Why You Should Repair Water Damage Quickly

It is an unfortunate reality that many people underestimate the potential damage water can cause with even limited exposure time.  Chemistry teaches that water can be a base or an acid depending on environmental factors meaning that in high acid environments, water acts as a base and in low pH environments, water is slightly acidic.  The mutable nature of water affords water the ability to carve through solid rock to create beautiful natural wonders but this same ability can also destroy drywall, plumbing materials, and other common building materials.  This point, however, is often forgotten when people deal with water damage.

When dealing with water damage, many people simply focus on the top layer of water and neglect to do anything for the layers of water that have penetrated the subsurface or been absorbed in to the gypsum board (aka drywall and sheetrock) and sill plates usually due to the double whammy of they do not understand the risks and they do not have the proper extraction equipment.  Wikipedia reports that gypsum board is "easily damaged by exposure to water" and "supports the growth of mold."  While gypsum board is treated to make it more water resistant, should the gypsum board be punctured or should water, as in the case of water damage, collect around the unprotected area of the gypsum board, the porous gypsum board will then readily absorb and hold the water.  The longer this absorbed water stays inside the gypsum board the more damage it causes.

Unlike fire damage that leaves a visible and generally static path of damage, water damage can be subtle and can manifest its destruction over a period of time.  Opposed to the immediate destruction caused by fire, water, similar in many ways to stress, can slowly chip away at the host until it requires extensive repair at a cost that is MUCH higher and over an area MUCH larger than initial exposure would have been required to treat.  The subtle nature of water is what causes water damage to be regularly underestimated and, therefore, undertreated in real world case scenarios.

Unfortunately, despite the best intention and valiant effort of many honorable do-it-yourselfers, their efforts are for naught as they simply lack the equipment needed for remediation and such equipment is not commonly available at your local rental shop.  At best these people may have access to a commercial carpet cleaner which can effectively remove the top layer of water but does little to penetrate the subflooring or remove the absorbed water so they will stop when the area feels dry and will leave a fan on.  This method is very similar to the method employed by remediation professionals in the infancy of the water restoration profession but this was soon sent to pasture as it was quickly shown to be ineffective, at best, and a catalyst for decomposition and mold growth, at worst.

The best way to combat water damage, and to prevent the short and long term devastation caused by water damage, is to call a professional water damage restoration company as soon as the damage is found.  While the honorable do-it-yourselfer will have the unrelenting urge to break out their equipment and assist the professional water damage restoration company, the best way a do-it-yourselfer could assist the company is by disabling the source of the water damage (if possible), ensuring the area is free from electrical risks, and ensuring the affected area is free of debris and physical hazards (if possible) so that the professionals can extract the water as quickly as possible to minimize the restoration time.

Proper timing is essential for the fastest restoration.  Now you know.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

What is that Smell?

You smell it... a foul stench that permeates the air and chokes the oxygen from you as you struggle to breath without holding your nose but you cannot find the source of the stench.  You have searched everywhere you can think to look but the smell persists and you wonder aloud if it is actually worsening.  You know it can't have anything to do with your recent water damage as you called the best carpet cleaner in the phonebook - the "family" owned operation with the big ad - and you were there when they removed the water.  They gave you full disclosure concerning a "little" dampness and even added a pleasant smelling chemical as you are a wonderful customer.  So, then, what is that smell?

That smell can be any number of maladies ranging from decomposition of hidden organic materials through the silent yet continual destruction of your walls through mold.  Such maladies omit a foul and offensive odor and each could have been avoided or abated by using a professional water damage restoration company.

The carpet cleaner was introduced herein as a generic but realistic scenario as this scenario plays out on a daily basis.  Most victims of water damage severely underestimate the scope of work that is required to indemnify the situation while simultaneously fearing the perceived cost to fix the situation.  While the carpet cleaner is working to the best of the cleaner's ability, a carpet cleaning company is NOT a professional water damage restoration company and is ill equipped, at best, to address the bevy of tasks required to properly remediate the water damage despite its best effort and honorable intention.  Additionally, most carpet cleaners are paid from the pocket of the water damage victim whereas a professional water damage restoration company can handle the entire restoration project thereby restoring the scenario to it preloss condition with, in many cases, little to no out of pocket money from the water damage victim as the water damage restoration company bills the water damage victim's insurance company for its service.

