April showers bring May flowers! This is the season for long days of rain showers! As we gear up for Spring here in Ohio one problem can plague homeowners, water damage. Many times the early signs of water damage can be easily overlooked until the problem can become unmanageable. Today we will go over the early signs so that you may spot the problem from the start! Sounds of running water. The kids are sound asleep and you finally have a spare moment to quietly sip your drink in private. But what is that sound? Any unusual sounds like dripping or the subtle hiss of running water can easily point to a growing issue that can lead to water damage. Make sure to pay extra attention to any appliances making these noises as this is where water damage can grow out of control. Strong musty odors Everyone’s showered in the last twenty four hours, the dog is as clean as possible, and you have scrubbed the house from top to bottom. So what is the smell? That earthy, musty, pungent smell that will not go away! Usually this is a dead giveaway to mold growth. Mold grows where there is excess water or moisture and can cause serious symptoms in those who are exposed to it. If there is a chance you could have mold in your home be sure to get it removed as soon as possible. The root problem that caused the mold will need to be addressed as well so it is time to call the professionals once mold is suspected! Structural changes to the floor, walls, or ceiling. That’s not your imagination, the wall in the mudroom is definitely bubbling. Or maybe the floor in your bathroom is warped? Or perhaps it is the peeling linoleum in your kitchen? If water is getting into your sub-flooring or leaking behind the wall you may begin seeing these signs and more. Water damage can also occur in the ceiling and will present as cracking or bowing in some cases. If you notice any changes to the structure of your floors, walls, or ceiling make sure to get it checked right away! Visible stains and discoloration Time to check those floors, walls, and ceiling again! This time make sure to take note of any spots or stains in areas where water may be present. Water spots can come in many different shapes and shades, ranging from rings on ceilings and floors to lines on walls. Sometimes these marks may appear darker and then fade. At any time do not hesitate to give us a call in order to evaluate your home for any potential water damage. And remember time is of the essence when dealing with water damage in your home! Duggin’s restoration is a SW Ohio restoration and recovery company with over 30 years of experience in the field. We are dedicated to the communities we serve and are committed to quality and customer service. If you need restoration services or want to learn more about the restoration process, please call us at 937-383-3200, we can help!
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Laundry is an essential step in any household. Most people run at least a few loads a week and some lucky few run a few loads a day. But what if your dryer catches fire? According to FEMA, almost 3000 cases of dryer fires happen each year in the USA resulting in 35 million dollars of property loss. Up to 34 percent of these cases are caused by a failure to clean the dryer and in particular the lint buildup. Here are several ways to prevent dryer fires!
DON’T use your dryer without a filter. ◦ Make sure to always check your lint filter before every use of your dryer. If you notice that the filter has become clogged then it is time to give a professional a call! DO clean your dryer filter regularly. ◦ We cannot stress this tip enough, regularly cleaning your lint trap can save you tons of money and further tragedy. DON’T leave your dryer running while you are gone. ◦ We all know it is tempting to run a few errands while you wait for your laundry to finish but don’t give into that temptation. Without direct supervision a simple issue with your dryer can easily spin out of control and may even cause a fire that could result in even more property loss and damage in your home. DO inspect your dryer regularly ◦ Making a habit out of checking your dryer’s vents and ducts on a regularly basis (We recommend at least monthly!) is the quickest way to safely find issues before they become a major problem. If you do manage to find blockages in either your vents or ducts it is time to call an expert! DON’T overload your dryer. ◦ Trust me, we’ve all been there! In an effort to quickly finish the last of the laundry you’ve now overloaded your dryer. Unfortunately this can easily lead to a build up of lint and prevent your dryer from ventilating which in turn could cause a fire. Always consult with your dryer’s manual or an expert to determine how much your dryer can handle. Hopefully you will keep our tips in mind this week as you try and keep up on what seems to be the never ending chore that is LAUNDRY. Happy laundering folks! New homeowner/renter’s check list:
· New doormat · New window treatments · Water main location? Electric panel location? Knowing where these important locations are located can reduce the damage to your home and property in the event of a malfunction or an emergency. Not knowing where they are can induce further panic and can be dangerous to you and your family. Water MainShutting off the water supply is the first step to take when a plumbing fixture suddenly begins leaking, this can help significant damage from occurring. Many fixtures also have individual shutoffs. Look under your kitchen or bathroom sink to see if valves are installed or you can shut the water off at the main valve. The main water shut off valve should be located at your water meter or where the pipe enters your home. Normally, this valve will use around handle, much like an outdoor faucet. Some systems use a lever. Turn the handle clockwise. For the best results, operate the main valve about once a year. It can rust, making it difficult to operate. You can use a light spray of WD-40 or similar lubricant to loosen the valve. Electric PanelYou need to know where your electric panel is located. Panels are often located in basements or utility closets. The panel should have a door that opens easily with a small handle. Do not remove the cover that is held in place with screws. With the door open, you will see a pull handle switch at the top of the panel. This should be marked Main. Move the handle to the opposite position to shut off the power. Individual circuits will have small switches located in two columns. These should be marked with the circuit or appliance they are powering. You can flip individual switches to turn the power off. If you have a fuse box, fuses must be removed individually. Fuses unscrew counterclockwise. Do use caution; the sockets will have live power. As always, in the event of an emergency, you can always count on us. Call us, we can help! Duggins Restoration, (937) 382-3300 Welcome to 2020! As we start off the new year, we bring you a new blog series with helpful information and how-to’s that can give you some guidance in the face of disaster or preventive measures to help prevent any disasters in your home.
The fist thing to do is to call you insurance agent to report what has happened and the damage that has resulted. Next, you should call a trained and certified restoration contractor. It’s a good idea to have the number of a trusted recovery firm on hand to save time when you require emergency natural disaster management services. After you make those phone calls, make sure to: Check for any structural damage around your property: damage to foundation, warped ceilings, weak floors…etc. Turn off water main to interrupt flooding or to prevent water from reaching electrical outlets. Also, if possible, shut down electricity, however, never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter. Remember to take pictures or video recordings of affected areas before discarding or moving anything or taking any further steps to mitigate the damages in your home. The faster you report the damage to your insurance, the faster your claim can be processed to receive compensation to pay for the restoration needed. You’ll also be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses, so be sure to save all your receipts. Duggin’s restoration is a SW Ohio restoration and recovery company with over 30 years of experience in the field. We are dedicated to the communities we serve and are committed to quality and customer service. If you need restoration services or want to learn more about the restoration process, please call us at 937-383-3200, we can help! You absolutely do! Think of the smoke alarm as the seat belt in your vehicle: one small step that could save your life!
Smoke alarms are necessary for fire prevention in your home. Fires can happen anywhere, and it is important that there are smoke alarms in every level in your home. Smoke alarms also need maintenance, you should replace the batteries once a year (make it a habit to replace them around an important date in the calendar that will be easy for you to remember: wedding anniversary, child’s birthday or the anniversary of purchase of your home. And be sure to replace the entire smoke alarm once every 10 years, or sooner if you notice a malfunction. In the event of activation of your fire alarms, proceed with your fire safety plan, head for the outside and do not stop to preserve property, make sure and your loved ones are headed to safety. |
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