Carpet Cleaning is NOT Restoration

It is reasonable and financially prudent for a consumer to want to spend the least amount of money possible to achieve the maximum benefit. In this regard it is understandable why savvy consumers would make the unintentional mistake of hiring a carpet cleaner to remove the water as neither the consumer nor the industrious carpet cleaner are aware of the subtle complexities and onerous detail a professional water damage restoration project demands.

Let's face it. Anyone can remove water. All you need is a wet/dry shop vacuum, on the high end, or a straw, on the low end, and viola... the water is removed! Although, admittedly, most carpet cleaners would have equipment that is better suited for water extraction than a residential wet/dry vacuum. A high level carpet cleaner may also have dehumidifiers and fans but simply having such equipment does not mean that the well intentioned carpet cleaner is proficient in the use of such equipment or knows how to optimize deployment. For example, anyone can set up a computer system and press the power switch. Such a deployment may be useable but such set up is prone to a gaggle of information technology related risks ranging from malware through data integrity. A more prudent installation would be completed by someone with specialized information technology training who is experienced and knows how to prevent obstacles that a less informed and educated professional would not be aware of or know how to combat upon manifestation. Likewise, a carpet cleaner does NOT have the specialized education or ability to balance the atmosphere, calculate the moisture load, design and deploy a negative air drying chamber, or manipulate vapor pressure - processes and procedures that are common, everyday measures employed by professional water damage restoration companies.

Water damage restoration professionals employ such exotic tactics in the best interest of the customer to ensure the core of the structure is dry, prevent or reduce mold from establishing itself or spreading throughout your structure, and create optimal drying conditions. These considerations are well beyond the scope, understanding, or ability of even the most well intended carpet cleaner but are considerations that can manifest a severe negative financial and, potentially, health challenges if not addressed. Mold horror stories are common and easily accessible in a simple internet search but mold is NOT the only microbial consideration or concern that is common in a water damaged structure. Unfortunately, that list is extensive.

Only a professional, independent water damage restoration company has the specialized training and education to protect your health and financial interests from the repercussions of water damage. Some such water damage professionals even charge your insurance company directly so there may be little, or no, out of pockets expenses. In that light, it is obvious that the optimal fiduciarial decision is to use an independent, professional water damage restoration company for your water damage as the alternative can cost more and expose you to long term heath and financial challenges. Make the prudent decision.

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 Causes:Bad Weather

Our last four articles explored four of the most common reasons a property owner could suffer water damage but what is the MOST likely reason for water damage? Bad weather.

Here in Florida, the lightening capital of the world, bad weather can be a daily event. Ask a local and they will confirm that summer in Florida means rain, storms, and hurricane season. There is no escape from the weather extremes. The days can be unreasonably hot and humid only to have it rain. Unfortunately, the rain does not last long and it serves only to turn the day into an unfair and unwanted sauna as the rain visibly evaporates from the ground and hangs in the air. This constant wet expansion with heated compression wreaks havoc with roofing materials - and that is a good day.

When hurricane season hits... all bets are off. Hurricane season can severely test your property's building codes with high winds, a LOT of rain, and constant battery from subsequent debris. While hurricanes CAN and DO spawn tornados... water spouts (tornados that occur over the ocean which usually dissipate when they reach land) are COMMON even in good weather. ANY such "weather anomalies" can damage your asset and create water damage.

The associated water damage does NOT need to be severe or extensive, in fact, a small breach in the roof is all the water intrusion necessary to begin devaluing your asset. Even a tiny pinprick can allow water to start destroying your attic and your walls. Unfortunately, such minute pinpricks may not be known until well after the devaluation and destruction of your asset has been in effect for some time which can be, arguably, much more devastating then immediate and extensive damage.

Prevention is the best way to save your asset from water damage. The next best is rapid response as the sooner the water source is identified and resolved, the less damage there is to restore. In the real world, however, the first two scenarios are rarely the norm. As such, the best way to return your property to the condition it was in before suffering water damage (its "preloss condition"), is to use a professional, independent water damage restoration company.

Only a professional, independent water damage restoration company has the education, experience, and equipment to completely restore your property to its preloss condition in a timely and customer focused manner. Simply removing the top level water is not enough to dry the core of the structure and may not enough to prevent future complications and microbial growth. You owe it to yourself to make sure your water damaged asset is handled by customer focused water damage professionals.

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 Causes:Water Heaters

Sources state that the estimated lifespan of any given common household storage water heater is anywhere from five to fifteen years. Per these assumptions, one could reasonably expect to incur 2 to 6 water heater related issues or replacements within the 30 year lifespan of a typical mortgage. Obviously, this a real yet commonly underestimated potential source of significant water damage.

Aging water heaters will rust and leak. If the property owner catches it in time then the potential for damage is minimal but if the property owner not discover the damage in time, the resulting damage can be substantial. In Florida, due to the high water table, basements are a rarity so water heaters are typically located on the same floor as the living area thus maximizing the need to regularly inspect the water heater for wear and rust and resulting damage should a leak or breakage occur. Similarly, apartment and condominium dwellers, depending on the size of the unit, may have the water heater located in an area that is central to the unit thus maximizing the radius of the potential damage.

