Month: April 2018

Mold can be one of the most disgusting problems a homeowner might come across. Here are 5 tips for the DIY homeowners looking to get the job done correctly but who need to know when to contact Blue River for the expert knowledge.

1) Items that are made from non-porous materials such as metal, tile, or glass can be cleaned using a borax cleaning solution and will be relatively easy for the most part. Cleaning porous materials, on the other hand, is not as easy and should be done by a professional. Materials such as wood, drywall, carpeting or insulation fall under this category.

2) No matter how small or large of a mold problem there is, do not ignore the health concerns. Mold can cause ongoing itchy eye, bloody nose, sinus problems, headaches, nose congestion, skin rashes or sores, coughing, breathing difficulties, difficulty in remembering things or in thinking clearly, feeling disconnected from the world around you and/or chronic fatigue. Mold can affect younger or elder more with weaker immune systems. Getting the mold levels checks, not just in the noticed area, but in the entire structure will be beneficial.

3) Mold does not always have to be visible.  Once a visible or noticeable area is found, the best thing to do is to assume there are more areas affected. The health problems from tip #2 can continue to linger on if other areas are affected and the structure is not professional examined.  Just cleaning the noticed area may only be a temporary fix.

4)  Not just any cleaning product will kill mold.  A cleaning product not designed to kill mold can spread or make it stronger. Bleach is a common substance used to try and clean mold, but in reality, bleach will feed the mold majority of the time.  Beach will kill live mold, but it does not kill or remove all mold spores embedded in semi-porous items such as drywall, wood, or cardboard.

5) Just because the mold looks dry, does not mean it is or that it is safe. In the instance that it is still wet, using a fan is a terrible option. Using a fan will spread the mold and bring the particles airborne which is easy to breathe in.  Thus, making the mold even more dormant.

 

When in doubt, call a professional. Blue River Restoration has the experience and knowledge to get your structure mold free.

Renting a property or being a landlord can be a good source of income, but also extremely stressful. Blue River Restoration has a few tips to help with being a landlord or property manager but also flood tips to help minimize chances of them happening. Having steps in place and communication is key. Open communication with the renters can save you a lot of headaches later on.

With the tenants living on the property, they likely will notice the damages first. Keeping the open line of communication with the renters is a major key and can save your property from major water damage using these flood tips.

Being able to perform regular maintenance checks on the units will also potentially help with avoiding major water damages.  Staying up to date with the equipment and making sure it is working correctly will affect future problems happening.

The ability to do small and basic water damage/repair work can help cut down on cost. This will also help with the turnaround time for the issues by getting the problem fixed faster. Waiting and paying for a handyman to fix the problem when you can get it done yourself is extremely helpful.

Finding mold on an old loaf of bread can be disgusting enough, but finding it in your house is horrific. Mold can enter your house in various ways from water damage, high levels of humidity or a leak in your home you did not know about. When mold is found, it needs to be cleaned up and fixed immediately.

Mold can affect you with the same symptoms as allergies; stuffy nose, wheezing, red or itching eyes/skin. Exposure to mold can lead to getting asthma for some or even cancer.

Once mold is found, preparing the area is first, then start scrubbing for small amounts. This can be done using vinegar, tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, hydrogen peroxide, or borax.

Doing it yourself can be cost-effective, but the key is it being done correctly and fixing the problem on how it got there in the first place. Fixing it and preventing it from happening again is an important step to keep your family or workers safe and healthy.

Large amounts, especially after water damage, Blue River Restoration is here to help. Our experts know how to contain and get rid of all ounces of mold.

When a fire starts in your home or business, no matter the size, it is always a battle of emotions to get through the process. Once the firefighters leave, calling your insurance come is the next thing to do.

Once speaking with your insurance company, speak with them about the procedures for claims than about restoration companies. The cleanup process of the damaged property is a big aspect of the time frame. Cleaning the soot and any other damage quickly can be essential to contain the damages. At this point, separating the damaged and nondamaged property is a huge step. Keeping the nondamaged property away to keep it from potentially being damaged.

While doing all of this, make sure you have a place that you can stay if the property is damaged to the point that temporary living is not an opinion.

The final huge step is cooperating with your insurance company through the whole process. Adjusters will see the damaged within 48 hours because it is given top priority.

Blue River Restoration‘s experts in fire and smoke damage restoration. Our employees are educated trained and licensed to bring your home back to the way it was.

Severe storms in the Midwest are not your typical types that come to mind when you think of natural disasters. The Midwest does not have hurricanes or tsunamis, but there are tornadoes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms.

These storms can be devasting in their own ways. Tornadoes and blizzard hold their own set of challenges with making it extremely dangerous to be outside or potential move from your location.

3 key steps once a storm has happened:

1) Be aware of Hazards and safe during cleanup
2) Have a professional look at the structure
3) Contact your insurance company and a contractor if needed

A bonus key step to help with the prevention of serious damage during a thunderstorm is to install high impact glass and impact-resistant shingles plus having storm shutters. These can also help lower our insurance.

Hail Damage Can Cost You

Immediate Service: 24/7 Our Technicians Are Ready

Do not Ignore Hail Damage. Visit our Contact Us page to Get immediate help now.

Consider significant damage, the amount of time you have to make an insurance claim, and the cost.

Experts agree hail damage is a necessary and critical repair. The points below detail how hail damage can progress.

The shingles hit by hail have loosened the bond with the granules to the asphalt layer. While you cannot see this from the ground the loosened granules will often end up where your gutters drain. If you see a large accumulation of granules after hail you should have your roof inspected.

Once the granules fall off the damaged areas of the shingles, the sun’s ultraviolet light can weaken the exposed spots and make them brittle. In the winter, the shingle expands and contracts and can curl and crack after being weakened by hail. The exposed areas are then very susceptible to leaks and wind damage.

Storm and weather related damages have different characteristics as it passes through the seasons. Thus, an inspector can tell whether the damage is new or older. Insurance claim periods can vary but typically there is a set amount of time a home owner can make a claim after the damage occurs – whether you were aware of the damage or not. Aspen has detailed maps showing where and when areas received significant hail damage that can be useful to help pinpoint the damage date.

Once leaks occur, the damage can be extensive due to potential damage from mold, electrical issues, ceiling and wall damage from water and perhaps even personal property losses. The damage can also come very quickly and often is not initially detected.
Bottom-line, if you suspect you have hail or storm damage, have your roof professionally inspected.

Emergency? Call us now, 24/7: (317) 986-2410