Tips To Help Reduce Damage During A Flood

Flood Response Vehicle On The Scene.

 

Next to a fire, almost all homeowners fear flooding, and the damage it can cause. The flood can be caused by many things, from a frozen/broken pipe to an overflowing river, the results can be devastating. In almost all cases, some type of water damage restoration will be required. Most homeowners will find that they will need to rely on a specialist in water damage cleanup.

 

These specialists will have both the knowledge and equipment to rid your home of water, and to minimize the damage of the actual structure. Yet, that isn’t the only place flood damage can occur, losses typically include: furnishings, family photos, pieces of art and books. The following tips can help lessen the damages of items that are irreplaceable. The following safety tips for water damage can all be done before the water restoration team gets to your home.

 

Safety Tips For Water Damage

 

First of all, the homeowner must prevent serious, and even fatal injuries. To do this they should:

Turn off all power to the area before allowing others to enter the flooded area. Next, the homeowner must attempt to find the source of the water, if a plumbing emergency is thought to be the cause. Once the source is found, all water to the area should be shut off to minimize damage. Last of all, remind everyone that the area may be slippery.

These tips should be taken in the order written. Once done, the area may be entered and the water restoration may begin.

 

Tips For Beginning The Water Damage Cleanup

 

The homeowner can begin the cleanup before the water restoration team arrives. These steps if done can save many of the most precious of mementos:

• Remove as much of the water as possible by mopping or blotting. If there is any dripping or leaking, a bucket or empty trash can is an effective way to save a lot of water from further damaging its surrounding areas. A Homeowner should not attempt to vacuum the water, remember no electrical appliances should be used in the affected area.
• Wipe any excess moisture from unaffected susceptible content in the area. Once dry, removal to an unaffected area is suggested.
• Remember not to put items that bleed color next to, or on other surfaces that can absorb the colors(such as carpet).
• Use a clothes hanger to support the bottom of any long drapery/curtains on the curtain rod
• Remove all area rugs that are in the flooded area.
• Move all photos, pictures and art works to a dry, and safe area.
• Remove all books or important documents from the area, if they are wet, place them on a dry area, spread the pages to allow faster drying.
• Open all affected doors, drawers, closets and pieces of luggage to aid in the drying phase.

 

 

Things That Should Never Be Done

 

There are three things that should never be done. By doing so, people risk serious injuries, and possible death. Learn these safety tips for water damage, and keep everyone safe:

• Do not use an ordinary or electrical vacuum.
• Never use electrical appliances in flooded areas.
• Do not enter severely flooded areas until the electricity has been turned off.

 

I hope these tips are helpful, but mostly I wish you many dry years!

The Importance of Having A Professional During A Water Emergency

When a water intrusion occurs in a home through flooding or leaking, it is important for home and business owners to avoid damage by calling for prompt water removal or pump out services. Unfortunately, water is one of the most destructive forces a home can face, especially if the water comes in the form of a flood. If water removal is carried out promptly, home and business owners can avoid a host of issues that can damage their home and even put their health in danger.

Standing water not only causes massive water damage to the porous structures of a home, it can also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew. Since certain types of mold are toxic, it is crucial the mold growth is inhibited as much as possible. If the water stands in a home for over twenty-four hours, it can begin to cause mold and mildew growth on all of the moist surfaces and even in the air.

Flood remediation teams use water extraction processes to remove large amounts of water at an exponential rate. The sooner the water is removed, the sooner the damage can be assessed and repaired. Using various extraction processes, the team will work to remove any standing water, including water that has made its way into the walls. After the water removal has taken place, the team will work to bring the humidity levels down as soon as possible so the growth of mold and mildew is mitigated effectively.

SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning LLC. Provides water extraction services and will not only work to help home and business owners dry out, but they also ensure the home is restore ready after every Water Damage. Through thorough cleaning measures, the removal of damaged materials, and the replacement of drywall and other building materials, a home can be fully restored to the way it was before the waters entered and caused damage. Also known as a “pre-loss” condition.

Home and business owners who are in need of water removal services can count on SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning. We come out 24/7/365 for water emergencies so a home can be protected from the onslaught of damage that occurs after a water intrusion. With a prompt response, home and business owners alike can rely on these services when an emergency occurs.