So rather than argue to defend the integrity of that nice man from the carpet cleaning company and wondering what that smell is, hire that nice man from that professional water damage restoration company and enjoy your restored asset without smell and without the risk of future problems stemming from an underestimation of the damage the water caused initially.  Better yet, tell your family and friends how that nice man from the water damage restoration company was able to complete ALL of the work without taking money from your pocket and how happy you are with the work!  They need to know.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

Water Damage of the Rich and Famous

Despite the house, the cost of the house, or even the architectural design of the house, no home is immune to the effects of water damage.  It has been widely publicized that Pop sensation Rihanna is looking to short sale her 8,250 square foot, 8 bedroom, 10 bathroom, Beverly Hills home due to "extensive damage from moisture and water intrusion."  Despite paying $6.9 million for the home about two years ago, the singer is looking to sell the home at a $2.5 million loss.  Citing damage to, "but not limited to", the roof, windows, doors, and balconies, one would have to wonder who in their right mind would buy this home knowing what is already disclosed for any where near the amount offered?

While her asking price for this rapidly depreciating asset may be otherworldly, her desire to take the money and run is prudent.  Not counting the money she is losing every moment professional corrective measures are not taken, or are delayed, thus allowing the water to continue to damage her home, the unseen damage is likely to be much more of a financial abyss then the immediate $2.5 million loss.  It seems unlikely that this slow seeping water damage is acute so this damage has, most likely, been steadily increasing in volume for some time (a period most likely longer then her two year ownership) so the hidden damage can be extensive.  Then there are the health considerations that run tangent to chronic water damage including toxic black mold.  The inherent heath risks of black mold are well known and well documented and the chances for Rihanna's home being a black mold hotspot are good.

For the record, we take nothing at face value and have found the actual listing online.  While Rihanna's home is quite a bargain, considering and compared to similar listings in the Beverly Hills area, and her full disclosure is admirable, we feel the chances of the house being sold "As-Is" with " EXTENSIVE damage from moisture AND water intrusion" and with "encroachment issues and other problems" is limited.

At this point, we feel, the only way for Rihanna to stem the financial loss she continues to incur is by using an independent water damage restoration company to mitigate the damages and stop the water damage at its source.  Hiring a professional, certified independent water damage restoration company is a prudent financial step as such company can restore the home to its preloss condition thereby negating the immediate $2.5 million loss which could allow Rihanna's undervalued home, for the market it is in and based on comparables, to achieve its true value and sell for much more than $4.5 million.

Best wishes Rihanna.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

Water Damage Restoration 101: The Dangers of Water Damage

 In this, our 20th public service article, we looked back and asked ourselves the best and most basic question of all, who cares?  How does the intra-industry information we have shared with the public benefit the public and why would someone take time from their busy schedule to read what we have freely presented?  The answer, of course, is self interest.  In this "ah-ha" moment we realized that we are missing a key component in our article database... the health risks and financial dangers posed by and created by exposure to water damage.

So then, why is water damage a concern to me and why should I care about it?

1. Water damage can destroy the structural integrity of your structure rendering it unusable and inhospitable.  Even a small amount of water damage can wreak havoc with your drywall, flooring, and infrastructure as it penetrates and is absorbed into the structure.

2. Such penetration and absorption can easily become an ideal environment for health risks and financial challenges associated with the unconstrained growth of mold, bacteria, and structural degradation.

3. Water conditions can quickly degrade into Category 2 or Category 3 water conditions.  Category 2 water, also referred to as "Grey Water", is known to carry microorganisms and can be caused by reasons as common as a sump pump failure or a compromised dishwasher.  Category 3 water, or "Black Water", poses serious human health risks and can carry a wide range of life threatening fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.

4. Any category of water that is not removed properly and by a trained professional can penetrate and poison or infect local sources of clean water.

5. Water damage that is not cleaned professionally can have devastating long term health and financial consequences.  Unless the structure owner is a trained water damage restoration professional, the admirable and laudable American original Do-it-Yourself attitude should not be used in this situation and at no time should any one cut corners to cut costs.

Only a professional water damage restoration company is equipped and trained well enough to remove the water, restore your structure to its preloss condition, and dry the structure to a level that adheres to the structure's normal dry level, thereby, circumventing all of the issues we have outlined.

While any one can easily suck the top layer of water off a floor using a simple grocery store rented wet/dry vacuum cleaner, for example, this can, and will, miss the water that has penetrated the inner layers of the structure including the subflooring and inside the wall cavities.  This is the real threat of water damage and is the reason you should only use an independent water damage restoration company to handle all of your water damage restoration needs.

