Basement - Lifehealthhomemadecrafts

May 20, 2022Laura

The Fundamentals of Contents Cleaning in Fire Damaged Houses

There are four critical components to successful fire restoration. Cleaning, deodorizing, sealing, and source removal are essential in the post-fire process. Read on to discover what you should do first. It is necessary to have all your documents, receipts, and insurance information handy. It is also important to list everything on an inventory of your damaged possessions. In addition, you should avoid entering the burned structure without proper PPE and professional help. You should also avoid using or cooking food items exposed to flames. Finally, avoid turning on electrical appliances until you have contacted a professional.

Clean

Fire damages a home in several ways, and a professional is needed to remove all the smoke, water, and soot from the contents of the house. The first step in fire restoration is to smother the fire and clean up the area. Fire damage can damage many things, from furniture to clothing. A professional will be able to evaluate and assess the extent of the damage, including the cost of repairing it.

Deodorize

One of the last steps of fire damage restoration is deodorization. After extinguishing the fire, lingering smoke and water can produce a foul odor. Smoke and water also tend to have mildew. Fire restoration experts use specialized techniques to remove this odor. Here are some tips to help you deodorize your home after a fire. Make sure to hire a professional fire restoration company.

Seal

Before applying a sealer, thorough cleaning and deodorization are necessary. The objective is to ensure that any residues left over from the fire will not reappear. Before using the sealer, an intensive visual examination should be performed. A third-party consulting professional should conduct the inspection. In addition, an onsite inspection is essential to ensure that the sealer is effective.

Source removal

The fundamentals of contents cleaning saint james ny in a fire-damaged house are the same as other major property damage disciplines. Fire damage and restoration begin with cleaning, and the most crucial step is source removal. Fire can leave behind various residues, such as PICs (partially inert compounds). These substances are detrimental to the appearance and can cause significant degradation. In addition to corrosive residues, fire can leave behind corrosive materials and nitric acid.

Alkaline products

When it comes to contents cleaning, alkaline products can be a great alternative to harsher chemical cleaners. These cleaning products contain alkali salts like sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and trisodium phosphate. These ingredients have water-softening properties and are used in soaps, detergents, and cleaning solutions. They are also helpful for cleaning oily surfaces and can remove coffee stains without rinsing. Alkaline products are also available as soaps and are made with different strength alkalis.

Training

In a fire-damaged house, the entire contents must be cleaned and decontaminated before moving on to other areas of the property. A specialist in fire damage restoration will know how to take proper precautions to ensure the safety of those working on the site. A fire-damaged building is often compromised due to broken …

Basement Renovations

March 31, 2022Laura

5 Tasks Power Washing Companies Can Handle for You

Are you ready to spruce up the exterior of your home? A power washing company can help you get a great start with the following tasks.

House Washing

Your house provides shelter for you and your family from the elements. As such, it is constantly exposed to dust, dirt, and grime. And mildew can grow along your outer walls. A good house washing by a professional can remove these unsightly features and make your house look as good as new.

Window Washing

Windows go through the same exposure as your outer walls. However, when your windows are dirty, it affects more than what your home looks like – it affects your ability to see out of your home. Power washing New Smyrna Beach-based can keep your windows looking crystal clear.

Roof Washing

Debris, dirt, grime, and bacterial growth can do more than make your roof look bad. It can also damage your roof. It can lead to a need for replacement long before a roof should wear out. Consistent professional roof washings can keep your roof at its best.

Driveway Cleaning

Over time, driveways of all types can begin to look worn down and impact the look of your entire property. Often, having it power washed can completely change the look.

Gutter Cleaning

Your gutters make it possible for water to flow away from your home as it should. Unfortunately, they can easily become blocked, damage your home’s interior and exterior. Regular gutter cleanings can prevent this from occurring. …

Bathroom Remodel

August 23, 2020Laura

Simple Ways On How To Make The Most Out Of Plumbing

Plumbing problems can seem catastrophic if you don’t know how to fix them. Not only do you have to wait for a professional to be available to help, the cost can be through the roof! Keep reading to arm yourself with some very useful plumbing advice!

Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.

Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.

Knowing which tools to use and how to operate them is essential to any aspiring plumber. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Plan thoroughly before attempting a repair. Mistakes can be very expensive to fix.

If you have a clogged toilet with the water level very low, and plunging it isn’t working, it’s possible to resolve this by pouring warm water from a bucket directly into the toilet bowl from about waist level. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.

Avoid placing fat, grease, and other oils into your drain. They can clog your drains once they cool down. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.

Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Use a plug or rag to cover the drain, because there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. Although this is useful for clearing away simple clogs made of hair and soap debris, it will not work for serious blockages.

Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.

As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next …

Bathroom Renovations

June 6, 2020Laura

What To Improve Your Landscaping? Here’s How!