Reacting Quickly to Minimize Washing Machine Overflow Flooding Damages

Let’s face it, flooding emergencies are relatively common events that can occur at anytime in a home. Being prepared can make the difference between cleaning up a little mess and paying a significant amount of money out on an expensive laundry room flood problem. Regardless to the situation, it is essential that the homeowner and their families know what to do so that they can recover quickly.

#1 – Concentrate on Safety First
When an individual is dealing with a washing machine that is overflowing, one of the first things that they will need to concentrate on is the family’s safety. Because the water from a washing machine overflow can flood dangerous areas electrical places in the home, the owner or a family will need to cut off the electrical power. To prevent electrical shock, the person should cut it off at the fuse box or circuit breaker. Additionally, because this water is normally slippery from all of the suds, people should make sure that they are taking the necessary precautions to keep from slip and falling. No one wants to add to this problem by having to make a trip to the hospital.
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#2 – Check Washer Hoses for Leaks
Sometimes this kind of problem may be relatively simple to resolve. This is normally in cases where the hose on the machine is too loose. Therefore, all the person has to do is tighten the hoses up prior to turning the machine back on.

#3 – Best Practices for Hard to Spot Problems
If the problem that the owner is experiencing is not easy to identify, there are some best practices that can be used to stop the flooding. For instance, the owner should avoid cramming too many clothes in the machine because unbalanced loads can present significant problems. In some cases, the owner may not know why the problem has occurred, so they will need to contact an appliance repairman to do the job.

#4. Clean up and water damage from washing machine
In some situations, the owner of the home may not discover the problem until it is too late to prevent damage to other floors in the home. When this happens, the family will need to react quickly to avoid unnecessary water damage from the flooding. For instance, if there is a lot of water, the owner may need to contact an outside agency that specializes in water damage services.

In any water damage situation call a restoration company immediately. SteamMaster is a 24-hour emergency restoration company serving 9 counties. A live person will answer the phone at 970-827-5555 when you call.

SteamMaster – Industry Certified by IICRC

SteamMaster – Industry Certified by IICRC

SteamMaster have always been an IICRC Certified Firm

Home Emergency Management 101

Home Emergency Management 101

You can’t predict when a home emergency will occur – but you can be prepared. Quick thinking can help minimize risk and even prevent property damage and personal injury.
Read on these step by step instructions for handling five home emergencies prepared your friendly neighbor – State Farm

state-farm-home-emergency-management-infographic

Disaster-restoration company offering veterans program | News Tribune

Disaster-restoration company offering veterans program | News Tribune.

Disaster Brigade U.S.A. (573)291-0234 has launched an initiative to restore the lives and dignity of veterans through advanced training, networking and delivering opportunities to veterans who want to learn to become self-employed through disaster restoration and preparedness services.

Disaster_Brigade_USA provides water damage response and fire damage restoration services currently in all Mid-Missouri areas and is seeking to expand nation-wide.

Jefferson City has been selected as the national headquarters for Disaster Brigade U.S.A.

The Mid-Missouri, full-service base is operated by Ivan Turner, co-founder and past president of AERODRY for 23 years. Between the national initiative support team and Mid-Missouri Disaster Restoration services, the company expects to hire 15-20 employees within the first year.

Much of the training cost may be financed through the GI Bill program. For those veterans who do not qualify, financial assistance is available through lending partners.

Turner has 25 years of experience in the disaster-restoration industry, and has developed and delivered multiple continuing-education courses for the Mid-Missouri insurance community and how-to programs for active restorers.

He is a Navy veteran and has served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Missouri Regional Library, Mid-Missouri Home Builders Association, is a founding committee member of Start-up Jefferson City and serves on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson City Boys and Girls Club.

For more information, go to www.disasterbrigadeusa.com or visit the Disaster Brigade U.S.A. office at 708 Missouri Blvd., or call 573-291-0234.

Keeping your home and property secured in Winter

Keeping your home and property secured and safe is a necessity all year round. However, prior to winter the need to place additional safety measures is crucial. If left unchecked or neglected, the consequences can be dangerous and costly.

We are sure you are very used to the winter drill and have attended to many of the tips below. Cross-reference the checklist and attend to the necessary.

• Wash spray equipment, such as sprinkler or hose and store it away.

• Clean out gutters. Remove leaves and other debris from drainpipe and gutters.

• Check the furnace and flue in good working condition.

• Ensure your heating system has proper ventilation

• Dust vents and change furnace filters, if there is a blower, have it cleaned and oiled.