Water Damage Restoration 101 What about my memories?

Water damage is uncompromising and can be devastating. The stress incurred by loss of the use of your property is bad enough but the loss of irreplaceable pictures and family heirlooms can be a tremendous strain. This article will outline some steps you can use to prevent loss to such items.

- Prevention is the key -
Per the adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of Cure," the best way to prevent loss of irreplaceable pictures and family heirlooms is by eliminating or severely reducing the ability to lose said items. Preventing the ability to lose or damage such items is the key to enjoying the maximum pleasure and benefit such items convey for the longest amount of time.

- Image all irreplaceable documents and pictures to your PC -
Most people have some form of scanning device in their home or place of business but for those who do not, and for those who do not have the time, interest, or technological ability to do it themselves, there are low cost services that will image these items for a nominal cost.

- Synchronize your iDevices, cameras, and other electronic devices to your PC -
iPhones, iPads, touch devices, and other similar items that allow the user to take pictures, download personal items, or otherwise express themselves creatively, are lost, stolen, and damaged every day so all of the personal data contained on such device is forever lost. For most people, synchronizing such device is as simple as plugging their device into their PC. More advanced users may have turned off the autostart process but can reactivate the service by simply running the original application.

- Regularly backup your PC -
People seem to forget one basic tenant of computer law... computers are machines... it is not if they will break down but when. Many times computers break down at the most inconvenient times and unless the user has backed up their PC to some external source - i.e. flash drive, file server, Internet backup, etc., all of the files, documents, pictures, etc. on such PC are lost until such time their PC is fixed or their data is retrieved. The entire nightmare scenario can be avoided by simply backing up the PC.

- Keep all original and PC backups in a safe storage area off the premises -
This should go without saying but many people keep the backup directly next to the source. While this may not matter in the scenario of a computer crash, should the user experience fire or water damage, then it is reasonable to assume that something that killed the source can kill the backup. It is a best practice to keep the backup in a safe place separate from the source.

- Use only copies or electronic images -
Now that all irreplaceable pictures and family heirlooms are safely backed up and stored away, the enjoyment of such items should not be lost in the attempt to protect such items. The electronic reproduction of such items will afford the utility such items provide with the peace of mind knowing that the originals are secure from loss or damage. Truly a win-win scenario.

Unfortunately, these words of wisdom may come too late for your needs. Should this be the case, then a professional water damage restoration company may be able to refer your electronic devices to a qualified recovery center for possible repair or data recovery. Any paper or non-electronic items, however, may be lost depending on the conditions of the loss. It is clear that the best key to recovery is prevention.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

Water Damage Restoration 101 Why use a Water Damage Restoration Company?

While in the midst of a recent job, the insurance adjuster came out and asked why we are continuing to dry when the floor looked dry upon the adjuster's visual inspection. An insurance adjuster, presumedly, is better qualified and has more experience in water damage restoration than a homeowner who is dealing with an emergency remediation service for the first, and hopefully final, time. The sincere question of said adjuster prompted this article as if someone who is supposed to be professionally educated and experienced in this arena does not understand what dry means, then it stands to reason that the in duress homeowner does not know and can reasonably question the time and effort we expend in doing a professional water damage remediation.

Let's face it, money is always a consideration. Any person, in a purely fiduciary and cost accounting point of view, could make the reasonable determination that removing water from a structure can be accomplished by simply using a store rented machine, a shop wet vacuum, or by any carpet cleaning service found in the phone book. This reasonable and cost controlling assumption that any of the water removal methodologies just outlined is correct as any of the aforementioned water removal methods should be able to remove the top layer of water but NONE of those water removal methods can remove the water that has penetrated the flooring, base boards, or drywall. Unfortunately, the moisture not removed by these methods is, often times, the underlying catalyst for costly structural damage and can create the optimal conditions for mold growth. While this approach to save money is understood and appreciated, this approach is unnecessary as, in many cases, a professional water damage remediation company can handle such work for little to no out-of-pocket cost to the homeowner.

In addition to the cost savings the professional water damage remediation company may afford the homeowner, a professionally trained and intra-industry certified company will know the industry established dry standard for the region they serve and will ensure that the moisture content of the affected area will be dried to the established drying standard and not to a level that looks, feels, and otherwise appears dry upon a casual inspection. The benefit of this is simple... the potential for structural damage is abated and the potential for mold growth is minimized thus saving the homeowner untold expenses in home repair and medical costs.