When you look at your yard, do you gaze lovingly at your yard or do you run in the house and hide from embarrassment? Too often, people don’t think they can afford to improve the appearance of their yard. In reality it can be easy and cost effective when you know the right way to do it. Take a look at the helpful ideas below.

Using native plants for your landscaping plan will make it easier to maintain your yard. Plants which are native to the area are simpler to maintain because they have are already used to the climate and soil. This means you won’t have to spend so much time maintaining the plants in your yard. Check out a local gardening store and see what plants are actually native in your area.

When you are putting together an outdoor cooking area, consider using sturdy granite for the surfaces. While other surfaces may be less expensive in the short-term, granite is much more durable and lower maintenance. Also, granite can withstand high temperatures without damage.

Ask an expert to test your soil before you plant. Soil tests help you figure out what has to be eliminated or added, so you can fix these things before planting. This will improve the quality of the plants in your yard or garden.

Don’t tackle too large of a landscaping project at one time. Divide your landscaping plans into different phases, taking into account the different seasons and levels of difficulty. If any changes in your design come up as you landscape, this also makes it easier to implement those changes.

A lot of people fail to consider buying landscaping plants online. This can not only save you money, but it can also help you to find plants that are more rare and not carried locally or even in specialty stores in your area.

If you want a colorful garden or yard but don’t have a lot of money to spend, think about using wildflowers. The sort of ordinary wildflower seeds available at the local home improvement outlet can be effectively used to cover areas with difficult soil conditions or large open spaces. You will end up with beautiful varieties of flowers. They can be made into beautiful bouquets.

For certain items, go with the less expensive product. Products such as mulch, planting containers, and many perennials have cheaper versions that are the same as the higher priced items. It is very important that you be sure to look over your plants thoroughly. They may not have received the proper care.

It can be very hard to plant flowers in your yard underneath a large tree that has a lot of shade. Consider using a ground cover rather than flowers underneath such trees. Not only will this make your yard more beautiful, it’s simple to keep up with. Hosta and sweet woodruff are some ground covering options.

Now that you’ve seen what you should do to improve the quality of your yard, start …

Basement Remodeling

May 29, 2020Laura

Tricks And Tips On How To Do Plumbing Right

With plumbing problems, you need to make sure you properly take care of the issue. If you are not sure how to do this, perhaps some advice to point you in the right direction is all you need. This article provides several tips that can serve as a great starting point.

In order to prevent any pipes within your home from freezing, you should never let the home temperature get below freezing. Always insulate pipes exposed to elements. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. At best, it can take time for them to thaw and for you to be able to have running water. But, more importantly, the pipes can burst, which will cause a huge mess and big repair bill.

Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This prevents sediment from building up in the tank and causing a backup into your home or causing the failure of the septic system itself. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

Wait to give compensation to a plumber until they are finished with their work. Although you might be required to pay a down payment before the job is initiated, never pay the bill in full until you are certain that the job is completed to your satisfaction. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.

Odor removers such as bleach toilets are not good for your plumbing system. They can clean the bowl and remove odors, but they also damage the soft plastic and rubber parts in and around your toilet.

If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and a plunger is not doing the trick, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. If the water goes down to a lower level again, then you should repeat the procedure.

If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Even when they are turned off, disposals can be very dangerous. Go online and search for sketch of your disposal, or a troubleshooter.

Don’t put fat, grease and other oils into the drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Be sure to get rid of oil products away from your sink.

If you’re ready to conquer plumbing issues, keep these tips in mind. You need to take care of plumbing problems the proper way, or if you hire a professional, make sure you hire the …

Basement Renovations

May 8, 2020Laura

Simple Plumbing Tips That Work Well And Everyone Can Understand

What do you know about plumbing? Do you want to know more? How does your plumbing skill set look? If you’re not satisfied with your responses to any of these questions, the following hints and tips can help.

To keep your pipes from getting frozen, always maintain a temperature in the house above freezing and make sure all pipes exposed to outside elements are insulated properly. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. In the worst case, the pipes would burst, and you would be stuck with costly repairs and a very messy cleanup procedure.

Do not pay your plumber until they finish the job. You may have to put money down before they start working, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.

If your garbage disposal is having problems, don’t give in to the desire to attempt a fix by reaching down into the disposal. Even when in the off position, garbage disposals are dangerous. Search online for a troubleshooting manual for your disposal.

Make sure there is a strainer covering all drains in order to collect particles that would cause a clog if they went down the drain. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. Bathtubs should be equipped with strainers as well, and they too will need to be cleaned regularly.

Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. You might be tempted to call the plumber every time you need something fixed, but if you wait and hire the plumber for a single visit, you can save up money for repairs. Also, combining smaller jobs into one larger job lets the plumber finish his work faster and therefore saves you money.

Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. When checking for potential problems and repairs, you should also remove obstructions from the overflow holes.

To limit toilet problems, don’t use it as a trash can. Avoid flushing pads, cotton, towels, tissues or anything that cannot dissolve easily to avoid plugging the pipes. As well, use just enough toilet paper to clean yourself!

Take preventative measures to keep your plumbing costs low. Clogs are one of the main reasons people have to call a plumber. Hair is a common material in drain clogs. A great way to help prevent those clogs is to install a screen on top of the drain. Just make sure that it properly fits your drain. You can remove hair much easier from a screen as opposed to getting it out of the …

Bathroom Renovations

April 6, 2020Laura

Get Rid Of Pests For Good With These Tips!

Finding pests in your beloved home can be devastating. There are lots of kinds of pests that can just take over your house in nothing flat. Even with a clean home and a watchful eye on the door, you’re still pest-ready. You will gain some great information from this article.

Keep your rugs and carpet vacuumed. This gets rid of the ants and some bugs that get in your living room rugs. When you are finished, throw the bag in the garbage.

If your home has a problem with brown recluse spiders, use sticky traps to catch them. These spiders are poisonous and hard to reach using chemicals. Spiders come out during the night to eat. You can catch them with traps strategically placed behind furnishings and along the walls.

Spray a perimeter spray around your home to keep bugs out. Spray around the foundation, porches, steps and anything near a door or a window. Look for cracks that pests can use as an entrance to your home. Use caulk or another type of filler to seal the open areas.

If you are dealing with bedbugs, be wary. Bedbugs can hibernate an entire year. This is why you should make sure to close all open holes in walls and floors. It will make it impossible for them to hide there.

Always keep food properly sealed. Food scents are a big attraction to a lot of pests. In addition, when your trash bag is full, take it out immediately. Scent from trash also attracts pests.

It can be hard to eradicate bed bugs; they hide in small places. Before beginning any type of bedbug treatment, seal any holes in your home. This will keep any of the bugs from escaping before they’re all dead.

Examine your house for accumulated pockets of water. Standing water is one of the biggest attractants for pests. Inspect your home and look for leaky pipes. Also, the trays holding your indoor plants might conceal standing water, as well. Since pests need water in order to live, getting rid of excess water will make your home less desirable for them.

Put new plants at least a few feet from your home. Bushes make a great home for many different insects and rodents. Keeping leaves and other dry brush away from the building will help you keep pests out of your home.

Always fix leaks in the plumbing. Pests love to find those water sources. They are able to sense drips from far away. Don’t cause your own pest invasion. Keep your home in good order to eliminate conditions that attract pests.

Check your plumbing area if you choose to deal with your pest problem. Make sure that all sinks and drains are unclogged, both in and around your home. When drains become clogged, the resultant mess provides a food source for undesirable creatures. After you have initially cleared your drains, do this on a monthly basis.

These tips should help you eliminate common pests. We have just …

Bathroom Remodel

March 15, 2020Laura

Furniture Tips You Should Be Aware Of

Is your knowledge about furniture shopping up to par? All of the brands, companies, prices and kind of furniture make it hard to choose. Too often, people buy furniture on impulse. To avoid this mistake, read on.

When purchasing a couch, look for one that is well-built, then worry about comfort. In particular, investigate the springs. Serpentine springs are acceptable but eight-way, hand-tied springs are better. Push down on the springs to see how they respond to you. Good springs are close together and feel firm.

If you are buying wood furniture, especially if they are antique, look beyond the outside of the piece. Inspect the frame and the joints and test out drawers or moving pieces. Most of the time a good visual inspection will allow you to get a better picture of its condition, as opposed to simply looking at the surface wood. The secondary woods used give you insight into the piece’s quality.

Color of furniture is one of your prime considerations when you are looking at new pieces. Bright colors may not go well with current and future decor. Stick with neutral colors for large furniture and save bold colors for the smaller pieces.

Before purchasing a piece of furniture, look at the legs. Legs must be joined at the frame, and must also be heavy. Legs made of plastic, rubber or metal aren’t as strong as wooden legs, and they may damage your flooring. Be sure that the legs are firmly joined to the frame and not just nailed on.

You need to know the legitimacy of a company if making a furniture purchase online. You can check out the BBB and look at online reviews to get information about a given company. Additionally, consider the price with the tax, shipping and handling tacked on.

Choose durability when choosing materials for your furniture. You need to be sure that it is built to last. Furniture costs a lot of money and you have to select things that will last you. Your furniture will last longer if you choose pieces that are constructed with metal or hardwoods.

Read the warranty prior to making a furniture purchase. In many cases, furniture represents a major investment. You don’t want to spend too much money without having a way to recover it, i.e. to replace your furniture if it gets damaged. If you read all warranty facts, you will know whether the damage will be covered.