• Have the fireplace inspected for loose mortar.

• Ensure the fireplace screen is property secured.

• Check for drafts. Inspect windows and doors for cracks and seal them.

• Use outside lighting that is designed for outdoor use only such as weatherproof cords, plugs, sockets and connections

• Provide ample light outdoors to the entrance and exterior of home to illuminate snow and ice patches

• Keep all sidewalks and entrances to home free from ice and snow.

• Remove dead tree branches. Heavy snow or ice can cause them to break and damage your property or injure someone.

• Ensure the home is kept at least 68F while at home or 63F degrees while away to prevent pipes freezing and subsequent water damage.

An Open Letter and Appeal to the Restoration Industry

 

The Colorado floods that you saw on the news have been described as “apocalyptic” by local residents. Boulder County and surrounding areas got about 20 inches of rain in four days. That’s roughly equivalent to getting the total annual amount of annual rainfall in less than a week!

The historic floodwaters ripped through and impacted 17 counties leaving behind 8 fatalities. Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder Clear Creek, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan and Weld Counties have been declared disaster areas, and one person is still missing or presumed dead.

The property damage is horrendous: 50 state bridges were damaged along with more than 200 miles of state highways and roads covering over 1533 square miles. The Colorado Office of Emergency Management reported electric outages for 76 homes and natural gas outages for 1282 homes, and more than 17,500 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods.

Our Restoration and Cleaning Industry has stepped up. We responded promptly. You can’t drive down a street in the impacted area without seeing a restoration or cleaning company vehicle.

SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning was there too. We mobilized our crews. We quickly moved to assist homes and businesses helping to mitigate the water damage. We work closely with our vendors and suppliers, and we exchanged friendly greetings with our competitors.

Over the years, our industry has mobilized rapidly to respond to natural disasters: flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, wind and hail storms. We watch the weather more intently than the average person.

We have the know-how. We understand the science of mitigation and restoration. We have the necessary tools and equipment, no matter how great the loss. We are protected with all the necessary immunizations to work safely. This is who we are and this is what we do best. We are always ready with crews, trailers full of equipment and mobile offices, and some of us travel across the country to respond.

Our supply vendors, equipment rental companies and third-party administrators are equally prepared. They remain ready to respond and able to deploy help to disaster-stricken areas when needed.

Next to the first responders who are out saving lives, we are always there next in line. As we provide emergency response, mitigating and restoring both residential and commercial properties, our crews are equipped mentally and physically. We know how to show the proper demeanor, how to show empathy to those who are experiencing shock and grief.

We respond because we care. And we do this because this is what we do. We also do this because this is our livelihood. We respond to disasters because it pays the bills and keep our workers and staff employed. We respond to disasters because it drives our businesses profitability, and it sustains us yet another year.

Like the first responders, we pray that disasters and emergencies won’t happen. But emergencies and disasters do happen, and we have responded many times, to many natural disasters, over the years.

When superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey earlier this year, a noble and commendable grassroots disaster relief network sprung up to provide mutual aid to communities affected by the massive storm. They pioneered a volunteer movement and mobilized to help anyone who needed help.

We are currently providing restoration and cleaning services to customers who hired us during the Colorado Flood. Alongside our efforts, a group volunteers called Boulder Flood Relief (BFR) has formed to mobilize and provide aid for those who are still in need.

Boulder Flood Relief was started by veterans of the Occupy movement and includes many University of Colorado at Boulder students among its volunteers. CU PhD candidate Meghan Dunn, one of the founding organizers, spent nine months working with and researching emergency response techniques used in New York during Occupy Sandy storm relief.

In less than two weeks, BFR has built a volunteer database of over 3,000 individuals. It has completed more than 150 volunteer-assisted projects, and is currently working in several neighborhoods based on requests and needs.

But ironically, many, if not most, governmental and charitable relief organizations cannot or do not use volunteers. The need remains acute: Colorado’s Office of Emergency Management says that the floods destroyed 1,882 homes and damaged 17,500, damaging or destroying 968 businesses as well. (These numbers change daily, as first responders reach cut-off areas and report additional victims and damage.)

BFR’s core group is working out of office space donated by Applied Trust IT consulting on Walnut Street in Boulder. The tech-savvy group is using Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and other Internet tools to reach volunteers and victims, and it has launched an online peer-to-peer marketplace of goods and services that will allow flood victims to self-organize and recover.