So what does dry mean? When is something dry? Dry does not mean a moisture content of zero as even in the desert there is moisture - if you know where to look and how to extract it. Dry, in the context of water damage remediation, refers to a point in the intra-industry drying standard at which the moisture content is stated to be dry. Each region, by virtue of its unique ecology, has its own established drying standard. The outline of each region is beyond the scope of this article but any interested party can easily find the established drying standard for their region online. It is to this point that a professional water damage remediation company will dry to, or beyond, to ensure your home indemnified to its preloss condition. Then, and only then, is your affected home / structure able to be deemed as dry.

As outlined in this article, there really is a lot that goes into a water damage remediation service... far more then is apparent at first glance. Now that you have a reasonable understanding of the time, money, and risk you can offset via the contracting a professional water damage restoration company, you now know that your fiduciary responsibility and cost saving intent is BEST served by using a professional water damage remediation company whenever water damage occurs.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

Psychologically Surviving the Storm Recovery

While Tropical Storm Emily seems to be lessening in strength and may not effect Florida in any way, the existence of Tropical Storm Emily shows that hurricane season is here and by all estimates, this hurricane season is expected to be active. There are a bevy of available guides that outline hurricane preparedness and what to do before the storm hits but few of these guides outline how to psychologically survive the environmental and financial effects of being hit. The loss of property, personal heirlooms, and independence that stems from surviving a hurricane is devastating enough but they, unfortunately, can be the tip of the iceberg. Many of these stressors outlined in this article are not considered until the situation arises. It is our hope that someone may read this article and find some solace in the guidelines presented.

1. Bored, frightened, and hungry children
In this era of seemingly endless multimedia distractions, many the kids of today are ill equipped for the harsh conditions of the mundane outside world. For the parent who just witnessed the irreversible destruction of their home, personal possessions, and other fruits of their lifelong investment, the inane banter of children whining about being bored can add immense unnecessary stress to an already unbelievably stressful situation. The best solution to this problem is a deck of cards. While Uno, Crazy Eights, and other specialized card games exist, in this reality, space is everything so a simple pack of playing cards can be employed for long term entertainment. The versatility of a standard deck of playing cards is unmatched by any specialized cards and can bring a much needed escape from the harsh post storm conditions.

2. Pets
The financial burden of caring for a pet in a devastated economy can wreak psychological havoc amongst pet owners when they find themselves competing for the same food and water resources as their pet. The pet owners surely has the best intention for the well being of the pet but when the worst has happened and the owner is forced to choose between self preservation and pet preservation, often times it is the pet who suffers. The best solution is to prevent this scenario from happening. Find a pet shelter, find a pet boarding facility, or make arrangements to move the pet to a friend or family member's home - in an unaffected area - before the storm hits. The immeasurable psychological damage of this scenario is easy to stave off with simple prevention.

3. Looting
If you are in an affected area, you need to move to a shelter, friend or relative's house, or to a hotel room where available. While the macho concept of protecting the homestead is honorable and appreciated, the lack of food, clean water, and the constant image of loss is too much on even the toughest psyche. Nothing adds insult to injury better than hunger pains and communicable diseases obtained in a disaster. The need or desire to protect your nonfunctioning and completely unusable 60" HD LCD TV is foolish, it can be replaced... pick up and move on. The best defense against loss is photographic or video evidence. BEFORE the approaching storms hits, photo catalog all of your possessions, heirlooms, expensive electronics, and vehicles; scan all sensitive documents and pictures to your PC; and make a text file of all your Internet usernames and password and then burn all this evidence to a robust medium like DVD. The contents of said DVD can be used for insurance claims, restoration or recreation of lost heirlooms, and is small enough to be easily protected and transported. While other backup methods, including remote backup exist and are reasonable, recovery from these methods can fail when there is no Internet activity, no electricity, no working computers, and your overly stressed mind cannot recall your name let alone Internet passwords. This DVD can put your mind at ease.

4. Money
In a time of disaster the adage of "Cash is king" is never more apparent. All of the modern luxuries of credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bill payment fail when there is no electricity and no ability to withdraw money from an ATM. The solution is cash. You should maintain a cash reserve in your home for emergencies. This reserve does not need to be large, in fact, too much cash would make you a target so a small coin collection or paper currency reserve should be enough to help you get to an unaffected area in order to regroup and survive.

Surviving a disaster is trying enough. The strategies outlined in this article are presented in the hope that this information helps someone who suffers such challenge survive and recover with as little displacement, loss, and psychological scarring as possible.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.