Who will really be using your new furniture? Those who live on their own don’t have to worry much as they’re the only one using it. The fabric and color you choose should be taken into consideration if there are pets in your house. A lot of pets will be shedding and that can make some fabrics collect the hair more.

Because you took time to thoroughly examine the knowledge provided here, you should feel better about your future furniture purchases. Now you should be able to get some great deals when looking …

Basement Remodeling

February 10, 2020Laura

Simple Home Security Tips That Will Actually Work

If you were curious about home security options, continue reading for useful advice. Home security is a complex and costly topic that requires a great deal of thought. If you want to make the right decision, you need the right information about the subject.

Your home should looked occupied all the time. Timers can be used to turn lights and televisions on and off when required. This makes it appear that someone is home. This can be a terrific method of securing your home and keeping burglars at bay.

When you buy a new house, change the locks. The previous owners or tenants might have made several copies of the key. To make sure no one else can get into your home, call a locksmith. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. Before you give a cleaner full access to your home for extended periods of time, you have to be certain that they’re trustworthy and reliable. Make sure you check references. If it is a known company, check with your local BBB.

If your social networking accounts are filled with folks you do not really know, do not announce vacations on the sites. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.

You should talk to your friends and family about advice concerning certain home security companies. They have likely had interactions with home security providers that they can tell you about, saving you time and stress. Ask a number of people to get a several different opinions.

Clear away all the dead and dried out vegetation around your home in the summer. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. You can prevent disasters by keeping your yard clean.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spent, you should have an annual test. A security professional should visit to help with the testing process. There are quite a few things that can negatively impact the effectiveness of home security equipment. For example, adverse weather conditions or pests such as raccoons can cause problems. You might be unaware of problems that arise in some cases.

Motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home is a great idea. When a person walks by your home too closely, these lights will go on. They will notify you of any movement and can deter any possible burglars since they like remaining inconspicuous. Remember that the bulbs need to be changed so that the lights keep working.

Consider changing your locks as a part of your home security program. It might be that you have an angry ex-roommate or a bitter ex-partner, so changed locks will boost your security. It shouldn’t cost too much, and the process can be completed very quickly.

Hopefully, a close reading of the tips above has equipped you with some great guidance …

Bathroom Renovations

December 23, 2019Laura

Smart Pest Control Tips You Can Start Using Today

Are you in the know about pest control? If not, this article will provide you with sound advice to help you fight your pest problem. Use the tips that work best for your situation. There is no better time to deal with a pest issue than now.

Vacuum every rug you own to remove pests. You will sweep up pests living in the carpeting. After you finish vacuuming, be sure to discard the bag.

Know your local building codes and ordinances regarding what specific treatments are available for pest control. If you are trying to sell your house, you might not want to spray pesticides that are illegal. You should always do some research on pest control methods authorized in your area and not hesitate to contact local authorities if you are not sure what to do.

Seal any cracks or crevices that you may have in your home right away. Frequently, these openings provide an entry for pests to enter your house. Seal these cracks and place some orange oil or poison to keep the pest away.

Solutions to pest and bug problems are just around the corner. Try using the home improvement store as a resource and speak with the workers there. The staff can recommend a pesticide or other product that you can use to get rid of your pests.

Electronic pest control can work really well. They are plugged into outlets and emit sounds that repel vermin. Although they are audible to humans, they are not harmful to humans or pets in anyway. Because rodents hate the noise, they will not remain in an area where it is present.

Mosquitoes will disappear if they do not have a place to lay their eggs. Get rid of standing water. Mosquitoes have the ability to breed anywhere a small amount of water is left.

If you own a recreational vehicle that you don’t use in the winter, you’ve probably noticed that mice sometimes find their way inside. You can use natural repellents to get rid of those types of guests. Smaller bags of repellent can smell good and do not have a poisonous effect, yet can keep mice away.

When storing food items like cereal or sugar, use a container that you can seal tightly. Lots of these products are sold in boxes or bags, which can be easily breached by pests. Whenever you shop, you should put dry goods into sealed bins. You will keep your food fresher for a longer period of time and thwart pests with this method.

Regularly check your home’s foundation for any cracks. There are usually certain fissures or cracks in a structure after many years of wear and tear. Pest can enter your home through these cracks. Also, check your ceiling. You may have tiny cracks that pests can utilize.

Use the advice you have learned here to formulate your own effective pest control plan today. Small pests are very annoying, and you are wanting to eliminate them for good. Now …

Category: Basement

Clean

Deodorize

Seal

Source removal

Alkaline products

Training

House Washing

Window Washing

Roof Washing

Driveway Cleaning

Gutter Cleaning