There are various things you can do the reduce this potential water damage risk. Common wisdom includes regular inspection for any water leakage, regular inspection for rust, turning off the main water source if you are going to be away from your property for an extended period of time, and having a relief valve installed on the water heater - assuming you do not already have one - in order to regularly remove the bottom sediment which promotes deterioration and oxidation. Before you embark on the later, however, and you do so at your own risk, be careful NOT to splash yourself with the potentially scalding water that is coming from the water heater and, similarly, be sure to have a pail stable enough to handle the hot water and hot sediment without breaching. Better yet, have a professional check it out for you.

In a perfect world water heaters never leak and all damage is caught in time or is minimal; unfortunately, in the real world, when the water heater breaks, it is reasonably sudden and the damage is extensive. Since most people do not turn off the water lead in when the leave, as it is not a common consideration most people would do on a regular basis, once breached, the water heater not only dumps the contents of its storage tank but the water continues to flow due to the open water line contributing to extensive water damage. Should this occur, then you owe it to yourself to hire an independent and customer focused water damage restoration company. Only an independent water damage restoration company focuses its interest on customer service and customer satisfaction so that your restoration is its interest and such company will do whatever it takes to restore your asset to its preloss condition.

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 Causes:Kids

In the mind of a child, all things in or around water are wonderlands filled with magical creatures and limitless adventure. A kid could laugh merrily at the toy's struggle against the mighty toilet maelstrom and then do a belly flop into the tub turning the ordinary and boring bathroom into an enchanted land of rain and waterfalls. Who knows what wonders those shiny, oval shaped thingys behind the toilet are protecting or... hiding? The only way to find out is to take them off and bathe in the unexpected pleasure of an unknown shower. Unfortunately, the kids quickly learn that the innocent fantasy world they just enjoyed also creates strange reactions and verbiage from the adult who comes to discover the existence of such world.

To the adult, the toilet maelstrom is an expensive plumbing call if they cannot rescue the toy from becoming a huge block. The wonderland of rain and waterfalls is water strewn across the bathroom which needs to be cleaned up before it causes damage. The removed flow controls necessitate the immediate shut off of the water coming into the bathroom to cease the continual flow of water shooting onto the wall and covering anything and everything in the area. Parents just don't understand.

On the plus side, building designers understand that a bathroom is reasonably expected to have a higher level of water than other areas of the home and have taken prudent preventative measures to limit damage but none of these prudent measures will do anything should the water damage not be discovered until some time later. Here are some simple action points to limit the internal hurricane damage caused by Hurricane Playtime:

* ALWAYS be aware when any faucet is turned on and running
* Have some type of curtain or door to prevent splashed water from going everywhere
* Keep the area closest to the water well stocked with absorbent towels
* Pay attention to toilet flushing combined with excessive laughter or giggles
* Ask the child to see a toy that went into the bathroom but did not come out

Let's face it, we were all kids and watching SuperDooper Man battle the ferocious toilet maelstrom is pretty cool. While as adults we can appreciate such allure, we simply do not want to deal with the financial cost of cleaning or restoring the collateral damage caused by SuperDooper Man's epic battle. Still, no matter how prudent you are in limiting such damage, if you have kids... it is coming.

Your best remedy, should you awake one day to find your home is full of water as a result of such unrestrained collateral damage, is to hire an independent, professional water damage restoration company to return your home to its preloss condition. An independent, professional water damage restoration company can be counted on to accurately and honestly assess your damage and outline what needs to be done to fix the issues as quickly as possible resulting in both child and adult coming to see the independent restoration professional as a superhero knight that valiantly battles the water dragons and its associated vipers to protect the honor and wellbeing of the trapped homeowners.

Game on!

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 Causes:Pipe Break

Pipe breaks are very common causal sources for water damage and can happen any where, at any time, and in any condition. The damage caused by a pipe break is in direct relation to where the pipe is and how long the pipe has been leaking before it was discovered. An internal pipe crack that leaks a small, study stream of water, for example, may not be noticeable or found until such time as the inevitable mold smell occurs whereas a break in a toilet pipe is immediately visible and can be controlled reasonably quickly.

Old and aging pipes are prime candidates for breakage as are newer pipes that are under undue pressure or simply not installed or secured properly. Blocked pipes can also wreak havoc and cause water damage. Such potential sources include a blocked toilet, a clogged dishwasher, and excessive hair stuck in the bathroom sink. Although not technically pipes, other common breaking points include the washing machine hose, the ice maker water hose, and the garbage dispenser waste valve. Unfortunately, this quickly complied list is far from exhaustive as these sources are only a few common sources of water damage.

