that public adjusters independent of any particular insurance agency also exist, and can be hired to assist with disputes over liability or coverage.

While severe storms and other natural disasters can cause significant damage and disruption, FEMA and private insurers exist to alleviate the burden and get homeowners the professional cleanup services they require.