As I write this, some restoration and cleaning companies have completed their work and returned to their businesses, but the need to assist residents struggling with flooded and damaged homes remains vast. Most victims did not have flood insurance, and neither FEMA nor insurance payments will cover more than a small fraction of their losses.

In the coming weeks, Boulder Flood Relief will continue to recruit and assign volunteers. As winter approaches, the need for support will intensify. Please join me in sending donations in kind or monetary support to BFR via the www.BoulderFloodRelief.org website.

Those interested in volunteering should:
• See BFR’s Facebook page or Twitter @boulderflood and #boulderfloodrelief for news and announcements
• Sign up to volunteer at www.boulderfloodrelief.org

As a member of the restoration industry, I seek your help to support those who are still filling an enormous need. BFR is volunteer group that has its boots on the ground – or more often, in stinking mud. Please send me an email with what you can do to help them and those whose lives have been deluged by the floods.

Raj Manickam, CEO

Your right to choose a Restoration Contractor when filing an Insurance Claim!

In Colorado you have the right to choose your restoration company! Your carrier cannot steer you to choose a particular company just because they have a corporate agreement to use a franchise or a network. Your carrier cannot steer you to choose but may offer you choices as well as notify you of your right to choose your own Restoration Contractor.

On May 17, 2007, Colorado passed a bill allowing YOU the RIGHT TO CHOOSE your Restoration contractor when filing an insurance claim.
When deciding which restoration company will suit your needs best, look for a qualified and reputable company, that will stand behind work performed and warranty their services.

SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning, LLC is independently owned and not a franchise. Since 1978 SteamMaster has been serving nine counties including Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, Garfield, Lake, Park, Routt, Grand and Chaffee as well as surrounding areas for the last 34 years. SteamMaster’s world corporate office is locate in 1901 South Main Street in Minturn, Colorado.

There are several great water damage restoration companies in California,and Indiana we would recommend. Please visit their respective websites.

See HOUSE BILL 07-1104 [Digest]

Session Laws of Colorado 2007
First Regular Session, 66th General Assembly

CHAPTER 249

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INSURANCE
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HOUSE BILL 07-1104 [Digest]

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Butcher, Carroll M., Green, Jahn, Marshall, Merrifield, and Solano;
also SENATOR(S) Tapia.

AN ACT

Concerning referral by an insurance company of an insured to a property repair business, and making an appropriation therefor.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1. Part 1 of article 4 of title 10, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:

10-4-120. Unfair or discriminating trade practices – legislative declaration. (1) (a) The general assembly determines that competition is fundamental to the free market system and that the unrestrained interaction of competitive forces will yield the best allocation of our economic resources, the lowest prices, the highest-quality commodities and services, and the best environment for democratic and social institutions. Therefore, the right of the individual to choose a repair business is a matter of statewide concern.

(b) The general assembly declares that the purposes of this section are to:

(I) Safeguard the public against monopolies, trusts, and market barriers;

(II) Foster and encourage competition by prohibiting unfair and discriminatory insurance practices that impede fair and honest competition;

(III) Ensure that all consumers benefit from competition and the expansion of choices in the marketplace; and

(IV) Enhance Colorado’s economic development.

(c) This section shall be liberally construed so that its beneficial purposes may be served.

(2) An insurer or its agent that issues or renews a policy that insures real or personal property shall not:

(a) Directly or indirectly require that appraisals or repairs to the property be made or not be made by a specified repair business;

(b) Represent to a beneficiary or claimant who is making a claim under a policy that the use of, or the failure to use, a particular repair business may result in the nonpayment or delayed payment of a claim;

(c) Intimidate, coerce, threaten, or induce by incentive a beneficiary or claimant to use a particular repair business for repairs; except that an inducement by incentive does not include warranty or guaranty repairs;

(d) Contract with a person to manage, handle, or arrange insurance repair work or to act as an agent for the insurer if:

(I) The contract requires a particular repair business to do claims work for the insurer at a price established by the insurer; and

(II) The person retains a percentage of any compensation paid by the insurer;

(e) Use disincentives to discourage a beneficiary or claimant from using a particular repair business; except that a disincentive does not include warranty or guaranty repairs;

(f) Solicit or accept a referral fee or compensation in exchange for referring the beneficiary or claimant to a repair facility;

(g) Require the beneficiary or claimant to travel an unreasonable distance to choose a repair facility;

(h) Misinform a beneficiary or claimant to induce the use of a particular repair business; or

(i) In the settlement of a liability claim by a third party against a beneficiary or claimant for property damage claimed by the third party, require a third-party claimant to have repairs done by a particular repair business.