Here are some easy bullet points to prevent or limit potential water damage:
* Inspect your utility bill religiously as any unexpected cost increase could be a sign of hidden leakage
* Pay attention to slow drains and have them cleared of blockage
* Regularly inspect all water hoses for signs of wear and leakage
* Ensure that all filters and appliances are free from blockage
* Monitor any appliance overflow valve for water and address as necessary
* Have old pipes replaced

The bullets presented herein serve only as a guideline for routine maintenance and should be adhered to the best of your ability and time. Hopefully these points can help you prevent, stave off, or limit any water damage but in the event that you are in need of a remediation expert, your best bet is an independent, professional water damage restoration company. An independent, professional water damage restoration company is customer focused and operates in the best interest of the customer as the financial viability and permanence of such company is symbiotically intertwined with customer satisfaction and customer referrals. There are a lot of potentially destructive alternatives and biased dissenting opinions out there but there is only ONE best method for returning your asset to its preloss condition and that is by using an independent, professional water damage restoration company for your restoration.

The fiduciarily prudent decision is blatantly obvious. Experience the satisfaction for yourself.

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 Causes:Air Conditioner Leak

In our line of work, and in our area of the county, we commonly come across water damage that is caused due to an air conditioner breakage, leakage, or failure. While the underlying reasoning for such accidents are irrelevant in the scope of this article, for those of us in the warmer climates, air conditioning is a necessity... NOT a luxury. Since such air conditioning malfunctions are fairly commonplace, we herein present some simple suggestions to limit your exposure to such risks.

* Clean or Replace Air Filters Monthly
* Feel for Cold Air coming from visible Ducts or around the Unit
* Listen for any Unusual or Out-of-Place Sounds
* Ensure that the Overflow Sensor is working
* Check the Drain Lines to verify they are clear
* Make sure the AC Unit is serviced regularly

The benefits of adhering to these simple suggestions include enhanced overall air conditioning system efficiency, reduced cooling and maintenance costs, and ongoing comfort but let's face it, while these benefits are great, money is tight and many people are doing less routine and preventative maintenance in order to retain more of their hard earned money. While there are areas in which financial cost reductions are reasonable and prudent, the potential tradeoff for skipping ac maintenance can not only result in water damage but any short term savings can easily be offset by the displacement costs that water damage can cause. An inquisitive reader may question that last statement noting that such displacement costs are customarily reimbursed by their insurance policy, which is generally true, but such reimbursement may be subject to policy terms and limits and still require you to come out of pocket in order to be reimbursed thus far in excess of the simple maintenance cost of maintaining the ac unit. While we certainly appreciate and support fiducial prudence, in some cases, such prudence is best served by the counterintuitive method of spending a little to save a lot.

Unfortunately, the sad reality is that even if such measures are employed... water damage can, will, and still does happens. Despite all of your prudent preventative measures to prevent water damage, the list of potential sources for water damage intrusion is staggering. In the event that the reader is in need of a water damage restoration company, the BEST choice to protect your asset and restore your asset to its preloss condition is by using a professional, independent water damage restoration company. A professional, independent water damage restoration company is customer focused and gets its work through customer satisfaction and referrals but don't take my obviously biased word for it...

Make the prudent step and see for yourself why.

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.

Top Ten Risks of NOT using an Independent Water Damage Restoration Company

1. The adjuster preferred company may finish and leave the job by extracting the top water while leaving your asset saturated with absorbed and ingrained moisture.

2. The adjuster preferred company may be a national franchise whose interests are on selling franchises.

3. A franchisee may be, and usually is, only trained per the guidelines of franchisor's "accelerated" training program which, in most cases, fails to meet the extensive and encompassing hands-on experience and continuing education requirements an independent restoration company must endure and maintain in order to achieve and retain professional industry certifications and recognition.

4. The adjuster preferred company gets work and maintains its "preferred status" solely by doing the minimal amount of work required for the lowest possible cost in order to appease the adjuster whose interests are solely to minimize the insurance company payout by any and all means necessary.

5. Such means are well documented and include many bad faith and psychological manipulation tactics.

6. One such mean is the insurance company making it seem that the hiring of an adjuster preferred company is a legal requirement - it is only a requirement if it is a stipulated tenant of the written policy - so that the adjuster preferred company can continue to provide its lowball and low quality work.

7. It is interesting to speculate that some of the bad faith interrogation and psychological manipulating tactics are borderline violations of humanitarian guidelines as written in documents including the Geneva Conventions so the insurance company and adjuster are trained to deploy such tactics subtly and quietly.

8. The benefit of such lowball and low quality work is that, to the naked eye and to the uninformed yet trusting consumer, the visible and obvious water is gone so the threat and damage is gone as well - as it is assumed and conveyed by the adjuster; however, the remaining moisture can deteriorate into structural damage, mold and health issues, and, at worst, asset condemnation. Should any of these maladies manifest, the insurance company can deny the new claim citing previous water damage thereby dodging the asset replacement costs while minimizing the initial remediation costs.

9. Insurance companies, including their agents, employees, and management, are for profit companies who continue to make their obscene and elevated profit margins and bonuses by doing everything they can to ensure money comes in but it does not go out - except to their pockets.

10. Make no mistake about it... the insurance companies ARE hitting and maintaining their profit margins and bonuses by feverously and dogmatically employing such tactics - even it an economy in which it seems that so many people are on hard times that such achievements are unprecedented and impossible. There is no secret or magic formula... such "achievements" are obtained by charging more while paying out less.

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.