(3) An insurer or its agent that issues or renews a policy that insures real or personal property shall:

(a) Supply the beneficiary or claimant with a copy of the estimate upon which the settlement is based, when partial losses are settled on the basis of an estimate prepared by or for the insurer;

(b) Require that any estimate prepared by or for the insurer covering damages that are visible or evident at the time of inspection is adequate to restore the property within a reasonable time to its condition before the loss, in accordance with applicable policy provisions;

(c) Pay for repair services and products based on a prevailing competitive price, as established by competitive bids, generally accepted insurer-based methodology, or market surveys that determine a fair and reasonable market price for similar services;

(d) Orally or in writing disclose to a beneficiary or claimant that the beneficiary or claimant may freely choose any repair business;

(e) Assume all reasonable costs sufficient to pay for the beneficiary’s or claimant’s repairs including materials or parts, less any applicable deductible or reduction for comparative negligence;

(f) Promptly pay the cost of property repair services and products from any repair facility location that is within a reasonable distance, less any applicable deductible amount payable by the beneficiary or claimant according to the terms of the insurance policy, at no less than the prevailing competitive market price in the same geographic area; and

(g) Disclose to the beneficiary or claimant any ownership interest in, or ownership by or through an affiliation with, a repair business recommended by the insurer when the recommendation is made.

(4) An insurer is not required to furnish the notices required by this section more than once to each beneficiary or claimant for each claim.

(5) A beneficiary, claimant, or repair business may submit a written, documented complaint to the commissioner alleging a violation of this section.

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an insurer or its agent shall inform the beneficiary or claimant that he or she may select any repair business of his or her choosing, and if the insurer chooses, the insurer may also inform the beneficiary or claimant that the insurer can provide a list of repair businesses for the beneficiary or claimant to consider.

SECTION 2. Repeal. 10-4-618, Colorado Revised Statutes, is repealed.

SECTION 3. Repeal. 10-4-601 (1) and (12), Colorado Revised Statutes, are repealed as follows:

10-4-601. Definitions. As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Beneficiary or claimant” includes an insured person and a third-party claimant.

(12) “Repair business” means a business that repairs motor vehicles.

SECTION 4. Appropriation. In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the division of insurance cash fund created in section 10-1-103 (3), Colorado Revised Statutes, not otherwise appropriated, to the department of regulatory agencies, for allocation to the insurance division, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, the sum of ten thousand two hundred one dollars ($10,201), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act.

SECTION 5. Applicability. This act shall apply to claims made on or after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 6. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

Approved: May 18, 2007

———-
Capital letters indicate new material added to existing statutes; dashes through words indicate deletions from existing statutes and such material not part of act.

The Science of Drying – using moisture meters

The science of drying involves removing moisture from wet materials and is most effectively performed after collecting atmospheric moisture reading, structural materials temperature readings, and moisture content from both affected and unaffected materials.

Descriptions of moisture meters can be found in ANSI/IICRC S500 2006. The standard defines Moisture Meters as: “An electronic sensing device used to measure the internal moisture percentage of various construction materials, such as wood, gypsum board, masonry, etc.”

Penetrating meters work when pins or probes are inserted into materials and work by detecting measurable moisture levels.

Non-penetrating meters work by detecting moisture levels without penetrating the surface.

Some meters operate beyond detecting moisture, the measure surface and air temperatures; relative humidity including grains per pound, vapor pressure, calculate dew point and condensation risks.

Humidity probes on some devices can also be used in structural materials such as concrete, masonry and other building materials.

Some devices allows wireless on-site monitoring and moisture recording and then data can be downloaded to a computer.

With Infrared thermal imaging cameras can quickly scan and identify the full extent of water and moisture damage at a job site. It allows targeted dry-out efforts and monitor drying progress.

Moisture meters provide a reasonably accurate picture of how wet materials are and can be used to established drying trends. This is very important when drying is accelerated with the addition of heat.

Source:
Restoration & Remediation, Dan Bernazzani, Extech, Tramex, Lignomat & Flir